Sama Sama: Comfort food from my Malaysian-Scottish kitchen

by Julie Lin

'Sama Sama is a book of such charm, it just burrowed its way into my heart.'
NIGELLA LAWSON

‘Food has the power to stir memories, bring people together, transport you to new places, and, most importantly, take you home. Julie captures all of this within these pages. This book is a true joy.’
YOTAM OTTOLENGHI

'If you want to discover the hidden secrets of one of Asia’s great cuisines, there is no better guide than Julie Lin’s mouth-watering book. It is delicious Malaysian comfort food at its best.'
KEN HOM, CBE

'Julie's book is quintessentially her. She is a bright star in the firmament of British cooks. She does what all great chefs have always done in the most magnificent way. She uses her life, her experience and her huge heart to create dishes that warm you from the top of your head right down to the bottom of your toes.'
ANDI OLIVER

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'Season the dish until the ghost of our ancestors tells you to stop!'

In Malay, sama sama (‘same same’) is a way of saying ‘you’re welcome’ to reinforce the idea of togetherness and equality in this everyday exchange. From successful restaurateur and Saturday Kitchen favourite Julie Lin, Sama Sama celebrates all parts of Julie’s identity (Malaysian, Chinese and Scottish) through 90 delicious recipes and heartfelt tales of self-discovery.
Always encouraging simplicity for maximum joy in the kitchen, Julie teaches us to cook with soul, trust our palates and broaden our ideas of authenticity. Enjoy accessible dishes with explosive flavours, such as Chilli Crisp Puttanesca, Steak au Sichuan Poivre and Kaya Croissant-and-Butter Pudding.

Genres: Cookbooks

476 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sama Sama - Same-same, but different

I’ve been a fan of fellow Glaswegian Julie Lin for years, following her journey across Substack and Instagram as well as her many TV appearances, podcasts etc…
Having cooked countless dishes using her recipes over the years, it’s almost hard to believe this is her very first cookbook.
I found myself reading Sama Sama more like a memoir than a cookbook. My favourite chapters: ‘Cook When Nobody’s Watching’ and ‘Learning From The Motherland’. Julie’s writing is captivating and filled with sincerity.

As cliché as it might sound, Sama Sama is so much more than a cookbook — it’s a storytelling journey. Every recipe reflects Julie’s deep connection to her roots, her biggest inspiration being her mum. She lovingly recounts childhood memories of cooking alongside her mother, spending hours in the kitchen with her Amah (grandmother), or wandering through the vibrant street markets and bustling hawker stalls of Melaka, her mother’s hometown.
Her mum’s cooking served as a link to Malaysia, introducing Julie to her rich heritage in a way she could truly understand — through food.
These heartfelt stories, written with immense love and pride for her mother, radiates pure joy. This book is like the warm hug you didn’t know you needed.

Sama Sama features 90 recipes, brimming with unique and mouthwatering ideas. This book has so much more than Malaysian-Scottish themed recipes, you’ll find tastes of India, Italy, Indonesia, Spain and more. I’m so impressed with the sheer breadth of ingredients and creative flavour pairings.

The best cookbook in years, the first I’ve ever felt compelled to review.
Sama Sama, releasing with Ebury Press.

Julie now co owns @gaga in Glasgow (Partick) which celebrates Southeast Asian flavours.