Episode 11 of Double Double! I talk with Ran Mei, A PhD candidate in Food Studies at NYU, studying spacial politics of food. Mei is also a trained architect who has worked abroad in Japan and China; as well as locally in Boston, and NYC!

We talk about her Masters Thesis "Stir-fry Urbanism" which looks at the urban and spacial history of Boston through the lens of Chinese Restaurants.

The early days of China Towns, the rise and popularity of Chinese restaurants, plus the history behind it.

Also touch on the "Chop Suey Craze" leading to a sort of gentrification and/or "white washing" of Chinese Restaurants during the late 1880s - early 1900s. The Chop Suey Painting by Edward Hopper (1929).

We chat about the business model, branding and consistency of Chinese Restaurants on a local scale and globally as well.

Hope you ...