Chinese Menu

The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods

De: Grace Lin

Narrado por: Lisa Ling

Newbery and Caldecott honoree and New York Times bestselling author Grace Lin delivers a groundbreaking, lushly illustrated, and beautifully written full-color book that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind your favorite American Chinese food.

From fried dumplings to fortune cookies, here are the tales behind your favorite foods.

Do you know the stories behind delectable dishes—like the fun connection between scallion pancakes and pizza? Or how dumplings cured a village’s frostbitten ears? Or how wonton soup tells about the creation of the world?

Separated into courses like a Chinese menu, these tales—based in real history and folklore—are filled with squabbling dragons, magical fruits, and hungry monks. This book will bring you to far-off times and marvelous places, all while making your mouth water. And, along the way, you might just discover a deeper understanding of the resilience and triumph behind this food, and what makes it undeniably American.

Award-winning and bestselling author Grace Lin provides a visual and storytelling feast as she gives insight on the history, legends, and myths behind your favorite American Chinese dishes. Chinese Menu makes the perfect gift book for anyone who loves good food—and an even better story.

Engaging mix of nonfiction and ancient legends

I feel like this book gave me more to talk about at the dinner table. The information was very interesting on the origins of the foods, but I loved the stories. I could easily see myself telling these stories to little ones.

Fascinating

The information and stories in this book are fascinating and well presented. I have a Chinese American daughter-in-law and I promptly order the book for her, suggesting she might also share the stories with her Mother, who cooks delicious Chinese dishes.