Does mainstream media neglect Asian cuisine?

[Kentan]

Fmed, I hope you don't mind - your last comment is intriguing enough that I think it deserves a separate topic.

You wrote: "Regarding that Urbanspoon list...it is interesting to note that 8 or perhaps 9 of the top 10 blogs are run by Asian bloggers. I think that these bloggers are filling a void that is largely being ignored by traditional-media food writers (most of whom just don't understand the Asian palate and way of dining)."

I have been thinking the very same thing whenever I read traditional media food writers in the city. Admittedly, there aren't that many left in Vancouver! It's basically the G&M, Vancouver Sun, and The Province, with the Georgia Straight, Westender, and Vancouver Courier on the independent media side. (Stephen Wong, writing for the Georgia Straight, is a happy exception - but looking back, he contributes only about 3-4 times per year).

But it seems to me that they give most of their coverage to new restaurant openings that are either non-Asian restaurants or if they are Asian, they're opened by Canadians. I wonder if it's the preference of the writer, or if it's a decision by the newspaper itself. Perhaps their readers are just not interested in hearing about Asian food very often?

[fmed]

It's a good topic for discussion.

In terms of coverage of the city's food scene, traditional-media is (and really always has been) irrelevant to a huge portion of the Vancouver dining public. Asians in particular rely much more on word of mouth for recommendations. I wish there was a way to capture this information....actually there is: amateur food blogs.

Even the bigger new-media lifestyle meta-blogs are not really doing the Vancouver dining scene justice as they tend to cover the same small group of restaurateurs over and over again. I don't really think the ethnicity is the real factor here. It is a really a more of a small tightly knit club.

$0.02

-f

(PS I think Caroline Ali is another writer who covers the ethnic (including Asian) scene well.)

[Edward J]

Mmmm...

C.B.C. morning radio has always featured Asian cuisine, as well as non-mainstream food

I myself have been featured in one of Maggie Gallagher's broadcasts, as well as included(and many of my business neighbors) in a 2 page spread in the Courier, and managed to wrangle some coverage on "Breakfast TV--which does feature Asian cuisine as well. And Eat!Vancouver usually has a high proportion of Asian cuisine as well, which does attract media attention.

True, these are not traditional newspapers, but media sources none-the-less.

[fmed]

Yes...Margaret G indeed does a great job. And I know she has a great palate for Asian food in particular. The coverage on Breakfast TV is sporadic and feels somewhat perfunctory. But I do commend them for attempting to address the gap. The Tim Pawsey of Courier does a good job as well - I don't always agree with his Asian reviews but that is of course subjective.

Eat! isn't really mainstream as you have to seek it out.

The Sun, Province, G&M are MIA for the most part.

[barolo]

Those sites also accept advertising and post news releases from their supporters (advertisers) which leads to alot of information about those restaurants on the site.

It's a good topic for discussion.

Even the bigger new-media lifestyle meta-blogs are not really doing the Vancouver dining scene justice as they tend to cover the same small group of restaurateurs over and over again. I don't really think the ethnicity is the real factor here. It is a really a more of a small tightly knit club.

[Tough Cookie]

Fmed, I hope you don't mind - your last comment is intriguing enough that I think it deserves a separate topic.

You wrote: "Regarding that Urbanspoon list...it is interesting to note that 8 or perhaps 9 of the top 10 blogs are run by Asian bloggers. I think that these bloggers are filling a void that is largely being ignored by traditional-media food writers (most of whom just don't understand the Asian palate and way of dining)."

Out of curiousity, which blogs are these? Would love to read more about Asian cuisine and related reviews.

[fmed]

Things are looking up. I have to commend the organizers and judging panel of the Chinese Restaurant Awards. I think these awards are providing much needed mainstream coverage and publicity.

Back to the blogs...it isn't just Asian food that the bloggers cover - they eat pretty much everywhere and everything - from high-end places to little holes-in-the-wall. It is probably too much to ask for traditional media to provide the kind of blanket coverage.