With a new cookbook, TikTok creator Owen Han aims to perfect the art of the sandwich
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Owen Han's journey is explored—from his multicultural childhood immersed in Italian and Chinese cuisines to his unexpected ascent as a TikTok sensation during the pandemic. The summary delves into Han's unique approach to culinary content on social media, where he captivated audiences with videos showcasing textures and sounds. Rather than traditional fare, Han redefines sandwiches, crafting innovative creations like his signature Turkey Crunch that harmonize contrasting flavors and textures for a multisensory experience.
Through his social media success and newly published cookbook, Han aims to perfect the art of sandwich-making. His recipes inspire viewers to transcend bread boundaries, embracing diverse flavor profiles and ingredient combinations that tantalize the senses.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 22, 2024 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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Owen Han's culinary influences
Owen Han's passion for cooking stems from his multicultural upbringing, which immersed him in both Italian and Chinese cuisines. As a child, Sanger-Katz explains, Owen spent summers in Italy, developing an appreciation for traditional techniques and quality ingredients. Meanwhile, he was exposed to Chinese flavors and methods through his father's cooking.
How the pandemic led to social media
After plans to pursue dietetics were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Owen re-evaluated his path. Barbaro notes that his father's passing from COVID-19 prompted this change - Owen heeded his advice to follow his passion. Encouraged by his roommate, Owen began sharing his culinary talents on TikTok.
TikTok's focus on texture and sound
Owen's TikTok success, Sanger-Katz says, stems from his emphasis on the sensory experience of cooking - especially the sounds and textures of ingredients. His shrimp toast debut video resonated through its auditory appeal. Building on this, Owen's sandwich recipes showcase unique textures and sounds.
Innovative sandwich-making
Expanding the traditional sandwich definition, Owen sees them as stackable layers between any carbs. His signature Turkey Crunch, Barbaro explains, harmonizes textures like Parmesan crisps with contrasting flavors like Calabrian chili mayo and pesto - delighting all senses.
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Actionables
- Explore your heritage through cooking by preparing a dish that combines elements from different cultures in your background, like using an Italian pasta technique with Chinese flavors.
- If you're of Irish and Mexican descent, for example, you might try making a shepherd's pie with a mole sauce, blending the hearty comfort of Irish cuisine with the rich, complex flavors of Mexican chocolate and chilies.
- Create a sensory cooking experience at home by focusing on the sounds and textures of ingredients, not just the taste.
- When you're cooking, pay attention to the sizzle of onions in the pan or the crunch of fresh vegetables. Record these sounds and play them back while you eat to heighten the sensory experience, or share them with friends and family to get them excited about the meal.
- Reinvent a classic sandwich by experimenting with unconventional "carbs" to create new combinations.
- Instead of bread, use sliced, grilled eggplant as the base for a sandwich, layering it with traditional sandwich fillings like lettuce, tomato, and your choice of protein. This not only adds a new texture and flavor profile but also caters to those looking for gluten-free or low-carb options.
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Owen Han's background and culinary influences
Owen Han’s multicultural heritage has deeply influenced his approach to cooking, helping to cultivate his passion for food from a young age.
Owen Han's upbringing was shaped by his multicultural heritage, with exposure to both Italian and Chinese cuisine
Owen Han's unique culinary perspective is a direct result of his upbringing, with immersive experiences in both Italian and Chinese culinary traditions.
Italian and Chinese culinary influences
As a child, Owen spent idyllic summers in Italy, in his Nonna's kitchen, where his love for food began to take root. There, he developed an appreciation for high-quality ingredients and the traditional cooking methods that make Italian cuisine so beloved.
Growing up in the United States, Owen enjoyed the flavors and techniques of his father's Chinese cooking, whi ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Owen Han's background and culinary influences
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your own heritage through food by researching traditional recipes from your family's background and attempting to cook them at home. This can deepen your connection to your roots and expand your culinary skills. For example, if you have Irish ancestry, you might try making a traditional Irish stew or soda bread.
- Start a 'flavor journal' to document different ingredients, spices, and techniques you encounter in various cuisines. Note the flavors you enjoy and how they're used in different dishes. This can be a fun way to become more mindful of the diversity in your meals and inspire you to mix culinary practices, like using an Italian herb in a Chinese stir-fry.
- Organize a potluck ...
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How the pandemic impacted his career path and led him to social media
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a moment of profound change for many, including Owen, whose career trajectory was significantly altered by the events that unfolded.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Owen's plans to pursue a career in dietetics, as he was working in a hospital environment that became increasingly challenging.
Owen found himself in the midst of the hospital chaos, distributing food to patients and considering a return to school to further his career in dietetics. However, the pandemic created an extremely challenging work environment and caused him to reconsider his professional direction.
After the unexpected passing of his father due to COVID-19, Owen re-evaluated his professional goals and sought a new direction.
The sudden passing of Owen’s father from COVID-19 was a pivotal event that prompted him to reassess his life and career goals. Bereft but introspective, Owen remembered his father’s advice about the importance of passion in one’s career.
Encouraged by his father's advice to pursue his passions, Owen was introduced to the social media platform TikTok, where he began sharing his culina ...
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How the pandemic impacted his career path and led him to social media
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can reassess your career trajectory by writing a "passion and skills" inventory to identify what truly excites you and where your strengths lie. Start by listing down areas you are passionate about, just as Owen did with his culinary interests. Next, note down the skills you possess that could complement these passions. This could lead to discovering a new path or refining your current one, much like Owen found a new outlet through TikTok.
- Explore alternative platforms to share your expertise or hobbies, similar to how Owen turned to TikTok. If you're knowledgeable about a subject, consider starting a blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram account dedicated to that topic. For instance, if you're into gardening, you could create a series of short videos or photo tutorials on plant care and share them on social media.
- Create a personal development ...
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The role of TikTok and the importance of texture/sound in his cooking
Owen Han’s success on TikTok has been largely due to his unique sensory approach to cooking that emphasizes the texture and sound of ingredients used in his recipes.
Owen's TikTok videos, which focused on the sensory experience of cooking, including the sound and texture of ingredients, resonated with viewers and helped propel his success on the platform.
Owen's pivotal move to highlight ASMR—or autonomous sensory meridian response—in his TikTok videos places the sensory experience of cooking front and center. He believes that the satisfying sounds of sizzling steak and the crunch of a baguette can captivate an audience and help people imagine the taste and feel of the food. These carefully curated auditory experiences have been essential in setting his content apart and engaging viewers.
Owen's emphasis on ASMR and the sights and sounds of food preparation, such as the crunch of a fresh baguette or the sizzle of a steak, was a key part of his approach to creating engaging content.
Owen's TikTok debut soared ...
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The role of TikTok and the importance of texture/sound in his cooking
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Clarifications
- ASMR, short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It is often triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli, like whispering, tapping, or gentle sounds. People who experience ASMR describe it as deeply relaxing and pleasurable, sometimes inducing a state of calm or euphoria. ASMR videos are popular on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where creators use various triggers to help viewers relax or experience the sensation themselves.
- Owen Han's sensory approach to cooking involves emphasizing the texture and sound of ingredients in his recipes, creating a multisensory experience for viewers. He incorporates ASMR elements, focusing on the satisfying sounds of cooking like sizzling steak and the crunch of a baguette to engage his audience. By highlighting these sensory aspects, he aims to evoke the taste and feel of the food, making his content unique and captivating. This approach sets his cooking videos apart and has contributed to his success as a food influencer on TikTok.
- The connection between sensory experiences like sound and texture with cooking content on TikTok is highlighted by how creators like Owen Han use these elements to enhance the viewer's engagement ...
Counterarguments
- While Owen Han's sensory approach is unique, it may not be the sole reason for his success; other factors like his personality, presentation style, and recipe quality likely also play significant roles.
- The emphasis on ASMR and sensory experiences might not appeal to all viewers; some may prefer traditional cooking shows that focus more on technique and recipe details.
- The success of content on TikTok is often multifaceted, and attributing it to a single factor like sound and texture may oversimplify the platform's complex algorithm and the varied tastes of its user base.
- The focus on auditory experiences in cooking videos could be seen as a gimmick that overshadows the importance of taste and nutritional value in cooking.
- While the sounds of cooking can be engaging, they do not necessarily translate to the actual quality or flavor of the food, which is the primary concern for many food enthusiasts.
- The popularity of sensory-focused content may be a trend that could change over time, and what resonates with viewers now might not have the same impact in the future.
- Relying heavily on sensory elements in videos might limit the creator's audience to those who are specifically interested in ASMR, potentially ...
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Specific details about his sandwich recipes and approach
Owen Han takes a broad and innovative approach to his sandwich-making, incorporating a variety of ingredients and textures to redefine what a sandwich can be.
Owen's expansive definition of a "sandwich"
Owen's inventive definition of a sandwich transcends the traditional view that confines this dish to simply bread and fillings. Instead, he views sandwiches as a canvas for any stackable ingredients that are layered between carbohydrates of any kind.
One of Owen's signature sandwich creations, the Turkey Crunch
In his signature creation, the Turkey Crunch, Owen emphasizes a harmony of textures and flavors that make each bite both satisfying and complex. This sandwich boasts the unexpected addition of a Pa ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Specific details about his sandwich recipes and approach
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Counterarguments
- While innovation is valuable, some might argue that Owen Han's broad definition of a sandwich could dilute the identity of what a sandwich traditionally is, leading to confusion or purist pushback.
- There could be a critique that not all stackable ingredients between carbohydrates create a cohesive or appetizing sandwich, and that some combinations, while novel, might not work well together.
- The complexity of flavors in the Turkey Crunch might be overwhelming for some, with a preference for simpler, more traditional sandwiches that offer fewer competing flavors.
- The addition of items like Parmesan crisps and freeco crisps, while providing texture, might be seen as a departure from the sandwich's classic simplicity, potentially overshadowing the main ingredients.
- The use of bold ingredients like Calabrian chili mayo and pe ...
Actionables
- Experiment with unconventional bread alternatives by using sliced vegetables, such as eggplant or sweet potato, as the "carbs" in your next sandwich creation. This not only adds a nutritional boost but also introduces a new dimension of flavors and textures to explore.
- Create a DIY flavor-infused spread station in your kitchen using base ingredients like mayonnaise, yogurt, or hummus, and mix in a variety of herbs, spices, or condiments you have on hand. This allows you to customize and enhance your sandwiches with unique flavor profiles every time.
- Host a sandwich-building challenge with f ...
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