Foodie Heaven: The Multiculturalism of Cuisine

By Anonymous

By Cynthia Oyarce   

    When outlining modes of incorporation into the civil sphere, Jeffrey Alexander notes that America has jumped from assimilation to hyphenation to multiculturalism. Through assimilation, outgroups were forced to shed any qualities that did not mix with the norms of the primary civil sphere, resulting in an ambiguous social process stemming from "a contradiction between civil solidarity and primordial exclusion" (Alexander 2006:430). The shift into hyphenation eased the tension between public and private spheres considerably, allowing foreign qualities to "become hyphenated with core identities and blended into a new race" that reflected the "unique particularity of America itself" (Alexander 2006:432). Now, in a time of multiculturalism, displaying one's ethnicity has become a matter of pride in many cases. 

 

    As multicultural representation in the United States has grown, so too has the array of restaurant options in thriving cities. Portland, Oregon is one example of an expanding foodie paradise with endless dining options to choose from. The classic food trucks and "food pods" lining the streets offer delicious fare ranging from Mediterranean to Middle Eastern. For a more traditional dining experience, there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from, either. Andina, a Peruvian restaurant located in Portland's Pearl District, is one such example. The photo above was posted on their Facebook to show what a typical evening dinner service looks like. Cozy and quaint, the plants and wood furniture are meant to symbolize the lifestyle of the Amazonas. Diners from different ethnic backgrounds are seen partaking in dinner together, exposing themselves to a culture they may be unfamiliar with. Often considered one of the greatest restaurants to dine at in Portland, Andina is a clear example of the public, proud display of non-core primordialities brought about by multiculturalism. 



Works Referenced

Alexander, Jeffrey C. 2006. The Civil Sphere. New York: Oxford Press.

Andina Restaurant. November 4, 2021. Retrieved from Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/andinapdx/photos/a.10154585717911300/10157980899481300/)

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