Molz - Tasting an Imagined Thailand (2)

Ethnic restaurants fulfill a purpose of otherness within a particular locality where people can experience the authentic identity of other cultures. First question normally asked is “what is authentic”? Authentic could generally be considered subjective term which is determined by context of the performance.

On school of thought that has been put forward is that authentic; in this case of Thai restaurants is a staged performance to fulfill the perception of Thai culture by Americans. The experience is in no way truly authentic whereas the menu, ingredients along with the decor all of these restaurants go to serve this purpose. Foods that would be unpalatable, inedible or strange are omitted to meet the ‘taste’ of this new reality.

The author however points out that this description does not adequately account for the culinary tourist where what is authentic is negotiated and constructed to fit the particular society. In this case authenticity is based on the perception of the individual’s own expectation. They decide whether the experience is authentic so in the case of a Thai restaurant what is presented is meant to fulfill this wish. Patrons are judging the authenticity on how much their preconceived notions were met where this can range from ethnicity of staff, menu etc. But their main reason for partaking in the entire experience is exotic nature without disregarding palatability and familiarity.

Food to a culinary tourist is a way of expressing individual/group identities and culture while pointing out apparent differences at the same time but provides a means for accessing the ‘other’. Likewise this ‘other’ including the Thai restaurant is a means for Americans to validate his/her own identity and culture. In this case the food is doubly expressive by serving both purposes. The expression of authentic is only what Americans expect of Thai culture.

Jennie puts forward the idea that the level to which one seeks authenticity is based on the experience they desire and what aspects of their identity they will to express or validate with the food of the ‘other’. Similarly other classes of tourist would have different expectations for what they will consider authentic. All ethnic restaurants fulfill these tendencies of Americans while at the same time offering variety where the primary goal is enjoyment and not the authenticity.

My personal thought of this reading delves more into whether ethnic restaurant can ever be described as authentic considering the various regional and/or personal ‘taste’ that exist in a culture. But if an ethnic restaurant is to be viable is must adapt to this new reality. In this instance authenticity is truly subjective and the end user might have the final decision