It's going to be hard to beat this one! I had huge expectations about speaking with Amy Tan, and let me tell you, Amy gave me more than I could have even hoped for! She is the premier Asian American storyteller for a reason. She had me laughing one minute and contemplating the next.

This is only Part 1, because we ended up chatting for over an hour and a half!  What a treat! I'll drop Part 2 next week.

You can listen to this and all our other episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Follow Amy over @amytanwriter and get a copy of The Backyard Bird Chronicles wherever you get your books. Don't forget to support your local independent bookstores!

Write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Jackie, Vicky, Loan, and I—a.k.a. The Blackboard 4—chat about the Greatest Of All Time Asian things! I always have a great time yapping with my teacher friends. Who knows where our next tangent will take us!

In this episode, we discuss our GOATed Asian fruits and veg, movies, comedians, and more. Listen in and let us know if you agree with us or not! 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Nancy Kwan was one of the first Asian Hollywood stars I can remember seeing. She broke out in the hit movies "The World of Suzie Wong" and "Flower Drum Song" in the 1960s. Over the next several decades, Nancy worked in front and behind the camera in over 50 productions. 

It was a real pleasure to speak with Nancy, she is as charming and lovely as ever. I really think you'll enjoy hearing from her. You can learn more about her interesting life in her new memoir, The World of Nancy Kwan, available everywhere. Get a copy for yourself and perhaps your parents, too!

You can hear our episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#hollywood #asianactor #asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Arthur Dong is an award-winning filmmaker out of San Francisco's Chinatown. One of his first films, Sewing Woman, was nominated for an Oscar. We caught up with Arthur and chatted about his youth in Chinatown and his over 50 years of filmmaking!

Get the Arthur Dong Collection on Blu-Ray discs from Kino Lorber. Arthur's care for his subject matter will move you, and I promise that you will learn so much! Get it here: https://kinolorber.com/product/arthur-dong-collection. It's a history you won't find in textbooks!

Follow Arthur @arthurdongfilm on socila media or over at https://www.deepfocusproductions.com/

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianfilmmaker #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Brandon wanted to participate in our March Madness of Chinese Cuisine, but he had a prior engagement, so we decided to bring the bracket to him! Recording in the legendary Moongate Lounge above Mr. Jiu's, Brandon and I talked about his journey and why it's been so important for him to keep pushing against the river of difficulties of running a big restaurant in SF Chinatown.

Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts!

You can find Brandon on Instagram @brandoj or find out more about Mr. Jius @misterjius on social media or www.mrjius.com  Also, check out his cookbook and memoir, "Mister Jiu's In Chinatown."

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#chinesefood #sfchinatown #chineserestaurant #misterjius #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

I had a quick call with Linda Tay Esposito from @flavor_explosions, who organized a bake sale to fundraise for earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. 

Here in San Francisco, Linda has gathered over 35 bakers who are donating some goods towards the relief effort. Each item will be $5 or $10, with 100% of the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders in Myanmar.

It's Sunday, April 13th, from 10AM-1PM only!  @18reasons (located at 18th St / Dolores street). Come by and load up on amazing and yummy goods, while supporting those affected gravely by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has devastated central Myanmar.

If you can't make it personally, you can still donate using this link: https://tinyurl.com/BakeforMyanmarDonate

Every little bit counts! 

The day had come on March 22nd, 2025... the day we crowned the greatest dish in Chinese Cuisine for 2025!  It was a hotly contested battle, voted on by about 60 members of our audience on a beautiful night in Chinatown. Cohosted by myself and the folks from The Worst Quality Crab Podcast and the On Waverly Bookstore, it was truly a fun night!

I hope you were able to join us live, but if you weren't, here's our recording. Mark your calendars for next year, we'd love to do another round with lots of your favorites that didn't make this year's list!

So many people to thank: Jon for helping me come up with the idea, and Freesia and Sam Lee for adding fuel to the fire and bringing their audience along!  To Cynthia and Jenn for providing a beautiful, inviting place to have it. My friend Steve for running the Zoom, as well as all the staff at On Waverly for keeping things in order and providing prizes and snacks.  And, of course, to everyone who was able to make it down, we couldn't have had this without your votes!

Photo Credits: @itsjustinchu 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#marchmadness #chinesefood #chinatown #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Here's a really quick interview with Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, who star in the Filipino film My Love Will Make You Disappear! It is a fun rom-com with a fun premise and lots of ups and downs, tears and laughs. 

I got to take part of the press junket, and because of my work schedule I only have a few minutes to chat with the stars. My nerves got the best of me, but the stars were so gracious and charming, I hope you enjoy our quick chat.

Go see My Love Will Make You Disappear if it's playing near you. It'll lift your spirits and make you believe in magic.

Synopsis: Sari, a woman convinced she is cursed to make every man she loves disappear, meets Jolo, a despondent landlord looking for an escape from his heartbreak. As their paths intertwine, a connection blossoms, forcing them to confront their fears and decide if love is truly worth risking everything—even if it might disappear.

The film is directed by Chad Vidanes.

My Love Will Make You Disappear will be released in theaters in North America starting on March 28, 2025.

Sarah Ahn and her mom Nam Soon Ahn have been sharing stories and recipes on their Instagram @ahnestkitchen. Coming April 1st is their cookbook 'Umma" which is a fantastic collection of over 100 recipes, pictures, and stories from their family past and present. The stories in it will make your heart swell and your eyes water, while their recipes will help you experience Korean home cooking for yourself. 

Pre-order a copy of 'Umma' today, or get it everywhere you get books after April 1st, 2025.  Follow Sarah @ahnestkitchen on social media or at her website https://ahnestkitchen.com/

Special thanks to Lan Lam from America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated for recording the introduction.  Follow her @Lan_cooks on Instagram or watch her fantastic series 'Techniquely' on YouTube. 

Listen to this and all past episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts. You can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast   

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asiancookbook #asianauthor #koreanfood #koreancooking #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

I'm a little ashamed to say, I don't think I've ever played a real game of mahjong!  Today's guest, Nicole Wong, wrote the perfect book for me!  It's called Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora, and it has a little bit of everything for a new player like myself, or a seasoned player like you!

It's available April 8th wherever you get your books.  Follow Nicole @themahjongproject on Instagram, or learn more at her website https://www.themahjongproject.com/about 

Also, please come down to On Waverly on Saturday, March 22nd, at  5:30 PM (or you can join on Zoom) for our 1st Annual March Madness of Chinese Cuisine tournament, hosted by me, The Worst Quality Crab Podcast and the On Waverly Bookstore!  We are staging a mock battle between dishes, where you the audience vote on which dish should win each round!  The more votes the better!  So join us live or on Zoom.  It's FREE, but register here!  https://thethirdplace.is/event/march-madness-of-chinese-food-live-podcasts  (you need to register here to receive a Zoom link too)  I hope to see you!

Write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianauthor #mahjong #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters