A review by rainyoctober
A Tiger in the Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan

3.0

This was the first nonfiction novel / memoir I've ever read for "fun", and it was certainly an interesting and enjoyable read. Tan's story is fascinating in large part because it weaves together the author's past memories and present life not just through reflection upon each of the dishes she cooks, but because the journey she details in this book is also very much a physical one; in order to learn how to recreate pineapple tarts, braised duck, and other remembered favorites, she takes it upon herself to make periodic trips across the Pacific ocean to learn firsthand from her relatives all of the recipes that have been passed down for literally hundreds of years. In addition to learning how to cook, she also learns more about her family's history and ultimately grapples with her own identity. If you're interested in exploring underrepresented genres/styles or reading memoir focused on cultural identity, I absolutely recommend this book.