Welcome to Atypical Fare—a treasure trove of mostly Chinese and Chinese-inspired vegetarian recipes!
I’m Joyce, the voice, author, and creator of Aytpical Fare. I started Atypical Fare because I want to inspire more people to eat vegetarian food, and I want to do so by sharing Chinese vegetarian food, because that is what I love eating and what I know best.
I also created Atypical Fare as a database and learning log for myself. I’m learning how to make traditional flavors work for real life and modern goals, and I’m sharing everything I learn along the way so you can learn with me.
My Recipe Philosophy
At Atypical Fare, you’ll find recipes that are:
- Vegetarian or vegan, always. 🥦
- Whole foods-focused, but realistic. I aim for mostly whole ingredients and pantry items with readable labels, but I’m not here to police your pantry. 🚨🙅🏻♀️
- Structured, not strict. Recipes are designed to be easy to batch and meal prep, along with variations and swaps, so you can adjust based on your liking and goals.
- Balanced for modern life. Right now, I’m extra interested in protein-forward meals (I'm in my muscle-building era! 😄), and over time I’ll also be sharing more fiber-forward, veggie-centric recipes (because we can all use a little more fiber ✨).
- Practical and detailed. Expect clear steps, helpful notes, and process shots to help you replicate the recipes in your kitchen as much as possible.
A quick note about nutrition and tracking
I’m not a registered dietitian or nutrition professional. If I include numbers (like macros), think of them as helpful estimates. You do not have to count everything, nor only eat vegetarian or “clean,” to belong here.
Why The Name “Atypical Fare”?
- I read The Everything Store when I was an intern at Amazon, and I always remembered how Jeff Bezos came up with the name “Amazon” (a name starting with “A” shows up near the top of alphabetical lists).
- I had a failed attempt at starting a vegan hot chocolate business, which I called “Atypicocoa,” and the word “Atypical” just stuck.
- I love puns and wordplay, and I love how “atypical” can also sound like “a typical.” Growing up, I often felt like an odd one out, but I’ve also learned to fit in, so “atypical” (or “a typical”) felt extra fitting. It also fits my vision of having both traditional Chinese recipes and Chinese-inspired recipes on the site.
- “Fare” is another little play on words. It can mean a range of food or the cost of travel, which echoes my cross-country upbringing and love for travel.