By Jana Monji
Korean American Arvin Lee is one of eight friends who are the Foodie Fam in the new 12-episode series from Stage 13 and the production company YOMYOMF, Family Style.
Lee, a writer, producer and musician, was most recently in Life in Pieces, Natural Vice and wrote and appeared in the TV mini-series Lunch Specials. In Family Style, he appears in Episode 2 (Nose to Tail), Episode 3 (Night Markets) and Episode 12 (Sharing).
Q: What food-related programs did you watching growing up and what do you watch now?
A: I grew up watching a LOT of Food Network. I used to think that I could become a better cook by merely consuming a lot of their shows. These days, I consume more bite-sized content on YouTube or Instagram that show an aerial shot of someone cooking food.
Q: How will this program be different?
A: I think that Family Style is different than any other food program we’ve seen out there because more than the food itself, the focus of the show is to explore the idea of sharing food with other people and how it elevates the experience to another degree. It’s easy to diminish food to two categories: good or bad, and in doing so we neglect the deep culture, traditions, and stories behind the food we’re eating. Sharing a meal with people opens the door for communion, good conversations, and an opportunity to take part in a culture.
Q: What is your favorite episode that you’ve made so far and why?
My favorite episode is definitely the one where the entire Foodie Fam hosts got together and cooked for each other. We only had one episode where we all got to be together, so it was special.
Q: Can you tell me of any funny, weird or wonderful incidents that happened while filming that didn’t make it in?
A: There were so many amazing “please tell me we were rolling the camera” moments, but my favorite was during the last episode where we were all together. I had attempted to make an aioli for the first time and it was disastrous to put it lightly. I freaked out because I didn’t want the others to taste it and react on camera. Gilbert Galon, one of the other hosts, saw that I was freaking out and suggested that I pick a lemon from a nearby tree and use it to offset the olive oil. That was the moment I knew we were going to be good friends.
Q: Finally, can you give me your five favorite restaurants (and what we should order there)?
- Sun Nong Dan (3470 W 6th St #7, Los Angeles, CA 90020, Koreatown): Braised Beef Short Ribs
- Yuchun (3185 W Olympic Blvd. Koreatown): Chic Mul Naang Myun (Korean spicy cold noodles)
- Buil Sam Gye Tang (4204 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020) : Sam Gye Tang (ginseng chicken soup)
- Ave 26 Taco Stand (Montecito Heights): Al Pastor Tacos ($1 each / cash only)
- Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles (2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025): Tsukemen
Besides Arvin Lee, the Foodie Fam includes Stacy Fan (contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar, China and founder of the Eurasian Vogue”] blog); Lana McKissack (actress/singer/producer, Shameless, Criminal Minds, Transformers: Titans Return); Gilbert Galon (actor/comedian), Amanda Suk (Runaways), Anthony Ma (Taiwanese-American actor/writer/filmmaker; Dear White People, NCIS: Los Angeles); Oates Wu (Chinese writer/director), and Sujata Day (actress/model/screenwriter, “Insecure”).
New episodes of Family Style drop on Mondays and Thursdays with the season ending the week of June 17. You can view on the Stage 13 website, YouTube and Facebook.
Shot in Vietnam, China and the Philippines as well as Los Angeles and Oahu, the series features guest appearances by Daniel Dae Kim, Dianne Doan, Hudson Yang, Harry Shum Jr., Ally Maki and Jon M. Chu.
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