Foodie culture is now part of foreign policy — It's Gastrodiplomacy

Thai restaurants are abundant and popular in many parts of the world. This has a lot to do with the Thai government actively promoting Thai food overseas for more than a decade.

The strategy has been so successful that it inspired a new trend in foreign policy: gastrodiplomacy.

And food isn’t just a diplomatic tool for governments.

There’s a new kind of gastrodiplomacy on the rise, one that’s led by people who have left their governments behind. Quartz News went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the refugee capital of America, to visit a 25-year-old gastrodiplomat who fled war in Somalia, rebuilt his life, and connects neighbors through his mouthwatering Somali samosas.
--

WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE SERIES; Because China

[danielcuevas]

Mark Weins would make one hell of a diplomat.

[jebbo-cl]

Literally had no idea this was a thing, very cool though!

[BlissfulWinnie]

So dope! I really appreciated this video. It's nice to know that the foodie culture (which was ultimately becoming kind of hip/cliche) has transformed into something so powerful. Food as both a cultural and economic good!

[trident]

So Thailand is going for a cultural victory this game?

[MrNSup]

Certified-authentic - I think that’s a great way to promote true Thai food. I guess Thai Express won’t be getting that seal of approval anytime soon;)

[phillz]

Even here in South Africa, Thai restaurants are in abundance and the food is always great.

[snaketeamnos]

Gastro diplomacy is an amazing thing I didn't actually know about until this video. Thanks Quartz!

[hellohey]

I have said this before, and I will say it again. The Thai government SLAYS in terms of international diplomacy and tourism.

[lkgpuanimho]

Isabelle, you are putting a lot of good contents on Quartz, good job 👍

[CorpseTongji]

i love the idea of inviting people in for dinner to help them relate to refugees
no one can feel bad after a homecooked meal

[kuyaleinad]

By making their cuisine popular, Thai ingredients will be sought after which is probably their main goal since Thailand is a major agricultural exporter as well 🤔

[dineshpv]

Can we all take a moment and appreciate the production quality of "Quart" it felt heartwarming at the same time educational. Sure they need a lot more subscribers than this.

[ourorboros]

stopped over in thailand once on my way to australia, only there for a day or 2 but some of the most polite people ive ever met, one of the cleanest hotels i've ever stayed in and brilliant food. my only let down was ordering "serpents head" expecting to get to try snake for the first time and then finding out its the name of a fish XD

[bluzshadez]

Food as they say is the shortest way to any person's heart. Long live Foodies!

[Redorgreenful]

This is one of the most fascinating video I’ve watched. You just opened my eyes to something new! And at the end - the grassroots gastro-diplomacy, that just touched my heart. 😭💙💚 We should help raise the visibility of restaurants like this one, the one without millions of ad campaign dollars.

[yayo]

I think we can all agree that last thing the 'government' should do is make a music video.

[gardenbimbo]

This is brilliant! We all love food and its a great way to connect and familiarize yourself with a culture in a way that is very friendly.

[goldwincs]

for a while, I've always wonder why the country where I live didn't do much of that kind of promotion. Didn't know there's a term for it.

Really learn a lot about gastrodiplomacy from this video.

[MrHasie]

These efforts are great for those that would be receptive anyway. I would like to see these efforts making headway in the red/rust belt.

[kiranp]

Dear Ministry of External Affairs, India,
Please for God's sake enter into foodie diplomacy. We need ASAP. We have the greatest vegetarian food and we need to make it popular a lot. Our food is underrated. Hope Modi government does something about this