This Is TASTE 690: Eating Along the Many Silk Roads with Anna Ansari
Nov 21, 2025
Join Anna Ansari, a former international trade attorney turned cookbook author, as she takes you on a flavorful journey from Baku to Beijing. She shares intriguing stories from her Iranian-American upbringing in Michigan, blending diverse cuisines at family gatherings. Anna highlights the rich culinary traditions of the Silk Roads, including adaptations of Uyghur flavors and lesser-known dishes. Learn why Uzbekistan is a must-visit for food lovers, and enjoy personal anecdotes tied to her recipes for a unique culinary adventure!
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Episode notes
Family Friend Highlights Unique Guamanian Dishes
- Matt describes a standout meal at Family Friend in Seattle, highlighting a coconut corn soup and empanada.
- The vivid restaurant details underscore the show's focus on unique, underrepresented cuisines.
Three Things Warmup Frames Episode
- Matt and Aliza open with Three Things segment recommending restaurants, cafes, and spa experiences around New York and Seattle.
- This sets a conversational, food-focused tone before the Anna interview.
Teen Year In Shanghai Sparked Food Love
- At 15 Anna spent a year in Shanghai on a School Year Abroad program and lived with a Chinese family.
- Her host mother taught her to make dumplings and she became fluent in Mandarin within months.
