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Tatler Asia
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Hungry for stories: 9 novels where food is the main character
2. 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' by Richard C. Morais Indian spice meets French steel in this novel, where Michelin stars get personal. Food may be the plot in The Hundred-Foot Journey , but identity is the subtext. When the Haji family leaves Mumbai and opens a boisterous Indian eatery in a sleepy French village, the stage is set for a cultural standoff with saucepans. See, just across the road (and 100 feet away) is a starched, Michelin-starred restaurant. But this isn't just East vs West. At its core is Hassan Haji, a boy who grows from tandoori prodigy to French culinary titan. The writing is gorgeously cinematic (no surprise that Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey backed the film version), but the book's finest moments are its quietest: when spices, memories and ambition collide in a kitchen far from home. 3. 'Like Water for Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel You don't just read Like Water for Chocolate —you feel it in your gut. Set in early 20th-century Mexico, it follows Tita, a young woman forbidden to marry, who channels her passions into food so potent it makes her diners weep, hallucinate and even fall in love. Her cooking isn't just symbolic; it's supernatural. Each chapter opens with a recipe, but what unfolds is a story of repression, rebellion and chocolate mole so rich it becomes an act of resistance. Laura Esquivel's novel is equal parts love letter and war cry, reminding us that food is never just sustenance. It's story, history and, sometimes, the only language we have. 4. 'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner Exceptions have to be made for memoirs that read with the intimacy and lyricism of fiction. So yes, Crying in H Mart is technically non-fiction, but it is also emotionally operatic. It belongs on this list because food is its most expressive character. Indie rocker Michelle Zauner (of Japanese Breakfast ) writes about grief, identity and the loss of her Korean mother through the language of cooking: spicy kimchi jjigae, cold naengmyeon, glutinous rice cakes. This is a book about remembering someone through the recipes they taught you, and the ones you'll never quite recreate. It's lush, deeply tender and a reminder that sometimes the most comforting meals are the ones made in mourning. 5. 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto Kitchen is slight but devastating—kind of like a perfect consommé. In it, Mikage Sakurai, a young woman grieving the loss of her grandmother, finds comfort not in therapy, but in kitchens, which have become bright, humming spaces where grief quiets itself and the clatter of knives means you're still alive. Banana Yoshimoto's prose is minimalist, even dreamy, but there's muscle under the softness. It is one of those novels that don't over-explain, but it lingers in moments: the aroma of a night-time meal, the metallic lull of refrigerators, the exact shade of tea. Kitchen doesn't glorify food. Rather, it honours its ability to anchor us when the world drifts. See more: From viral videos to page turners: 8 food influencers whipping up bestselling cookbooks 6. 'The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake' by Aimee Bender In this strange, lyrical novel, nine-year-old Rose Edelstein discovers she can taste emotions in food. Her mother's lemon cake is laced with despair. A school sandwich reeks of anxiety. And every meal becomes a psychic minefield. It's a surreal, melancholic meditation on empathy and what it means to consume the inner lives of others, literally. Aimee Bender's writing is whimsical but controlled. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake uses food as a metaphor, but never in a cloying way. It's less about flavour than about feeling. What's more, it tells you what happens when even dessert can't hide the truth. 7. 'Chocolat' by Joanne Harris This falls under novels that seduce you by chapter two. Before it was a film with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, Chocolat was a lush, hypnotic novel about a mysterious woman who opens a chocolaterie in a conservative French town during Lent. Twist? It causes moral panic, temptation and eventual transformation. Joanne Harris writes with a sensuous, almost decadent flair: pralines, spiced truffles and bitter ganache appear like spells. But the novel is ultimately about pleasure and judgment—how food becomes both indulgence and rebellion. If you've ever seen chocolate as salvation, this is your gospel. 8. 'The City of Brass' by SA Chakraborty In this dazzling fantasy set in an alternate 18th-century Middle East, food is a form of enchantment. From jeweled rice studded with fruit and nuts to stews simmering with centuries-old secrets, meals in Daevabad are not just delicious. They're political, symbolic, sometimes deadly. Unlike other novels on this list, SA Chakraborty writes with the lavish detail of a historical epic and the intensity of a kitchen fire. If Game of Thrones had better food styling and more cardamom, it might come close. Don't miss: 10 books all foodies should read 9. 'Love & Saffron' by Kim Fay This one is an epistolary novel where food becomes friendship. Set in the 1960s, this gentle story unfolds through letters between two women. One is a young food writer, the other a lonely housewife. They then swap recipes and secrets across state lines. With every shared meal—oysters, garlic toast, strong coffee—comes something deeper: trust, bravery and the kind of connection that outlasts a casserole. If Sweetbitter is about desire, Love & Saffron is about nourishment. It is the kind you find in unlikely friendship and handwritten notes. It's cosy but never cloying.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Cultural Attaché: Somi Kim
Reminder, this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read. Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Already a subscriber? Sign in here Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. NZTrio pianist: Somi Kim. Photo / Supplied Somi Kim is one of Aotearoa's most sought-after pianists. She is a member of NZTrio, a group recognised as a 'national treasure' and as 'New Zealand's most indispensable ensemble'. NZTrio is on the road this month for its Fantastique concerts. What is your earliest memory? Winter in Korea, going to visit my great-granny after school. She used to keep freshly roasted kūmara under a blanket so that I could eat it warm when I arrived. What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be a zookeeper when I was young, then I went through an astronaut phase before deciding I wanted to play piano all the time when I grew up. When were you happiest? Holding our daughter in my arms for the first time with my husband by my side. I can't believe that was a year ago now. What makes you unhappy? An unadjustable piano stool. Performing a concert with a chair that isn't the perfect height is like running a marathon in shoes that don't fit. What's your greatest fear? Sleeping in a room filled with creepy-crawlies. I have a phobia about insects and for this reason I could never live in Australia. What trait in yourself do you least like? I can be quite particular and like things to be a certain way. It's something I've had to let go of since becoming a mother because all plans can go out the window with a baby! What trait in others do you least like? Lateness and indecisiveness, unless there is a good excuse for it. Being late implies a lack of respect of another's time. I'm slightly allergic to it. What characteristics do you most value in your friends? Patience, kindness and empathy – all of my husband's greatest traits. Apart from property, what's the most expensive thing you have bought? My Kawai piano that I've had since 2013. What is your most treasured possession? My diamond engagement ring. What was the last book you read? Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. I read it in two days. A really touching memoir about loss, growth, culture and love. Who are your favourite writers? Sally Rooney, Delia Owens and Roald Dahl. Who is your favourite character of fiction? Captain Planet. An environmentalist superhero – what's not to love? Inspiring: Hoyeon Jung (left), Leonard Bernstein (top), and Cécile McLorin Salvant (bottom). Photos / Getty Images What book do you recommend to others to read? The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. A beautiful novel about friendship and family secrets among female Korean free divers. The title of your autobiography would be … Confessions of a Perfectionist. What words or phrases do you overuse? Hectic and unhinged. It sums up my life as a first-time parent most of the time but we wouldn't have it any other way. What is your favourite word? Mellifluous. Do you have a quote you live by? Leonard Bernstein: 'To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.' What is your favourite museum/art gallery? Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. I spent an unforgettable couple of days in Milan immersed in art and it completely exceeded my expectations. What is the artwork you could look at endlessly? Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights. It's surreal and abstract, especially considering it's from about 1500. I spent quite a bit of time in his hometown in the Netherlands; everywhere is filled with his artwork. What particular artistic talent would you like to have? I wish I could play jazz and improvise. What is your favourite film? Untouchable (the original French version) is one of my favourites. What a tearjerker. If a movie was made of your life, which song would be played over the end credits? The second movement from Robert Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major, Op.44 Who would play you? Hoyeon Jung from Squid Game. What has been your most enjoyable theatre experience? Matilda the Musical in London's West End. Those kids are so talented. I loved it so much I went twice. What has been your most enjoyable live music experience? Listening to jazz at Ronnie Scott's in London, in a dimly lit booth sipping on a delicious cocktail. What were your top songs in Spotify 2024 Wrapped? Tiny Ruins, Me at the Museum, You in the Wintergardens; Cécile McLorin Salvant, La route enchantée; Keith Jarrett, Köln, January 24, 1975, Part 1, Bluey theme tune. What song aways gets you dancing? APT. – Rosé & Bruno Mars. Images / Getty Images What is a streaming series/TV show you recommend? The Bear. I watched most of it on the edge of my seat with my fingernails digging into the cushions. It took me right back to working in hospitality. If you weren't a musician what would you be doing instead? Travel blogger or CEO of my own company. Do you have a skill or ability that might surprise people? I can fall asleep anywhere. This skill is very handy when I'm on tour. My husband is envious. Which three people ‒ dead or alive ‒ would you like to have dinner with? Sir David Attenborough, Coco Chanel and Franz Schubert. Where is your favourite place in New Zealand? Hawke's Bay. Gorgeous wineries, beaches and family. What is your favourite place outside of Aotearoa? Hydra, Greece. It's so special that I don't like sharing it with people. I spent 10 magical days there holidaying with a friend. It's an island with no cars, just donkeys. What is a destination you'd love to visit? Japan. The culture fascinates me and I want to go for the food. What is a building or piece of architecture that you admire? Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, Iceland. It's breathtaking. I loved performing there. A good day starts with … Morning cuddles (and a sleep-in) with our daughter, a workout at BFT Birkenhead followed by a cup of ceremonial cacao. What is comfort food to you? A bowl of Korean bone broth with rice and kimchi cooked by my mum. There's nothing that quite compares to her cooking – homemade Korean food nourishes my soul. What can't you resist on a menu restaurant menu? Chicken liver parfait, sticky toffee pudding and a crisp glass of chenin blanc. What is your guilty pleasure? Cancelling plans to stay at home by myself. And snacks. All the snacks. NZTrio's Fantastique tour runs until August 31, see for details.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
If you loved ‘On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous', try these 4 books next
Asian-American immigration narratives have witnessed a rise in recent years. These stories are about identities that are constructed through a confluence of oriental and Western cultures. They are focused on finding belonging in a country that one has known their whole life, yet somehow still feels a little foreign. Asian-American immigration narratives often take the form of memoirs, not just reflecting on the life of a single person, but also recollecting the history of the family and how loss, sacrifices, and trauma mould the present. Focusing on memory, queerness, and grief, among other themes. Here is a list of coming-of-age debut books by Asian-American authors: Ocean Vuong's debut novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Vintage, pages 256, Rs 550), is a lyrical reflection on the protagonist's (Little Dog) experience as a queer Vietnamese-American immigrant growing up in a middle-class family. Written in the form of a letter to his mother who cannot read, the first-person retrospective narrative evokes questions about identity, belonging, and love. The novel explores the implications of the Vietnam War in the history of his family, and the protagonist's discovery of his queerness. Stay True (Picador, pages 208, Rs 650) is a memoir written by Hua Hsu dedicated to his friend Ken who lost his life in a carjacking incident. The novel portrays a friendship which finds its roots in the simplicity of college experiences, late night hangouts, shared cigarettes, and bonding over music, before it was lost to time. As an enthusiast of the emerging indie scene, the novel is packed with musical references to bands in the late 90s, such as Nirvana and The Beach Boys. Hsu's and Ken's friendship is an unexpected one, their main similarity being their experience as an Asian-American and trying to find a sense of belonging amidst a culture that does not entirely belong to them. More by Anosha Rishi | How Bookstagram is changing the way we discover and discuss books Michelle Zauner, the Grammy-nominated indie artist belonging to the band Japanese Breakfast published her debut novel, Crying in H Mart (Picador, pages 256, Rs 650), in 2021. A memoir for her late mother, Zauner evokes feelings of nostalgia as she recounts the Korean food her mom used to make for her. As a Korean-American, going to the Korean grocery store, H Mart, becomes a deliberate way through which Zauner reconnects with her Korean roots. Crying in H Mart is also about dealing with loss of a loved one and attempting to come to terms with the grief it brings along. Unlike the other novels on this list, The Best We Could Do (Harry N. Abrams, pages 336, Rs 1581) is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Thi Bui, a Vietnam-born American graphic novelist and illustrator. The graphic is mostly monochromatic, with the exception of sepia tones that seep into the work. Thi Bui reflects on her family history as she tries to make sense of her identity and place in the present. She recounts her parents' experience during the Vietnam War, their refuge in the US following the war, and its impact on her life. A memoir written by Nicole Chung, All You Can Ever Know (Pushkin Press, pages 256, Rs 1129), is a story about her life as a Korean adopted by an American family. Although content with her family, ever since she was young Chung had questions about her biological family which finally led her to search for them after growing up. Chung reflects on her adolescence, growing up in a racially different family, and on her own parenthood as she steps into motherhood.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Japanese Breakfast beats Melbourne cold with warm presence and irresistible performance
MUSIC | Rising Festival Japanese Breakfast ★★★★ PICA, June 5 'It's so cold here! What's going on?' says Michelle Zauner, driving force behind indie darlings Japanese Breakfast. Yes, it's cold in Melbourne right now, and especially in PICA, a big empty shed in Port Melbourne with uneven concrete floors and unlit portaloos. Everyone's wearing massive coats and basking in our collective body heat, while cursing our friends at the Jessica Pratt show in the warm, acoustically luxuriant recital hall. But I'm at a Japanese Breakfast show and thrilled about it. It's been eight years since they last visited, and since then they've put out the breakthrough hit album Jubilee and this year's literate, almost baroque For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), and Zauner has written a bestselling memoir, Crying in H Mart. She writes songs dense with emotion and pathos, and performs them irresistibly. The six-piece opens with three songs from the new album, all dripping with Zauner's great lyrics and the band's rich instrumentation. She's in a frilly shirt and torn tights. Saxophone dances with flute as the lights play with the stage smoke. 'The breeze carries salt / And sipping milky broth / He cast his gaze towards the sea out / The Winnebago,' she sings on Orlando in Love. It's dreamlike. The sound bounces around indie genres. Honey Water leans into shoegaze. Slide Tackle – which she introduces with a cry of 'No more melancholy!' – plays with disco. The guitar finger slide comes out for the country-tinged Men In Bars, with drummer Craig Hendrix sharing the vocals, a part originally performed by Jeff Bridges. Throughout, Zauner's voice is so expressive and full of intent, and her presence is tirelessly warm and breezy. She introduces Winter in LA as being about 'being miserable in lovely places', a contrast that could apply to the whole set. It's not easy to tour to Australia in the '20s. As Zauner tells us, it's so far away and expensive ('IT IS EXPENSIVE!' someone validates from the crowd). But even with high overheads, Zauner wasn't skimping on the massive gong at the back of the stage, used only for the chorus of Paprika in the encore. Correct decision.
The Age
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Japanese Breakfast beats Melbourne cold with warm presence and irresistible performance
MUSIC | Rising Festival Japanese Breakfast ★★★★ PICA, June 5 'It's so cold here! What's going on?' says Michelle Zauner, driving force behind indie darlings Japanese Breakfast. Yes, it's cold in Melbourne right now, and especially in PICA, a big empty shed in Port Melbourne with uneven concrete floors and unlit portaloos. Everyone's wearing massive coats and basking in our collective body heat, while cursing our friends at the Jessica Pratt show in the warm, acoustically luxuriant recital hall. But I'm at a Japanese Breakfast show and thrilled about it. It's been eight years since they last visited, and since then they've put out the breakthrough hit album Jubilee and this year's literate, almost baroque For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), and Zauner has written a bestselling memoir, Crying in H Mart. She writes songs dense with emotion and pathos, and performs them irresistibly. The six-piece opens with three songs from the new album, all dripping with Zauner's great lyrics and the band's rich instrumentation. She's in a frilly shirt and torn tights. Saxophone dances with flute as the lights play with the stage smoke. 'The breeze carries salt / And sipping milky broth / He cast his gaze towards the sea out / The Winnebago,' she sings on Orlando in Love. It's dreamlike. The sound bounces around indie genres. Honey Water leans into shoegaze. Slide Tackle – which she introduces with a cry of 'No more melancholy!' – plays with disco. The guitar finger slide comes out for the country-tinged Men In Bars, with drummer Craig Hendrix sharing the vocals, a part originally performed by Jeff Bridges. Throughout, Zauner's voice is so expressive and full of intent, and her presence is tirelessly warm and breezy. She introduces Winter in LA as being about 'being miserable in lovely places', a contrast that could apply to the whole set. It's not easy to tour to Australia in the '20s. As Zauner tells us, it's so far away and expensive ('IT IS EXPENSIVE!' someone validates from the crowd). But even with high overheads, Zauner wasn't skimping on the massive gong at the back of the stage, used only for the chorus of Paprika in the encore. Correct decision.
