What Does a Shared Menu Look Like Across a Divide?

What Does a Shared Menu Look Like Across a Divide?

From Proof by America's Test Kitchen

November 27, 2025 · 38 min

About this episode

This episode explores how chefs Yia Vang and Colby Rasavong use food to navigate a complex cultural history.

What happens when two chefs, Yia Vang and Colby Rasavong, inherit a fraught history and decide to cook their way through it? In this episode, reporter Ngoc Bui takes us inside a Hmong-Lao dinner where they use food to open conversations about a complex past and explore how a new culinary vernacular can bridge generations. Check out our recipe for Hmong Grilled Hilltribe Chicken with Kua Txob, inspired by Yia Vang, and this classic Laotian recipe for Nam khao! Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rula.com/proof⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Guests: Yia Vang, Colby Rasavong

Topics covered

  • food
  • cultural history
  • culinary vernacular
  • Hmong cuisine
  • Lao cuisine
  • intergenerational dialogue

Keywords

  • Hmong
  • Lao
  • cooking
  • food history
  • culinary dialogue
  • dinner
  • recipes

Sponsors

Rula

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: America's Test Kitchen

Products: Hmong Grilled Hilltribe Chicken with Kua Txob, Nam khao

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