What does it mean to truly belong — when your name, food, and even identity feel constantly misunderstood? MasterChef France 2015 winner Khánh Ly Huynh opens up about growing up Vietnamese in France, navigating identity, and challenging what it means to be Asian in a Eurocentric culinary world. From the emotional ties to fermented fish, to calling out cultural appropriation and the pricing bias in Asian food, Khánh Ly gets real, sassy, and unapologetic.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
03:55 - Khánh Ly’s unexpected culinary journey from law and luxury watches to MasterChef France
07:09 - Growing up as Vietnamese in France
10:23 - What is Vietnamese food to Khánh Ly? Bánh cuốn as her comfort food
17:27 - Cultural nuances and representation of Asian food today
24:20 - Fusion vs. appropriation; elevating vs. valorizing Asian food
32:11 - Pricing, value, and the bias against Asian cuisine (Jungle Asian?)
38:19 - The burnout; shifting focus to content creation for Asians abroad
40:58 - Sambal Survey
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