Eating Rice

Caleb messes up a beef marinade, Joel talks about his love for breakfast burritos, and somehow they end up deep in a conversation about keeping food hot. From reheating steak to why how we should order one at a time so food can be eaten right away.

This episode goes everywhere in the best way. Caleb and Joel talk snails, bacalhau, drink habits that raise eyebrows, and a bluefin tuna experience that stuck with Caleb. Somewhere along the way, they debate the ultimate food tradeoff: raw or fried?

Caleb and Joel close out the year with their favorite restaurant moments, including Restaurant Fiz in Singapore and Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal. They reflect on the biggest food lessons of 2025 and map out what they want to taste, learn, and chase in 2026.

First, Caleb and Joel build the ultimate mac n cheese checklist. Then they hit the streets for late-night eats and ask the big question: when it is midnight, are you reaching for pizza, shawarma, or HK-style late night eats?

What belongs on your counter and not in a drawer? Caleb and Joel rank their must-have kitchen tools, then walk through Caleb’s French Laundry pilgrimage from reservations to the kitchen tour. Hear the highlights, his verdict, and whether he would go back.

Caleb and Joel share the signals that someone is a true foodie, then map how to stay aligned as dining partners on menu choices, sharing style, and the check. Also on the table: a Berkshires hot dog and chocolate milk story and which rice belongs in your kitchen.

From chicken-fat confited oysters to Ceres Pizza, Caleb and Joel trade NYC bites and Joel’s Spanish cravings. They break down jazz-style cooking: how to riff, read a plate, and practice smarter with cooking videos. Tasty takes with real tips you can use tonight.

Seasons shift, how hard thai larb hits, and Caleb returns from NYC with way too many food takes. Caleb and Joel ask: on a night out, do we vote… or crown a menu dictator? Plus, who’s the bill boss and who’s the vibe captain?

Caleb and Joel talk dessert wines, beef noodle soup, and which fruit they’d eat forever. Plus: how long can you really live off local food when traveling? A light-hearted mix of food, travel, and mildly questionable takes.

In this episode of Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel pour a glass of vermouth and slurp back some baked oysters, and tackle the question: should you come armed  to dinner with anecdotes? They debate whether food should always be part of the table talk (spoiler: yes), and laugh through the quirks of what makes a good dinner conversation.

In this episode of Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel ask the important questions: are Krispy Kreme donuts really that good, and why don’t donut ice cream sandwiches exist? They also dig into dietary restrictions, looking at avoidance, substitution, and imitation, and debate which approach makes the most sense.

Sushi, sake, and a fried fish sandwich set the stage as Caleb and Joel dive into a list of controversial vegetables — the ones people love to hate, or just can’t live without.

In this episode of Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel talk Costco, from the legendary food court to the newest Asian items on the shelves. They compare unpacking bulk meat to a modern-day hunting trip, and reflect on the decline of home cooking in our generation. The conversation wraps with ideas on how cooking can make a comeback.

In this episode of Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel explore the art of the sandwich, from how small details can completely change the final bite to Joel’s growing fascination with this once unfamiliar food.

In this episode, Caleb and Joel dig into the delicious world of Beef Rendang, Lu Rou sauce, and their mutual obsession with fried shallots. But it’s not all about food—things heat up when they debate who should foot the bill: the host, the guest, or maybe your parents? From splitting checks with friends to dining out for birthdays, they serve up laughs, opinions, and maybe a little monetary awkwardness too.

This week on Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel dive into crispy fried fish, sizzling Brazilian BBQ, and the big question: what really belongs on a café menu? Is there a line between brunch and bold experimentation, or can you serve anything as long as it tastes good? We also sip on what it takes to scale a café, food or brand?

This week on Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel dig into the unspoken rules around dining timelines. Should we all agree on how long dinner should last before making other plans? And what about the art of eating and chatting? How do you keep the conversation flowing while still finishing your meal on time?

This week on Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel dive into Joel’s trip to New Orleans, packed with oysters, crawfish, and powdered sugar-covered beignets. We cover how do you politely tell someone they shouldn’t be the one grilling? And why do we always hand the tongs to the guy who’s never cooked a day in his life? Plus, we chat about the Michelin Guide’s debut in Boston. What does it really mean for a city’s food scene?

This week on Eating Rice: Caleb and Joel dive into the art of the perfect post-golf meal (spoiler: unagi don takes the crown), Joel shares his new go-to spot after church—and we chat wine clubs, food pairings, and why the people you share it with matter more than the wine itself.

Join Caleb and Joel as they chat through the behind-the-scenes chaos of Caleb’s first coffee pop-up—what went well, what didn’t, and what he’s changing for the next one. Plus, Joel shares his discovery of the perfect ciabatta buns, the secret ingredient to his ultimate sandwich. Pour yourself a cup of coffee—this is the kind of convo best served warm and fresh.

In this episode of Eating Rice with Caleb and Joel, the hosts discuss the rising cost of beef — is it really worth the price? They’ll also share some quirky (yet potentially game-changing) fried rice techniques. Then, they’ll explore the magic of guanciale. Finally, Caleb and Joel help listeners find their go-to restaurant — the place they can always rely on and build a connection with the owners.

Caleb and Joel are back at it, dishing out hot takes and tasty bites. This week, they dive into how to spot a great cha chaan teng (Cantonese diner) and how milk tea is the key. They also unravel the surprisingly tricky art of building a charcuterie board and try to make sense of the mysterious world of “fourth wave coffee.” Plus, Caleb spills the beans on his upcoming coffee pop-up—mark your calendars!

In this episode, Caleb and Joel dive into their favorite curries and debate whether carbs or proteins are trickier to cook. They also explore the nuances of giving feedback to restaurants—when should you speak up or stay quiet? Tune in and join the conversation!

Join hosts Joel and Caleb as they dive into the world of hot dogs — from the luxurious foie gras-infused varieties to the beloved Costco classics. Are hot dogs becoming the next big culinary trend? They'll explore the history of sausages and meat in a tube across different cultures and ask the age-old question: is there a "right" way to cook a hot dog? Plus, they'll explore the rise of restaurant pop-ups and the innovative trend of opening restaurants within existing ones. They’ll also share their food resolutions for 2025.

Join Joel and Caleb for a tasty, fun-filled chat about making Philly Cheese Steak with Costco meat, Caleb’s pick for Vancouver’s Restaurant of the Year, and their favorite holiday eats. As first-generation Cantonese and Taiwanese North Americans, they sprinkle in stories about blending traditions, creating new ones, and celebrating the delicious chaos of it all. It’s a feast of laughs, culture, and mouthwatering foodie moments you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, Caleb and Joel dive fork-first into the chaos of dining with friends—how to suggest restaurants without starting a riot, politely reject bad picks, and marvel at the Cheesecake Factory’s menu that somehow includes everything. We also resurrect the infamous potluck problem, unpacking why it’s always a disaster, what you can bring to avoid judgment, and how to handle those friends who show up with a bag of chips and a dream. Tune in for laughs, questionable advice, and all the ways to survive group meals with your sanity intact!

Join Caleb and Joel as they dive into the world of food pop-ups, the rising costs of dining out, and the art of guessing menu prices. They debate whether menus should include dish sizes and explore why eating out feels pricier than ever.

After a sabbatical, Joel and Caleb are back—and this time, they mean it! Fresh from Joel’s wedding and Caleb’s latest adventure in Italy, the duo dives right into a lively debate about Italian cuisine. Is it truly one of the best in the world, or are we all just enchanted by the romance of it?

Tune in to Joel and Caleb on the latest episode of Eating Rice as they brainstorm how to throw the ultimate birthday bash, with a focus on the star of the show: the food! Peel back the layers on how to balance guest preferences with a dash of selfish indulgence—it’s your day, after all! Because showing gratitude with a killer party and menu is serious business... and a whole lot of fun!

  Joel and Caleb are diving straight into one of their favorite topics: grocery stores. Whether it's love or a begrudging acceptance, everyone has spent their fair share of time wandering those aisles. But have you ever stopped to ask why some grocery stores inspire, while others are just drab? In this episode, they're unpacking what they look for in a grocery store and dreaming about what a "perfect" food shopping experience could look like.    

Embarking on a weekend trip brings the joy of planning a menu, but it's not as simple as it sounds. With factors like taste preferences, available equipment, ingredient quantities, and more, the process can get complex. Join Joel and Caleb in this episode of Eating Rice as they tackle the real-world challenge of planning Caleb's New Year's Eve getaway with six friends.

Listen to this episode of Eating Rice as Caleb and Chris explore a reality many overlook while savoring a juicy steak—death. Chris takes us on his journey to reconcile this truth by delving into hunting and understanding what it truly takes for meat to reach our tables. Discover how Chris developed such a deep connection to the food he eats in this provoking episode.

In this latest episode of Eating Rice, Joel and Brandon dive into the savory world of dry-aged beef. Brandon, whose love for meat, especially beef, takes his obsession to a new level, by even dry aging meat at home.

Caleb and Joel explore their favorite cuts of steak, offering insights into the world of buying and eating beef. Meanwhile, Joel takes you on a culinary journey through his Thanksgiving-eating adventure, from savoring tapas in Portland, Maine, to crafting homemade pasta. Tune in for a delightful episode brimming with delectable tales and savory insights.

Sam, one of Caleb's oldest friends, has shared many savory life moments with him, from going to high school cooking camp to eating yakitori in Tokyo. This episode delves into Sam's multifaceted views on food and his complicated relationship with hosting dinners.

Joel and Caleb conclude their journey in Portugal in Porto with a culinary bang, savoring iconic Portuguese dishes and experiencing a transformative 2-Michelin Star restaurant. Joined by special guest Nadia (Joel's fiancée), this saudade-laced episode wraps up the food pilgrimage of a lifetime.

The gang continues their journey in Portugal, embarking on a road trip to the Algarve. Caleb and Joel reminisce about the awe-inspiring vistas, delectable fresh seafood, and a nostalgic cooking experience they shared.

Autumn has arrived, bringing with it a plethora of beloved seasonal dishes. Tune in to Eating Rice this week as Caleb and Joel discuss their favorite gourds, noodles, and pies. They also take a trip down memory lane, sharing stories about the glory days of ramen and pondering why its popularity has declined. This episode was recorded in September 2023.

After a one-month hiatus, Caleb and Joel return from Portugal with tales of cheap wine and fantastic food. In the first of three episodes, they unpack the basics of Portuguese cuisine in Lisbon—chronicling classic dishes like Peri Peri chicken and grilled fish. 

In this breakfast-centric episode, Caleb and Joel debate all the hot-button topics surrounding the most important meal of the day. They discuss hot vs. cold, sweet vs. savory breakfast options, and even Joel's "special" way of eating Greek yogurt. Tune in to Eating Rice this week to discover where you stand on these age-old breakfast dilemmas.

In this savory episode of Eating Rice, hosts Caleb and Joel brainstorm the perfect Friendsgiving with Cantonese-inspired dishes. Joel tells us why Persian cuisine holds a special place in his heart. The episode concludes with a fiery discussion over fusion food—its moments of culinary brilliance and where it falters.

In this week's installment of "Portrait of a Foodie," prepare to embark on a heartfelt culinary journey with Joel. He recounts cooking experiences from Home Economics class in Hong Kong to a short but profound stint as a line chef at Catus Club. Join Eating Rice as we delve into Joel's deeply sentimental connection with food.  

In this mini-series, "Eating Rice," we explore the personal relationships with food held by podcast hosts Caleb and Joel. This week's episode examines Caleb's earliest food memories and the enduring role of food in his life. He also shares why steak and steamed fish are some of his favorite dishes to cook.    

Join Joel and Caleb in a heartwarming reunion episode as they meet in Vancouver after months apart. Together, they savor culinary delights, from Spanish tapas and Vietnamese noodles to an eye-opening coffee experience. Amidst the gluttony, they reflect on Vancouver's unique diversity and how it has not only shaped their tastes but also their friendship.

  Discover the ultimate pie fruit and redefine breakfast norms in this Eating Rice episode. Caleb and Joe explore the complex dynamics of pie baking and the unexpected allure of New York-style pizza for breakfast.

The latest episode of Eating Rice is the spiciest yet. Caleb and Joel dissect why potlucks often fail, leading them to question if they should even exist at all. In a similar vein, Caleb questions the popularity of hotpot and tries to understand why people love it so much.

Eating Rice welcomes a special guest, Jovian, who joins the podcast to explore the role Taiwanese food has played in her and Caleb's lives. Tune in to their unique journeys discovering Taiwanese cuisine and hear about their favorite foods in this culinary tradition.

Cuisine transforms as it journeys across borders and seas, with pizza being a prime example. Join Caleb and Joel in this episode as they delve into their favorite pizza styles and debate over divisive toppings.

"What are you having for lunch?" is an age-old question that we hear from elementary school to our working lives. Depending on the contents of your proverbial lunch pail, your answer could bring excitement or disappointment. In this episode of Eating Rice, Caleb and Joel demystify the strange complexities of meal prep and share their experiences of cooking lunch together for over three years.

Tackling the old cliche of traveling for food... is trying new foods as simple as it seems? Listen in on how Caleb and Joel calibrate their expectations to get the most out of novel culinary experiences.