 in residence (Filipinos are not far behind, but they have few restaurants). Sushi (small pieces of raw or cooked fish on rice), sashimi (raw fish sliced thinly) and tempura (seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried) are familiar to many Americans. Ramen has long been the stuff of legend in Japan, as well as in American college dormitories. Despite its inclusion in “Pan-Asian” restaurants, Japan’s austere cuisine would never be mistaken for other cuisine in Asia.
In Japan, typically family name first, personal name second. But in the United States, Western word order is common. Women’s names often end in -ko, or “child,” as in Michiko.
Often translated as “holy war,” but, narrowly, it is a personal spiritual duty. “Jihad bis saif,” Arabic for “jihad by the sword” is armed conflict and holy war. “Jihad” is Arabic for “struggle,” as with one’s relationship to God. One of the many interpretations of jihad would be something similar to the Christian idea of penance. Nonetheless, “jihadist” is now often used to describe a religious extremism that can take violent form. See ISLAM; ISLAMIST; MOSQUE “AT” GROUND ZERO; SEPTEMBER 11, 2001; SRI LANKA; SUICIDE BOMBING.
One of the world’s most unstable regions. A disputed border area high in the frozen mountains of the Western Himalayas between India and
Pakistan. In 1949, after the first of three wars, the nations agreed to a cease-fire line that was poorly defined. The agreement said the line was to continue “north to the glaciers.” In 1984, low-level skirmishes broke out between Indian and Pakistani forces, but flared into major clashes in the summer of 1999, when India and Pakistan had both become nuclear powers. See INDIA; PAKISTAN.
Massacre of civilians in Cambodia by the Communist Khmer Rouge in mid-1970s. Broadly, any site of mass killing. Coined by Dith Pran (1942-2008), a Cambodian refugee and later a photojournalist for the New York Times. Also the title of an Academy Award-winning film (1984) chronicling Dith’s epic escape from Cambodia.
No significant emigration to the United States. Continuing enmity with South Korea and United States over development of nuclear weapons. See KOREA, SOUTH.
An undivided Korea gained independence from China in 1895.
Korea split into North Korea and South Korea after World War II. War in 1950-53 hardened division into Communist north and capitalist South. Historical enmity between two Koreas and both with Japan. South has one of world’s most dynamic economies. Unlike Japan and China, which have a character-based written language, Korea uses an phonetic alphabet (created in the 15th century) known as Hangul. Known for wide availability of Internet access, as well as other technological advances. South is about the land mass of Indiana. Capital: Seoul. Population: 49 million (2012 estimate). Proportion of population younger than 15: about one-sixth. Languages: Korean and English. Ethnic groups: Korean, with tiny minority of ethnic Chinese. Literacy: 98 percent. (Source: World Factbook.)
As with its writing system (a phonetic alphabet, not characters), Korea has developed a cuisine distinct from that of China and the rest of Asia. In larger U.S. cities, Koreatowns are often next door to Chinatowns. Korean cuisine has many side dishes, panchan, that accompany steamed short-grain white or brown rice. Kimchi (or kimchee), the national dish served at every meal, is spicy pickled cabbage, radishes and other vegetables; kimchi recipes vary by region and even family. In the United States, Korean restaurants are especially known for barbecuing thin slices of marinated meat from a do-it-yourself gas or charcoal grill built into the center of the table. Koreans are also fond of a rice-cake soup called “dduk-guk” for New Year’s Day. Korean fried chicken is crunchy, skinless chicken prepared as fast food or a late-night snack, especially at bars.
Typically family name first, followed by two-part personal name. But many Korean Americans have adopted Western name order. Rules differ for men and women. In Korea, more than a third of the populatio