Eddie Huang, former lawyer, current restaurateur, and New York Times bestselling author, premiered a new culinary show on Viceland.
Huang is perhaps best known as the writer of Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir, which inspired the ABC sitcom of the same name. This marks the first season of the show that will be aired on TV, and The Knockturnal was invited to a screening of one of the new season’s episodes. The episode took place in Taiwan, where Huang’s parents emigrated from. Huang introduced the episode by thanking producers of the show, friends, and by giving a little background about his family and his upbringing. He said he finally felt he did right by his parents. “I wouldn’t be here without my parents,” Huang said. His dad responded from the balcony, “Send more money!”
If you’ve never watched an episode of the web series, Huang’s World will take you by surprise. It is equal parts ethnography, comedy, and culinary journalism. Huang focused on the impact that immigration from China had on food, culture, and the Taiwanese identity and struggles for independence. All the while he cracked jokes with his camera crew, met the “Pork Princess” butcher, and took a Tinder date out on the town. Later, he took a hunting trip with a member of an indigenous Taiwanese tribe, where he noted that his basketball shorts and oversized t-shirt were totally inappropriate.
Huang delivers insightful commentary on the diversity of Taiwanese culture, while sampling some of the best local food places all across the country.
Huang’s World airs on Viceland, Thursdays 10pm ET.