#ChineseFoodiesofIG: Sincere Justice of Tacos Sincero

Sincere Justice of Tacos Sincero

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!

Where are you from? Where are you really from?

I’m from Los Angeles, specifically a small predominantly Mexican community east of Downtown LA, called Baldwin Park. My parents are from Vietnam by way of Canton province. My Dad’s side is from Nanhai, Foshan, China. Both parents are from Vietnam. My Dad is from Da Nang in Central Vietnam and my Mom is from Vung Tau in Southern Vietnam.

Rice or noodles?

Noodles. I’m a slurper. There’s too much joy in slurping. I will say, though, a steaming bowl of rice always brings me back home.

What does home taste like?

A bowl of rice. Steamed fish. Bok choy with garlic. Soup. Steamed chicken. Weekends are usually bun bo hue or mi quang at my aunt’s. My house used to be the nexus that brought everyone together. Mom used to make turnip cake one week, next week it would be bun cha gio. Cantonese and Vietnamese food is what I mostly grew up with. Sometimes weekends would sometimes mean a home cooked meal like birria at a friend’s house.

What’s a Chinese recipe everyone should learn?

Mapo tofu, cause I love that shit. It’s such a comforting meal with a bowl of rice and I’m set.

Share a food memory:

One of my friends brought me to this Yunnan restaurant in Guangzhou, China, where I ended up eating there three times in one week because I had never had ‘Chinese food’ like that. I always describe Yunnan food as Mediterr-asian. Some standout dishes were this really bright herby chicken salad, cured yak that was fried and served over fried mint leaves, fish poached with quince and chiles. Pan-fried halloumi-like cheese. It bugged me out - especially the cheese part. 

Who's your Chinese food legend?

My Mother - she nurtured my love for food, even if the Mapo tofu came out of a box. The majority of the food I ate was home cooked and I’m forever grateful. On the weekends, my home would be a nexus for the rest of my family as my mom often had noodle soups or turnip cake for all. Or we’d go to restaurants.

Dream dinner party guests:

Khalil Gibran. Marc Johnson (skateboarder). Manu Chao. KRS-One. Basquiat. Questlove. Alejandro Jodorowsky. Morehei Ueshiba. A Shaolin monk. Thich Nhat Hanh. Café Tacvba.

Ultimate comfort food:

Any of my Mom’s cooking.

What does Chinese food mean to you?

It evolves wherever it’s at. I’ve had Chinese food in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan. I make what I call ‘Chino-Latino’ cuisine. I just make food that is authentic to my experience. Is it ‘Chinese’ enough? I’m not sure, however, I am a Chinese-Vietnamese kid who grew up in a predominantly Mexican community and the food reflects that upbringing in Los Angeles.