ASAM300

Introduction to Asian America Contributing Authors: Michelle Mora, Sharon Shin, Jason Zakuto & Gilbert Truong

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Boba 7

Milk Tea Boba, a drink growing in popularity, has come a long way since its first creation in 1985 at the Chun Shui Tang company.

Elton Keung, entrepreneur and USC Alumni, took a venture into the Milk Tea business after graduation. The business began on whim with the idea of Asian mixology using Alcoholic Boba as the game plan. 

Elton Keung took a trip to Taichung, Thaiwan in search of the origins of the original concoction. He found the woman to meet during the day her company (Chun Shui Tang) was holding a milk tea making competition. David Keung was invited in and learned about the history of 1985. It was then, he knew his calling.

Boba 7, for it's location on 7th street, goes by the name of "Laboratory" specifically aimed towards its mixed alcoholic drinks. With about six original drinks along with many other drinks to offer, there's much to try and experiment with. Many of his drinks are hash-tagged and can be found on most popular social media platforms. These drinks include the Green Tea Heineken, Applejito, and Barack Bobama. The newest drink in the non-alcoholic menu is the Bobatella which even has a DIY video with Elton showing how to make it step-by-step.

Slowly gaining recognition for his Asian mixology, Elton Keung experiments much with the milk tea boba finding new ways to twisting the typical and making it a unique experience.

Check out Boba 7's website!

Written by Jason Zakuto (Photos by Michelle Mora, Jason Zakuto, and Boba7's facebook)

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David Hyun: Yagura Tower

David Hyun, the first architect of Korean descent in the United States and a prominent supporter of the modernist style in Los Angeles, passed away on May 2, 2012. His best-known work is the Japanese Village Plaza, an outdoor mall in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood that received applause for its design and helped animate the once-fading neighborhood. 

His professional career was indeed impressive. He passed the rigorous architectural licensing exams without any formal training, attracting the attention of outstanding local firms. It would be the decidedly Japanese Village Plaza, however, that would draw the most attention. The outdoor mall took many features from traditional Japanese villages, including the fire tower that has become its landmark. 

This picture of the Japanese Village Plaza, which as David Hyun’s best-known work, shows the water tower that has become its landmark. The Yagura FIre Tower is a replica of a Japanese fire lookout called Hi-no-mi yagura, designed by David Hyun in 1978. It gave a really nice artistic touch, and a touch of authenticity. He was a fine architect, and he had a very arty eye. The plaza earned a federal design award in 1983. 

Written by Sharon Shin

Reference from koreanslate.com and kcet.org

(Photos from Michelle Mora and forestlawn.tributes.com)

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Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

When we think of historical ethnic enclaves, our minds often go towards the popular Chinatown or Koreatown. However, we tend to forget about one of the most thriving districts in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo.

Being one of three official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo serves as the cultural center for the largest Japanese-American population in Southern California, and consists of many cultural, religious, shopping, and dining attractions. At the core of this district sits the prominent Japanese Village Plaza, which houses many restaurants that serve a variety of Japanese cuisines and shops that supply goods pertaining to Japanese pop culture, health, and beauty.

Although Little Tokyo is certainly a place that celebrates Japanese culture, it caters to all, Japanese and non-Japanese alike. Walking through the central plaza on a Saturday afternoon, you will find it heavily populated by a diverse crowd even in the least ideal weather. With it being so close to downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo is the perfect place for those in search of food, art, and entertainment.

Written and Photos by Michelle Mora

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Chinese Takeout

In the American culture, most ideals and perceptions of Asian Americans are made through stereotypes and prejudgements. Whether the judgements are positive or negative, they still occur fairly frequently. The quintessential representation for the Asians in the mainstream culture seems to be Chinese takeout. Even if one is Asian, but not Chinese, they are still associated with the Chinese takeout.

In the mainstream culture, they equate any Asian with Chinese takeout, because they believe that the Asian brought these foods to America from their homeland in Asia. This is actually not accurate, seeing that the modern day Chinese takeout had developed and evolved here in America. What is seen as synonymous with Chinese culture is purely an American phenomenon.

Although the style of cooking and most flavors derive from authentic Chinese foods, the end product is purely American. One item that is served regularly that many people love is Chop suey, which was ultimately developed in America by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century. Ingredients widely utilized in Chinese takeout, which are rarely used in traditional Chinese cooking are orange-colored carrots, tomatoes, and broccoli.

Other aspects of Chinese takeout that are purely American are the takeout containers and the fortune cookies. These two iconic symbols of Chinese takeout were originally not associated with the Chinese at all. The containers were initially used for oysters due to being constructed from inexpensive material and the fact that it was, for the most part, spill-proof. The fortune cookies, however, were developed in Japan with different ingredients. 

Although the mainstream culture distinguishes Chinese takeout as the definitive image for Asians in America and Asia, they're mistaken. Chinese takeout is primarily an American conception. 

Written by Gilbert Truong Photo: Takeout by ginnerobot on Flickr.

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Chinatown, Los Angeles

What is perceived by the rest of the world to be the cultural center of the Chinese Americans in Los Angeles has turned out to be anything but. 

When one thinks of Chinatown, Los Angeles, the first thought that comes to mind is a prospering enclave of Chinese Americans in a hustle and bustle environment with businesses and customers loudly making deals on items such as groceries or clothing. The reality of the historic Chinatown is that as time went on, the young ones grew up and moved out to different areas of Los Angeles County such as the San Gabriel Valley. This part of town has become a remnant of the past rather than a thriving component of the metropolis that is Downtown Los Angeles.

While walking through the area designated as Chinatown, Los Angeles, one important aspect was essentially missing—people. The atmosphere of Chinatown was desolate and lifeless due to the emptiness of the streets and businesses. Although the weather was in the high 80s, the plazas and shopping centers had a chilling, unwelcoming feeling. A prevalent sight was the amount of older Chinese men and women around town. Most of the shops were run by the older residents with few young people in sight. Since the young residents have moved out of the area, the older Chinese Americans residents are in a way left with the task of keeping the Chinese traditions alive in this bleak part of town.

With this problem growing with time, city planners have begun to do something about it. Opening later this year (2013), Jia Apartments, a 6-story apartment complex, will be completed at the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and North Broadway Street. This mix-use building will frame the gateway to Chinatown, with shops and restaurants on the first floor. Jia Apartments may be the element that could introduce people and street life back into the area.

Written by Gilbert Truong (Photos from Michelle Mora, Gilbert Truong and BrighamYen.com)