I am happy to share with you an easy Chinese braised pork belly with preserved vegetables, Mei Cai Pork Belly (梅菜焖猪肉). This recipe is a specialty from my wife, who is Hakka, so it comes from an authentic Hakka cuisine tradition. The preserved mustard greens (Mei Cai) are packed with natural umami and are ideal …
Today I want to share a simple Cantonese braised tofu with minced pork. It is an easy dish, but it comes with a built-in challenge. The tofu I am using is soft silken tofu because I want that smooth, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. For this recipe, I will not use firm tofu because that silky mouthfeel …
The Lion’s Mane mushroom has always fascinated me, but it was a recent journey that truly deepened my appreciation for it. I actually sourced these beautiful mushrooms in Hong Kong while traveling from Malaysia. In Hong Kong’s vibrant markets, this once-rare delicacy is now much more accessible, making it the perfect plant-based alternative for those …
What happens when you combine Japanese noodles, Chinese cooking techniques, and a hint of Western seasoning? You get this flavorful beef udon with black pepper. This beef udon is a variation of the classic Japanese niku udon with a simple twist by adding freshly crushed black pepper. It adds a subtle heat and aroma that …
Fried wontons are a simple yet popular snack. They are perfect for any occasion, whether as a side dish, served with noodles, or simply as finger food for parties. In this article, I am sharing a fried wonton recipe that uses store-bought wrappers for convenience. Since there is usually a lot going on in the …
Char Siu (Chinese barbecue pork, 叉烧) has always held a special place in my heart. It is not just a dish, but a memory tied to my early years growing up in Ipoh. Back then, my mother prepared nearly every meal at home. Breakfast before school, simple lunch boxes of rice with stir-fried vegetables and …
When you think of oxtail soup, you will probably imagine a rich and heavy Western dish simmered with herbs like thyme and bay leaves. But in Malaysia, oxtail soup (Sup Ekor) takes on a completely different path. It is lighter, more aromatic, and deeply comforting. Sup Ekor, a Malaysian oxtail soup, is prepared with a …
Steamed Eggs (蒸水蛋) is a very common and easy dish that many Chinese families prepare at home. I am quite confident to say that almost everyone has either eaten it or made it themselves at some point. So the aim of this post is not to show you how to make steamed egg, but to …
Top-quality Phở Bò does not require a 12-hour stovetop vigil This Vietnamese beef noodle soup (Phở Bò) is famous worldwide for its deep, savory beef flavor. It is so distinct that just the aroma alone tells you it is pho and nothing else. That rich flavor comes from long simmering of beef bones with meat, …
Daging Masak Kicap is a popular traditional Malay soy sauce beef stew that is rich, savory, and deeply satisfying. I used to serve this dish in my restaurant, and its flavor has always stayed with me. Unlike Western beef stews or Chinese braises, it’s uniquely sweet, aromatic, and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and …
Do you love sweet and sour sauce? I have shared quite a few versions on this blog, and each one is a little different. This time, I want to bring everything together and create one ultimate sweet and sour sauce that works for just about any recipe. Any dish made with sweet and sour sauce …