Although kimchi is a staple that accompanies Korean food, Alan Wong, general manager of Kung Fu Plaza, is very interested in a new television program scheduled to air on PBS this summer. The Kimchi Chronicles features acclaimed French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his half-Korean wife, Marja, as they travel around South Korea sampling the country's staple food.

The 13-part food travelogue features Marja as the primary star. She has been cooking more Korean food since beginning production on the series last year and is working on a Korean cookbook that she hopes will help make Korean food as popular as Thai food.

"I am very excited about the show because I believe very strongly in preserving the traditional distinctions between Asian cuisines," said Wong. "Korean, for example, relies on its earthy pickled goods and braised meats. It has very distinctive and punchy flavors as opposed to the balanced flavors of Thai food."

The program is currently enjoying an early run at 4 p.m. on Sundays in New York (WNET). The show is named after an integral part of Korean culture and one that reflects the country’s regional characteristics. Every region in Korea has its own kimchi specialties and there are hundreds of varieties.

"My family and I are also interested to see how Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten takes to the food prepared in Korea," said Wong. "His cuisine isn't known for its spice and heat, but rather its butters and creams. Korean foods are anything but subtle. I suspect some Thai foods would be more to his liking."

The New Television Series Also Inspired A Cookbook.

Wong says that The Kimchi Chronicles: Rediscovering Korean Cooking for an American Kitchen is expected to be released in August. The book is said to include a recipe for every dish featured, with tips on how to duplicate them for an American kitchen along with variations created by Chef Vongerichten.

As expected, the chef's variations are expected to be lighter and more modern. Some of them are presented as an accompaniment to American and European meals.

"They seem to be doing everything right," said Wong. "Frequently, my mother and father travel back to Thailand to track how Thai food is evolving. While the majority of our dishes are from central Thailand and we take pride in preserving tradition, sometimes you have to revisit your roots."


In addition to the chef and his wife, the series includes guest appearances from actors like Hugh Jackman and Heather Graham. Some foodies have suggested the program will launch a Korean food craze.

Wong says he hopes more people take an interest. He said he enjoys Korean food, which places an emphasis on garlic, red pepper, ginger, and kimchi. However, Wong says American chefs might have to de-emphasize the reliance on kimchi to pick up broad appeal. And some dishes will likely be altered.

"It's a difficult choice to make, one that I think some Chinese chefs now regret in America," says Wong. "You want to preserve traditional flavors and techniques like we have with Thai food, but some Americans are not ready to experience more authentic flavors. This is why my parents first served Chinese dishes Americans knew alongside Thai dishes that they did not."

The new series is produced by Eric Rhee. Rhee also produced Spain ... on the Road Again, which featured Iron Chef Mario Batali, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols. The series focuses on blending the geography, history, and culinary traditions of the region.

Wong said the show might inspire him to release more cooking tips for traditional Thai food. His establishment is the oldest and most authentic Chinese and Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, originally opened in 1973 by his parents. It opened as Kung Fu to distinguish its offerings from Chinese restaurants and then changed its name to Kung Fu Plaza when it moved to the Plaza in Downtown Las Vegas. Later, it relocated to Chinatown in Las Vegas.