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Last week we published a news snippet about the upcoming opening of a restaurant that we have since removed. While the name of the restaurant bothered us, we didn’t know then about the deep history of hurt and sexual harassment that comes with the phrase. We were blind to the hurt that it has caused and unwittingly perpetuated the hurt. This incident has opened our eyes to many more of these issues.
Even without understanding the derogatory roots of the phrase, we should’ve spotted and called out the inherent racial slur. That we did nothing is worrying on many levels. It is something we’re continuing to have conversations about; conversations we hope to also have with our readers, food writers and chefs in the future.
In the meantime, and in the spirit of educating ourselves and drawing on the expertise of our fellow journalists, we asked Eat Out restaurant critic Ishay Govender-Ypma (@IshayGovender) to share her thoughts on the issue, and some of the most pervasive ways it continues to shape the food world. Click here to read Ishay’s piece.
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I’m not okay with this name at all. I thought Louis CK got called out.
And now we finally get why not – sorry again for not calling it out. Thank you for helping us understand and spending your time educating. We’ve learned so much over the past few days, but know that there’s still a whole lot more we need to understand. We’re working on ways to do that 🙂
Cultural appropriation – check
Misogyny – check
Straight-up racism – check
Really pathetic that this exists in 2017, but not surprising from a couple of middle-aged white dudes in Melville, really.
You’re right, Jamie, it’s worrying that we didn’t do those checks. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
Jamie, the mysogeny and the straight up racism are are self evident, no question. Cultural appropriation puts you on totally shaky ground.
But then your response- “not surprising from a couple of middle aged white dudes in melville”- cultural stereotyping and racism right back at you.
Unchecked self-righteousness- Check.
The name of the restaurant is utter crap! Degrading to say the least!
You’re right, Windsor, we should’ve spotted that and done something. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
The name of this restaurant is disgusting and offensive and I would never eat there. I guess their target audience isn’t actually Asians, considering.
Agreed, Victoria. It’s worrying that we missed this. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
Two white guys appropriating Asian culture in the most sexist and racist way possible. This makes most people want to vomit.
You’re right, Kasie, it’s worrying that we missed this. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
Wow. Super racist. Showing their feigned supremacy eh? If there were Asians in their town this wouldn’t fly. Trash.
You’re right, Brian, we should’ve called it out. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
Wow, the people who wrote this article, and anybody who eats here or thinks this is a good concept, is a racist bag of xxxx.
Agreed, it’s worrying that we missed this. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
3 pasty looking white people making fun of POC. typical.
Tactless and racist name of a restaurant. https://nextshark.com/misohawni-racist-asian-restaurant-south-africa/
Why is EATOUT promoting this???
We agree, Alister, we shouldn’t have promoted it. It’s worrying that we missed this. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
As an Asian woman, the name of this restaurant is crass, and so offensive. As a publication, Eat Out has the capacity and moral duty to call this kind of thing out. Instead you promote misogyny with a side of cultural appropriation. I’m all for understanding culture through food, but do it respectfully. It’s one thing to clump Japanese, Hawaiian and Koren cuisine as one thing, but the name of this restaurant??? Seriously. So disappointed with the owners of this place and Eat Out as an establishment.
You’re right, Bianca, it’s worrying that we missed this. We’ve been working on how to address this now & in the future. Just a “sorry” without actively trying to change on a deeper level didn’t seem sufficient. Here’s a start: https://www.eatout.co.za/article/thought-leader-cultural-appropriation-food/
Not even half surprised that you failed to see how problematic this restaurant is. White people choose to be ignorant with regards to racial matters even 20 years after Apartheid ended. No one should have to call out the problem with this restaurant for you to retrospectively realize that its extremely racist and offensive. White people have a duty in this country more so than anywhere else to do better. White people are constantly on the defense about not being racist but do NOTHING to break down racial barriers. Ignorance is not an excuse in 2017, we are tired of your excuses and your apologies. DO BETTER
Absolutely agree, Jenna. As an all-female editorial team we felt the sexism, but we didn’t feel the racism or historical hurt. It’s precisely our sensitivity to the pain of others that we’re trying to improve on. We realise that, just as you say, we need to do something. This is a step towards that.
New asian restaurant with that name?
Huh, it seems you just found recipe on google. Horrible amateurism!