“Cwiertka has produced a fine study of the lasting legacy of Japanese colonialism on Korean food culture. . . . Especially strong is the author’s unfolding of the history of seemingly mundane aspects of food, like the impact of Japanese customs and taste on soy sauce manufacturing in Korea to the present, and her richly illustrative narrative on the intersection of restaurant culture, gender roles, and modernity in Korea. . . . Highly recommended.”

Choice

“A very readable and often entertaining account of the ups and downs of food styles, availability, and preparation on the peninsula since the beginning of Japanese colonial rule in 1910.” 

Asian Affairs

“This volume greatly adds to the available English-language scholarship on Korean food and also helps demonstrate the interconnectedness of history, culture, and food . . . a comprehensive study of twentieth-century Korean cuisine and how events such as the colonization by Japan, the Korean War, and division have played major roles in shaping the food we find today in Korea . . . an excellent volume.” 

Journal of Asian Studies

“The focus of this work on twentieth-century political economy is basic for understanding the present and underscores the considerable importance of this book.” 

Pacific Affairs

“This is an excellent book on Korean-Japanese relations, the early history of Korean industrialization, and the rise of industrial food, as well as the evolution of Korean food in recent times, all rolled into a scant 237 pages. A good author can do wonders.” 

MarginalRevolution.com