Drawing parallels to Asian culture is always fun, especially when it comes to shoes. I’m still dumbfounded trying to understand how shoes and food are related, and if they even should be partnered. I can understand the metaphor, but I can’t wrap my head around the end result.

Essentially it’s another customization scheme branded in the most peculiar way. The thought of gnawing through layers of plastic and leather come to mind, and I still can’t find the shoes remotely appetizing to wear.

Their explanation? Here:

“Puma’s Mongolian BBQ has nothing to do with armies, swords, or fires. (Our Legal Department would have our heads if we tried). But it has everything to do with making sure things are “cooked up” just the way you like them. Taking our inspiration from the preparation of Mongolian cuisine, PUMA lets you taste the art of shoemaking and pick from a generous assortment of pre-cut materials to design your own custom-made shoes.

This season, our menu offers the popular RS-11, a running shoe that was first introduced in the late 1980s, as well as the Basket, one of our iconic hoops styles from the 70s. We’ve created the silhouettes, but now it’s your job to create the ultimate shoe.”

They lost me at “menu”.

> image courtesy of http://mongolianshoebbq.puma.com