This Is TASTE 528: The New Taiwanese Pantry with Lisa Cheng Smith
Lisa Cheng Smith, founder of Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry in Brooklyn, shares her journey of bringing Taiwanese flavors to New York. She discusses her innovative products, like Sue Chili Crisp, and the importance of community support in her business. Lisa also highlights unique Taiwanese ingredients and traditional cooking methods, emphasizing the cultural significance of food. Additionally, they touch on a new cooking show celebrating Taiwanese home cooking and the evolution of Taiwanese cuisine in the U.S., showcasing the rich culinary heritage that connects people.
01:37:05
Premium Taiwanese Goods Were Missing Here
- Lisa noticed the U.S. market offered only conventional Asian brands while Taiwan had distinct premium and artisanal tiers.
- She saw an opportunity to import premium Taiwanese products to fill that gap.
Humble Chili Crisp Launch
- Lisa started Yunhai by air-shipping Sue Chili Crisp from Taiwan because she was tired of carrying jars in her luggage.
- She emailed 80 friends to announce the shop and that simple launch grew into the business.
Kickstarter Saved Pineapple Farmers
- When China blocked Taiwanese pineapple exports in 2021, Lisa launched a Kickstarter to buy and preserve fruit from farmers.
- The campaign raised over $100k and purchased 14 tons of fruit, jump-starting Yunhai's dried fruit line.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
A Culinary Journey: Bridging Heritage and Innovation
01:32 • 13min
Exploring Taiwanese Culinary Heritage
14:44 • 12min
Exploring Taiwanese Cuisine Through a New Cooking Show
27:10 • 2min
Exploring Taiwanese Culinary Heritage
29:10 • 16min
Cookbooks and Kitchen Tools
45:12 • 3min
Rekindling the Joy of Fiction
48:28 • 9min
Exploring 'Great Expectations' by Vincent Cunningham
57:10 • 2min
Literary Reflections: War, Love, and Modern Satire
58:41 • 4min
Exploring Generational Tales in Literature
01:03:11 • 2min
Exploring Modern and Classic Narratives
01:04:52 • 20min
Exploring Dystopia and Fictional Realms
01:25:01 • 11min
#76591
Love Me Tender
Constance Debre
Holly James
#61790
Three Summers
Laura Salas Rodríguez
Margarita Liberaki
Margarita Liberaki's "Three Summers" offers a poignant and evocative portrayal of three sisters growing up on a Greek island during World War II. The novel unfolds through the girls' perspectives, providing a unique insight into their experiences and observations.
The narrative captures the innocence and curiosity of childhood, the complexities of family relationships, and the subtle yet significant impact of war on their lives.
Liberaki's writing style is characterized by its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, creating a captivating and memorable reading experience.
The novel's exploration of themes such as family, love, and the passage of time resonates with readers across generations.
#79821
Mating
Norman Rush
#34708
The Third Realm
null
Karl Ove Knausgård
#72469
Playboy
Constance Debré
#47939
The Stronghold
null
Dino Buzzati
Dino Buzzati's "The Stronghold" offers a poignant reflection on the human condition, exploring themes of anticipation, purpose, and the passage of time.
The narrative centers on a soldier stationed in a remote outpost, his days filled with monotonous routine and the ever-present expectation of action.
The story delves into the psychological impact of prolonged waiting, the soldier's internal struggles, and his evolving perspective on heroism and life's meaning.
Buzzati masterfully portrays the subtle shifts in the soldier's mindset, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the often-uncertain nature of destiny.
The novel's understated style and focus on internal conflict create a powerful and thought-provoking reading experience.
#18574
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Ghosts
Dolly Alderton
#64293
Hard Rain Falling
Don Carpenter
Don Carpenter's "Hard Rain Falling" is a powerful and moving novel that offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of working-class life in the late 1950s.
The story follows a young man navigating the challenges of poverty, crime, and societal alienation.
Carpenter's writing style is characterized by its stark honesty and unflinching depiction of difficult realities.
The novel's exploration of themes such as resilience, redemption, and the search for meaning resonates with readers across generations.
"Hard Rain Falling" is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure hardship and find hope amidst adversity.
The novel's vivid descriptions of Portland and San Francisco in the late 1950s provide a compelling historical context.
#42792
Boulder
Eva Baltasar
#29394
The end of vandalism
A Novel
Tom Drury
Tom Drury's "The End of Vandalism" offers a quiet and observant portrayal of life in a small, fictional town in the American Midwest.
The novel unfolds through the interconnected lives of its inhabitants, exploring themes of community, relationships, and the complexities of human nature.
Drury's writing style is characterized by its understated elegance and subtle humor, creating a captivating and memorable reading experience.
The novel's exploration of small-town dynamics and the everyday lives of its residents provides a unique and insightful perspective on human experience.
"The End of Vandalism" is a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of understated storytelling.
The novel's focus on character development and subtle plotlines creates a sense of intimacy and realism.
#32891
Permafrost
Eva Baltasar
#37324
In love
Alfred Hayes
Alfred Hayes' "In Love" delves into the complexities of romantic relationships through the lens of a man recounting his experiences.
The narrative unfolds in a bar setting, where the protagonist shares his love story with a listener.
The story explores themes of desire, longing, and the often-conflicting emotions that accompany love.
Hayes' writing style is characterized by its directness and emotional honesty, creating a compelling and intimate reading experience.
The novel's exploration of male perspectives on relationships offers a unique and thought-provoking insight into human connection.
The ambiguity surrounding the truthfulness of the protagonist's account adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
#6270
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Underground Railroad
Colson Whitehead
CRUZ RODRIGUEZ JUIZ
The book follows Cora, a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia, who embarks on a harrowing journey to freedom using a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil.
Along with Caesar, a fellow slave, Cora faces numerous challenges and dangers, including the relentless slave catcher Ridgeway.
The narrative blends historical reality with fantasy, offering a powerful meditation on the history of American slavery and its ongoing impact on society.
#754
• Mentioned in 35 episodes
THE NICKEL BOYS
Colson Whitehead
The Nickel Boys is a powerful and disturbing novel that delves into the horrors of Nickel Academy, a segregated juvenile reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.
The story follows Elwood Curtis, a bright and idealistic young man who is falsely accused of stealing a car and sent to Nickel Academy.
There, he and his friend Turner navigate the brutal and corrupt environment, marked by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
The novel explores themes of systemic injustice, human perseverance, and the lasting impact of trauma.
It alternates between the 1960s and the present, as the dark history of Nickel Academy is uncovered and its survivors come forward to share their experiences.
#57077
Mammoth
Eva Baltasar
Julia Sanches
#3789
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Long Island Compromise
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
#21651
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Chain-Gang All-Stars
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Chain Gang All-Stars" is a satirical and darkly humorous novel that explores themes of race, class, and the criminal justice system.
Set in a dystopian future, the story centers on a group of incarcerated individuals who are forced to compete in brutal death matches.
Adjei-Brenyah's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and social commentary, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
The novel's exploration of themes of power, exploitation, and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion is both timely and relevant.
The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their struggles and triumphs resonating with readers.
The novel's ending is both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
#19932
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Friday Afternoon Club
A Memoir
Griffin Dunne
Griffin Dunne's "The Friday Afternoon Club" is a poignant memoir exploring his family's complex dynamics, marked by both extraordinary achievements and profound tragedies.
The book delves into the lives of his sister Dominique, a rising actress whose murder profoundly impacted the family; his father Dominick, a journalist whose career was shaped by covering Dominique's case; and his aunt Joan Didion, a literary icon.
Dunne weaves together personal anecdotes, family history, and reflections on fame, grief, and the enduring power of family bonds.
The narrative is a tapestry of humor, heartbreak, and ultimately, acceptance.
#604
• Mentioned in 40 episodes
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent.
The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life.
Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman.
However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected.
The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.
#13163
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Joe Speedboat
Tommy Wieringa
In 'Joe Speedboat,' Tommy Wieringa tells the story of Frankie Hermans, who wakes up from a coma after a farming accident to find himself paralyzed and mute.
His life is transformed by the arrival of Joe Speedboat, a boy who brings vitality, verve, and a daredevil spirit to their sleepy village.
Joe sees potential in Frankie's handicaps, particularly his strong right arm, which he encourages Frankie to use for arm-wrestling.
This fast-paced and witty novel explores themes of trauma, friendship, and the dash towards adulthood in a rural Dutch setting.
#1759
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
Reboot
Leadership and the Art of Growing Up
Jerry Colonna
In 'Reboot,' Jerry Colonna shares his approach to leadership development through radical self-inquiry.
The book helps leaders identify and address the emotional baggage and psychological habits that have both driven their success and hindered their relationships and well-being.
Colonna draws on his experiences as a venture capitalist and executive coach, blending Buddhism, Jungian therapy, and entrepreneurial insights to guide leaders in finding meaning, building healthy interpersonal bonds, and becoming more compassionate and bold leaders.
The book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness, honesty, and self-critique in transforming both personal and professional lives.
#8142
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Real American
Julie Lythcott-Haims
In 'Real American,' Julie Lythcott-Haims shares a deeply personal and candid look at her experiences growing up as a biracial woman.
The book is a collection of vignettes that address her internal struggles with race, identity, and belonging.
It delves into microaggressions, discrimination, and racism, and how these factors have shaped her life.
The memoir also highlights the healing power of community in overcoming the isolation and self-loathing that often accompany being considered 'the other.
' Lythcott-Haims' narrative is a powerful exploration of what it means to be Black in America and her path to self-love and acceptance.
Lisa Cheng Smith is the founder of Yun Hai Taiwanese Pantry, an importer, online shop, and brick-and-mortar general store in Brooklyn offering premium ingredients for Taiwanese and Chinese cooking. Yun Hai has quickly established itself as a beating heart of the Taiwanese diaspora here in New York, and in this episode, we talk with Lisa about growing the business into making their own products, where to get great Taiwanese food in NYC, and more.
Also on the show, Clayton and Matt go over their favorite books of 2024, both new and less new!
Clayton's picks: The Stronghold - Dino Buzzati, Three Summers - Margarita Liberaki, In Love - Alfred Hayes, Speedboat, Renata Adler Mating - Norman Rush,The End of Vandalism - Tom Drury, Playboy - Constance Debre, Love Me Tender - Constance Debre, Permafrost - Eva Baltasar, Boulder - Eva Baltasar, Mammoth - Eva Baltasar, The Third Realm - Karl Ove Knausgaard, Long Island Compromise - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Matt's picks: Great Expectations - Vinson Cunningham, Reboot - Justin Taylor, The Friday Afternoon Club - Griffin Dunne, Real Americans - Rachel Khong, Ghosts - Dolly Alderton, Hard Rain Falling - Don Carpenter, The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead, Chang-Gang All-Stars - Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Long Island Compromise - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
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MORE FROM LISA CHENG SMITH
- 9 Recipes for a Vibrant Lunar New Year Celebration [Bon Appétit]
- Yun Hai Taiwan Stories [Substack]
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