The Hungry Immigrant
by Abang Brian
Latest episode
The Sarawak Foods We Can’t Afford to Lose: Francisca Luhong James
The Sarawak Foods We Can’t Afford to Lose: Francisca Luhong James
About this podcast
The Hungry Immigrant podcast, hosted by celebrity chef, cookbook author and educator Abang Brian, is dedicated to preserving Asian food culture and heritage. Through insightful conversations with chefs, food historians, and culinary innovators, the podcast explores traditional dishes, culinary techniques, and the cultural significance of food. Each episode celebrates the power of food in preserving identity and heritage, with the goal of keeping Asian culinary traditions alive for future generations.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 55 episodes
- The Sarawak Foods We Can’t Afford to Lose: Francisca Luhong James · 34 min · Season 3 Episode 17Francisca Luhong James made history as the first Dayak woman to be crowned Miss Universe Malaysia—but her story begins long before the crown, in the longhouses, kitchens and food…
- Cooking the Philippines He Remembers | Chef Paolo Dungca · 35 min · Season 3 Episode 15Chef Paolo Dungca’s journey began in San Fernando, Pampanga, continued through immigration to Los Angeles at 13 and eventually brought him to Washington, D.C.—with the flavours…
- What Does Malaysia Taste Like? 🇲🇾 | The Great Malaysian Potluck with LITE · 34 min · Season 3 Episode 15What does Malaysia taste like? In this special live Merdeka and Malaysia Day episode, Chef Dr. Abang Brian gathers LITE Breakfast announcers Terry and Leah, Sheila, Ming Ho from…
- The Foods We Left Behind Could Save Our Future | Paul Newnham · 47 min · Season 3 Episode 15What if the foods we left behind could help feed our future? Recorded during Climate Week in New York, Dr. Abang Brian speaks with Paul Newnham, CEO of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub and…
- Why Bahn Mi Bread is NOT a Baguette · 40 min · Season 3 Episode 13Jill Nguyen left Vietnam at 14 with two suitcases. Seventeen years later, she has become one of DC’s most beloved bakers. In this episode of The Hungry Immigrant, Abang Brian…
- You’ve Been Using a Wok Wrong! The Secret to Better Stir-Fries with Eleanor Hoh · 36 min · Season 3 Episode 12Are you using your wok correctly? Eleanor Hoh, better known as the Wok Star, joins Dr. Abang Brian to reveal what most home cooks misunderstand about wok cooking. They explore…
- Authentic to whom? · 1 h 5 min · Season 3 Episode 11Who gets to decide whether food is “authentic”? Recorded live at the 2026 Kalamazoo Foodways Symposium, Chef Dr. Abang Brian is joined by Peecoonn Allen, Thai-born founder of…
- Lao Food Is Not Thai Food | Saeng Douangdara on Refugees, Identity & The Lao Kitchen · 38 min · Season 3 Episode 10Lao food is not Thai food. Yet for decades, one of Southeast Asia's oldest culinary traditions has been misunderstood, hidden behind restaurant menus, and overshadowed by…
- Hungry Heroes: Abigail Marquez · 11 min · Season 3 Episode 6In this episode of Hungry Heroes, we spotlight Abi “Lumpia Queen” Marquez — a creator who turned a humble Filipino staple into a global conversation. From filming in her home…
- The Hood Paris: The Pandan Revolution in the 11th Arrondisment · 49 minIn the heart of the 11th arrondissement, Abang Brian found home the moment he opened the door to The Hood Paris. A buzzing café and restaurant that has become a soul-restoring…
- Cashew Chicken Paid My College Tuition — Hsiao-Ching Chou on Chinese Food, Immigrant Hustle & the Breath of the Wok · 55 min · Season 3 Episode 7This week, The Hungry Immigrant travels to rainy Seattle to sit with one of the most important voices in Chinese-American cuisine today. Hsiao-Ching Chou grew up in her family's…
- Raya, Laksa wars and crying over rendang! : LIVE in KL with the Lite Breakfast (Hari Raya Special) · 54 minMalaysia doesn't just celebrate Hari Raya. It lives it, across religions, cultures, and kitchen tables.In this special live episode, The Hungry Immigrant records in front of a…
- From Marine Corps to Purple Patch: Patrice Cleary’s Leap of Faith · 49 min · Season 3 Episode 5What does it mean to rediscover your identity through food? In this episode of The Hungry Immigrant, Abang Brian sits down with Chef Patrice Cleary, Filipina-American chef and…
- Class Clown to Cultural Voice · 42 min · Season 3 Episode 4Ceddy Ang has always been the funny one.The one who could turn awkward into entertaining. The one who could laugh firstbefore anyone else did.But behind the humour was a boy who…
- The truth about "Authenticity" : Chef Sapna’s spicy journey across borders · 53 min · Season 3 Episode 3What is “authentic food”, and who gets to decide? In this episode of The Hungry Immigrant, chef, author and TV host Sapna Anand takes us on a powerful, spiced journey across…
- From Claypot Soup to Couture: Melinda Looi on Heritage, Identity & Reinventing Tradition · 53 min · Season 3 Episode 2In this episode of The Hungry Immigrant, Abang Brian sits down with Malaysian fashion icon Melinda Looi for a deeply personal conversation about food, identity, and the rituals…
- The Power of Poise: Sara Jane Ho on Modern Asian Grace · 35 min · Season 3 Episode 1Season 3 of The Hungry Immigrant opens with a woman redefining what it means to represent Asia on the world stage. From Beijing to New York, from private finishing schools to…
- “Imposter Syndrome Won’t Stop Me” | Sam Cho · 38 min · Season 2 Episode 18At just 29, Sam Cho went from exporting millions of pounds of eggs to becoming the youngest and first person of color to lead the Port of Seattle Commission. In this episode, Sam…
- Stop Apologizing for Your Food! | Chef Wan | Hungry Bite · 12 min · Season 2 Episode 17In this Hungry Bite with Malaysia’s beloved Chef Wan, we dive into the unapologetic pride of serving authentic flavors, the powerful role of mak ciks (aunties) in preserving…
- The Man Saving India’s Culinary Heritage | Kripal Amanna, Food Lovers TV · 52 min · Season 2 Episode 16We sit down with Kripal Amanna, Founder & Host of Food Lovers TV — the YouTube channel with over 1.2 million subscribers dedicated to uncovering India’s hidden culinary…
