Ligaya Mishan

Ligaya Mishan, a New York Times restaurant critic with a rich background in food culture, and Tejal Rao, an award-winning food writer covering culinary trends on the West Coast, dive deep into their lives as critics. They discuss the importance of transparency in their identities, how they choose restaurants across the U.S., and the challenge of writing negative reviews. The duo also shares insights on staying healthy while indulging in food, favorite meals, and the ongoing debate of L.A. versus New York dining.

Ligaya Mishan, co-chief restaurant critic at The New York Times, shares her journey from the Hungry City column to stepping into a prestigious role. She discusses the vital balance between personal taste and cultural context in reviews, as well as navigating the unique dynamics of NYC's dining scene. The conversation touches on the importance of thorough research, the emotional connections to food, and how the pandemic has transformed eating out. Ligaya also shares favorite running spots and the joy of culinary pleasures, making food critiques feel personal and relatable.