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Liturgy Of The Dispersed: Memory, Transnationalism, And Cambodian Cuisine In The American Diaspora, Phalika Oum

Psychology, Criminal Justice & Sociology Student Scholarship

This study addresses Cambodian diasporic cuisine in the United States, recognizing cuisine as a way for Cambodians to maintain transnational ties in the era of mounting globalization. It is rooted in anthropologist Arjun Appadurai’s theories on imagination, culturalism, and globalization. Using purposive sampling and the grounded theory approach, this study compares 25 pre-diaspora recipes to 25 diaspora recipes, and assesses changes in ingredients, cooking methods, and cultural or historical notes, respectively. Major findings in diasporic recipes, in comparison to pre-diasporic recipes, includes more leniency in ingredients used, stricter instructions on cooking methods, and greater nostalgia for the homeland.