Beyond the Menu

You can’t tell the full story of Hong Kong without the iconic pineapple bun, yet who created it remains a mystery. Some say it all began in the 1920s with an ​​Armenian pastry chef working at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Others say it originated with a Chinese-Mexican family deported from Mexico in the 1930s. Watch the video for a delicious, cross-continental journey to get to the bottom of it.

We’re in peak birria these days, where every taqueria in town has to have its own version. But this newish food trend is actually very old, a perfect collection of some of humanity’s oldest cooking techniques and ingredients merged together into one amazing hand-held treat. It's a perfect (and delicious) expression of ancient traditions that span thousands of years across both sides of the planet.

Have you ever wondered about the delicious samosa—the perfect starter to any Indian meal? We discovered that this bite-size street food has an epic history and it starts, not in India, but actually beyond the subcontinent. Samosas became such a crowd pleaser that even a famous Sultan/Emperor was enamored by them.

You might think that corn tortilla from your favorite Mexican restaurant is as good as it gets, but chances are it’s made from a mass-produced corn powder. But fear not! A better corn tortilla exists and has existed for thousands of years. All you need is fresh corn and an ancient science that’s almost as old as civilization itself.

Uncover the sweet saga behind Rocky Road ice cream as we discover how the tumultuous 1920s, Prohibition, and World War II all played a pivotal role in transforming ice cream into the ultimate American comfort food. From humble beginnings to becoming a nationwide sensation, explore how Rocky Road became not just a flavor, but a symbol of resilience and indulgence in the face of adversity.

There is no ONE sambal. Although there are over 200 different varieties of this spicy hot sauce in Indonesia alone, the chile pepper has been the one common key ingredient in every recipe for centuries . Or so we thought. There’s evidence of sambal hundreds of years before the chile pepper arrived in Asia. So what the heck did they put in sambal back then?

Learn about the journey of chicken and waffles before it became the iconic Southern comfort food dish that makes our taste buds sing. Join us as we trace the roots of this culinary masterpiece from the 1600’s, when the Pilgrims first arrived in the United States, to the Harlem Renaissance and all the way to Hollywood. Follow along as we learn how this delicious pairing stood the test of time.

Explore Mexico's beloved chamoy. Offering a blend of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors, it's a star in Mexican cuisine, enhancing fruits, candy, and even drinks. But where did chamoy come from? Was it introduced by Filipino-Chinese immigrants or the Japanese? Does it have a connection to Hawaii? Join us as we uncover the roots of one of Mexico's favorite condiments.