Yuyun's Blog

To better understand the complexities of immigrant food culture and its role in cultural adaptation, as well as to gain deeper insights into how immigrant communities adapt through food culture in new urban environments, I interviewed the owner of a Hong Kong rice noodle restaurant in London. This conversation provided me with valuable insights that…

After the first tutorial, I reconsidered my research question and changed it to: “How can the exploration of urban food culture serve as a bridge between home and new environments for youth migrating within and across different regions or countries?” Based on this research question, I explored various theories related to cultural adaptation, cross-cultural communication…

A Bite of China (《舌尖上的中国》), directed by Chen Xiaoqing, is a documentary series that explores the rich culinary traditions of China, weaving together stories about food, culture, and history. Food as More than Sustenance One of the key themes in A Bite of China is the portrayal of food as much more than a means…

Key Takeaways and Implications: Food as a Cultural Construct: The Interplay Between Food and Identity: Food as a Medium of Cultural Exchange: The Social Function of Food: Adaptation and Preservation of Food Traditions: Reference: Montanari, M. (2006) Food is Culture. New York: Columbia University Press.

While reflecting on the two interventions, I read two books related to food culture, identity and memory to help me better understand my research topic. One of them is Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom: Excursions into Eating, Culture, and the Past by Sidney W. Mintz. Key Themes and Concepts Relevant to Research on Youth Migration and…

Key Takeaways: During the first day’s urban exploration, it became clear that familiar elements in Shanghai’s urban environment played a significant role in helping participants feel more at home. The ability to find places that reminded them of their hometowns—whether through architecture, atmosphere, or cultural echoes—allowed participants to see Shanghai not as a foreign city…

Participants: Participant 1: From Chengdu Participant 2: From Changsha Participant 3: From Xi’an Participant 4: From Suzhou Date: 17th August Duration: 4-5 hours Location:  Communal Kitchen in Shanghai Part one – Market Visit and Ingredient Gathering The day began with a visit to Wuzhong Food Market, a bustling market in Shanghai known for its diverse range of ingredients. The market…

Participants: Participant 1: From Chengdu Participant 2: From Changsha Participant 3: From Xi’an Participant 4: From Suzhou Date: 10th August Duration: 4-5 hours Location:  Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Part one – Gathering at Yuyuan Garden: The group met at the entrance of Yuyuan Garden, a location chosen for its blend of traditional Chinese architecture and serene landscapes, reminiscent of historical and…

This intervention is designed to help newcomers to Shanghai build connections to both the city and their home cities through the dual lenses of food and urban exploration. The focus is on how participants can use these experiences to create a sense of belonging in Shanghai while maintaining their connection to their cultural roots. By…

Participant: Luna, 28, from China Fiona, 26, from China Duration: 3 hours Location: Central London At 1st of August, I invited two friends in London to participate in an early intervention and they didn’t know either side before this. This intervention was divided into two parts. First, the three of us took a city walk…