Did you know that tangsu-yuk, a simple fried dish topped with sweet and sour sauce, can reveal class-conscious thinking? While some might dismiss the “tangsu-yuk debate”—whether to pour the sauce over the dish or dip it—as a mere matter of preference, hidden within this choice are traces of class distinctions we’ve internalized.
The Symbolism of Class in Tangsu-Yuk
Traditionally, tangsu-yuk is a dish where the sauce is poured over the meat during preparation. The sauce blending with the meat represents the dish’s true essence and completion. The bourgeoisie values this tradition and culinary perfection. They believe that tangsu-yuk with the sauce poured over preserves the dish’s unique texture and quality. Even if the sauce makes the dish soggy, they have the luxury of saying, “Just buy it again.” They can afford to repeatedly enjoy the dish at its peak quality.
On the other hand, the proletariat takes a practical approach. For those who value the reuse and full utilization of food, soggy tangsu-yuk is not something to discard. Dipping sauce on the side is not just a “preference” for them but a survival strategy to make food consumption efficient while creating a new texture.
Characteristics of the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
The bourgeoisie, who possess capital and resources, value stability, tradition, and quality. To them, food is not just sustenance but a symbol of life quality and cultural value. Well-prepared food, perfect harmony, and the leisure to enjoy it shape their attitudes. Pouring the sauce over tangsu-yuk reflects their mindset of preserving tradition and perfection.
In contrast, the proletariat, who depend on their labor for livelihood, prioritize practicality and efficiency. To them, food is a resource to be maximized. Instead of “new consumption,” they focus on “making the most of what they have.” Dipping tangsu-yuk reflects a realistic approach to extracting value from food, even if it becomes soggy.
Modern Society: Ambiguous Class and the Tangsu-Yuk Debate
Today, class distinctions are not as clear as they once were. However, innate dispositions and upbringing still influence our attitudes toward consumption and food. The choice between pouring sauce and dipping can reflect a person’s internalized mindset and class perspective.
For the bourgeoisie, who value authenticity and tradition, dipping is unthinkable. They believe pouring the sauce is the “complete and harmonious” way to enjoy tangsu-yuk, as the dish was originally intended. For the proletariat, who value practicality and spontaneity, pouring the sauce is something only fools would do. They prefer to separate the food and sauce to create new combinations and maximize efficiency. Even in this small act, the thought processes of different classes subtly emerge.
What Tangsu-Yuk Asks of Us
From now on, tangsu-yuk is no longer just a simple dish. How we approach this dish reveals traces of the ambiguous but present class dynamics of modern society. The choice between pouring sauce and dipping transcends personal preference; it reflects the values and attitudes we have internalized. Next time you eat tangsu-yuk, observe your choice and that of others. That choice can tell you a lot about a person.
