America Archives -

Book cover for review: images shows a young Chinese girl in red holding a steaming bowl of liquid, in which there is the image of a landscape with a river, bridge, and traditional Chinese building. On either side of the girl is a blue Chinese dragon, wreathed in clouds. Down the edges on the sides are different dishes. At the top of the image, the title 'Chinese Menu' is written in gold.

Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favourite Foods | Book Review

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 Kim

By Grace Lin (pub. Little, Brown and Company, 2023)

Almost all dishes on a Chinese menu have a story behind them. In a way, the menu at your Chinese restaurant is the table of contents for a feast of stories.

And this book is that feast.

Continue reading →