When I was about 16, my father brought some Chinese take-out home. It was lo-mein.
“Here, have some,” he said, handing me a pair of chopsticks.
I didn’t notice the strange look on his face. I wolfed the lo-mein down.
“Good, huh?” my dad said, red in the face.
“Uh…yes…” I replied hesitantly, wondering what his problem was.
“Guess where I got it from?” My dad cried excitedly. He didn’t wait for me to finish. “I got it at the Chinese restaurant that caters to our church…the same food that you refuse to eat because you think it’s nasty! Wahahaha!” He chortled triumphantly.
Jerk, I thought.
But my dad did make a point to me that afternoon. I wasn’t physically averse to certain food. I just had some mental prejudices towards them.
So. I guess I’m a food bigot. There are just certain foods against which I hold emotional prejudices, for reasons that may not make sense to most people.
For example, I cannot stand rice. Because for a very long time, people tried to force it down my throat, telling me I’m an Asian and thus must eat as Asians do.
During my more intense eating disorder recovery days, my parents would tell me, “You’ll be 100% recovered if only you’ll eat rice.” And then my parents will tell others that their daughter hates rice, and shocked gasps will ensue, and then everyone starts surreptitiously hinting to me that I should eat rice.
Thus, I detest rice. Moving on.
I also cannot stand eating a salad or cottage cheese as a meal, or subbing real flour and butter for weird carb-free/ sugar-free/ fat-free/ vegan ingredients, or subbing spaghetti squash for “pasta”, or any of that kind of diet shit.
Because it reminds me too much of my eating disordered days, and it bugs me. I have such a bitter hatred towards ED that any imitation of its behaviors sends allergic spasms up my spine.
I also cannot stand skinny noodles like vermicelli or angel hair. Their emaciation annoys me.
I can find all sorts of justifications for my food bigotry ways. And somehow, they can all be traced to my eating disorder history.
That used to make me so confused. Does that mean I still have hang-ups, to allow such fierce negative connotations towards certain foods? Or does that mean I just have a righteous reaction towards the evil memories of ED?
Regardless, I’m starting to realize that it doesn’t matter, so long as it doesn’t cripple my personal happiness or social life. If I freak out because I’m having dinner as a guest and the host serves me chow mein, then that is a serious problem.
But if not, time fixes things. I’m starting to realize more and more that food is just food. Not everything that enters my mouth needs to wow me. Not every meal needs to start from a specific craving.
For example, rice. And American-Chinese food. Those were two foods I intensely detested just a year ago. But now, hey, when a situation requires it, I’ve got no problem chowing down.
And that’s what I did for my Daily Trojan column. I wanted to write about the great take-out spots on the west side of campus, so that meant I had to test each of them out. And one of them is Hong Kong Express:
I got all of these for just $3.80. I know, it’s crazy. 
The server just freaking piled everything in there, and my stomach was bursting at the seams as I struggled to finish this. A satisfying meal for under $5. 
What I got here was the broccoli & beef, the kung pao shrimp, the fried rice, and the fried kway teow (flat rice noodles). 
The shrimp was not the usual kung pao I know, but that served me well because I don’t like my shrimp fried. The meat was surprisingly juicy and tender. 
My favorite part of the dish was the fried kway teow. Kway teow has always been one of my favorite noodles when I was in Singapore, so this brought back good memories. I miss the Singaporean chili sauce I would stir into it though. 
Out of a whim, I added this duck because it is just…so…hilariously random. 
It’s a rubber duck holding a Kikkoman Ponzu soy sauce and wearing a poncho and a sombrero. Talk about racially confused. Such as this Hong Kong Express lunch here, which is certainly not Hongkongese or Chinese. I think American-Chinese just needs another category name for its own.
But the other take-out spot I visited seems quite authentic. My second take-out option was Manas Indian Cuisine, but I got delivery because I happened to have a $20 Grubhub gift certificate that I won from Amy at The Roaming Belly’s giveaway. 
I got Palak Paneer (my fave!!), the Peshawari Naan, and the Aloo Gobi Paratha. 
Goddangit, it was GOOD. I blame this place for all the Indian cravings I’ve been having lately! And yes, I ate my Indian food with chopsticks. I suppose I should have added my racially confused rubber duck in this picture, too. 
My absolute favorites were the bread. The Aloo Gobi paratha is a flat whole wheat bread stuffed with spiced potatoes and sprinkled with herbs. 
I was a bit disappointed at how little and thin the potato was in there, though. But it was still chewy, warm, and flavorful with all the spices and herbs. 
My other favorite was the Peshawari naan, which is a flat leavened bread stuffed with raisins, cherries, nuts and coconut powder. 
I thought it was hilarious that the coconut powder is neon pink. Pretty, but unnecessary. Still, very very delicious with its mild sweetness and interesting textures.
And my other favorite was the Palak Paneer: 
Cottage Cheese and Spinach Cooked With Spices & Herbs
Yeah, yeah, everything was my favorite. I just couldn’t decide which ones I liked better. I got cocky and ordered this in the spiciest level, and boy did I learn my lesson that the Indians don’t mess around with spice. 
The spinach gravy was searing hot. Like, “burn down my gullet and explode in my stomach” hot. Translation: I bloody loved it. 
And because of the spiciness, it just made the basmati rice that came with it taste so much better soaked in the warm sauce.
No, I didn’t eat both the meals on the same day. But I did for the other two take-out spots I featured in my column. More on that next time.
By the way, I’ve been thinking of starting a weekend series on eating disorders for a very long time: posts every weekend on my stories and experiences, my thoughts and questions, personal guidance, etc. I’d love to get any feedback, suggestions, and comments on this idea.
Question of the Day:
1) If you’re interested in the Weekend ED series I mentioned above, please let me know.
2) What are some odd aversions you have towards certain foods?
Related posts:
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haha ur Dad is such a trickster..haha “jerk” love that <3
mmm lo mein, ive got fond memories of my first time trying those tasty noodles
wow a 5$ and less meal for ALL THAT YUMMY FOOD! this is definitely what i consider "burp and slurp" wow.. id be burting too just trying to finish…but cold leftovers is where its at <3
Omg your Asian takeout looks exactly like what my dad gets like 3x a week from a place in Monterey Park called “the Kitchen”. They have fresh made food like that from silver bins. They give you three dishes for 3.50 or something as well– and an iced tea! I think it’s a great steal, but I think my dad goes there all the time because of the price– and not because it’s healthy for him. I worry about him sometimes because he had high blood pressure not long ago– but he’s dead set on getting a good deal!
Hahahaha! Your dad and I…we’re both so…ASIAN! Lol!
I think everyone has a list of food that they truly detest. Food like brussel sprouts, celery, tomato juice, stinky cheese are what I absolutely refuse to put in my mouth
About getting aggravated when you see other bloggers suffering from ED (or not) eating stuff like spaghetti squash, non fat thing, low carb that… yea, I get that it is sometimes triggering (or for you, annoying) for us to see, but I think we should all in a way, understand that not everyone is gonna suddenly wake up and say “Ok! I’m gonna eat full fat this, big serve of pasta there, and fuck my eating disorder” I’m pretty sure most of them know that their eating habits are not completely ‘healthy’ anyway. And like you said, it took you quite a while to realize you are half-arsing recovery right?
Anyway, I better stop rambling. Oh one last thing, if you manage to recreate that Aloo Gobi paratha. Please.let.us.know! They look absolutely scrummy!
For almost 20 years I refused to eat raw tomatoes… I have no idea why and my parents have no idea why. They have told me that I LOVED tomatoes as a child. When I was 24 I ate my first tomato which I didn’t spit out or make gagging sounds.. and surprisingly it was OK. I don’t love them still, but I can tolerate them in my meals. But weirdly I love tomato sauce, ketscup, tomatoes in pizza / warm sandwiches and maybe with buffala mozzarella and basil too. Weird stuff!
I’m interested in your weekly ED series because I’m interested in anything you write!
Love the racially confused duck.
I’ve been dying for Indian food lately and this just sealed the deal…I need it ASAP, lol! The Chinese take-out looks great too, and what a fantastic price!
I think your idea is fantastic! You have such a platform, and it might be good for you emotionally as well! Especially since you have had to to put things into perspective, and focus on life and recovery! I love everything you write, especially when it pertains to your life!
That food looks AMAZING!!!!! I discriminate against Haggis= I am not eating sheep intestines. Never. Or bull testicles- that one always makes me think “wtf”. Although I love my mom’s liver/onion/rice/gravy dish she used to make as a kid….
Thank you so much for the comment on my blog! It was really nice to have such positive feedback. I was expecting some indignant responses!!! Thanks Sophia!
Barbara
I am so happy to see peshwari naan on your blog, it is one of my all time favorite foods! I’ve got to admit though, i’ve never seen one like that (being pink inside). I love them, they are just like a desert, but acceptable as real food LOL.
*kisses* HH
p.s. love the random ducky
I would have definitely gotten the Indian food as hot as I could – love it! And naan is one of my favorite breads – the chew factor is incredible!
Have a great day Sophia!! I had lunch with Mara and Christina yesterday – wish you could have been there too!
Hi Love. Yes! I would love for you to start that ED series. It is something that I’ve struggled with in the past, and I still have to work to keep myself in a healthy state. I would be so excited to hear your thoughts and experiences. I don’t like rice either…and I hate fat-free foods that aren’t supposed to be fat free (pudding, cheese, ect…) I’m a bit of a food snob too. I really enjoyed reading your post and seeing all this food, though. I’m writing a story right now that has several scenes involving Chinese food. Your photos and dishes inspired me to insert some more vivid details! Thank you for sharing this recipe with me. I hope you have a wonderful week of family, friends and food!
I have something against corrianders and ladies finger! Just simply hate the way they taste. I think you know ;p
The indian food looks so delicious! =D
I love that you are your own person when it comes to food – and definitely get having random prejudices against foods. I think I’d be interested in the ED series – it’s always helpful to see people in your same situation and how they handle life afterwards. But talking about ED on the blogs is also usually a fine line….curious to see what you come up with!
I think food bigotry is definitely allowed as it doesn’t hurt anyone and everyone is entitled to their own tastes, even if that means not liking things that are traditional to one’s culture.
First Sophia, to answer your question on my blog.. I did go to the blogger meet up with Mara, Biz, Christina and Mel, I just posted the picture from yesterday, it was a great time!
I totally had aversions to TONS of foods, I was the pickiest eater EVER! Not only that, I was one of those people who didn’t want their foods touching. But I think a lot of that came from that I didn’t try a lot of different foods growing up, so I just assumed I hated them still. Now I try a different veggie or fruit I’ve never had before and my list keeps growing of things I love!
Love the duck, you should do that more often!
Have a great week, are you going home for Thankgiving, or is there not enough time?
I won’t be going home for Thanksgiving…or for winter break either. But I’ll still be surrounded with wonderful friends!
I only just saw Biz and Christina and Mara’s updates on the meet-up….I’m so glad you made it! I couldn’t really tell who was Biz and who was Jenn though tee hee.
I still can’t believe you used to be so picky…yay for branching out and trying new things!
I tend to think that EVERYONE has some type of food bigotry/prejudice. Seriously, if they say they don’t, they are lying. And like the story above indicates, most of it has to do with perception. If we think we know what we are eating, and we think we won’t like it, then we won’t. But if we are eating something that we think is something else, we will probably like it as long as we don’t know it’s what we don’t like….um…does that make sense?? It’s the same reason why I used to serve my brother generic cereal from the branded cereal box. He THOUGHT he was getting branded cereal, but he was really getting the fake stuff. But since he THOUGHT it was the stuff he liked, he loved it! MUAHAHA! I’m just like you’re dad
i’d be very interested in your ED series a swell.
Interesting analysis; having not had an eating disorder, I guess I just about prefer certain foods over others; like chocolate and bread most of all!
That Indian meal would have been my first choice, too. Love that Indian bread!
I don’t mean to spoil the fun, but I pretty like everything and there is very little I wouldn’t be willing to try. I of course have my preferences and have become pickier about quality as time goes on, but I am pretty easy to feed. I never had an eating disorder, although I do like my food way too much and sometimes really need to discipline myself but I would love to hear about your experience and learn from it.
Hee hee, actually, you sound like a perfect eating companion to me!
Haha, I have an aversion to thick noodles! I hate how slimy and chewy they are. Much prefer the thinner ones like angel hair. Actually, I much prefer a bowl of just the meat sauce
My biggest food aversion though is canned pumpkin. I don’t get how people say it’s healthy when it’s CANNED VEGETABLE MUSH. Ewewewew. It’s tasteless. I dare someone to eat a can of that stuff minus the 1/4 cup of cinnamon and nutmeg that neeeeds to be added.
I would love a weekly post on your ED experiences! I think it would have the potential to help a lot of people.
Oh my good gosh. Ummm… The pictures of the indian food in this post has me drooling! And I just ate lunch!
it’s cool getting over food prejudices,
i’d get sentimental eating a burger from macdonalds
or just plain victorious over choosing “danger foods”
it’s a long process but good to know we’re getting there ++
lol.. omg.. this is such an old post but couldn’t help commenting.. I have the same aversions as u! I never really LIKED rice ( why fill up on rice when there’s so much nicer meat/vege/dishes around?) , and everyone told me i should be eating rice, that it’d help me “recover” ( don’t understand the logic..why not noodles or breads or stuff that i actually can’t resist eating?- apparently they don’t count as carbs … ><) LOVE noodles, though not the skinny ones either. and love love love all the palak paneer and all the roti's you ordered…oh.. and omg..i detest those "fake diet foods" as well… sugarless, low fat etc… give me pure wholesome real goods anytime!
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