#ChineseFoodiesofIG: Kristina Cho

Kristina Cho of Eat Cho Food and author of Mooncakes & Milk Breads

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 was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Both sides of my family are from Hong Kong.

What does home taste like?

Home tastes of freshly steamed rice, oyster sauce, and a lot of spring rolls.

Share a food memory:

I grew up in my grandparents’ Chinese restaurant. I spent my afternoons there doing homework at the bar (during off hours), occasionally running a carry-out order from the kitchen to the hostess stand, and often requesting a freshly fried egg roll with lots of sweet and sour sauce as an afternoon snack.

What’s in your fridge?

Currently there's a lot of cheese, butter, eggs, and hot sauces in my fridge. My freezer is stuffed with dumplings and Chinese sausage.

A Chinese recipe everyone should learn:

Dumplings! Everyone should know how to make dumpling wrappers from scratch. It is so easy. Then you can literally stuff it with anything your heart desires!

Who’s your Chinese food legend?

Either my Goong Goong (grandpa) or my Mom, Momma Cho! They are the best cooks I’ve ever known!

Dream dinner party guests:

Ali Wong, Ina Garten, Molly Yeh, and Zac Efron.

Last meal on earth:

A dim sum feast of har gow, siu mai, lo bak gao, cheung fun, char siu bao, and egg tarts.

Most underrated Chinese ingredient:

Dried shiitake mushrooms. They have so much flavor, have a great meaty texture, and make everything from soups to stir fries so much better.

What does Chinese food mean to you?

Chinese food is a direct connection to my family and history, when time, language, and distance separates us.