This Is TASTE 658: Novelists Ed Park & Jason Diamond Get the Food Details So Right
Sep 20, 2025
Join Pulitzer-finalist Ed Park, known for his exploration of Korean-American themes, and author Jason Diamond, who delves into Chicago's Jewish food culture. Ed shares his roots in Buffalo, detailing how Korean dining has evolved and inspires his writing. He highlights vibrant NYC spots and food’s role in his short-story collection, An Oral History of Atlantis. Jason discusses his novel, Kaplan's Plot, revealing rich food scenes tied to Jewish heritage, like the classic Chicago hot dog and delis, while blending myth and modern-day culinary experiences.
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Solitary Lunches Sparked Stories
- Ed Park remembers writing fiction during solitary hour lunches while working at The Village Voice and eating inexpensive ethnic lunches like Taj Mahal's $4.95 special.
- Those solitary meals doubled as writing sessions that seeded stories later collected in An Oral History of Atlantis.
Protect Your Morning Writing Ritual
- Ed Park treats first writing hours as the most important and eats light breakfasts (avocado toast or rice with egg) to avoid napping after big meals.
- He uses coffee as primary fuel and keeps morning routines simple to preserve writing momentum.
Korean Home Cooking In Buffalo
- Ed Park describes growing up in Buffalo with a Korean-American household where his mother cooked hybrid Korean-American dishes like bulgogi with rice and lettuce.
- He names homemade chongjorum and miyokuk as nostalgic family dishes that rarely appear in restaurants.
