Five food shows from the Asian diaspora worth watching right now
A roundup of some of the tastiest and thought provoking Asian-centered food and travel shows across TV and social media
Still from Slumfood Millionare Thailand episode
JoySauce
Words by Daniel Anderson
From laidback kitchen tutorials, to high-pressure competitions and deeply personal travelogues, Asian-centric food shows are thriving across TV, streaming platforms, and YouTube, offering some of today’s most compelling culinary storytelling. These series spotlight the flavors, communities, and creators shaping how we think about food.
Here are some of the best shows to watch right now.
Kenji Lopez-Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt’s YouTube channel is one of the most accessible and genuinely useful cooking resources online, thanks to his signature POV filming style that lets you see every movement, cut, and technique without any TV magic or smoke and mirrors. A two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, bestselling author, and master technician, Lopez-Alt brings the same scientific rigor from The Food Lab to his videos, breaking down the “why” behind each recipe with clarity and humor.
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s videos are available to watch on YouTube.
Culinary Class Wars
Culinary Class Wars is a groundbreaking South Korean cooking competition on Netflix. It has high stakes that blend fine-dining precision with street-food ingenuity. Featuring 100 chefs split into veteran “White Spoons” and rising-star “Black Spoons,” the show puts South Korean cuisine at the forefront, while also weaving in influences from across Asia through its diverse roster of competitors.
Culinary Class Wars is available to watch on Netflix.
Maneet’s Eats
Maneet’s Eats welcomes viewers into Maneet Chauhan’s kitchen as she shops, cooks, and shares the Indian dishes closest to her heart. A James Beard Award-winning chef, longtime judge on Chopped, and two-time Tournament of Champions champion who has defeated some of the country’s top culinary talent in head-to-head battles, Chauhan blends serious professional skill with the warmth of generations of family cooking.
Maneet’s Eats is available to watch on Food Network and Food Network Go App.
Lucky Chow
Now in its seventh season, Lucky Chow stands out as an Emmy Award-nominated celebration of the United States’ incredible diversity, using food as the gateway into the many stories that make up the Asian American experience. Guided by host Danielle Chang, the series explores innovations and personal histories that shape Asian cuisine across the country, revealing how culture and community come alive through what we eat.
Lucky Chow is available to watch on YouTube and PBS.
Slumfood Millionaire
Slumfood Millionaire digs into the vibrant, hyper-local world of Asian street food, showing how the dishes born in Manila, Bangkok, Mumbai, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, and other cities form the true backbone of great cuisine worldwide. Fans of Andrew Zimmern or Anthony Bourdain will find a similar spirit here. It’s an honest and curious look at the people and places that mainstream audiences rarely get to see. Dishes ranging from sea urchin rice, to pork-stuffed grilled frogs, reveal how tradition and community shape entire enclaves. It’s a series that opens up a world you may have never known existed.
Slumfood Millionaire is available to watch on JoySauce.tv.
Published on November 20, 2025
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.