On this episode we’ve got Haeny Yoon, host of Pop and Play podcast, bringing us her childhood dish sujebi. Was it a snack? Was it dinner? When you’re in middle school, is there a difference?? We talk about growing up with two working immigrant parents and what that meant for cooking, being simultaneously too Korean and not Korean enough, and the genetic nature of loving a soupy noodle thing. Plus we talk about making more space for Asian stories, and authenticity: what even is it anymore?? 

Haeny mentions a few great New York Times pieces that you might want to check out: 

• "Asian-Americans Need More Movies, Even Mediocre Ones" by Viet Thanh Nguyen on narrative plentitude and Crazy Rich Asians.

This episode we’re talking with nurse coach Alyssa Saquilayan about her ultimate comfort dish, spam eggs and rice. While it’s not a recipe, we talk about how this quick simple meal was a point of bonding among a generation of cousins, about the first taste of food autonomy, and reconciling important cultural foods by so-called wellness culture. Plus we talk about more things to eat with banana ketchup, a partner’s influence on cooking habits, and shout out Costco (again!).

We’re biased but this is an especially fun one for us! We’re talking to loooong time friend of the show, designer Crystal Chin, about her mom’s Big Fat Rice Noodle Roll (official, technical title). We talk about growing up ethnically Chinese and culturally more Burmese, translating being a maker of things into cooking, and how crucial (and time consuming!) the seemingly insignificant pantry staples are to making certain dishes successful and more accessible. 

Mangia! This episode we’re talking with stylist and SAHM Melanie Pochat of Matre Style about her mom’s spaghetti and meatballs. We talk about what it’s like having two parents who were avid cooks, and what it’s like growing up in a place where being Italian is nearly as “exotic” as being Chinese, let alone being both! We get into overcoming diet culture, the pressures of exposing kids to a variety of foods and flavors, and finding out that spaghetti sauce can come from the grocery store.

To get this classic recipe and try it out for yourself, find it at worstqualitycrab.com

It’s a switcheroo this time as Freesia gets a taste of her own medicine when she scoots into the hot seat and Sam grills her on vegetarian moussaka. It’s a distinctly non-Asian dish and with it’s many components and steps, it’s a diversion from quick weeknight dish. We talk about growing up vegan in the 80s and 90s, a cost-benefit analysis of improvising on special nostalgic recipes, and the unfair maligning of tofu.

In this very special episode we keep it in the family! We’re talking to Sam’s sister Angela about her childhood dinnertime lifeline, Ham-BUR-gah! (IYKYK) and what it’s like to grow up and cook as an adult in the shadow of a prolific homecook. We talk about cooking for kids and wonder whether dinnertime traditions are continuing a legacy or perpetuating guilt. But in a fun way. Plus a shocking-ish revelation about Sam & Angela’s mom! 

We’re talking to our friends Deanna and Rob, about being bi-racial in very white Virginia in the 90s, and what it’s like growing up in the same house, eating the same foods, but having different takes on the same experiences. They tell us about Mom’s Chicken, a kind of freestyle dish that was a hit as kids and is still requested on visits home. We talk identity, after school nostalgia, and the ever-changing experience of being mixed and Asian in an evolving society.

We’re joined by Nicole Cruz, Life & Leadership Coach to 1st & 2nd generation immigrants, to talk about her childhood sick-day soup, Arroz Caldo. We talk about the importance of food in Filipino culture, honoring our elders through their recipes, and how younger generations are crafting their relationship to culture and food in new ways. Plus, the future of Filipino food: not ube everything!

It’s our very first episode! We’re talking to Bay Area food & travel writer Margot Seeto who helped inspire this whole dang thing. We’ll talk with her about minced beef with peas—aka Peas a la Seeto at her house—and how she and Sam both had this as kids but with wildly different experiences at home. We also get into gender roles in the kitchen, cooking for our own kids, and Costco as a love language.

Freesia and Sam welcome you and discuss the origins of the show and title. For more stories and recipes, please visit worstqualitycrab.com and follow us on Instagram @worstqualitycrab.