Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes

Explore the unique nomenclature of traditional Chinese dishes through folklore, personal storytelling, and 26 easy-to-cook recipes in this entertaining graphic novel cookbook, perfect for lovers of comics and food.

Storytelling is one of the most universal and collaborative components in every culture. In Chinese culture, dishes are often connected to a classic legend, a famous person, or a historical event, underlining the importance of food.

In this delightful graphic novel-style recipe book, Chinese American cookbook author Ying Chang Compestine explores the folkloric stories behind beloved Chinese dishes and gives easy-to-follow recipes for each, such as:

• Mapo Tofu, a savory dish named for the old lady with a pockmarked face who invented it
• Goubuli Baozi(translation: “ignored by doggy stuffed buns), classic buns with minced pork and vegetables made popular by an unusually taciturn village boy
• Tear-inducingHeartbreak Jelly Noodlesthat combine chili oil, peppercorns, and other fiery ingredients and are believed to cure the sadness of a broken heart
• Steamed Milk Custard, one of the most beloved desserts in China, originated during the Qing Dynasty by a hungry young cattle farmer as a way to preserve milk

These are dishes Ying grew up with, cooked with her grandmother, and prepares for her own family today. Stories and recipes are illustrated and presented in panel layout, with art by award-winning childrens book illustrator Vivian Truong.