Hi, I’m Joyce!
Atypical Fare is where I write about vegetarian Chinese and Chinese-inspired recipes, highlighting fresh vegetables, wholesome beans and grains, vegetarian proteins, and occasional sweet indulgences.
Welcome and I am so happy you are here! I created this blog to document my learnings about different ingredients and cooking techniques, and to empower myself (and you) when shopping at Asian grocery stores and cooking in my (and your) kitchen!
I hope I can inspire you to eat more veggies and more Chinese food because…why not? ☺
Fun Facts About Me
- My childhood was split between Taipei, Taiwan, and Shanghai, China.
- I am ⅛ Japanese and my grandmother grew up in Taiwan during Japanese rule, so Japan and its language and culture have always had a big influence on me.
- My adulthood began in Seattle, WA, and I am currently settled in San Francisco, CA.
- I became pescatarian around 2010, vegetarian around 2012, and vegan around 2018.
- Starting 2024, I am back to being mostly vegetarian and I only cook vegetarian at home.
Eastern Roots + Western Influence
Growing up in Taiwan and China, cultures that cherished food as a way of healing and a way of bringing people together, I developed a deep love and appreciation for the food and the culinary traditions.
As I embarked on my vegetarian journey in the West, I encountered a lack of accessible resources for transforming items in the American Asian grocery aisles into nourishing plant-forward vegetarian dishes on the tables.
That’s when the idea for this blog was born: to bridge the gap between items on the grocery shelves and the vibrant world of Chinese vegetarian food, to empower myself and others when shopping at Asian grocery stores, and to inspire myself and others to eat more tofu, beans, grains, fruits, and of course, vegetables! ☺
