🔥The Day Chinese Food Fought Back

MSG Reaction — that’s the phrase that best describes the unexpected twist in one of the most memorable days Jun and I had while chasing our dream of building a professional recording studio.

Back in the days when my home recording studio was getting busier than I ever expected, I started dreaming bigger. Instead of simply recording music in a spare room, I began contemplating building a professional recording studio.

Like many people who know just enough to be dangerous, I bought every book I could find on sound acoustics, studio design, and construction. Armed with newfound knowledge and more confidence than experience, I convinced myself I was becoming an expert.

My brother-in-law, Jun, became my partner in this adventure. Together, we made several trips to Dallas, Texas, visiting some of the top recording studios in the area.

Learning from the Pros

At every studio, we asked the same two questions:

1. What makes your studio better than the others?
2. Why should we choose your studio for a recording project?

We carefully studied everything—the room layouts, acoustic treatments, décor, and equipment. We listened closely to studio owners and engineers, hoping to uncover the secrets behind great recordings.

By the end of each visit, our notebooks were full, our brains overloaded, and our enthusiasm running high.

The Search for Food

After spending an entire day touring studios, we headed home to Baird, about three hours west of Dallas. By then we were exhausted and absolutely starving.

This was long before smartphones, GPS, Yelp, Google Maps, and all the modern conveniences that now tell us where to eat before we even realize we’re hungry.

As fate would have it, our car was also running low on gas.

We pulled into a service station in Arlington. Back then, gas stations actually had attendants who pumped your gas for you. Imagine that—a time when people did not have to get out of their cars to smell gasoline.

While the attendant filled the tank, we asked if he knew of a good Chinese restaurant nearby.

“There’s one just down the road,” he said.

Good enough for us.

Understanding MSG Reaction: My Experience

The place looked like it had been serving Chinese food since the invention of chopsticks. Inside, only three customers sat quietly, which we took as a sign that either the food was great… or they were still recovering from it.

We sat down and immediately ordered sweet and sour chicken, chicken chow mein, and chicken fried rice — basically everything with chicken except the chicken itself. The food was delicious, or maybe we were just starving enough to think anything tasted like heaven.

But then came the MSG Reaction Complex, an experience that left us both surprised and a bit enlightened.

As soon as we got into the car, a warm flush spread across my face. Slight dizziness followed. A mild headache tapped me on the forehead like it wanted my attention. I told Jun, and he said he felt the same. We sat there like two patients diagnosing each other in the parking lot.

After five minutes, the symptoms faded, but the discussion about our MSG Reaction lingered. It sparked curiosity about what we put in our bodies.

MSG — monosodium glutamate — has been used for decades. Some people report reactions like:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Facial pressure
• Tingling sensations
• Heart palpitations
• Chest discomfort
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Anxiety

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a common flavor additive that has a reputation for being harmful to your health. While some people may be more sensitive to MSG than others, experts generally consider it safe, especially in smaller doses. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that has been widely used for roughly 100 years .

Now, I lean toward spicy Asian dishes. They rarely use MSG, and the capsaicin in peppers comes with its own interesting benefits — from boosting metabolism to reducing insulin spikes. Of course, capsaicin also comes with warnings: too much can cause burning sensations, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and the kind of bathroom experience you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.

If you don’t react to MSG, relax — the FDA considers it safe. Enjoy your Chinese food without fear. But if you’re like me and get the MSG Reaction, explore the spicy side of Asian cuisine. It’s flavorful, exciting, and less likely to surprise you in the parking lot.

Bon appétit — and may your next Chinese meal come with flavor, joy, and absolutely no MSG Reaction surprises.

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