A Very Asian Guide to Taiwanese Food - (Very Asian Guide Series - Food and Culture) by Nancy Jeng (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

2025 Golden Poppy Book Award Finalist

"This introduction to traditional Taiwanese cuisine brings together lots of information in a bright, cheerful package." - Booklist

Learn about the origins of the famous and chewy drink called boba or how stinky tofu gets its pungent aroma! A Very Asian Guide to Taiwanese Food introduces little readers to classic and modern Taiwanese dishes and provides fun facts about the foods and culture of Taiwan.

About the Series: The Very Asian Guide series invites kids to explore different foods and cultures from all over Asia. Each page is filled with fun bite-sized historical, science and cultural facts about a dish or ingredient. Each book includes simple kid-friendly recipes and download free activity sheets on gloobooks.com. Collect all books in the series!

Review Quotes

"A delicious, technicolor romp through the textures and flavors of Taiwanese cuisine. Whether they're stinky, gooey, fluffy, or sticky, the dishes featured in this book will stir up your appetite and imagination!"

"This colorful primer is a perfect introduction to classic Taiwanese cuisine for readers both young and old. Jeng's simple but evocative descriptions, peppered with historical and cultural context, will make even the uninitiated want to book a flight to Taiwan, or at least drive to their nearest Taiwanese restaurant. For those with tastebuds already familiar, this book is a perfect way to share the love of Taiwan's distinctive culinary tradition. Liang's vibrant illustrations make the book a true treasure, and reminds us that the best way to enjoy Taiwanese food is to enjoy it together."

"This introduction to traditional Taiwanese cuisine brings together lots of information in a bright, cheerful package. Busy double-page spreads introduce a food or drink and describe its ingredients, how it's prepared, and what it tastes like... Three easy recipes conclude this tasty offering."

About the Author

Nancy Jeng is a Taiwanese-American author, born and raised in northern California. She previously published an illustrated cookbook, Noms From Mom, inspired by her mother's Taiwanese recipes. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Nancy built a career in marketing, working for advertising agencies and tech companies before founding a tech startup. Nancy lives in San Francisco and in her spare time, she loves to travel, paint and draw, read and explore the Bay Area with her husband, Brett, and her dog, Felix.

Felicia Liang is a Bay Area based artist and printmaker whose colorful and maximalist work reflects the communities and cultures she's around. She weaves in storytelling and celebrates her Taiwanese-American identity through her food, still life, and cityscape illustrations.