Lone Star College-Kingwood Economics Professor Shuang Xu is sharing his experience of appearing on the show “The Food That Built America” on the History Channel. The episode aired April 27th.
Professor Xu says he was approached by the production team after they discovered his History of Ramen presentation on YouTube.
“Initially, I agreed to participate in The Food That Built America to share my knowledge and passion for ramen. However, I was inspired to also highlight how the story of Chinese cuisine in America is deeply connected to the struggles and perseverance of Chinese immigrants.”
Professor Xu says ramen was the first food he learned to cook and truly enjoyed. “Like many college students in America, my early years were filled with ramen. However, unlike the common perception in the U.S., where ramen is often seen as an inferior good, in many Asian cultures, ramen is considered a normal good—its consumption increases as income rises. It holds cultural value and is embraced across all socioeconomic levels.”
After immigrating to the United States, Xu’s parents opened and operated two small Chinese restaurants— one in Alvin and the other in Houston. “I grew up in the restaurant environment, spending most of my free time outside of school helping with the family business. Like many Chinese families before us, the restaurant industry provided opportunities that helped us work toward and realize our version of the American Dream.”
Xu also shared one of his favorite parts of the show was the discussion of 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.'
“I had always been aware of the misconceptions surrounding MSG, but I had never explored the history behind the term. I was fascinated to learn how misinformation and racial bias contributed to the spread of this myth, unfairly targeting Chinese cuisine and communities.”
Professor Xu has an important message for students. “To my students who may be struggling with their cultural identity or uncertain about their future, I want to say this: your background, your story, and your roots are not something to hide—they are your foundation. Just like how Chinese food, once misunderstood and dismissed, became a beloved part of American culture through resilience and adaptation, you too can carve out your own space by embracing who you are. Let your heritage inspire your goals and remember that challenges—whether cultural or personal—can be the very things that shape your success.”
Professor Xu has lectured several times on the LSC-Kingwood campus. You can view his video on The History of Ramen here. His most recent talk on Tariffs, you can watch here.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D. serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit Lonestar.edu.
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