Steve Soo Hoo
Forging the Past, Present, and Palate of SGV
Episode 165
Steve Soo Hoo was born in Los Angeles, raised at the foothill of Dodger stadium in LA Chinatown and later moved to San Gabriel Valley to the city of Montebello. He is the youngest of three children to a family who is one of the original founding families of Los Angeles’ Chinatown. He attended school in Montebello where he was always involved with some sort of art (visual or audio) and technology, he loved his apple ii+ and iie… yes he’s that old.
He’s a child of the 70s/80s watching iconic sitcoms and played in nostalgic arcades of legends throughout the SGV (Pirates Cove, Electric Planet, Tilt, and Pac Man arcade), iconic brand mascots and pop culture was part of his daily diet. He witnessed the growth of the internet at it’s infancy in the early 90s attending college when IRC was the latest and cheapest form of communication with friends throughout the US who were from the SGV which influenced him to keep up with technology. Steve became a Graphic Designer while attending Long Beach State. He has designed a wide variety of clients in numerous industries including videogame, aerospace, entertainment, legal, healthcare, and finance (which he is currently designing for). He’s definitely influenced by his past exposure to iconic brands of the 70s and 80s as he creates new designs for his various projects.
Steve has a passion for food and cooking that started as early as he could remember following his mom cooking and also visiting relatives at their restaurants in LA and SGV. As a method to relax from work, Steve loves to cook and BBQ, seeing the instant reactions of people eating his latest creation brings him joy, more so when it’s masses of people. He loves exploring the next food trend in the SGV, which currently appears to be hot pot or Chinese BBQ skewers. The foodie hunt continues, onward to the next food post on his IG while finding hidden spots as a 9th year yelp elite reviewer.
Instagram: @og_stevie_foodie
Steve Soo Hoo Takeaways
Cultural Integration and Friendship
The guest, Steve Soo Hoo, grew up in East LA as a minority among other minorities, primarily Latinos. Despite initial differences, he and his friends learned to respect and appreciate each other’s cultures. Many of his best friends from that time are still in contact with him, even though they’ve moved away.
Memories of Sam Wu
Steve has fond memories of eating at Sam Wu, a Chinese restaurant, with his father. The routine meal consisted of roast duck, white rice, and gai lan with oyster sauce. This experience shaped his understanding of Chinese food from a young age.
OG Stevie Foodie Identity
Steve’s Instagram handle, OG Stevie Foodie, reflects his deep roots in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) and his extensive experience with the local food scene. The ‘OG’ stands for ‘Original Gangster,’ indicating his long-standing presence and knowledge of the area.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Steve’s family has deep historical roots in the SGV, being one of the founding families of the new Chinatown. This legacy is symbolized by a bowl passed down from his great-grandfather, representing their long history in the area.
Diverse Culinary Experiences
Steve’s culinary experiences are not limited to Asian food. Growing up in Montebello, he also frequented many Mexican eateries and appreciates a wide range of cuisines, reflecting the diverse food culture of the SGV.
Steve Soo Hoo Quotes
“Being a minority amongst minority growing up in East LA, having a lot of Latino friends, and just little kids. I mean, because you look different, you’re going to be treated different. But as we grew up, we got to know each other, respect each other, and really appreciate each other’s differences.”
“My memories and experience with Sam Wu was my father would come to pick me up and he would ask if I wanted Chinese food. And Chinese food at that age, maybe it was like 7 or 8, always meant the same thing. It was always going to Sam Wu.”
“I am kind of old, even though I don’t look as old as I am. So I figure, hey, I’ve seen it all. I’m one of the OGs from SGV that’s seen how things have changed in Monterey Park, going across Garvey, up Atlantic and Garfield, just the growth of all the food eatery places.”
“This is a bowl that my great-grandfather and grandfather used in old Chinatown before the current Chinatown is where my family is actually one of the founding families that helped establish a new Chinatown.”
“I love my Mexican food. I love ceviche, La Bufadora. The one that I used to go to in Lower Azusa, in El Monte, I definitely love going there. Don’t have the crazy lines like Taco Nazo or anything like that.”
Show Notes
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Steve Soo Hoo
Mandarin Noodle House
A staple for Steve since childhood, known for its hand-pulled noodles and beef stew noodles. He has been visiting this place since the late 1970s, making it a significant part of his food journey.
Neon Retro Arcade
Located in Pasadena, this arcade offers a nostalgic experience with a variety of old-school video games and pinball machines. Steve appreciates its family-friendly atmosphere and the chance to relive his childhood memories.
Bob’s Big Boy
The Bob’s Big Boy in Montebello, which later became Caro’s and is now Baker Square, holds special memories for Steve. He recalls visiting this place as a child and even has a photo of himself hugging the Bob’s Big Boy statue.
