Best of the Spectator Table Talk: Candice Chung
Jul 15, 2025
Candice Chung, a food writer and author of "Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You," shares her vibrant food memories from Hong Kong. She reminisces about the joy of her first lasagna and how her family's love was expressed through cooking. The conversation explores the significance of family meals in a Cantonese household and hilariously contrasts childhood school lunches from Hong Kong and Australia. Candice also delves into her journey of culinary self-care while debating the ultimate comfort food, blending nostalgia with modern cuisine.
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Walking with Dumpling Motivation
- Candice didn't walk early and was enticed to walk by her grandmother holding a dumpling as a lure. - This story illustrates how food was used to motivate and nurture her even as a toddler.
Ritualistic Family Meals
- In Candice's family, meal times were ritualistic and mostly home-cooked by her mother. - Food was a source of comfort and connection, with anticipation for future meals starting during current meal times.
Frozen Sandwiches and Lasagna Discovery
- At Hong Kong primary school, Candice was an AM kid and did not eat lunch at school. - In Australia, she encountered frozen school sandwiches and mentioned her magical first encounter with lasagna inspired by Garfield comics.
