In this episode we have a special collaboration with Curtus Chinn/The InfatuAsian Podcast to eat great food, build community, and have a very special live episode!

We invited chefs and past guests to participate in a friendly challenge called the "Chinatown Recipe Club" at our favorite bookstore On Waverly's clubhouse space. Each participant was randomly assigned a protein and challenge and were tasked with cooking and presenting a publicly-available recipe.

Cooking for us was 2x James Beard award winner and cookbook author, Kristina Cho. Co-owner and part-time cook at Little Aloha restaurant on Taraval, Winchell Chow. Program manager and cooking instructor with 18reasons, Elise Hayashi, using a recipe from Linda Tay Esposito. Cooking instructor, dumpling master, and entrepreneur, Eddie Lo. And last but not least, home cooks and sister duo, Nicole and Sam Lugtu, using a recipe from the Marnee Thai cookbook.

Thanks to all who participated! Thanks to Curtis’ helper/interns: Cathy, Christy, Megan, and Rico! Thanks to On Waverly for hosting us.

Please enjoy this live chat with each chef and the dish they presented. The vibes were impeccable in person, we hope they’re good for you too.

We could not be more delighted to kick off Filipino American History Month with Shelby Rabara and Harry Shum Jr talking about their book Martee Dares to Dance. This brilliantly illustrated kids book (by Bianca Austria) about gaining confidence through dance has nods to both their backgrounds, from dance to food, and an aspirational hip-hop lola.

We talk about Shelby’s fond food memories in the Phillipines, Harry’s (soon-to-be) relationship to fishing, and come up with a new tamale restaurant concept. Plus fancifying dumplings, and artichokes as the new metaphor for life.

Catch Harry and Shelby at the Asian Art Museum on Oct 5th for Free First Sunday AND get a copy of Martee Dares to Dance courtesy of the museum. Or order your copy directly from our friends at Gloo Books.

This episode we’re talking to none other than chef Kathy Fang of House of Nanking and Fang Restaurant about her new cookbook House of Nanking. We were delighted to hear behind the scenes stories of this San Francisco institution, her experiences growing up in the restaurant, and dive into this cookbook that is surprisingly accessible to the home cook.

We talk about Kathy’s early experiences critiquing her dishes, the signature experiences and dishes of HoN born out of necessity, and her dad’s ingenuity throughout his life. Plus we talk about all of the things that make no sense but somehow make House of Nanking the success that it has been for over 30 years.

The House of Nanking Cookbook: Family Recipes from San Francisco’s Favorite Chinese Restaurant is out everywhere Sept 30th and available for pre-order now. Trust us when we say this book is beautiful and has dishes that are shockingly simple.