Rant Ahead:

For about 30 years, I’ve been telling waitstaff that I’m allergic to shellfish. I didn’t think they needed to hear about my journey toward kashrut. About 8 years ago, I had a terrible, prolonged allergic reaction to an iv serum thingy for some sort of medical scan. That’s when the doctors told me that I AM allergic to shellfish. Irony? Divine Punishment? Who knows? Since then, I’ve learned a lot about what foods traditionally contain shellfish. Sadly, I’ve also had to learn about how to ask questions and persevere when waitstaff and even a cooking school teacher don’t know about their own ingredients.

I have found so many great chefs who create authentic ethnic foods without shellfish – yes, even in Texas. Because we live in a 21st century of global possibilities. I found a brilliant Korean restaurant in Austin that makes DELICIOUS, authentic shellfish-free and even gluten-free Korean foods. [All my love to Bree & co at https://www.oseyoaustin.com/ ] Also, I have discovered multiple authentic vegan kimchis sold at convenient “American” stores – not just H-Mart! And yet…people keep saying this very-old-fashioned, condescending sentence: “it really wouldn’t be traditional kimchi without the shellfish component.” It’s JUST like saying: “we can’t make biscuits or refried beans without lard.” Or: “my grandparents used copper pots, so we have to – even though now we know they make people sick.” Who would say that?!?!

Yes, traditionally most kimchi contained shellfish, but, in 2026, there are TONS of options for shell-fish free and even vegan kimchi. I’m very disappointed when people act like Korean cooking has not been able to adapt. OF COURSE IT HAS. Many Koreans in Korea and in the US are creative, respectful of common allergens and vegetarians/vegans, etc.. A little respect for the ability of ALL humans to adapt. Please no one lecture me about traditional/authentic kimchi anymore. There are authentic traditional kimchi recipes that never included shellfish. Sasang Kimchi, for example, NEVER included any animal-products.

Special Shout Out to Maangchi who makes educative, personable, fun videos about cooking Korean food at home! Her books are also fantastic! I refer to her videos and her Big Book of Korean Cooking at least once a week. Here is a vegetarian Kimchi recipe/guide from Maangchi for y’all to enjoy! https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/easy-kimchi [Maangchi helped get me through the lonely COVID lockdowns of 2020-2021. So much gratitude.]

I know that most of Y’ALL have never assumed that Korean chefs can’t be cool, respectful, *and* authentic and never lectured me about my allergies.

However, I really wanted/needed to write out this WHOLE RANT at least once so I can stop being mad/hurt about it and so I can point to it the next time anyone tells me how to make “authentic” anything.

If you got this far, thank you for listening.

A few people have been mean about my allergies and accused me of being racist because of MSG, I’m not friends with people like that anymore. If YOU or people you love suffer with “invisible” allergies, I am so sorry. You can always vent to me. When people lecture us about our own allergy experiences – yes, that is the definition of GASLIGHTING!!! Watch the movie! It will help you laugh in the face of these rude, uneducated people! THIS FILM RULES – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036855/ Please tell your haters that they shouldn’t use the term gaslighting if they’ve never watched the movie Gaslight! Also, here is the thing I say when people judge my allergies and/or accuse me of not understanding my own body because they heard an un-scientific podcast once: “I hope that you and people you love never have to experience “invisible” allergies or illnesses. I hope that you and your family and friends never have to experience the pain of these allergies/illnesses with accompanying judgmental lectures and accusations.”

Love, Susan.

p.s. I’ve made tons of delicious vegetarian matza balls! I don’t use schmaltz to cook Jewish food, and my food is authentic and delicious, and meanies don’t get any!