This book does double duty as cookbook of authentic Chinese recipes that you’ll want to prepare in your own kitchen, and as a memoir that reads like a novel.  It tells the story of a courageous woman who lived an adventurous life that spans from the China of the 1920s and 30s to San Francisco in the 60s and beyond.

Cecelia Chiang is largely credited with popularizing Chinese regional cuisine with Americans via her famous San Francisco restaurant, Mandarin unfortunately now closed). She started the restaurant against popular wisdom outside of San Francisco’s Chinatown when it was believed she was committing financial suicide. Instead she succeeded and flourished, presiding over what became a restaurant empire.

The recipes in this collection contain many Mandarin favorites along with authentic Chinese recipes from Cecelia’s own family. Interspersed between the recipes are chapters of Cecelia’s life in China during a tumultuous time in its history, her eventual immigration to the United States, and a behind the scenes look into one of America’s most respected and successful restaurants and restaurateurs.

It’s hard to choose which of the two sides of this book are more enjoyable. Perhaps its best use would be to cook yourself some delicious Chinese recipes, then read while you eat.

Sample Recipes
See the Related Recipes section below for sample recipes from this book.