Living in Miami, you have a melting pot of cultures and cuisines at your fingertips. Why not take advantage of the delicious delicacies offered right at your doorstep? Venturing past your typical food palette can expose you to authentic Cuban sandwiches, fresh seafood, tropical fruit, key lime pie or all of the above. Why limit yourself when you can find your new favorite food on any given day? Join us as we take a culinary journey, exploring a few different cultural cuisines.
From Latin American street food to upscale fusion dining, Miami offers unparalleled culinary experiences where food becomes a medium for connection, exploration and self-discovery. Experimenting with international cuisine is one of the easiest ways to learn about and appreciate the countless unique cultures that makeup Miami.
“Food is the best thing in the world,” exclaimed Liming Chang, an employee at Hanna & Tiger’s Asian Mart in Coral Gables. For over a year, she’s watched customers from all walks of life explore her store’s unique offerings. “From exposure to these snacks, you know the culture.”
Chang’s boss, who originally opened the market to bridge a gap for Asian foods in Miami, echoed this sentiment. “Our supermarket is more than just a place to shop. It’s a bridge connecting Asian culture with the community,” said the owner. By providing authentic ingredients and fostering cultural exchange, they invite locals to experience Asia beyond the borders of Miami.
Just a six-minute drive from Hanna & Tiger’s lies the wonderful Bottega La Dolce Vita. Upon entering this hidden market, a burst of colorful foods line each shelf, each product straight out of Italy and greater Europe. Each customer receives a cheerful “Ciao!” from the front of the store as a sweet Italian woman named Mariangela waits eagerly to help them with anything they may need.
“The American people love Italy,” said Mariangela. “When they go for vacation and come back, they want to recreate the dishes they had there.”
Whether it’s guanciale for carbonara or pecorino for a charcuterie board, there’s nothing Mariangela says she loves more than helping customers understand the history and process behind these cherished foods. Coming from Milano, she particularly finds joy in explaining the history of the grapes and how each one is pressed to create unique juices for the numerous wines her store holds.
“The process has to open your mind to know why these people are different from
me,” said Mariangela. It’s about more than just taste. It’s about understanding the traditions and values embedded in every bite.
Culinary Culture
Bottega La Dolce Vita attracts people from all over South Miami, including University of Miami sophomore Jacob Hookman-Vassa, also known as Chef Vass. A passionate cook and aspiring hospitality entrepreneur, Hookman-Vassa credits his parents for exposing him to diverse cuisines early on. “Even when I was little, I never liked eating chicken tenders or mac and cheese. I enjoyed eating more cultural or exotic foods,” he shared.
Chef Vass’ culinary journey accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he began cooking daily for his family. Inspired by shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, the chef says he embraced the idea that food is about more than just a substance.
“Food and culture are so important to personal development. They help you gain perspective on everything,” said Chef Vass.
Now, Hookman-Vassa channels his passion into projects like crafting globally inspired dishes such as Thai Massaman curry, posting food reviews on social media and his most recent endeavor, preparing to cater an upcoming toy drive in downtown Miami.
No matter where he is or what he’s doing, one thing remains true for Chef Vass. “Wherever I cook, I think about the cultural vibe I want to create,” said the chef. For Chef Vass, food is a way to discover new things and connect with the community around him.
Beyond cultural enrichment, eating a diverse diet is a cornerstone of good health.
Nutrition Professor Michelina Witte emphasizes the importance of variety, particularly from plant-based foods.
“Fiber is what our bodies are designed for,” said Witte, adding that diverse plant foods support gut health and contribute to longevity and disease prevention.
“When only one in ten Americans eat the minimum for fruits and vegetables per day, we know we are living in a fiber-deficient world,” said Witte. This deficiency contributes to chronic diseases and poor digestive health.
But Witte says the solution is simple: “The more colors, the more variety, the better.”
Hamid Ebrahimi, owner of Shahs Bazaar, takes pride in his Persian market’s high-quality, minimally processed foods. “Most grocery stores, it’s all… trash,” Ebrahimi bluntly said.
Ebrahimi says that because they offer products that are “natural, unmodified, and free of seed oil,” he believes his market provides the foundation for healthier eating. From Persian flatbreads to ancient herb-based soups, his ingredients showcase the nutritional richness of traditional Persian cuisine.
Ebrahimi proudly provides all the ingredients for his brother’s restaurant, Shahs of Kabob, a popular date spot amongst University of Miami students.
Melting Pot Miami
“New foods and restaurants have brought us closer together,” said UM student Lilly Dreyer, who says Shahs of Kabob is one of her favorite date-night spots with her boyfriend, Jacob Moheban. Spending years in Miami as an undergraduate student and now living in an apartment Downtown, Moheban says he has cultivated relationships with local restaurant owners like those at Shahs of Kabob.
Currently, however, the couple’s mutual obsession is Mexican cuisine. “The Latin culture here is easy to find,” said Moheban, adding, “like very good and authentic places to get tacos.”
Dreyer says she attributes her adventurous eating habits to her willingness to step out of her comfort zone. “The way I even got to most of the food that is my favorite today is by being adventurous,” said Dreyer. This openness reflects the essence of Miami, a city where Caribbean, South American, and European influences intertwine, creating endless opportunities to expand one’s palate.
Similar to these ‘canes, 24-year-old Jonah Dross also continues to explore diverse cuisines throughout Miami. After completing his undergraduate program in 2022, Dross continues his studies at the University of Miami’s School of Law.
“Living in Miami is a great place to expand your palate,” said Dross , highlighting its array of Cuban, Brazilian, Argentinian, and Colombian options. While he says he favors Greek cuisine for its fresh ingredients and balanced flavors, Dross also admires the city’s ability to showcase a diverse range of global cultures.
Dross says he views adventurous eating as a direct translation of one’s personal growth. “Pushing your personal comfort boundaries is not only a great way to grow as a person, but is also a lot of fun,” admitted Dross. This sense of curiosity reflects the heart of Miami’s food scene, where culinary exploration can broaden horizons and bring people together.
Miami’s unique culinary opportunities have profoundly influenced these UM students and alumni. From Moheban’s taco hunts to Chef Vass’s cooking experiments, each person’s journey reflects a broader narrative of Miami as a place where food and culture intertwine.
Expanding Your Palate
As Hookman-Vassa aptly puts it, “There’s absolutely no downside to trying new things. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t like it? Then you don’t have to go back to it.”
If you’re hesitant to try new foods, though, you’re not alone. Professor Witte says she acknowledges that college can be a challenging time to diversify your diet. “Often, it’s people’s first time out of the home, choosing foods for themselves,” said the professor. However, one small step forward can prompt three larger ones – in other words, taking baby steps can lead to big changes.
“It takes about ten days to reset your palate,” said Witte.. “If you’re not giving yourself a chance to try something new, you’re not giving your taste buds a chance to adapt.” The key is to start small.
Ebrahimi agreed, saying, “It’s always good to try something new because you can always go back to what you’ve done.”
Don’t know where to start? For University of Miami students, the opportunities to explore new foods are endless. Stop by Hanna & Tiger’s Asian Mart for authentic snacks and ramen, or Shahs Bazaar for delicious Persian flatbreads and light feta cheese. At Bottega La Dolce Vita, pick up artisanal olive oil and pasta with fresh truffle to recreate classic Italian recipes.
On campus, Professor Witte says she recommends visiting the dining halls or joining the Plant-Based Canes for free dinners and inspiration.
“The chefs and staff are receptive to feedback,” she urged, encouraging students to ask for cooking classes or diverse food options. Her best advice is, “Make the healthy choice the easy choice,” whether stocking your dorm room or apartment with accessible fruits and vegetables or pushing yourself to try one new healthy snack weekly.
As Mariangela stated, “It’s good for your brain to discover new things, especially in food.”
Whether you’re savoring a centuries-old Persian soup or experimenting with Italian wine, opening your palate can transform how you see the world, one meal at a time. Embracing diverse foods is not just about satisfying hunger; it’s a gateway to better health, a broader mind, and deeper cultural appreciation.
words_mikayla reich. photo_valeria barbaglio. design_charlotte deangelis.
This article was published in Distraction’s Winter 2024 print issue.
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