Code Switch Keep culture and tradition alive at the mahjong table
Dec 20, 2025
Nicole Wong, a researcher and author who founded the Mahjong Project, shares her journey of preserving family traditions through the game of Mahjong. She discusses her experiences hosting Mahjong nights and navigating feelings of imposter syndrome. Wong also highlights the variety of Mahjong styles among the Asian diaspora and clarifies misconceptions influenced by popular media. Furthermore, she emphasizes Mahjong's role in cultural preservation, likening her book to a cookbook filled with family rules and stories.
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From Newbie To Host
- Nicole Wong started hosting Mahjong nights in 2022 to learn and teach the game despite feeling like an imposter.
- She made reference guides and diagrams to explain rules because she couldn’t rely on memory alone.
Use Visuals And Tactile Play To Teach
- Build tactile, visual aids when teaching Mahjong to newcomers to overcome memory gaps.
- Lean into the game's sensory elements to make learning engaging and social.
Preserve Tradition Before It’s Lost
- Nicole felt urgency to document family Mahjong rules during the pandemic to preserve intergenerational practice.
- She feared the tradition might be lost if she didn't learn and record how her family plays.