The Memory of Taste

Signed copies available!

A playful collection of over 85 Vietnamese and Viet American dishes and immersive travel photography from Top Chefalum Tu David Phu that blends the Oakland natives modern culinary style with the food wisdom from his refugee family.

Tu David Phu trained in the nations top restaurants only to realize the culinary lessons that truly impacted him were those passed on by his parents, refugees from Ph Quc. In his hometown of Oakland, California, his parents taught him hard-won lessons in frugality, food-covery cooking, and practical gill-to-fin eating.

Centered around Tus childhood memories in the diverse Bay Area and family stories of life on Ph Quc island,The Memory of Tasteexplores the Phu familys ability to thrive and adapt from one coastal community to another. With tried-and-true tips like how to butcher a fish, tastebud-tingling flavor combinations, and stunning photographs, Tu guides both novice and experienced chefs alike in his take on Viet cooking, including:

• Staples in every Vietnamese kitchen likeCm Tm (Broken Rice),Dn S (Lemongrass Paste), andNc Mm Cham (Everyday Fish Sauce)
• Seafood dishes that utilize the less desired parts likeHuyt C Ti Chanh (Tuna Bloodline Tartare),Canh Chua u C Hi (Hot Pot-style Salmon Head Sour Soup),andXng C Hi Ghin Gin (Fried Fish Frames)
• Fine-dining dishes from Tus pop-up days likeGi Cun C Cornets,M Xo Ti Nm Cc (Truffled Garlic Noodles), andBnh Canh Carbonara
• Adapted recipes from new traditions likeBnh t Trn (Sticky Rice Dumplings),Cm Cua Hp (Dungeness Crab Donburi), andPh Vt Nng (Roasted Duck Ph)

The Memory of Tasteis Tu’s story of returning to his roots and finding long-hidden culinary treasure. In his debut cookbook, Tu offers readers a chance to enjoy the bounty of his parents lessons, just as he has.