Asian Food and Drink featured on
AsiainNYC.org,
Web Component of Asia Society's Trade Publication
Asia in New York City: A Cultural Travel Guide

Including Special Live Interview with Celebrity Chef Martin Yan

NEW YORK, May 1, 2001-For the next few weeks ASIAinNYC.org (www.asiainnyc.org), the Asia Society's resourceful new site based on its recent trade publication Asia in New York City: A Cultural Travel Guide, will include a special section on the Asian food scene in New York City. The website, which features rotating content from the guide book, is currently filled with fascinating Asian food facts and a treasure trove of Asian restaurant and market listings throughout the city.

The "Food and Drink Feature," based on the guide's Food and Drink chapter, is full of replete with flavorful walking tours through the city's Asian neighborhoods, background on the evolution of Asian food in the five boroughs, and a wealth of information on the city's most authentic markets. The site also includes a review of a unique Persian restaurant, in its "Adventures" section, and a special interview, including video clips, with celebrity chef Martin Yan, in its "Interviews" section.

In his interview, Yan discusses the evolution of Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese, in New York City and the United States, shares his thoughts on other Chinatowns throughout the world, and offers recommendations for ordering a great Asian meal. In speaking of how food is often the first way we encounter a new culture, Yan says, "I think my show, like the Asia Society, basically promotes Asian culture, and food is a very integral part of culture and history and lifestyle. Somebody said that to understand one's culture, you start with food, because food is less controversial. Everybody has to eat."

In addition to the "Interviews," "Adventures" and "Features" sections, notable resources of ASIAinNYC.org include fun "Maps" of Asian neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, "Links" with comprehensive listings for Asian cultural offices and continuing education organizations, and more information in "About the Book."

Written by a leading team of experts in the areas of Asian art, film, food, fashion, religion, nightlife and more, Asia in New York City is the ultimate guide to all things Asian in New York City, from the hottest new trends to centuries-old traditions. Published by Avalon Travel Publishing and Balliett and Fitzgerald, it offers page after exciting page of information on where to find Asian art collections and exhibitions, specialty bookshops, hot new bars, delicious Asian cuisine, popular boutiques and food stores, traditional performing arts, peaceful garden hideaways, relaxing yoga and meditation centers, informative classes and workshops, and much, much more. The book retails for $17.95 and is available at many fine bookstores, the Society's AsiaStore, or online at www.asiasociety.org/publications.

AsiainNYC.org is the newest site to join the Asia Society's community of online resources. For more on Asian cuisine, visit AsiaFood.org (www.asiafood.org), the Society's fun and fascinating resource on Asian food and cooking methods, history, ingredients and techniques, based on the entire contents of the Encyclopedia of Asian Food, by world-renowned-expert Charmaine Solomon.

Asia Society Online also includes AsiaSociety.org (www.asiasociety.org), for up-to-date information on every facet of the Society; AsiaSource.org (www.asiasource.org), for timely, reliable, unbiased information on Asia; AsiaBusinessToday (www.asiabusinesstoday.org), for analysis of U.S.-Asia economic and business relations; and AskAsia.org (www.askasia.org), for K-12 resources on Asia.

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