Hasta La Ideas

Author and chef Eric Kim tells us about the power of surprising flavors and what it means to be Korean American

When food columnist Eric Kim published his second article with The New York Times, he broke out in hives. The article “was about banchan (the collective name that refers to side dishes in Korean cuisine)—a harmless piece,” Kim admits. “But because I was so worried about upsetting Korean people, I got shingles.” His nervousness was not unfounded. In the past, when Kim published his recipes—which typically center on Korean dishes—comments from naysayers quickly follow. “There are some Koreans who think I don’t have a right to talk because I’m American. It’s this constant thing of Koreans telling me I’m not Korean enough and Americans telling me I’m not American enough. Well, who am I?” Kim asks. His debut cookbook, aptly titled Korean America: Food That Tastes Like Home (out 29 March), investigates this.

Part cookbook, part memoir and part archive, the upcoming book is a journey that navigates what it means to be Korean American, from Kim’s personal anecdotes and recipes from childhood to seemingly blasphemous fusion dishes that recall the early era of immigration. While Kim notes that the quest to define a hybrid, immigrant identity has, by now, been done many times, never has it been executed with such tang, richness, defiance and culinary complexity.

“My beat is nostalgia,” Kim tells COOL HUNTING. “I’m really interested in how the past can influence the present, resulting in this third thing. Because of the pressure of being in food media and The New York Times, people think I’m writing about brand new things (an assumption that his minor naysayers fall back on), but what I like to do is step back into the past and be like, ‘This is a thing I’ve been eating my whole life.’ I wrote about it because I noticed it exists across cultures—that’s the the story.” It’s also one that no one else has written about.

Case in point: Korean tacos. “Upon looking at it, people might be like ‘Oh, these are just fusion dishes. Some dumb, young Korean American is putting together tacos and Korean barbecue, but actually if you really did the reporting, you would find out LA Korean tacos are part of the community because there’s such an influx of Mexican and Korean immigrants,” he explains. “So that is a true dish—it’s not a fusion dish, it’s a part of the culture.” In the book, Kim’s own Korean taco recipe—the contrasting yet meticulously balanced Jalapeño-Marinated Chicken Tacos with Watermelon Muchim—recalls this history while incorporating his own family’s spin. This is not to say that every recipe in this book stems from historical fusion, some—like Cheesy Corn and Ranch Pizza with Black Pepper-Honey, which combines Kim’s childhood affair with California Pizza Kitchen and Korean sweet pizzas—were born purely from the art of experimenting.

In fact, it was precisely this experimenting that led Kim to resolve the book’s central question: What does it mean to be Korean American? While writing and combing through the annals to find the origins of non-traditional recipes, it became increasingly apparent that the experience of being a Korean in American is vast. “There is more than one way to be Korean American,” Kim writes. “We are infinite. The more we can distance ourselves from this impulse to define entire cultures, cuisines and experiences as monoliths, the more empathetic we’ll become as cooks, and the easier it will be to finally dispel the myth of ‘authenticity.’”

There is more than one way to be Korean America. We are infinite

As such, the recipes in Korean American are nuanced and multi-layered, flirting constantly between harmony and tension. In Kim’s Roasted-Seaweed Avocado Toast, America’s adoption of the Australian-born dish sounds completely dichotomous with Korean gim but the punchiness of rice vinegar and saltiness of seaweed complement the creaminess of the avocado. Similar relationships hold true in Kim’s Gochujang Chocolate Lava Cakes, Lasagna with Gochugaru Oil or really any of the book’s recipes.

If the dishes and essays in the cookbook reflect an exploration of Korean American identity, then they also tell a story about coming of age, a journey sparked by the book when Kim moved back home to his parent’s house in Georgia to write it. In transcribing his mother’s recipes in his childhood bedroom, the professional chef confronted his own past, family and understanding of self. Food not only catalyzed this evolution, but it also embodied how Kim came to embrace it.

In the chapter “Tiger and the Hand,” for instance, Kim talks about sohn mat, which is a Korean word that literally translates to “hand touch,” referring to a cook’s signature and particular style of cooking. Kim brings up the notion in an attempt to perfectly recreate his mother’s dishes, but in doing so, he finds the sohn mat for his book, characterized in the latter half of the cookbook’s title: food that tastes like home. “People will be surprised,” Kim says of the book. “The flavors are just so surprising. I like surprising people’s palates. When you take a bite of something, you’re like ‘I’ve never had that before, but I feel like I’ve been eating it my whole life.’ That’s how I would describe my food. That’s what food that taste like home is.”

“All I want to do,” he continues, “is provide beautiful stories that make people feel things and tell the truth and in providing that positivity, my hope is that it will change people’s minds, people who think authenticity is this iron fist.” Celebrating unexpected, unconventional fusion food, Korean American boldly disrupts the culinary canon, asserting the multiplicity within all identities across the diaspora. And just like the strong, vibrant flavor within its pages, the book’s subversion is explicitly unapologetic. “In the beginning, I used to be so meek, so scared about Korean haters,” says Kim. “I’m not scared anymore.”

Hero image reprinted from Korean American. Copyright © 2022 Eric Kim. Photographs copyright © 2022 Jenny Huang. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House.

A category defining Irish whiskey style from a resurrected brand

One of the most awarded figures in Irish whiskey, Darryl McNally, has spent roughly three decades in the spirits industry. After years working his way up the ranks of renowned whiskey producers, McNally ventured home to Limavady, in Northern Ireland’s Roe Valley, where he began to resurrect the coastal town’s historic distillery, Limavady, originally founded in 1750 and shuttered in 1910. Today, McNally—as brand founder and whiskey distiller—stewards Limavady into the future by way of a highly awarded super-premium craft whiskey. The rich and flavorful Limavady Single Barrel Single Malt pioneers a prestigious new category of Irish whiskey—and anyone with a preference for luscious, creamy liquids with nut and stone fruit notes and a heart of spice will appreciate it. McNally took time to explain to COOL HUNTING his motivation behind the revival and his dreams for the exceptionally small-batch whiskey brand.

Why bring Limavady back instead of launch something new? What appealed to you about the heritage? And, as you are a descendant of an 18th Century operator of the brand’s distillery, why did you want to take up the mantle?

Since the day I was born in Limavady I have dreamed of bringing the brand back to life, it haunted me in my sleep—in a good way. I have worked across the industry in every facet and have been fortunate to experience all that the world of Irish whiskey has to offer from creating award-winning brands and opening distilleries across Ireland and then sharing them with the world. However, there was one that always nagged at me, Limavady. Keep in mind, at one time, Limavady was producing 1.2 million liters annually! People know it very well in this part of the world. We like to say that every bottle produced there was a postcard from the town to whiskey drinkers around the world.

Each day I woke up it was right in front of me, literally, the original distillery site from 1750 is in my backyard. In a way, I had no choice but to find a way to revitalize it. Limavady is where I am from, and the brand history runs through me. I am honored to bring it to a new generation of drinkers and let’s just say that the folks around town give me a few more pats on the back than they used to!

Let’s discuss the already award-winning flavor profile. What can consumers expect here? And how were those flavors achieved?

We have been very lucky to win some of the top awards across the drinks space, feeling very good about the feedback received so far, we can’t wait to get it out there to more markets across the world. Limavady is small batch, 100% malted Irish barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills and aged in ex-bourbon barrels, finished in Pedro Ximinez Sherry casks. It has a ton of flavor, absolutely bursting with energy. Drink it on the rocks, chilled neat or try it in a cocktail, works all ways…just make sure you’re enjoying Limavady with friends and family. That’s what it is all about. This is a whiskey that brings people together.

Can you further explain what single barrel means and why that’s important?

This style comes from an individual barrel versus blending from different barrels. It is important because the longer the whiskey ages in a single barrel, the more flavors it gets from that one barrel, making it that much more robust of a whiskey. I believe in the singularity of Irish whiskey, in particular Irish malt. And that each individual barrel is high enough quality to showcase on its own. The label on every bottle will highlight what barrel every bottle can be traced back to.

As master distiller, what’s your mission with the brand? What’s your vision for the brand? And what do you hope for?

Simply put, we want as many people on earth to experience Limavady as humanly possible. Our mission is to continue to grow the brand across all major continents. The vision is simple: to bring Irish drinkers something they’ve never seen from the category. Limavady has quite a story to tell, and I look forward to sharing it around the world. I hope Limavady serves as a time machine to where Irish whiskey has been and a vision into the future of what the Irish whiskey category will be.

Can you explain the partnership with WhistlePig Whiskey and what it means for Limavady?

WhistlePig manages the bottling and distribution of the whiskey under my direction, and they are helping Limavady create the Single Barrel Irish category, much the same way that WhistlePig has done with aged and experimental rye. I’m directly managing the production and innovation and bring the Limavady story and spirit to life. We are the dream team.

WhistlePig’s team visited me in Limavady and experienced the historic distillery grounds, but we are looking to the future more than the past. Irish whiskey is a category that needs to push the boundaries and break through stereotypes. Irish Single Malt, and moreover Single Barrel, deserves the same recognition as both single malt scotch and craft American whiskey.

Images courtesy of Limavady

A desktop serves as an altar for work, school, or business for some people. It is our gateway to the outside world as it is where we connect to the Internet and start being a citizen of the virtual society. And since we are not going back to the office anytime soon, we must continue making sure our work area is clean, clutter-free, and efficient.

If you’re on the lookout for new stuff for your home office, you may want to consider improving your desk situation first. Get a computer desktop stand to elevate your monitor or laptop and place your smartphone and other things there. The MOLO is an ideal computer stand with its static design and more.

Designer: Ivan Vecchia and Giorgio Mastropasqua

The MOLO comes in a monolithic design and can hold a computer or monitor with strength and durability. It can help you ensure your desk is as well organized and functional as you need it to be. A well-managed working environment can enable you to focus on the tasks at hand.

Your workstation with a MOLO at the center can inspire you to do your best. As the Molo keeps its place securely on your desk, you can be reminded to be grounded and responsible. It also offers more functions as it comes with an integrated wireless charger on the rotating shelf. You can place your mobile devices on the shelf, and then, you can hide the keyboard underneath the MOLO when not in use. The effect is a clean and elegant system for your work desk where you spend your precious hours each day.

The MOLO’s aesthetics is very minimalist. Transparent material has been applied to the base, giving it a floating effect. The main shape is round for a cleaner and smoother look and feel. Some LED lights are placed under the main surface for an illuminated effect. The lights can change color, and if it were up to us, they should be changing and dancing to music.

This MOLO PC stand was designed by Italian industrial designers Ivan Vecchia and Giorgio Mastropasqua. These were the same guys that introduced to us the Auroom Crypto Wallet and the Wave UV-C Sanitizing Tool. We feel the two will continue to work on more designs until they get into production, just like their project with UV-C Labs.

The MOLO desktop computer stand is a perfect example of Vecchia’s belief that “Less is more.” The minimalist design of the product allows it to be a more practical accessory. It won’t remain eye candy for long because you will find the Molo useful and functional at all times.

The post MOLO Computer Stand makes you want to keep a well-organized and functional desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

Before the pandemic took place, cooking was a chore I completely avoided! But now, I honestly find it quite therapeutic! The pandemic, and all the free time that came along with it, somehow awakened my inner chef! I’m sure a lot of other inner chefs were brought to life as well. And with the third wave slowly encroaching upon the world, it may be time to deep dive into cooking once again! Especially with the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be a fun and effortless process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From a built-in water purifier that’ll fit perfectly into the corner of your kitchen to a cooking device that combines two common cooking methods – this collection of kitchen appliances promises to transform cooking from a Herculean feat to an approachable and enjoyable process! Let your inner chef take over with the help of these innovative and nifty designs!

1. The Barbecue Nx

The smart grill concept has been designed by Swapnil Yeutkar who is a Product Designer for Whirlpool India. It’s only an idea but the Barbecue Nx has the potential to be big when it becomes a reality. It goes beyond its stylish form but it doesn’t look anything like the common grills we see in the market. At first glance, it looks like a huge air fryer or a small electric oven. In another angle, it appears like an oven toaster.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes this concept special, is that it’s a grilling machine that allows a more efficient grilling with unique low smoke technology. A centrifugal fan helps in grilling so everything is efficient. It’s what powers the grill and sends out air to the chimney via two input manifolds. There is a fire plate that ignites the fire gel as described by the design. This makes the machine ready to grill in just five minutes.

What we like

• Ready to grill within five minutes
• Separable grill that can be easily cleaned, and is user friendly for cooking veggies + meat at once
• Unique low smoke technology

What we dislike

• Not very portable
• Looks more like an air fryer, than a barbecue grill

2. The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier

Built-in water purifiers are preferred, but you can also have something that looks as inviting as the NOOK Built-in Water Purifier. Designed by South Korean Hyunbin Yan, this water purifier can be installed in the corner. It will not interfere with the rest of your sink or kitchen counter because of its slim and sleek build. It does not take much space in a small sink, so it can be the perfect choice for tiny homes or apartments.

Why is it noteworthy?

The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier’s interesting features are what make it unique. It features an attachable drip tray. In addition, there is a magnet at the bottom of the body that can be customized to the user’s preference. At first glance, it looks like a sleek coffee machine, but it is just a purifier. Water comes out when you touch the black button you see on top. The amount of water and temperature can also be set with a touch of the controller.

What we like

• Visually pleasing aesthetics, unlike regular purifiers
• Space-friendly
• Movable head, allowing you to adjust the cup size

What we dislike

• Not very easy to clean

3. The NUO portable pizza oven

NUO is designed for the world beyond large, electric ovens. This one is actually a hybrid oven that lets the baker choose between gas or wood flame. The oven works conveniently without electricity and sits comfortably on a flat surface courtesy of its metal legs. On a simple push of the knob – placed on the side of the oven – the NUO can ignite automatically and then allows one to toggle between the choice of flame and its intensity. With a chimney on top that permits exhaust control, the oven can reach temperatures of up to 500-degree Celsius within and the thermal insulation ensures the pizza cooks evenly, without heating the body of the oven from the outside.

Why is it noteworthy?

A nice combo of impeccable design and function, NUO is made from quality materials in an extremely compact size. It weighs slightly heavy owing to its thick walls and stone floor but is still convenient to carry to the garden or the outdoor location you’re traveling to. With that sort of convenience, it’s difficult to imagine a multipurpose – indoor/outdoor – pizza oven like the NUO. It multiplies the entire fun of preparing a pizza! Taking of multipurpose opportunity further, NUO portable oven can be used for tasks beyond baking pizzas. It can let aficionados prepare pasta, meat, fish, veggies, and more with the flavor of firewood if that’s your taste!

What we like

• Multipurpose oven – works both indoors and outdoors
• Portable
• You can choose between gas or wood flame

What we dislike

• Weighs slightly heavy
• Not easy to carry around

4. On2Cook

The idea behind On2Cook sounds so simple that you’d probably be left wondering why no one has thought of it before. It basically combines two of the most common methods of cooking, namely stove or induction stove, and microwave, to cut down on the time that food needs to cook. It offers the best of both worlds with almost no drawbacks, or at least that’s the premise.

Why is it noteworthy?

Conventional flame or induction cooking cooks the food from the bottom and outside, which leads to the familiar brown color that stove-cooked foods have. The microwave part, on the other hand, cooks from the top and starts from the inside, yielding in a more evenly cooked and often moist dish. This “Combination Cooking” technology also manages to retain the juices and nutrients better than either cooking method in isolation.

What we like

• Reduces power consumption
• Combines two common methods of cooking
• Promotes healthy eating

What we dislike

• Large bulky appliance
• Unsuitable for homes with space constraints
• Unsuitable for cooking certain dishes

5. Black + Decker Bev

Unveiled at CES 2022, the $300 Black + Decker Bev is an automatic bartender that whips up the tastiest cocktails and mocktails for you on the spot. It occupies about the same space as a Keurig, and strangely enough, comes immediately after Keurig announced it was terminating its own $300 cocktail maker project. What the Black + Decker Bev offers is pretty much in the same ball-park when it comes to functionality. The kitchen countertop appliance sports a 6-bottle layout that lets you easily load 5 750ml alcohol bottles of your choice along with a sixth spot for Bev’s water chamber.

Why is it noteworthy?

To create different cocktails, Bev works on a disposable pod system quite similar to Keurig and Nespresso. Created in partnership with Bartesian, Black + Decker plans on releasing as many as 40 different beverage pods with pre-mixed juices, bitters, and syrups that just need to be popped into the appliance. Once a pod is loaded, you can select how intense you want your cocktail, and Bev does the rest, mixing the ingredients together and dispensing your final cocktail directly into a glass. The entire process takes all of 30 seconds

What we like

• Mocktail setting for people who don’t drink
• You don’t need to mount bottles upside down like other cocktail makers/dispensers

What we dislike

• Doesn’t come with Bluetooth or a smartphone app

6. DADO

This minimalist-looking capsule tea machine is a concept design that can maybe someday fulfill my wish. It’s named DADO which is a term in East Asia that refers to making and drinking tea formally. The device doesn’t look like what you would use in a typical tea ceremony but the designer created something inspired by it but with a modern twist. The kettle part is inspired by what is used in traditional tea making and the minimalist design aims to bring a sense of calm and peace, things usually associated with drinking this caffeinated beverage.

Why is it noteworthy?

If you’ve used a coffee capsule machine then this follows pretty much the same procedure. There is a kettle and two cups placed on top of a “heating pad” that looks like an induction stovetop or a wireless charger. You need to fill the kettle with water in the bucket part located at the back. Then you have to preheat the cup or cups that are beside the kettle and all you have to do is press a button. In the traditional DADO, cups are pre-heated as well as part of the ceremony so that’s a pretty nice touch to add to this modern concept.

What we like

• A mix of traditional + minimal aesthetics
• Different flavors for the tea capsules

What we dislike

• Disposable capsules with a substantial carbon footprint

7. The Hyobodo Fiume

The Hyobodo Fiume is a modern take on the traditional Japanese food container called the ojubako. The latter is an important symbol of Japanese culture. It is a set of tiered boxes that hold food to share with people during special occasions.

Why is it noteworthy?

The new design by Andrea Ponti takes after the urban landscape of Kyoto. Notice the shape of the Fiume is based on the map of the city. The square grid shows the Kamogawa river, which is also an important landmark in Kyoto. It is a unique mark for the climate and seasons in Japan. Each Fiume set features four stacked tiers, and each tier shows one of the four seasons in the country: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each season is demonstrated by how the lines are placed. The “lines” are for the divisions of the square-shaped food container that comes with rounded corners.

What we like

• Specially handcrafted from cypress wood
• Convenient to handle

What we dislike

• A design that holds food to share with people is not the best idea during a pandemic

8. The Slide Toaster

The toasting process begins in the Slide toaster with an LED ring indicating the toasting level and completion. The slide-up tray has a translucent design element to it so that you can keep an eye on the toast turning perfectly brown to your delight Level of the toast crispness can be set with an adjustment dial like all other toasters we’ve seen countless times. This is ably aided by audio indications to keep the user well informed.

Why is it noteworthy?

Harry Rigler wants to reinvent the trusted image of the toaster with a detour to the soft form design of this household kitchen appliance. That too keeping in mind the requirements of modern users, and the present as well as future design progression of kitchen interiors. Rather than being a pop-up toaster like most out there, this is the Slide toaster which rolls the toasting grill to the side like a rollable smartphone. The tray slides out – you put in the bread and slide it back in.

What we like

• Audio indications to update the user on their toast
• Unique slide-up tray

What we dislike

• The radically changed design may not be easily accepted in households

9. The Reencle

Designed to effectively compost and break down food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, the Reencle is a compact, quiet, odor-free kitchen appliance that puts your food waste to good use; although that shouldn’t give you an excuse to waste more food!

Why is it noteworthy?

Hoping to put that waste into good use so it doesn’t end up in a landfill creating tonnes of CO2 and Methane as it decomposes, the Reencle is an at-home solution that helps efficiently break down food in a way that turns it into a rich compost that benefits the planet instead of harming it. Microorganisms inside the Reencle’s inner chamber break the food down in roughly 24 hours, creating a compost that can be used in gardens, backyards, indoor planters, or even be disposed of, so it doesn’t harm the environment.

What we like

• Requires barely any space
• Needs no setting up or plumbing
• Can be kept in the kitchen, where its odor-proof design ensures undesired aromas never enter your home

What we dislike

No complaints!

10. The JIA Inc. Rolling Mortar

Inspired by the Chinese ceramic tea mortars from the Tang Dynasty, this pestle + mortar combo brings modernity and sensibility to a century-old practice. The mortar comes in the form of an elegant, U-shaped porcelain bowl, whereas the pestle is a solid wooden oak wheel. Instead of punching and grinding the spices or tea herbs, you simply place them in the oblong bowl and roll over them with the wheel. The wheel possesses an extremely ergonomic form, making it easy to grip, and allowing you to grind your herbs via an effortless rolling motion.

Why is it noteworthy?

Giving the traditional mortar and pestle a visual and functional overhaul, the JIA Inc. Rolling Mortar lets you grind your herbs and spices by simply rolling them! Sort of a hybrid between a mortar and a rolling pin, the Rolling Mortar comes with a bathtub-shaped base and ring-shaped roller. This unique design direction you easily and effectively grind items without spices flying around or spilling on the countertop… or worse, a sore wrist from repeatedly pounding away with that heavy pestle.

What we like

• None of the spices fly out of the mortar while you grind them
• Extremely quiet
• Features an inert ceramic base, so it doesn’t react to acids and other spice oils

What we dislike

• The design is not in sync with our modern kitchen ecosystems

The post Top 10 appliances designed for our modern millennial kitchens first appeared on Yanko Design.

Born from a collaboration between Off-White and teenage engineering, the Capsule Collection is a line of clothing items as well as an orange, transparent shoulder bag that is custom-fitted to store teenage engineering’s OB–4 loudspeaker.

Swedish consumer electronics company and manufacturer ‘teenage engineering’ is known for its extensive catalog of electronics and synthesizers, including its core product the OP–1 as well as instant cameras. One of their more recent electronic loudspeakers, the OB–4, is a portable, hi-fi loudspeaker that “memorizes everything you play on an endless loop.” In a recent project with Off White that “honors our collaboration with late friend and partner, Virgil Abloh,” the duo designed a collection of clothing items that range from a shirt and hoodie to cargo pants and a carry bag made specifically to store OB–4 loudspeaker.

Designers: Off-White x teenage engineering

Dubbed the Capsule Collection, teenage engineering describes the collaboration, “Designed by Off-White exclusively for our collaboration, the collection includes a transparent orange carry bag for OB–4, t-shirt, hoodie, and a multipocketed white bomber jacket and cargo pant set–featuring custom pockets to fit teenage engineering devices.” Strewn all over the bomber jacket’s arms and midsection, custom-fitted pockets provide ample storage for everyday items as well as teenage engineering electronic products, like instant cameras and synthesizers.

While the bomber jacket is currently sold out on teenage engineering’s website, the other pieces of Capsule Collection are still available and feature custom-fitted pockets as well. The off-white cargo pants belong to the same set as the bomber jacket, featuring similarly sized pockets all over the pant’s front and sides. Then, the transparent vinyl orange shoulder bag is the perfect size to carry teenage engineering’s OB–4 loudspeaker.

The post Off-White collaborated with teenage engineering to design a collection of clothing items that honor Virgil Abloh first appeared on Yanko Design.