June’s Book Club Pick, “Tastes Like War,” is a memoir written by Grace Cho exploring the intersections of food, family, and the Korean American experience, delving into the author’s relationship with her mother and their shared journey through mental illness and cultural identity. Let’s dig into this memoir.
About The South Of Seoul Book Club
If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about “Tastes Like War.”
Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) lenses on Korean culture around the world.
Commitment to Accessibility
South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider:
- Purchasable in English In Korea: Many translated titles can’t actually be purchased in English in Korea,
- Audio Version Available: Many people find audiobooks easier to consume.
- Online Versions.: International residents can’t afford to travel with many books. Also, many books may not be available in digital form from within Korea.
Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences
South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as:
- Korean authors who write based on their lived experiences in Korea.
- International residents who write based on their lived experiences in South Korea.
- Ethnic Koreans who write based on their lived experience in other countries.
Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture.
Commitment to Supporting Mental Health
South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues relationships, and more.
Book Recommendation By Melissa Edwards-Whittington
June’s South of Seoul Book Club recommendation, “Tastes Like War” is brought to you by Melissa Edwards-Whittington of the KimchiRednecks. Edwards-Whittington has lived in Korea since 2017. She and her husband, Chuck, formed the KimchiRednecks YouTube channel to give people living outside of Korea or those coming to Korea, a glimpse of life here in Korea. Together with their three shih tzus, they post weekly videos about places to eat, things to cook, places to visit, or life in general living in Korea.
About The Author Of “Tastes Like War”
The author of “Tastes Like War” is Grace Cho, is a professor at the City University of New York teaching sociology and gender studies. Her memoir “Tastes Like War” was the winner of the 2022 Asian Pacific American Literature Award for adult nonfiction. Per the memoir, Cho is the daughter of an American merchant marine and a Korean bar hostess. Her parents met abroad and then moved to a rural area in the state of Washington during the Cold War.
My Experience Reading “Tastes Like War”
I began reading “Tastes Like War” after a friend recommended the book. This memoir, structured into three distinct parts, follows what Grace Cho refers to as her three mothers: the one prior to the schizophrenia, the one during the deterioration of her mother’s condition, and the final one with whom she learned to relate through her mother’s food. Each Part offers a unique perspective on Cho’s relationship with her mother, making it a well-written story with parts that are quite shocking. Throughout the memoir, we see Koonja, Cho’s mother, found her voice and her happiness through cooking. This book chronicles Cho’s attempts to connect and understand her mother.
Memoirs are a challenging genre because they are often told through the lens of the person who has experienced the stories told. In this situation, we are even more set apart, as Grace Cho is also telling what she believes is her mother’s story through this memoir as well. Since a memoir is often told from one person’s point of view, other people who lived through this experience may have differing tales or emotions about this situation. If you read the reviews on Goodreads, you will see that her family disagrees with much of what is written in the memoir. There is a controversy surrounding the book, with some questioning whether it was fact-checked or if the family approves of the story. Cho, however, has continued to assert that the book is written from her memories and stories her mother shared with her.
More Commentary And Reviews On “Tastes Like War”
The above review contains my thoughts and opinions. However, make sure to read other reviews to have a more rounded perspective toward the book. We all come to each story with our own social/cultural lens. Therefore, others may have perceived this book in a different manner and may help you decide if this is the book for you.
Kirkus Reviews of Tastes Like War
Tastes Like War Review by Ashley Hajimirsadeghi
Online Purchasing Link
You can purchase “Tastes Like War” by Grace Cho in English on Amazon.
Find More Book Club Recommendations
Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books.
Also, check out the selections from South of Seoul Book Club 2023.
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks)
Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life.
Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike.
Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts.
Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them.
Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures:
YouTube: @kimchirednecks
YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks
Instagram: @kimchirednecks
Facebook: KimchiRednecks
United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
