The hottest Food Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 96

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Surprising cultural trends and odd solutions keep cropping up — from Istanbul’s booming hair-transplant industry to a celebrity Oreo being used against New Zealand possums, and festivals like SXSW acting as soft-power showcases.
  2. There’s a growing worry that instrumentalisation and AI are draining intrinsic value from life and art, turning feelings, faith, and creativity into mere means to an end.
  3. Media and sports are shifting toward realism and management: movie dads are portrayed more honestly and with nuance, while the modern NBA is dominated by injury management and strategic rest.

Why Everyone Loves Japan

Noahpinion • 24059 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Japanese popular culture and products — from anime and manga to food, fashion, and design — have become globally mainstream and shape how many young people express identity.
  2. A huge tourism boom and rising interest in moving to Japan are making the country more familiar and foreigner-friendly, creating a real opportunity to attract foreign investment and new residents.
  3. Japan’s cities offer a unique urban experience — extreme commercial density, walkability, safety, punctual transit, and vertical mixed-use "zakkyo" buildings — that feels like an appealing "alternative modernity" to people from other rich democracies.

The Weekend Press: Oscars Weekend!

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 292 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. It’s Oscars weekend, and critics are sharply divided about the Best Picture frontrunners while the newsletter offers specific film and performance picks to watch.
  2. A new documentary about the manosphere is widely criticized as shallow and unilluminating, suggesting the online misogyny scene resists easy explanations.
  3. Andrew Yang’s warnings about large-scale AI-driven job loss and the need for policies like a basic income are gaining credibility and raising concerns about economic and political upheaval.

Is Singapore Boring?

From the New World • 172 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🏝 Travel Food
  1. Singapore is far from boring — it pairs graceful architecture, polite efficient service, and very high average food quality to feel like a polished, world-class city.
  2. Quality is created, not accidental: deliberate systems like open trade, competent governance, and incentives that reward standards produce consistently better products and services.
  3. Societies decline when elites fail to set or earn trust for high standards, and blaming technology or egalitarian ideas is often a scapegoat that hides the real problem of weakened standards and accountability.

Good friends and dream lamps

Disaffected Newsletter • 2298 implied HN points • 23 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Having good friends and sharing special moments, like a nice lunch, can bring a lot of joy to life. Simple conversations and meals can make for the best memories.
  2. Collecting unique items, like kerosene lamps, can be a fulfilling hobby. Finding a special piece, like a beautiful lamp, can make a person feel excited and happy.
  3. Celebrating childhood dreams, like having a special Jeannie bottle, can be very rewarding. Realizing those dreams later in life is a great way to reflect on what truly matters.
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The Weekend Press: A Soldier’s Letters Home

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 301 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A retired general’s wartime journal shows how fear, love, and the human cost of war shape soldiers and the families they leave behind. It reminds readers that each casualty represents a whole life and many lost plans.
  2. A new subculture of AI enthusiasts wants to outsource everyday work and even whole jobs to agents, celebrating tools that automate digital life and reduce admin tasks. Their excitement highlights how quickly people are ready to hand responsibilities over to machines.
  3. The newsletter mixes sharp cultural picks and lively opinion pieces, from a striking Iranian-set vampire film that speaks to women’s lives to debates about motherhood, plus weekend recommendations for books, films, and food. It offers varied reads and viewing ideas for the weekend.

Lots to Be Thankful For

Freddie deBoer • 8972 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A creative work reaching readers and earning recognition can be a powerful consolation when professional opportunities are limited. That success matters even amid negative reviews and lingering reputation problems.
  2. Small pleasures — apps, podcasts, books, online classes, cozy content, and an easygoing session beer — bring steady joy, mental stimulation, and comfort in everyday life. They help offset stress and keep curiosity alive.
  3. Family and supportive readers or subscribers are central sources of gratitude and meaning, providing perspective and practical support that outlasts career ups and downs.

Is it Really So Much Better Now?

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 1939 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Technology has made many things safer, cheaper, and more convenient, but when systems break down the loss of direct human connection turns processes into frustrating, impersonal experiences.
  2. Relying on efficiency and automation in places like healthcare, travel, and end-of-life care strips away the nuanced, comforting human interaction that machines can’t replicate.
  3. Widespread food delivery in the U.S. is partly a response to cultural and zoning choices that limit nearby affordable dining options, so people pay for convenience even when cooking might be cheaper or healthier.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 563 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A long, immersive read about psychedelic therapy (ketamine, DMT, LSD) can feel deeply pleasurable and worth savoring.
  2. A big dim sum spread at Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown was a standout food experience this week.
  3. Two aphorisms from family landed this week, showing how short sayings can stick and resonate.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 659 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. "Tool Shaped Objects" is highlighted as a particularly thought-provoking response to a viral AI article.
  2. Bear Naked Cacao & Cashew Butter Granola was a memorable food item this week.
  3. The full list and details are available only to paid subscribers behind a paywall.

I love America.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A deep affection for everyday American life — the food, local places, public spaces, small‑town memories, and the little conveniences that make daily life pleasant.
  2. A real fear that something vital about the country is being lost, with recent years feeling tumultuous and threatening the ordinary freedoms and community norms people rely on.
  3. Pride in core American values like free speech, freedom of religion, cultural restlessness, and the chance for rapid reinvention that lets people create and share new ideas.

The Children Are Our Future and They Want to Be Chinese

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 231 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Chinamaxxing is a TikTok trend where mostly young Americans copy everyday Chinese habits like squatting, drinking hot water, and wearing slippers at home.
  2. The trend blends meme humor with genuine admiration and promotes simple, cozy practices as an easy alternative to elaborate, consumer-driven self-care routines.
  3. It shows a Gen Z fascination with adopting cultural habits as a form of identity play and low-effort self-improvement, sometimes ironic and sometimes sincere.

When Were Things The Best?

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2822 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. People often remember the past as better than it was, but many concrete things are way better today — especially information access, medicine, electronics, food, entertainment, and travel.
  2. Important social and civic things have declined: close‑knit communities, intact families, long job tenure, political cohesion, roads/infrastructure, and dating ecosystems are notably worse and hurt wellbeing.
  3. The truth is mixed: celebrate huge material and technological gains, but focus effort on fixing the social problems and managing rising expectations that drive much of our unhappiness.

On Mediocrity

Overthinking Everything • 349 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Mediocre means something is merely adequate but locked into that level — it can’t become much better without changing its basic nature, and that makes it worse than just being bad.
  2. The real test is process: if a thing lets you easily scale quality by putting in a little more effort, it isn’t mediocre, but if the chosen method locks you into ‘good enough’ and you’d need a totally different plan to improve, that’s mediocre.
  3. Mediocrity can be a conscious choice and that’s okay sometimes, but it’s a problem when you drift into it unconsciously or when others depend on you to be competent; shortcuts and incentives often push people toward mediocre outcomes unless they develop their own standards.

Are We at an AI Precipice? David Mamet on Robert Duvall. In Defense of Processed Foods. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 361 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
📰 News Food
  1. People are debating whether AI is at a sudden tipping point that could quickly transform work and society. Some warn of rapid disruption and urge immediate adoption, while others are more cautious.
  2. Robert Duvall is remembered as a raw, unembellished actor who brought truth and intensity to his performances. His grit and straightforward approach influenced an entire generation of performers.
  3. Industrial processed foods have greatly improved food access and safety for many people. Rather than banning them, the argument is to reform and improve these systems to avoid making things worse.

The Weekend Press: How to Fall in Love

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 343 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Love and relationships are presented as worth pursuing, with personal stories about quick marriage and separation alongside matchmaking and science-backed dating advice.
  2. Culture and controversy are prominent, featuring interviews and opinion pieces on topics like gender dysphoria and AI resignations, plus film criticism and Winter Olympics highlights.
  3. Practical weekend guidance is offered, including event and book-launch notices plus lifestyle tips for food, fitness, clothing rentals, and movies to watch.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 685 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A weekly roundup lists 15 things consumed that span articles, recipes, and music.
  2. Grim or heavy pieces are grouped together at the top so readers can choose how much to read without mixing them with lighter content.
  3. The featured recommendation this week is to use non-overhead lighting to improve ambiance.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 88

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Running a neighborhood coffee shop often seems charming but can quickly become overwhelming and destructive to your life.
  2. Modern TVs are far cheaper than they were 25 years ago, driven by big advances in technology and manufacturing even before you adjust for inflation.
  3. Curated link roundups can tie together nostalgic music and media, artisanal craft, and surprising historical stories to make everyday culture feel fresh and revealing.

Walking New Jersey (and Staten Island)

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 1862 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🏝 Travel Food
  1. Walking reveals a place’s full character in a way driving doesn’t, letting you find small businesses, caring neighborhoods, and odd charms that get missed from a car.
  2. You can literally see the strata of the American Dream: layers of immigrant success and suburban movement sit next to neighborhoods where that cycle stalled, creating sharp inequality block by block.
  3. Neighborhood conditions and everyday signs of disorder — from litter to locked bathrooms — shape behavior and life chances, so small physical neglect can feed bigger social problems.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 89

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. The roundup highlights surprising, small facts and curiosities that stick with you. Examples include robot hands needing fingernails and blood products making up a measurable share of exports.
  2. It mixes cultural taste and design items—big-name art auctions, curated restaurant playlists, and advice on why lived-in rooms feel more appealing than showy ones.
  3. The links span human stories from shocking true-crime episodes to generational headaches about inheriting money and lots of unwanted stuff, showing both dramatic and everyday consequences.

Is the artist crying?

Austin Kleon • 5775 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Citrus plants do not grow true from seeds, which means planting an orange seed could result in a grapefruit tree instead. This shows how surprising and diverse nature can be.
  2. Some slugs and snails can sleep for a very long time, which is a reminder that patience and slowing down can be important, especially during tough times like winter.
  3. Finding inspiration in conversations and interviews, like those with artists or comedians, can help renew our creative energies and give us new perspectives on our own work.

South by southwest

Austin Kleon • 3816 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Exploring nature is refreshing. Hiking in places like Joshua Tree and driving along Malibu can make for an exciting day trip.
  2. Austin is gearing up for SXSW, a big event where people enjoy music, film, and culture. If you're in town, try to eat some great tacos and BBQ.
  3. There are lots of interesting things to see and do in Austin, from visiting unique libraries to enjoying local radio stations and watching films.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 706 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A single standout longform article can be flagged as a must-read and cut through the usual noise.
  2. Sharing a simple, nostalgic family recipe invites readers to try it and ties food to personal memories.
  3. Short weekly roundups that mix links and personal notes make a sustainable recurring format, with some items sometimes reserved for subscribers or seasonal breaks.

Dreaming About Going Back to the Land? I Did It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 9993 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Living on a farm brings a deep understanding of nature's realities. It's a reminder that not everything can be controlled, like waiting for hens to lay eggs.
  2. The transition from city life to a rural lifestyle can be challenging and unexpected. It often requires tough decisions, like dealing with the life and death of animals.
  3. Nature teaches valuable life lessons that many people might overlook in a digital age. Embracing these lessons can lead to personal growth and a reevaluation of what really matters in life.

The Weekend Press: Totalitarianism Can Be Relaxing

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 343 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A life of endless comfort and convenience can hollow out struggle, passion, and meaning, so stories that imagine a relaxing dystopia warn that hardship helps make us human.
  2. Art and cultural institutions are increasingly retooled as political statements, which can reshape and polarize how audiences receive classic works.
  3. Short-form internet platforms rewired humor and attention, proving that six-second moments can define virality and change the way we experience culture.

Top Links 973 The risks of meat. “TPP Zalău in demolition”. EDF chic. Non-random intricacies.

Chartbook • 400 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
📰 News Food
  1. The meat supply chain is seen as a ticking time bomb, with mounting risks that could threaten food security and stability.
  2. Photography of the TPP Zalău demolition highlights industrial transformation and the visible decline of old infrastructure.
  3. There is a focus on energy-sector aesthetics and on uncovering complex, non-random patterns that shape systems and outcomes.

Top Links 972 The year of Ellison. The price of being a carnivore. Predicting civil unrest & reading Stalker.

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📰 News Food
  1. Larry Ellison, not Elon Musk, emerged as the defining tech titan of 2025, showing a different model of power and influence in the industry.
  2. There’s growing attention to the true cost of being a carnivore, highlighting environmental damage, health risks, and economic trade-offs of meat-heavy diets.
  3. People are working to predict civil unrest, and cultural readings of works like Stalker are being used to explore social anxieties and possible futures.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 86

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A weekend roundup curates eleven standout links that span culture, design, nature, and true crime.
  2. Standouts include a deep dive on Coca‑Cola’s formula change and its corporate fallout, an odd personal anecdote about a ping‑pong champion, and an amateur’s claim to connect two famous cold cases.
  3. The mix balances light, clickable pieces—like book dedications and snowy‑owl videos—with longer investigative and historical reads, so you can skim or dive deep.

What We’re Grateful For

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 857 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. People are grateful for family, friends, and workplace communities that show up in hard times and make holidays and everyday life feel meaningful.
  2. They value small pleasures and shared experiences — good food, live music, movies, games, and little rituals like candles or chess — because those moments create joy and connection.
  3. There is deep gratitude for health, medical care, and acts of generosity like organ donation and hospice, which can save lives, bring healing, and offer closure.

What I'm Thankful For

Freddie deBoer • 10643 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Being thankful for loved ones is essential. Family and friends provide support in tough times.
  2. Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday because it focuses on gratitude without the stress of gift-giving. It’s a time to relax and enjoy good food and company.
  3. Mental health medications can be life-saving. They have helped many people rebuild their lives, despite some negative opinions about them.

How to like everything more

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 8860 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Enjoyment is a skill that can be improved by focusing on the details and layers in experiences, whether it's music, food, or art. Try to look for different aspects that you might usually overlook.
  2. Being curious and open to new sensations can transform how you experience intense music, food, or art. Instead of resisting strong stimuli, embrace their intensity and see them as opportunities for enjoyment.
  3. Creating a connection with the creator of a work can enhance your enjoyment. Think about the effort and emotion they put into their creation, which can make you appreciate it even more.

New! The Weekly Bric-a-Brac

Disaffected Newsletter • 1258 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. There's a feeling that popular music has changed for the worse, becoming more aggressive and lacking melody. It used to connect more positively with listeners.
  2. Many people feel nostalgic for past times when quality and competence seemed better in society, from everyday goods to music and interactions.
  3. Some want to preserve their childhood memories as they are, without looking them up online or experiencing them again. They fear losing the magic of those memories.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 90

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Watching football on television isn’t just more convenient—it’s often the only way to see the whole game and understand what’s happening on the field.
  2. Restaurants can use loss-leading deals like very cheap oysters to bring customers in, who then spend on drinks and other higher-margin items.
  3. Recent iOS updates are increasingly frustrating for users, highlighting how phone software changes can damage the everyday user experience.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 581 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. A short, curated list of things you consumed can surface useful recommendations and fun discoveries to try.
  2. Tiny, playful messages like “Wanna hear something crazy lolol” show how small texts can bring unexpected joy and connection.
  3. An essay about dictionaries can shift how you think about words and spark curiosity about older reference works like the 1913 Webster’s.

Extremely Detailed Greek Islands Notes

Culture Study • 2423 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🏝 Travel Food
  1. The author shares detailed notes about her experiences in the Greek Islands, including recommendations for food and activities.
  2. There is a contrast between light vacation content and deeper topics like feminism, showing the variety of what the author covers.
  3. A call to action encourages readers to support the work through subscriptions for more detailed insights and content.

Late autumn is lit!

Austin Kleon • 3636 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Late autumn is a wonderful time for bike rides and enjoying the changing leaves. It's a nice reminder to take advantage of the season's beauty.
  2. Shopping for the holidays can be stressful, but planning ahead and seeking out specific gift guides can make it easier. Consider gifts that reflect the recipient's interests, like books or food-related items.
  3. Year-end lists can be a great resource for discovering new movies and music. Checking out critics' favorites can help you find something cool to enjoy during the holiday season.

A path with a view

Austin Kleon • 3836 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Food
  1. Taking a trip to Disneyland can be fun, especially with cool rides and tasty snacks. It's a great place to enjoy beautiful landscaping, which might inspire visits to other gardens.
  2. Riding a bike, especially around interesting paths like the LA River Bike Path, can lead to spontaneous adventures and fun picnics at the beach. Enjoying nature while biking can be a refreshing experience.
  3. There are many new music releases that can be exciting to explore. Discovering unique albums can bring new joy, especially from artists that resonate well with your taste.