The History and Evolution of Teriyaki- From Glaze to Global Icon
Release Date: 10/06/2025
A Conversation with Satsuki Ina, Trauma Therapist, Activist, Filmmaker, and the Author of The Poet and the Silk Girl
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 46! Many of our guests are multi-hyphenates when it comes to their impact in the world, and today’s guest can definitely be described that way. is a Trauma Therapist, Activist, Filmmaker, Educator, and the Author of the Memoir which was released on September 9, 2025. Satsuki is a survivor of the Japanese incarceration during World War II. She was born in the camps and spent her first few years there, both experiencing the trauma in her early years as well as through her parents. In her memoir, The Poet and the Silk Girl, Satsuki tells the story...
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The History of the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 45! Today’s episodes takes us back in history to the first “great war.” We’re focused on the forgotten participants in World War I… This is the story of the Chinese Labour Corps. During World War I, over 140,000 Chinese men crossed oceans to support the Allies. Their story is often forgotten and kind of ended in betrayal. China hoped to earn respect and reclaim lost territory, especially Shandong Province. But in the end, the Allies broke their promises, reinforcing racial stereotypes and leaving China humiliated. In our opening segment we celebrate...
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A Conversation with Thien Ho, Sacramento District Attorney and Author of The People vs The Golden State Killer
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 44! Our guest today is , the Sacramento District attorney and long time prosecutor. He’s also the author of the upcoming book, which will be published by and releases on November 11th. This true crime memoir follows Thien's experience as the lead prosecutor on the case against Joseph DeAngelo, one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th century. It covers never-before published details about the investigation, capture, and trial that put DeAngelo behind bars. At the same time, the book is a memoir that follows Thien's personal story escaping...
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A Conversation with Sheilah Jane, Wellness Advocate and the Author of Shadows and Sunrises A True Story of Shame, Strength, and Rebirth Across Continents
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 43! This episode’s guest is . She’s a writer, entrepreneur and wellness advocate. Her latest work is a heartfelt memoir called In it she brings lived experience and lyrical prose to tell the story of her life and family. Her book is a powerful memoir that was released on October 7, 2025. From a childhood under Martial Law in the Philippines to rebuilding a life in America, Shadows and Sunrises traces Sheilah Jane’s journey through teen motherhood, cultural dislocation, and the quiet rituals that held her together. Outside of writing, Sheila is a...
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A Conversation with with Brenda Do, The Author of the Picture Book It's Okay Not To Know
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 42! Our guest today is . She’s a copywriter who has spent nearly two decades helping businesses communicate in a more humanistic way which helps them connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. She’s also the author of a fun and meaningful picture book called . It’s Okay Not To Know is a picture book that helps readers understand how to overcome self-doubt and stress that they sometimes feel when they are faced with challenges. Through curiosity and compassion, kids are able to flip these challenges and obstacles into opportunities for...
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A Conversation with Beth Lew-Williams, Award-Winning Professor and Director of Asian American Studies at Princeton University, and Author of John Doe Chinaman
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 41! Today’s guest is award-winning author . She’s a Professor of History and the Director of the Program in Asian American Studies at Princeton University. She’s best known for her work on migration, violence, and ethnic studies. She’s also a 2025 winner of the that honors innovative research on the human past. It’s the largest history prize in the world, and only nine people were awarded it in 2025! Her latest book is is published by Harvard University Press and was released on September 16 of this year (so it’s available now)! We love the...
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The History and Evolution of Teriyaki- From Glaze to Global Icon
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 40! In this episode, we explore the flavorful transformation of teriyaki—from its roots in Edo-period Japan as a fish-glazing technique to a global flavor phenomenon. We trace how teriyaki made its way across the Pacific, evolved in Hawaiʻi through Japanese immigrant innovation, and exploded in popularity thanks to the Seattle-style chicken teriyaki plate introduced by Toshihiro “Toshi” Kasahara. Along the way, we compare the Hawaiian plate lunch to the traditional Japanese bento, examine bottled sauce pioneers like Kikkoman, Soy Vay, and Mr....
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A Conversation with Ashley Du, the Founder of Meaningful Beginnings Childcare
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 39! In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Du, founder and CEO of . From launching a modest home-based daycare during her pregnancy to growing multiple licensed “home-like” childcare centers in San Francisco, Ashley’s journey is fueled by empathy and purpose. With demand for quality childcare far outpacing supply—especially for infants in San Francisco—her model is meeting a critical need. In our conversation, Ashley opens up about her upbringing as a first-generation Asian American, how she educated herself in child development, and the systems...
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Another Conversation with Jamie Jo Hoang, Author of the New Novel My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 38! How time flies! Its been almost two years since we last spoke to this episode’s guest, author (). She’s back to talk about her latest book, My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser, which releases on 23 September 2025 (so either pre-order it if you’re listening to this episode right when it comes out or order it if you waited a few days). In a follow-up to her amazing novel My Father, the Panda Killer… My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser is told through the eyes of Jane’s younger brother Paul and their mother Ngọc Lan. Much like her previous novel, this...
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The History of the Secret War in Laos, Part 2
Asian American History 101
Welcome to Season 5, Episode 37! Today we continue with the second part of The History of The Secret War in Laos. We highly recommend going back to listen to . That’s where you’ll hear about the Cold War motivations behind U.S. involvement in Laos, the rise of General Vang Pao and the Hmong Secret Army, and the massive bombing campaign that made Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. In this episode, we’ll talk about the aftermath once the war ended… from re-education camps for the Lao and Hmong soldiers who fought on the side of the Americans, to the massive...
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Welcome to Season 5, Episode 40! In this episode, we explore the flavorful transformation of teriyaki—from its roots in Edo-period Japan as a fish-glazing technique to a global flavor phenomenon.
We trace how teriyaki made its way across the Pacific, evolved in Hawaiʻi through Japanese immigrant innovation, and exploded in popularity thanks to the Seattle-style chicken teriyaki plate introduced by Toshihiro “Toshi” Kasahara. Along the way, we compare the Hawaiian plate lunch to the traditional Japanese bento, examine bottled sauce pioneers like Kikkoman, Soy Vay, and Mr. Yoshida’s, and share stats on North American teriyaki consumption (It’s a lot!).
The episode also features quotes from food writers and chefs like Sonoko Sakai, Roy Choi, Soleil Ho, David Chang, and Sheldon Simeon (whom we had a conversation with way back on S02E24), as we discuss how reframing teriyaki from a method into a flavor has fueled its growth. Whether in burgers, tacos, wings, or jerky, teriyaki has truly become a taste that transcends borders.
In our recurring segment, we have another installment of Obscure API Comic Book Characters. Today we bring you the DC hero Shiny Happy Aquazon, a water-based hero of Japanese origin created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones. We open the episode with some current events that include celebrations of Shohei Ohtani, Jessica Sanchez, and Arthur Sze.
If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.
Segments
- 00:25 Intro and Celebrations: Shohei Ohtani, Jessica Sanchez, and Arthur Sze
- 04:55 The History and Evolution of Teriyaki: From Glaze to Global Icon
- 16:09 Obscure API Comic Book Characters: Shiny Happy Aquazon AKA Kim Kimura
Photo Credits: Top Teriyaki Tofu from Nora Cooks
