The Sporkful

Talkback! Why Hibachi is Complicated (Pt. 2) Last week, we talked hibachi and why it's complicated. This week, Dan takes your questions and discusses them, along with friends-of-the-show and cookbook authors Kenji López-Alt and Nicole Taylor. We cover communal eating, orientalism, finding "authentic" foods, and more. Nicole also dishes on her upcoming cookbook, The Last O.G. Cookbook, and Kenji updates us on his restaurant, Wursthall, in San Mateo, CA. Today's sponsors: Go to .

The hibachi restaurant was created in America in 1964 by a savvy showman and Japanese immigrant named Rocky Aoki, who observed that "Americans enjoy eating in exotic surroundings, but are deeply mistrustful of exotic foods." This week, we see the skill it takes to be a great hibachi chef, and look at what happens when the performance becomes problematic. Today's sponsors:  Go to to start your free two-week trial. This week we're making BBQ Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict on a Thomas' English Muffin. Get the recipe here: https://thomasbreads.com/recipes/bbq-pulled-pork-eggs-benedict.

Josie Long and Jonny Donahoe love food, but they've also struggled over the years with disordered eating. Last year they had a baby, which brings new opportunities for food joy, and stress. The comedians join Dan to talk about trying to share their passion for food with their daughter, while leaving out the parts they’re determined not to pass down. Today's sponsors:  Go to to see available stores in your area and start your free two-week trial.

Your philosophy about how a communal fridge should be used says a lot about how you think society should function. This week, listeners share their opinions. Plus we hear stories of the crazy things people do to stop office fridge theft, and we talk with an admitted perpetrator. Today's sponsors:  Go to  for more information.

When actor and comic Ron Funches came on The Sporkful four years ago, his humor and warmth made him one of our most popular guests ever. Since then he's lost 140 pounds. This week, Ron returns to talk about how losing weight has changed the way people treat him, and the way he perceives himself. Plus he updates us on his autistic son Malcom.  Today's sponsors: Go to   for 15% off your first purchase.