In times when life feels uncertain, it’s easy to overlook the simple joys that keep us grounded. Today, small comforts – like food, family, and community – matter more than ever. Thanks to social media, we can connect with everyday content creators who share their joy with us. A perfect example is the mother-and-son duo behind the popular account The Korean Mama. Based in Portland, Oregon, they document their culinary adventures as they travel and explore diverse cuisines together.
Their videos go beyond food reviews; they capture the essence of the human experience. With warm, playful interactions, their content feels both relatable and heartwarming. Their account combines fun, food, and the sweet nostalgia of sharing meals with loved ones. This authenticity has resonated deeply with viewers, helping them amass over a million followers across their social media platforms.
Beyondish spoke with Jane and Ed, the duo behind the account, to discuss their rise to social media prominence, the value of embracing different cultures, and their mission to inspire viewers to pursue their dreams.
How did the idea for The Korean Mama come about? Was it something you planned, or did it evolve naturally?
Well, the story is that mom and I have always been close, and I would make sure to call her at least once a week when I moved away for school. In 2017 I finally moved back to Portland and we turned those phone calls into meals together. Fast forward a few years and I kept hearing about everyone posting on social media, so I figured why not give it a try? I watched a few YouTube videos on how to edit and just started posting our outings on TikTok and it caught on pretty quick.
What does food mean to both of you? Is it more about the flavors, the cultures, or the connection?
Experiencing different flavors from different cultures is so much fun for us, but the most important thing is the connection it brings. You can just feel the love when a Korean mom asks you, “Are you hungry?” Or “Did you eat?”
How has your relationship grown or changed since you started this journey together?
Before social media we probably saw each other once a week, but now we see each other like 4-5 days a week spending hours together, so we’ve definitely unlocked a new level of closeness. As corny as it sounds, Mom really has turned into my best friend and I’m learning so much more about her…like how she is scared of cruises because she saw the movie Titanic lol.
Photo: Anna Del Savio
What’s been your favorite cuisine or dish you’ve tried so far, and why?
Favorite cuisine to have tried would be Ethiopian food because of how unique of an experience it was with the new flavors and textures. Favorite dish? So hard to pick because we’ve tried so many things, but anything related to seafood (especially crab) is always a hit.
Your mom’s enthusiasm is infectious! How does she feel about being a social media sensation?
It has been a bit of a change but so far she really enjoys it. Mom gets recognized almost everywhere she goes now. Sometimes people will shout “KOREAN MAMA” or “I’M SO HUNGRY” from their car as they’re driving by which we always get a good laugh out of. That being said, it can be a little scary to get recognized so often. I regularly check in with Mom to see if she ever wants to slow down or stop, but so far she’s having a blast.
What do you think food teaches us about other cultures?
This is a tough question to answer because where do you start? I mean I know a lot of people get interested in Korean culture because of their love of Korean food, which then expands to other interests like music, television, etc. For us, food has introduced us to so many other cultures and taught us to be open-minded to trying new things. For example, I never thought we’d try balut (fertilized duck egg), but we learned that it’s a delicacy in many cultures. There’s so much food can teach us and as the wise Cady Heron once said, “The limit does not exist.”
Have you ever thought about creating a cookbook or expanding beyond videos?
I’ve thought about cookbooks, longer videos, pop-ups, etc. but I think mom is still in a state of, “Do people really like me?!” But yes, if a TV show needs a cute Korean mom and an unserious Korean son for their next reality show, we’re game.
What’s one cuisine or destination you haven’t tackled yet but can’t wait to try?
I think Hawaii is high on our list, but also Korea. Neither of us have been back in over 20 years, so we’re super curious how Korea has changed and of course we want to eat everything while we’re there. Hopefully in 2025 we can cross both off our list.
What’s the most heartwarming reaction you’ve received from a viewer?
We held a meet and greet and one follower was telling mom about her relationship with her children and started crying because of how much she resonates with our content. That definitely made us feel like we were connecting with our community here in Portland. We also get many messages of parents who watch our content with their children and it makes us feel so great that they are bonding over our videos.
What do you hope viewers take away from watching your videos?
Life can be difficult with unexpected hardships and hurdles. So find what makes you happy and have no regrets. Never think it’s too late to do that one thing you’ve been thinking about!
Follow Jane and Ed’s adventures on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
AUTHOR
Meet Becca, a delectable combination of food enthusiast, intrepid traveler, humorous soul, and wordsmith extraordinaire. With a passport in one hand and a fork in the other, she embarks on adventures, savors cuisines, and collects witty anecdotes. She works in media and is a freelance writer.
NEXT ON THE DISH
