There's a Taiwanese saying, 吃飯皇帝大 tsia̍h-pn̄g hông-tè tuā, which translates to, "when you're eating, you're as important as the emperor," meaning that nothing is greater than eating well. Chelsea Tsai, a culinary instructor and founder of the CookInn Taiwanese cooking school in Taipei, has taken this idiom to heart, citing as her culinary inspiration the multi-dish family meals that her mother—despite long days at work—would still put in the time and effort to assemble.
Motivated by what Tsai describes as the "pure magic" of those childhood dinners, she self-published this cookbook with the intention of sharing not only recipes for homestyle Taiwanese dishes, but also the knowledge of fundamental Taiwanese ingredients and cooking techniques. Pulling from years of experience in culinary instruction, Tsai succinctly distills contemporary Taiwanese cuisine into its essential flavors, so that anyone can access them in their local markets, even if they are not in Taiwan.
This book is a trove of personal memory, largely anchored in Tsai's Hoklo heritage, featuring recipes like her Mom's Braised Pork Belly or Fresh Fish Soup with Ginger that harkens back to visits to her grandmother's on Liuqiu Island. But Tsai also nods to the diverse influences in Taiwan's food ways with recipes like Hakka-Style Stir Fry. And because eating outside the home is just as important in Taiwan as is eating inside the home, she has a whole section dedicated to street food like Gua Bao and Taiwanese-Style Grilled Corn.
Through 60 varied recipes, this book invites you to explore the flavors of Taiwan.
From the Publisher
In Taiwan, food is a way of life. From the morning hustle for a hot breakfast to late-night wanderings through lively night markets, food is omnipresent in the island's daily rhythm.
Chelsea Tsai takes the reader on a personal journey through Taiwanese cuisine—delving into its historical roots and unveiling secrets from the typical kitchen pantry. Vibrant photographs and engaging narratives bring the pages alive, immersing you in the heart of Taiwan's food culture. The book features more than sixty authentic, time-tested home-cooking recipes refined by Tsai’s award-winning cooking school,
CookInn Taiwan. TASTE TAIWAN is the perfect companion for those seeking to discover and savor the unique charms of Taiwanese cuisine.
About the Author
Passionate about sharing Taiwanese cuisine and culinary traditions with domestic and international audiences, Chelsea Tsai is the founder of
CookInn Taiwan, a Taipei-based cooking school founded in 2018 that offers hands-on cooking experiences and traditional market tours. Since founding the school, Tsai has also taught overseas in countries like Australia, Malaysia, and the U.S.
Specifications and Dimensions
ISBN: 9786269779123
Publish Date: October 2023
Publisher: CookInn Taiwan
230 pages, Hardcover
by Chelsea Tsai
Dimensions: 10” L x 7.5” W x 0.7” H
Weight: 2 lbs
