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Started By
Message
Yaka Mein soup is not good
Posted on 1/4/12 at 8:43 am
Posted on 1/4/12 at 8:43 am
I do not understand the love for this soup that has recently increased amongst food people in New Orleans. I attribute its rise in popularity amongst this class of people to the condition of Kierkegaard's aesthete. Such people as the well-to-do food lovers, bored and and suffering from a sense of emptiness, need to move from one novelty to the next, all in order to avoid that deep melancholy of meaningless they've accepted as their lot in life. Some choose sports; others choose shopping; for others, food is the perfect outlet for this search for the new. In food, such people can feel they are living out a culture about which they know little and/or are scared to participate in. That many other people in their circles have not tried this food, and they can therefore be the first in the group to introduce and explain it to the group, is reason more to praise yaka mein's superiority.
I have now tried yaka mein at five local stores and each time it tastes like canned broth, nasty spaghetti noodles with hot sauce and green onions on top. It isn't good. At the po-boy fest there was a group of bobos and hipsters interviewing a vendor selling yaka mein, asking historical questions for which she did not know the answer. I could see in their eyes a desire to be the first to discover a great secret, an unappreciated mystery in New Orleans. But there is no secret or mystery about yaka mein. It's bad soup that fills up people living on a budget.
I have now tried yaka mein at five local stores and each time it tastes like canned broth, nasty spaghetti noodles with hot sauce and green onions on top. It isn't good. At the po-boy fest there was a group of bobos and hipsters interviewing a vendor selling yaka mein, asking historical questions for which she did not know the answer. I could see in their eyes a desire to be the first to discover a great secret, an unappreciated mystery in New Orleans. But there is no secret or mystery about yaka mein. It's bad soup that fills up people living on a budget.
6
Posted on 1/4/12 at 8:59 am to TulaneLSU
I don't often agree with you, but i can see this as being legit. I have not tried the soup for one, but I know the contents. The taste you described is likely dead on. Then again aren't most asian soups heavy in basic broth. Thinking Miso soup, egg drop, etc
This post was edited on 1/4/12 at 9:03 am
Posted on 1/4/12 at 9:15 am to TulaneLSU
Have you ever thought of writing a book about your dining adventures? You seem to dine out A LOT and a book of your dining experiences, with your "Top 10" lists could be fun
Posted on 1/4/12 at 9:34 am to LSUZombie
I don't really care about his dining experiences but the social commentary never ceases to entertain me.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 9:46 am to Powerman
He could blend the two for a very entertaing and frustrating read
Posted on 1/4/12 at 10:06 am to TulaneLSU
quote:
At the po-boy fest there was a group of bobos and hipsters interviewing a vendor selling yaka mein, asking historical questions for which she did not know the answer.
What distinguishes a bobo from a hipster?
Posted on 1/4/12 at 10:11 am to Y.A. Tittle
Oh the joys of a TulaneLsu book - It will go on my reading list - right after the C. Ray Nagin tome.
For someone who claims to be so knowledgeable about the NO neighborhoods, how can you be so off base about "Cold Sober"?!? Not saying you have to like it, but your criticism of it, is exactly why it came into existence and popularity.
For someone who claims to be so knowledgeable about the NO neighborhoods, how can you be so off base about "Cold Sober"?!? Not saying you have to like it, but your criticism of it, is exactly why it came into existence and popularity.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 10:21 am to TulaneLSU
Yaka Mein has become more popular because it was featured on Anthony Bourdain(Sorry if spelled wrong) No Reservations. He had it from a woman that sells it out the back of her truck. When people see stuff on TV, they usually go off of what they see. It is nice ti hear someone that has tried it and give their honest opinion on it. That is why I can't stand the movie critics or most food critics.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 10:22 am to plawmac
quote:
but your criticism of it, is exactly why it came into existence and popularity.
I'm not sure how that makes any sense.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 11:52 am to Y.A. Tittle
Its cheap, plentiful and filling. Originated in poorer sections of town as a morning after staple - hangover cure. Unfortunately, there still are a ton of poor areas in NOLA ( as well as a bunch of folks looking for cheap, hangover food).
Posted on 1/4/12 at 12:07 pm to plawmac
quote:
Its cheap, plentiful and filling. Originated in poorer sections of town as a morning after staple - hangover cure. Unfortunately, there still are a ton of poor areas in NOLA ( as well as a bunch of folks looking for cheap, hangover food).
that's what it is, it's not bad similar to Pho, but with less flavor and Semolina pasta spahgetti noodles.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 12:57 pm to TulaneLSU
I agree in large part with what you said, TulaneLSU. The recent popularity of the dish is for the exact reasons you've laid out. People just now find out about some shite that's been around forever, and that makes it the "new thing" in their mind. Same thing's been going on with bounce music, and within the same groups of people, from the same socioeconomic demographic.
I grew up in the ghetto areas of New Orleans, as i lived in New Orleans East, my mom worked for a Doctor accross the street from the Magnolia project, and my Dad was a fireman stationed in a house between the Desire and Florida projects.I've eaten some Yaka Mein in my day.
I actually like Yaka Mein, and make it myself at home here in Baton Rouge.(sans noodles since bariatric surgery) Is it the fine culinary gem that folks are making it out to be? No. Is it a piece of home that serves as comfort food to me? Yes. Is it always "good"? ... depends on where you get it. I've had some good Yaka Mein, and some bad. People that grew up eating it like it for a different reason than the folks who have recently discovered it. I think you're spot on in your assertion that these folks are drawn to the stuff as a medium to explore a culture that they would never even think about venturing into otherwise.
I grew up in the ghetto areas of New Orleans, as i lived in New Orleans East, my mom worked for a Doctor accross the street from the Magnolia project, and my Dad was a fireman stationed in a house between the Desire and Florida projects.I've eaten some Yaka Mein in my day.
I actually like Yaka Mein, and make it myself at home here in Baton Rouge.(sans noodles since bariatric surgery) Is it the fine culinary gem that folks are making it out to be? No. Is it a piece of home that serves as comfort food to me? Yes. Is it always "good"? ... depends on where you get it. I've had some good Yaka Mein, and some bad. People that grew up eating it like it for a different reason than the folks who have recently discovered it. I think you're spot on in your assertion that these folks are drawn to the stuff as a medium to explore a culture that they would never even think about venturing into otherwise.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 1:29 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
yaka mein's superiority.
Superiority to what?
Posted on 1/4/12 at 1:32 pm to plawmac
quote:
Its cheap, plentiful and filling. Originated in poorer sections of town as a morning after staple - hangover cure. Unfortunately, there still are a ton of poor areas in NOLA ( as well as a bunch of folks looking for cheap, hangover food).
Yeah, I didn't think that's what TulaneLSU's criticism was about, though.
I thought it was more along the lines of how a certain portion of the culinary cognoscenti have attempted to elevate beyond that.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 1:33 pm to unclebuck504
quote:
unclebuck504
quote:
bariatric surgery
thread hijack
How's it going with that, unclebuck? I remember reading a thread when you were going under the knife
Posted on 1/4/12 at 1:35 pm to Y.A. Tittle
quote:
I thought it was more along the lines of how a certain portion of the culinary cognoscenti have attempted to elevate beyond that.
That was my take.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 2:13 pm to RummelTiger
If NOLA had a chinatown scene their yaka mein would be better.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 2:47 pm to RonBurgundy
quote:
If NOLA had a chinatown scene their yaka mein would be better.
No doubt.
Posted on 1/4/12 at 2:55 pm to Y.A. Tittle
quote:
how a certain portion of the culinary cognoscenti have attempted to elevate beyond that.
Which has been going on with respect to food (from many different cultures) long before TulaneLSU got here, and will continue to happen long after he leaves us.
I sympathize with his commentary to a certain extent, but I also wonder what the point is.
This post was edited on 1/4/12 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 1/4/12 at 3:28 pm to Mo Jeaux
My understanding of the origin of Yaka Mein is that African American soldiers brought it back from the Korean War.
The "Old Sober" nickname, I believe, comes from the fact the original soup may have been called "Yakisoba" or Yakasoba" due to the soba noodles it contained. The soba noodles were replaced by spaghetti, of course.
I think it's good, not great, but interesting nevertheless.
The "Old Sober" nickname, I believe, comes from the fact the original soup may have been called "Yakisoba" or Yakasoba" due to the soba noodles it contained. The soba noodles were replaced by spaghetti, of course.
I think it's good, not great, but interesting nevertheless.
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