I was born in Taipei, Taiwan of aboriginal Taiwanese and Taishanese Chinese descent. Taiwan’s food culture was heavily influenced by cuisines from Japan, Malaysia and Fujian province of China, so I was introduced to fusion flavors at an early age. I have always enjoyed discovering new innovative approaches to traditional cuisines, whether it’s from a food stand at a night market or helping my mom and grandma prepare a family meal. This is a photo of my recent trip to Taiwan enjoying a Taiwanese-style tonkatsu dish – Yum!
I enjoy bold flavors. One of my favorite dishes is stinky fermented tofu. Don’t let the word “stinky” deter you! While it’s got a strong aroma, the flavor is quite mild with a nice blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. I enjoy it with a side of pickled cabbage and lots of spicy sauce.
When I am not cooking or eating, you can find me enjoying a live performance or taking a hip-hop dance class at my favorite dance studio.