#ChineseFoodiesofIG: @theveganchinee

@theveganchinee

This is part of an ongoing series of interviews I’m doing with my favourite Chinese foodies that I follow on Instagram. Come and follow the #ChineseFoodiesofIG hashtag on Instagram and leave a comment showing your support for these talented folk!

Hey! What’s your name?

My name's Ivan. I keep it off the page to maintain focus on the Instagrammers and their food that I feature. I know there are a lot of accounts that steal posts and repost without credit, sell and spam people, and try to get attention for themselves from other people's hard work. 

What do you do?

I’m a writer among other things!

Where are you from? (Where are you really from?)

I'm from Southern California, lived most of my life in Northern California, but I've moved back down. I was born in the States but my parents are from Hong Kong and China by way of Taiwan after the Communist Revolution. I was raised speaking Mandarin and to be proud of my culture.

What does Chinese food mean to you?

Chinese food means home. A very delicious, infinitely diverse, and always changing home. It's also a reflection of refinement and survival.

Rice or noodles?

Oh, that's a hard one. My parents are from the north and south, so I have both their influences, but I think I prefer noodles in general and rice in the form of jook in particular (that's my food of choice on a deserted island).

Know any good Chinese restaurants?

Too many to narrow down! And I'm finding new ones that either specialise in vegan Chinese food or offer it as verified options on their menu.

Favourite Chinese vegetable?

My favourite Chinese vegetable changes from time to time. I'm fond of pea shoots, spinach (sometimes the vegetable isn't native or exclusive to Chinese people, but I love the preparation which is Chinese), baby bok choy, and mustard greens. In the fungal kingdom, I'm partial to "bamboo pith" although the one time I had "monkey's head" it was so good!

What would you like to tell the world about Chinese food?

It's more diverse than you could ever imagine, and there's something for everyone!