Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes: A Graphic Cookbook―26 Recipes & Stories

by Ying Chang Compestine, Vivian Truong (illustrator)

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 spicy, savory dish named after the “pockmarked old lady” who created it.
* Goubuli Baozi (“Ignored by Doggy Stuffed Buns”) – Iconic steamed buns made famous by a silent young vendor.
* Heartbreak Jelly Noodles – A fiery noodle dish believed to soothe a broken heart with its numbing chili oil and peppercorns.
* Steamed Milk Custard – A beloved dessert that dates back to the Qing Dynasty, first made by a young cattle farmer seeking 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 children’s book illustrator Vivian Truong.

With easy-to-follow recipes and accessible ingredients, this cookbook is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Whether you’re a food lover, a fan of folklore, or just looking for delicious new recipes with a story to tell, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall offers a flavorful journey through Chinese cuisine and culture.


Why You’ll Love This Book

A Unique Visual Experience – Blending graphic novel storytelling with cooking, this book offers a fresh, engaging approach to food and history.
A Cookbook for Everyone – With 26 illustrated recipes spanning appetizers, main courses, and desserts, it’s easy to find something delicious to make.
A Meaningful Gift – Perfect for foodies, storytellers, and anyone curious about Chinese culture, this book is a treasure trove of flavors and folklore.

Praise for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall

"Truong's cute illustrations add a fun visualization, working hand in hand with Compestine's stories and cooking instructions; each recipe includes depictions of the food, tools, and cooking method needed for the recipe. This engaging comic cookbook makes learning about Chinese cuisine fun and accessible for everyone."

— Booklist

Exciting Announcements

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is off to an incredible start!

#1 New Release on Amazon
Amazon Editors’ Pick

📅 March 4 – Interview with Comic Book Club Podcast (4:00–5:00 PM PST) – Watch LIVE on YouTube!

📅 March 11 – Taping with NPR’s The World (1:30 PM PST)

📅 March 12 – The Dinner Party Podcast (3:30 PM PST)

More exciting news to come—stay tuned!

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Cooking, Comics, Food, China

184 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

A leading national authority on culture and cuisine, award-winning author, and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, Ying Chang Compestine has written 27 books across multiple genres, including picture books, YA novels, and healthy adult cookbooks. She has hosted cooking shows, worked as a food editor for Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul, and was a spokesperson for Nestle Maggi and Celestial Seasonings.

Her novel "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party" and her memoir "Growing Up Under a Red Flag" recount her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These works have received awards globally and high praise from prestigious media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly. Her novel "A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.

Named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show, her books have sold worldwide in multiple languages. Endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, her cookbook "Cooking with an Asian Accent" has been described as “a contemporary new cuisine.”

Ying believes food can be both healthy and delicious and that healthy eating is the key to a long, happy life. By integrating her background into her recipe creation, she features the three most critical Asian principles of food in her dishes: satisfaction of the senses, yin-yang balance, and medicinal properties.

In addition to writing, Ying has been a sought-after keynote speaker for high-end cruise ships, private jets, and resorts, including The World Residences at Sea, Crystal, Silver Sea, Viking, TCS World Travel, and Canyon Ranch. Ying is also frequently invited to speak at schools and conferences worldwide to share her journey as a writer—how her life in Wuhan, China, inspired her work—and to promote healthy eating and living. Her website is www.yingc.com

Reviews

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a graphic cookbook, so reading Ying Chang Compestine’s“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes,” was really interesting and enjoyable. I love Chinese cuisine and have read several cookbooks but have never read one so vividly illustrated and, to be completely honest, enthralling. With the translated names of recipes like Beggar’s Chicken, Ants Climbing a Tree, Old Pockmarked Lady’s Mapo Tofu, and Empress Lu Zhi’s Beauty Soup how can anyone not be drawn to this book?

This cookbook looks at a number of different regional cuisines in China, and also discusses etiquette rules for eating, drinking, and using chopsticks. Chang Compestine’s tips on making and using “training chopsticks” was particularly useful.

This book was illustrated by Vivian Truong who did a fantastic job. For example, when illustrating the story for Husband and Wife Lung Slices, the illustrator even ensured that the men’s hair—shaved bald on the top with a long braided pony tail on the back of the head that was required by Qing Dynasry law at the time—was historically accurate.

Unfortunately, the illustrator’s focus on historical accuracy seems to have evaded the author at times. For example, while telling the story for the recipe Ants Climbing a Tree. This story allegedly took place during the Yuan Dynasty (1272-1368) and the story included a reference to bird’s eye peppers. However, peppers didn’t exist in China during this era as peppers originated in the New World. Strangely, while peppers appear in the story, they don’t appear on the recipe page.

Another story, “The Youngest Prime Minister” discusses how a young boy in 475 BC made a dish using orange and red tomatoes, and King Qin rewarded the boy and also made the tomatoes and egg recipe his “signature dish.” Like peppers, tomatoes are indigenous to the Americas, so they didn’t exist in China during this era. While stories are naturally embellished over time, I was hoping for historical tales.

Chang Compestine grew up in Wuhan, China during the Cultural Revolution, and I love the fact that she included not just ancient cuisine-related tales, but also newer ones, such as those she told for Mongolian Beef, Chop Suey, and Rock Sugar Pears.

This graphic cookbook, overall, is fantastic and one that I definitely recommend to anyone interested in the history of cuisine, Asian food fanatics, and anyone who loves Chinese food.

I received an ARC of “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes,” by Ying Chang Compestine from NetGalley and Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most unusual cookbook I've ever read (in graphic comic book form!) with fantabulous illustrations and easy-to-follow recipes for delicious Chinese food. A perfect gift for the cooks in your life and for you, because you MUST have a copy for yourself!

[a foray in fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a cute illustrated cookbook. The stories were engaging and the recipe illustrations were very helpful.

Maybe this was just an issue with the online version, but the text was a bit thick.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes.

What a fun cookbook!

I've never read a comic cookbook before but this was right up my alley since I love to eat and learning historical facts.

The author introduces recipes from her childhood, the heartwarming ones her grandmother made for her as a child and we're lucky she's shared them with readers.

The illustrations of the step-by-step instructions are useful, as well as the visual storytelling of the legends and stories behind how the dishes got their amusing names are fun to read!

The author includes a full meal of dishes including appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Some of them are straight forward to make and some are more labor intensive but they're worth it!

My only caveat is I wished there was a real photo of the final dish so I know what it looks like.

I eat with my eyes, too!

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall will make a great gift for nearly everyone; children and adults learning to cook classic Chinese dishes, people interested in the history of cooking, foodies and lovers of comics and manga.

This will really appeal to a wide range of ages and people!

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookbooks don't get more interesting than this. As the title suggests, the author selected dishes that have colorful names (and often histories or folklore to match) and presents lessons in culinary history as well as teaching the reader how to make each dish. The graphic novel format conveys these stories compactly and with a bit of added liveliness. The graphic novel approach is also used to "demonstrate" the preparation process -- in lieu of photographs.

In addition to the twenty-six recipes (5 appetizers, 16 main course, and 5 desserts,) the book has five appendices and some front matter to both help readers who are entirely new to Chinese cooking as well as those who'd like a bit more depth of culinary cultural insight. (I should point out that the book looks at Chinese food broadly, including items like Chop Suey and Fortune Cookies that developed outside of China, and either don't exist within China or have subsequently been introduced from foreign lands.)

If you are interested in learning to cook Chinese food, or are interested in Chinese culinary history and culture, I'd highly recommend this book.

[Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comic book format cookbook with a nicely drawn folktale and recipe for each food. Storytelling and food is inherently tied together when it comes to appreciating one’s culture, and this book ties it all together nicely. Each step in the recipe is illustrated - what a labor of love!

This is a light and fun read for anyone who is interested in Chinese cooking or learn about the meaning behind some interesting food names, and the recipes seem delicious and approachable too. The author draws from her memories of food and her Nai Nai and family and growing up in Wuhan. I especially like the tea egg recipe and story - it’s simple and sweet!

Special thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

[Katie Mata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This recipe book is like none I've ever read before! It includes the recipe and pictures to follow (drawn), as well as the story of how that dish came about as well as the author's personal experiences growing up.

It was delightful to read and so easy to follow along. The graphics throughout were super cute. I also appreciated the instructions on an easy way to use chop sticks as well as where to source and buy certain ingredients.

For the recipes itself, they seem really easy to follow and include some possible changes if so desired. I have a few recipes that I'll like to attempt and will come and edit my review afterwards.

NetGalley and Chronicle Books provided me with a free version of this ebook for my honest review - thank you!

[Kristina Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun cookbook - different from any I have ever read. Buddha Jumps Over the Wall tells the background story of how each dish got its unique name. After each dish is explained in a fun, graphic novel format, the recipe follows in both traditional written and graphic form. I'm more of a visual person, so I loved the pictures that accompanied the recipes. The cookbook ends with a few other tidbits like chopstick etiquette and tea ceremony etiquette. The drawings were bright and engaging and I can't wait to try a few of the recipes. If you love Chinese food, you will enjoy this cookbook.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this eARC!

[Pao Vilchis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions are my own and this did not affect my review in any way.

I received a copy of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for review and, even though I’m not a cook by any means, I was genuinely excited to give this graphic novel cookbook a try. The concept of blending storytelling, culture, and food in a visual format really appealed to me—and I’m happy to say that the reading experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

This book explores the unique and often whimsical names of traditional Chinese dishes through a combination of folklore, personal storytelling, and 26 easy-to-follow recipes. It’s structured as a graphic novel, which makes it not only informative but also visually engaging and fun. Whether you're a comic lover, a foodie, or someone curious about Chinese culture, this book offers something to enjoy.

I gave it 4 stars. One of the standout elements is the illustration style—it’s vibrant, expressive, and full of personality. The art really brings the stories and dishes to life, making the reading experience feel rich and immersive. I also learned so much about Chinese culture, from the historical roots of certain dishes to the stories behind their names. The inclusion of personal anecdotes made it feel like I was sitting down with someone who was sharing memories and tradition, not just recipes.

Although I haven’t tried cooking any of the recipes yet, they look amazing, and the instructions seem very clear—almost too easy, which might be a great thing for someone like me who doesn’t have a lot of experience in the kitchen. I appreciated that the recipes were presented in a way that made them feel accessible, not intimidating, even if you’re unfamiliar with the ingredients or techniques.

In conclusion, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is a delightful, informative, and visually stunning cookbook-meets-graphic-novel. It’s a creative celebration of food and culture that manages to be both entertaining and educational. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves graphic novels, enjoys learning about other cultures, or wants to explore cooking in a fresh and approachable way. I’m excited to eventually try some of the recipes myself—and maybe prove I can cook a little, after all.

[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUDDHA JUMPS OVER THE WALL AND OTHER CURIOUSLY NAMED CLASSIC CHINESE DISHES is my first graphic cookbook and the most interesting thing I've read.

"Every cuisine tells a story." Compestine delves into the food culture by dissecting, in an engaging way, the names of iconic Chinese dishes, both traditional and modern ones (some funny ones - 'Husband and wife lung slices'; 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'; 'Ants climbing a tree') . From the connection with a popular legend to association with a historical event/figure, the culinary history is delivered with a delicious sense of humor. The tales easily held my attention, accompanied by easy-to-follow recipes that made me want to try all the dishes.

Growing up in Wuhan, China, the book incorporates a more personal touch by interweaving the author's own experiences. In addition, the author also details some etiquette rules for eating, tea-drinking and using chopsticks, which I learned some interesting facts.

With intuitive illustrations, this graphic cookbook is an ubiquitous treat for any foodie or those wanting to read more about the history of Chinese cuisine. I had so much fun reading this book!

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Chronicle books . All opinions are my own ]

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun sort of cookbook. It covers all the oddly named Chinese dishes, with stories behind the names, as well as how to make the dishes, step by step.
The book covers appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. The author talks either about the history of the dish, or her personal history with the dish, such as Ants Climbing a Tree (it is not made with ants), Old Pockmarked Lady’s Mapo Tofu and Stir-Fried Rooster Eggs with Tomatoes.


The stories are funny. The instructions go step by step, and all the ingredients are listed plainly. The author explains that when she was growing up during the Cultural Revolution, meat was rationed, so some of these dishes use very little meat, such as the Ants Climbing a Tree, where the meat is cut into very tiny bites, almost the size of ants.


A most enjoyable book to not only cook with, but also to learn about the strange names of dishes, and how to make them.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on March 4th, 2025.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unique! This book is part cookbook, part Chinese cooking history, and part graphic novel. On the outset, it might sound a bit disjointed, but the whole thing worked surprisingly well.

I absolutely adored the stories that preceded each recipe. It was a completely different way to be inspired. Whereas most cookbooks rely on pictures to inspire cooks to try a recipe, this one relies on the history and the stories surrounding the dish. While I will never begrudge a good picture, I found the stories to be an exciting medium for inspiration.

And then there are the recipes themselves. They are appetizing classics that range from beginner level to more advanced, making this book accessible to cooks of all skill levels.

There is so much to learn and so much inspiration to be had from this fun graphic novel.

[Julesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read another novel which tells stories about how some of those Chinese dishes got those crazy names, such as the book’s title Buddha Jumps Over a Wall. Full of historical fact or fiction, it makes for a great graphic novel which also includes endearing illustrations to accompany the stories. To add even more flavor (get the pun there?) recipes are included for each dish.

Mind you, I am a Chinese-American and have been to many authentic Chinese restaurants, including those in mainland China and Hong Kong. I have to say that I have not seen many of these dishes with the odd names on the menu. The recipes were rather long and complicated and require quite a menagerie of sauces and ingredients, so being a lazy cook, I think I will just stick with my favorite dishes at Chinese restaurants.

Be forewarned, your mouth will definitely be savoring those tasty dishes. I sure do miss my grandmother’s Cantonese cooking!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

'm a foodie. Whenever I spot a book about food, particularly one that tells the story behind a recipe or dish, I'm in! This book (released March 2025) is SO unique and just cool, that I couldn't wait to buy it for my collection. BUDDHA JUMPS OVER THE WALL is a graphic novel cookbook that makes exploring Chinese cuisine engaging and fun because there are easy-to-follow visual instructions and a folktale, personal story, or historical event tied to each recipe. The stories are engaging, the recipes are easy to follow, and the art is superb. This book would make a great gift for the foodie in your life, and I could see young people (it's for all ages, but maybe ages 9-10+) wanting to make some of the recipes - with adult supervision :) :). Bonus points for ingredients that are easy to find at local grocery stores and for manga-esque vibe of the book.

[Anastey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Chronicle Books, and Ying Chang Compestine for sending me this advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a really fun cookbook! The stories were great, and the recipes were authentic. The instructions were easy to follow with nicely drawn pictures to show the steps. The artwork was bright and cheerful too.

Some of the ingredients could be harder to find if you don't live near an Asian grocery store, but most of them can be bought online.


My only complaint is that the text in the comics, and the cooking directions were incredibly difficult to read because of the blurred font in the ARC version I received. I hope this is corrected in the final version.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is cute, very much in the style of Let's Make Dumplings!: A Comic Book Cookbook and friends. The recipes all look very reasonable and I didn't find any ingredients that would be impossible to find in my small town.

The stories seem maybe oversimplified for an adult audience? They also frequently specified names for people and I kept getting distracted, wondering if that was made up or what records were used.

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing a digital ARC I received for free via Netgalley.

A visually appealing and informative cookbook; it makes for an enjoyable read even if one does not intend to make the recipes. The author skillfully blends Chinese legend, personal family history, and the history of China itself to explain the names and origin of a variety of classic Chinese dishes. The art style is colorful and stylized without feeling overly cartoon-y. Would definitely appeal to teen readers, though certainly a fun read for adults as well.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a wonderful graphic cookbook, combining Chinese folklore, recipes, and graphic novel in one delightful volume. Including appetizers, mains, and desserts, this book provides a story about how each recipe got its name as well as a visual, step-by-step preparation instructions. If only all cookbooks would come like this! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese cuisine, history, or enjoys graphic novels.

[Alexis Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book.

What an absolute delight this book was! The author's recollections of the stories told to them by their family members about the different dishes along with simple recipes with ingredients and instructions made this book both enjoyable and easy to read. The illustrations are fun and cheerful and I would absolutely recommend this book.

[Sophy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic cookbook! Each dish comes with a little story or background, allowing you to learn about the history of the food before diving into the recipe. It’s such a fun way to not only learn how to cook but also gain a deeper appreciation for the dishes and their cultural significance.

The art in this book is absolutely beautiful—it complements the stories perfectly and makes the food look incredibly delicious. A must-have for anyone who loves cooking and storytelling combined!

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read! I enjoyed the stories behind the names and have made a list of recipes to try. The Lion’s Head Meatballs are good as well as the Dan Dan noodles
After watching the Culinary Wars on Netflix, I’m super curious to try Dongpo pork and Mapo Tofu. Green Tea eggs , Milk custard, and Rock sugar pear are also on the list.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carolina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes is a cute and charming read with fun little insights into the stories behind classic Chinese dish names. That said, it felt a bit short—I would’ve loved more depth or extra entries. Also, this seems like the kind of book that would be way better as a physical copy. It just doesn’t read as well online. Still, a fun one for food lovers!

[Corine Borowiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, what a delightful cookbook! I read it from front to back as soon as I received my "win" from Goodreads. The stories are enchanting, so first it is a little bit of Chinese history, then second read thru you pick out which recipes you want to try first. It has graphic step by step directions which gives you the confidence that you can make each of the dishes. There are some etiquette tips included too. If you want to try your hand at Chinese cooking, this book is for you!!!

[Reba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddha Jumps Over The Wall is a very cute and informative cookbook that ties together anicent history and mythology along with the more modern recollections of life in communist China. The illustrations are soft and relaxing yet still make me hungry. I would definitely be proud to add this to my graphic cookbook collection.

[Kaitlyn (ktxx22) Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fabulous cookbook! Especially for adventurous cooks as well as folks who love a step by step photo process(its graphic illustrations in this) I loved this! I also love to cook and enjoy challenging myself in the kitchen this is a book I’ll look for at the stores and one I’ll recommend to folks widely. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful book! It combines the history and etymology of Chinese dishes, such as Beggar's Chicken, with recipes for the dishes. Everything is illustrated beautifully. The recipes themselves are relatively easy, but I find the combination of history with them to be the most fascinating part. It's definitely worth a read if you like to know the story behind a dish.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be the future of cookbooks! It is engaging, informative, and funny, especially for noncooking individuals. What a delight! This should be developed into a short anime as soon as possible. Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a review copy.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cookbook with stories about each recipe. The recipes looked just okay to me and I felt some of the stories were forced. But if I was going to China, I'd want to read this book in advance.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Annotated recipes are always fun!

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read! I liked how each story told how the recipe came to be and the drawings were great as well. It felt like I was reading a manga. I can’t wait to try these recipes.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is a creative graphic novel cookbook with anecdotes about how the dishes presented were named. These stories are followed by detailed steps for recreating the recipe and other fun tidbits. It's clever, unique, and entertaining.