Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

Chef Lucas Sin’s quickest dining experience clocked in at 6 minutes and 40 seconds. This expedient supper took place at a famous cha chaan teng, or Hong Kong diner, and he believes it’s one of the best restaurants in the world. From the extensive menu—french toast, black pepper spaghetti, milk tea, the list goes on—to the more abstract “human emotion flavor” that keeps diners coming back, Lucas explains what makes these neighborhood restaurants so special. Plus, reporter Jessica Sidman investigates the so-called "food truck mafia" around Washington, D.C.'s National Mall; and Ian Buxton gives us a lesson on Scotch whisky.Photo credit: Nicholas Wong and Mario ChuiListen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Food writer Tim Hayward shares the juicy history of the steak. We take a peek inside the secret beefsteak societies of England and New York, learn a classic Argentinian salting method, and try a steak from a 25 year-old-cow in Spain. Plus, Kenji López-Alt goes on a quest for the perfect teriyaki; Sara Moulton and Chris take your cooking calls; and we prepare a Sunflower Hummus from Georgia. (Originally aired October 10, 2025.)Get this week’s recipe for Sunflower Hummus here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Alexis Nikole Nelson, known on TikTok as the Black Forager, has been foraging wild ingredients as long as she can remember. In her new book, "Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!", she shares what she cooks with them—including pickled onion grass and mushroom sour candy—and reveals a run-of-the-mill weed that might help flavor Dr. Pepper. Plus, we visit Arianna Pasquini to find out what Romans actually cook for dinner; then we head to Oktoberfest to learn the sport of Steinholding.Photo credit: JB DouglasListen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy? Plus, Irene Yoo throws a soju party, and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of A Way With Words share the stories behind your favorite pasta shapes. (Originally aired September 26, 2025.)Photo credit: Bon Appétit / GettyListen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Kerry Howley about the surprising history of L.A.’s favorite food store, Erewhon.

For this week's bonus, we have an all-calls special! We look back on some of your best calls all about summer eating. Chris and Sara Moulton answer your garden questions, from mint varieties to sun pickles; they offer a few ideas for hot weather desserts (can cake frosting survive without air conditioning?!); and Meathead steps in for a grilling question session.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we're revisiting one of our all-time favorite episodes–it's our 2018 interview with Stella Parks about the secret history of chocolate chip cookies and how she reverse engineers everything from Oreos to McDonald’s Apple Pies. Plus, we learn about barbecue around the world, from boodog to hāngi; Dan Pashman visits LA's Cambodian donut shops; and we make Austrian Plum Cake.Get our recipe for Austrian Plum Cake here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify