Award-winning author and activist Grace young It is on a mission to support struggling Chinatown communities across the country. A recent $50,000 grant from Julia Child Foundation She goes to her goal. We spoke with the lead author and humanitarian about some of her favorite places in San Francisco and her support plans.
Award-winning author and activist Grace Young is on a mission to support struggling Chinatown. … [+]
Sweet childhood memories
Young is known for promoting Chinese home cooking and wok traditions on many platforms. Her award-winning cookbooks include TThe Art of the Chinese Kitchen: Classic Family Recipes for Celebration and Healing, Fry to the edge of the sky And Chinese kitchen art. Her series Wok therapist And Wok’s breath She’s on YouTube as she appeared on America’s Test Kitchen, billed as an Epic Wok-Off. Her nickname is The Wok Guru.
She’s an activist working to bring attention to businesses in Chinatowns, where the outbreak occurred, and the anti-Asian hate crimes associated with it.
“I was born and raised in San Francisco and have many fond memories of visiting Chinatown. These legacy businesses are the heart and soul of communities and we lost a lot of them during the pandemic,” she said.
Among the favorites in his hometown, Far East Cafe will be one of the recipients of Yang’s gift. “It’s one of the oldest banquet restaurants left in San Francisco,” she said. “This tradition has passed, but you had to have a party on any occasion. At the time of the outbreak, he was cooking for Feed and Fuel, an organization that addresses food security in the Far East.
“It’s heartbreaking to think we’re going to lose this business,” said Young, fondly describing the 102-year-old restaurant’s architectural features.
The Far East Cafe in San Francisco’s Chinatown is the city’s last banquet hall. 102 years old. … [+]
Side note: The Far East Cafe is the subject of a short film that debuted in the new season. Chinatown Shorts.
The author/activist has great love and respect for Thane Chan, an 80-year-old wok shop owner. “It never closed during the pandemic. She is a national treasure.
As long as you’re visiting a postage stamp-sized wok shop, you’d better stop by Oriental Bakery for a mooncake. “They are just the best. No one comes close,” said Yang, who always orders the lotus paste mooncake or the salted duck egg yolk. “Those are just heavenly and give me such a nostalgic feeling. My mom used to buy them when I was a kid.
While jumping in the time machine, Yang remembers going to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory with her father. “They really suffered during the pandemic. I am very concerned,” she said. Like New York City, San Francisco’s Chinatown is tourist dependent and although visitor numbers are slowly rebounding, they are still not at pre-pandemic levels. That’s why supporting these businesses is so important. This place is a very important part of the Chinatown community.
Young loves R & G Lounge, which has been wowing diners with its Hong Kong-style Cantonese cuisine for the past decade. “The soy sauce chicken, the perfect steamed fish, the stuffed eggplant with fresh shrimp are all done perfectly. The kung pao and snow pea sprouts are amazing.
Among the newcomers in the area, Yang gave a special shout-out to Mr. Jiu. “It’s modern, but what he’s done is respectful of the old businesses.” She credits chef/owner Brandon Jew, whose food is excellent. “From the squid ink that won tons to the amazing Peking duck and grilled sole, everything is so delicious,” she said of the James Beard Award-winning list.
Mr. Jiu in San Francisco’s Chinatown is justifiably famous for its Peking Duck. It’s on … [+]
Other classic businesses on Young’s must-try list:
Watch a documentary about the Far East Cafe’s struggle to survive:
