I was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Shenzhen, China. In my family, food has always been more than just something to eat, but how we express love, care, and tradition. I grew up eating a lot of Cantonese food. My parents believe that food should nourish both the body and the spirit, so we always have soup as a part of our meals. Cantonese-style soups often include Chinese herbs that are meant to balance the body. People believe that soup is composed of the essence of ingredients. I drank them almost every day if my mom made it, even though sometimes those soup is not that tasty, and sometimes it tastes like medicine. Even though I did not understand it back then, I knew they were a symbol of my parents’ care and our cultural values.
Before I came to the United States to study, my grandmother filled my suitcase with special sauces, herbs, and ingredients from home. She also taught me how to cook her signature dish—ginger vinegar egg soup. That recipe became something I treasure deeply. Every time I cook it here, I remember her voice and the comfort of being in her kitchen.
When I arrived in the U.S., I realized how much food connects me to my identity. My mom packed dried soup ingredients for me so I could still make the soups I grew up with. Whenever I boil one, the familiar smell fills my apartment and instantly makes me feel at home. Food has become my way of keeping my culture alive even when I’m far away.
Sharing my food with friends here has also taught me to appreciate how different cultures understand flavor, health, and family. What seems simple or everyday to me can feel special or new to others. Through these small exchanges, I’ve learned that food is a bridge between cultures. For me, food is memory, comfort, and identity all at once. It reminds me of where I come from and helps me stay connected to my family, even across oceans. Every dish I cook carries a piece of my heritage—and in that way, food continues to tell my story. .
