Scan barcode
flyawaynat's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Loved reading the stories of the Chinese restaurant owners. The author marries historical information and subjective accounts of immigration to their new homes. Also enjoyed how the owners adapted their traditional dishes to incorporate local fare.
catupiry's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
rballenger's review against another edition
3.0
Type of read: Weekend/Lunchtime read.
What made me pick it up: I apparently thought I wasn't reading enough books at a time and found 'Have You Eaten Yet?' on one of the many lists I receive (or was randomly searching). I always like having an audiobook, ebook, and tangible book going and for some reason, I thought just go the extra mile and add more books to the mix.
Overall rating: I’m a sucker for behind-the-scenes type stuff and this was exactly that, following the adventures of Kwan and his video crew as they captured content from Chinese kitchens across the world. I enjoyed 'Have you eaten yet?' It's a hard book to rate because, much like with autobiographies, it feels like a very personal story and I'm just thankful that Kwan brought me along for the ride. I feel like a solid 3/5 stars is appropriate because I enjoyed it, but clearly, it wasn't always on the top of my TBR and while I enjoyed it, it was easier to continue renewing my loan than it was to just finish it (which could just mean that the other books I was reading the past few months were a different level of interesting than 'Have you...').
Reader's Note: My extended reading time is mainly due to the fact that I loaned out more books than I could realistically read and my library loan lapsed. It is not an indication of my enjoyment of 'Have You Eaten Yet.'
What made me pick it up: I apparently thought I wasn't reading enough books at a time and found 'Have You Eaten Yet?' on one of the many lists I receive (or was randomly searching). I always like having an audiobook, ebook, and tangible book going and for some reason, I thought just go the extra mile and add more books to the mix.
Overall rating: I’m a sucker for behind-the-scenes type stuff and this was exactly that, following the adventures of Kwan and his video crew as they captured content from Chinese kitchens across the world. I enjoyed 'Have you eaten yet?' It's a hard book to rate because, much like with autobiographies, it feels like a very personal story and I'm just thankful that Kwan brought me along for the ride. I feel like a solid 3/5 stars is appropriate because I enjoyed it, but clearly, it wasn't always on the top of my TBR and while I enjoyed it, it was easier to continue renewing my loan than it was to just finish it (which could just mean that the other books I was reading the past few months were a different level of interesting than 'Have you...').
Reader's Note: My extended reading time is mainly due to the fact that I loaned out more books than I could realistically read and my library loan lapsed. It is not an indication of my enjoyment of 'Have You Eaten Yet.'
tofutofutofu's review against another edition
4.0
A complex take on the Chinese diaspora and how different people have different relationships with their place in the diaspora. Kwan uses some language that's a little... uncle... at times, but that's also part of the experience.
smtvash's review
4.0
3.5 - 4
Reminded me in structure to 'Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America'.
A brief but informative look into the lives of Chinese-immigrant individuals who've made their home in different cities/locations across the world. We visit each restaurant, meet the owners, some of the clients, the food, and learn how that community came to be. It stays strictly on the people and doesn't venture too far out into the complexities of each country's political situation.
Still there's a lot to like, as we get to know these people and how they got there and how the food culturally adapted to the setting as well as the people who cook it, says a lot about the migrant experience and the importance of the food we make. A part of me does wish that the history, the culture, and the recipes were tied together more smoothly, the way Kwan explains it, they feel like separate, parallel outcomes as opposed to intertwined, evolved experiences.
I have not seen the youtube series but I may after getting through the book. I am hungry now.
Reminded me in structure to 'Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America'.
A brief but informative look into the lives of Chinese-immigrant individuals who've made their home in different cities/locations across the world. We visit each restaurant, meet the owners, some of the clients, the food, and learn how that community came to be. It stays strictly on the people and doesn't venture too far out into the complexities of each country's political situation.
Still there's a lot to like, as we get to know these people and how they got there and how the food culturally adapted to the setting as well as the people who cook it, says a lot about the migrant experience and the importance of the food we make. A part of me does wish that the history, the culture, and the recipes were tied together more smoothly, the way Kwan explains it, they feel like separate, parallel outcomes as opposed to intertwined, evolved experiences.
I have not seen the youtube series but I may after getting through the book. I am hungry now.