Hulu's 'Taste the Nation': Padma Lakshmi's food show an instant hit as viewers praise its 'cultural narrative'

Hulu's 'Taste the Nation', hosted by Bravo's 'Top Chef' host and judge Padma Lakshmi, premiered today and fans couldn't get enough of the 10-episode series. Each 30-minute episode takes viewers to a different location in the country, as Lakshmi attempts to answer the question: 'What it means to be American.' The episodes uncover the painful history of America's dark pasts such as slavery along with showcasing memories Lakshmi holds dear. The episodes can be watched in so specific order and so fans have been picking their choice and binging on 'Taste the Nation' 

"I just watched the first episode and loved your passion and how you included culture and politics to show how they’re both inherently intertwined with food," tweeted one follower speaking of the episode titled 'Burritos at the Border' shot in El Paso where the cookbook author uncovers the origins of one of American's most loved cuisines. "Watching the first episode now and it’s phenomenal. 'They’ll accept my tortillas before they accept my cousins' broke my heart," wrote another viewer, referring to the same episode. 

"@PadmaLakshmi 3 episodes into #TasteTheNation ... loving every delicious moment ! Love hearing the voices and tasting the food with my eyes and ears . Thank You," tweeted another fan. "@PadmaLakshmi Watching Taste the Nation on @Hulu. 'Don’t Mind if I Dosa' about Indian immigrants is hitting home. Thanks for representin’! #FirstGenAmerican" tweeted another fan referring to an episode where Lakshmi explored her own Indian culture as she cooks dishes that bring back sweet memories. "Bravo!!  This show is exactly what I needed and expected from Padma. I’m thoroughly enjoying it!," tweeted another fan.  Fans were not only invested in the foods that Padma cooks and tastes but the awarness she brought to so many real narratives of food history that don't get enough attention. "Y’all, @PadmaLakshmi just occupied the vacancy left by the tragic loss of Mr. Bourdain. Taste the Nation is brilliant, and focused on the cultural narrative around food, not just food porn. @hulu," tweeted another fan.

Fans were appreciative of the content that showcased a lesson in history that has been embedded in food culture for years. "I didn’t know that ‘Taste The Nation’ was going to be so emotional. Beautiful show @PadmaLakshmi- you should be very proud," tweeted a fan with another user adding, "@PadmaLakshmi Taste the Nation is absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad you are showing what actual 'American' cooking is - simply a sampler of all of the beautiful heritage of our immigrants," while another wrote, "Taste the Nation w/ @PadmaLakshmi is exactly what I needed today.  I’ve blown through every other food series during quar—including all 17 seasons of Top Chef."

All episodes of 'Taste the Nation' are now available to stream on Hulu.