Life & Work with Melissa Hong of Columbus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Hong

Melissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey started back in 2019 when I was selected for jury duty. Odd start but hear me out. I was 23 years old at the time and a recent grad from the University of Kentucky. I started to visit local Columbus restaurants alone on lunch breaks and decided that the camera on my phone would be my lunch companion. I was an early adopter of “phone eats first” which highlights the importance of capturing the perfect shot before digging into a delicious meal. From this, ColumbusEatsFirst was born. I had seen a few other food Instagram’s and loved that I was able to see recommendations and experiences from locals. What started out as a way to pass time has now become my favorite hobby and the reason why my friends and family have to wait a few minutes before eating so I can get my “content”. However, my foodie journey began way before this social media era. I was born and raised in Columbus as a first-generation eldest daughter to two Asian parents. I grew up to smell of homemade pho, ban xeo and traditional Cambodian/Vietnamese food, but also to the smell of pizza rolls, spaghetti and meatballs and a good ole Sunday BBQ. Food is more than just a meal to me, it has been a way for me to share my culture, celebrate being Asian American and hopefully inspire others to do the same!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up, I begged my mom to pack me turkey sandwiches and Lay’s chips instead of the fried rice leftovers from the night before after someone said my lunch was “weird” and “smelly”. I was embarrassed of my authentic food as a kid, but in hindsight, I wish I was grateful to have a strong connection to my heritage through these home-cooked meals. Now, I see friends or even strangers on social media trying the foods I grew up with like pho, pad see ew and bahn mi, and it heals the inner child in me. The Asian food scene in Ohio is booming and you can count on me to be first in line to support these businesses!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
You know the friend that’s insisting on taking pictures of the food before digging in, getting all the angles, moving the small vase with a flower on the table around to get the perfect shot? Even though we’re all feeling ravenous? That’s me. My main motive is to aid my fellow foodies who suffer from food decision paralysis like I do. I’m always looking at Instagram posts of food accounts to help decide on where we’re going to eat. As I’m creating content, I want to provide an honest review and inspiration for Columbus locals or visitors. Whether the occasion is a family dinner, celebration, date night or happy hour.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Columbus has been the best city to grow up in and grow up with. From the ever growing and evolving food scene to the countless opportunities to connect with your neighbors. I still remember the City Center Mall in all her glory. Now Columbus Commons resides in downtown as a city park that ties into the Scioto Mile park system. Columbus has been able to change and adapt to provide a well-rounded home. From Columbus Crew games, trivia nights, concerts at Nationwide Arena, festivals, farmers markets, we always have something to look forward to. What I wish Columbus had more of would be a transportation system similar to a street car that would make exploring the city easier, and help connect people from other areas of the city.