Surname 2
US. However, despite the fact that Ahn was raised in America, he grew up in a family that was
traditional in that it implemented its culture onto him. In the narrative, Ahn notes that his mom
“spoke to me almost exclusively in her native language” (Ahn 13). After the death of his parents,
Ahn learned the significance of what they tried to instill in him about the culture, therefore, he
looks forward to doing the same for his son.
Food as a Symbol of Tradition
Evidently, Ahn’s parents tried to encourage an acceptance of heritage in their son through food
and language. By cooking and buying products from Korean supermarkets, Ahn’s mother and
father wanted their kid to acquire and accept his culture and traditions. Although Ahn
continuously rejected what he was being taught, his parents had eventually succeeded in
instilling virtues, which enabled him to appreciate their efforts later after their death. At the end
of the narrative, Ahn admits that he is looking forward to prepare Korean dishes for his son as he
desires him to get aware of his roots and embrace them. Interestingly, Ahn conveys fear of his
son losing a sense of his heritage if he is not exposed to the Korean culture (Ahn 15). Essentially,
food played a significant role in influencing Ahn in terms of accepting his culture, which
encourages him to create the same impact on his son.
My Childhood Food Experience
According to my dad, who is Mexican, I was just a year old when my Japanese mom left us due
to irreconcilable differences. As such, I spent my childhood with my Mexican grandmother, who
used to prepare for me traditional dishes. Moreover, having spent much time in Mexico, I can
hear and speak fluent Mexican language. Although I left my native country for the US to stay
with my father when I was ten, my grandmother had already succeeded in fostering Mexican
culture. When I later came to learn I was also a Japanese, it was difficult since I have no idea
