This Is TASTE 658: Novelists Ed Park & Jason Diamond Get the Food Details So Right
Sep 20, 2025
Join Pulitzer-finalist Ed Park, known for his exploration of Korean-American themes, and author Jason Diamond, who delves into Chicago's Jewish food culture. Ed shares his roots in Buffalo, detailing how Korean dining has evolved and inspires his writing. He highlights vibrant NYC spots and food’s role in his short-story collection, An Oral History of Atlantis. Jason discusses his novel, Kaplan's Plot, revealing rich food scenes tied to Jewish heritage, like the classic Chicago hot dog and delis, while blending myth and modern-day culinary experiences.
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Protect Your Morning Writing Ritual
- Ed Park treats first writing hours as the most important and eats light breakfasts (avocado toast or rice with egg) to avoid napping after big meals.
- He uses coffee as primary fuel and keeps morning routines simple to preserve writing momentum.
Stories Grow From Occasional Prompts
- Park explains his short stories span 25 years and were often written for readings or events, not as retrospective nostalgia.
- That ongoing, in-the-moment creation produced connective threads and recurring sensibilities across the collection.
Celestial Empire Draws From Lee Chu's
- Ed Park bases the fictional Celestial Empire on Buffalo Chinese restaurants like Lee Chu's with memorable items like the poo-poo platter and Lazy Susans.
- The scene channels childhood impressions of 1970s Chinese-American dining and its odd cultural humor.
