full version: https://tammyyu.substack.com/p/530 5⭐️/5⭐️ 原先擔心自己不夠吃貨,也不大會下廚,會不會找不到與本書的共鳴,然而作者洪愛珠小姐寫吃,卻絕非只寫吃,她寫的更是餐食間的生活與情感,使得母愛、親情、時間等抽象概念以食物為載體逐漸具象化。在字裡行間,我彷彿目睹洪愛珠小姐母親在廚房裡的舉手投足、瞥見洪愛珠小姐外婆牽上小孫女的臂膀,穿梭於永樂市場與迪化街購物的背影。作為一個與媽媽親近的少女,我在經歷這些作者與母親、與外婆的回憶片段時,不免萌生一些帶入的共鳴與假設,也因此更懂得欣賞描述深厚關係的樸實文字。在提起對親人的思念時沒有過度鋪張絢麗的辭藻,卻從「母後」一詞的使用與各種記憶中的好味道表達出最沉、最滿的愛。讀著三代女人從廚房與飯桌,到市場與街巷的那些記憶,我也同時見證了女性在時代洪流中不變的堅毅、柔軟與成長。
The book recounts the author’s experiences living in places like Taiwan and Thailand in a classic, reflective manner. Both the author and her mother exhibit a profound dedication to cooking—a meticulousness deeply reminiscent of the culinary traditions of Chaoshan, Guangdong. The author pays careful attention to selecting ingredients and often turns to the methods her mother taught her in pursuit of authentic flavors.
Her writing about congee, noodles, tea, fish balls, and pineapple cakes is deeply felt; it reads not only as personal memory but almost like a local chronicle. The final section of the book is particularly moving: the author’s mother passed away shortly after they traveled together to Thailand to visit long-lost relatives. During that trip, they explored the distinct qualities of Southeast Asian cuisine together. They brought back a simple wrought-iron pot from Thailand, still carrying the scent of local spices—a tangible memory of their time together.
Later, the author spent time in Singapore and Malaysia, where she mentions iconic ingredients like pandan leaf, which century-old coffee shops transform into exquisite snacks, often served with coconut milk or cream—each bite full of character. She also writes about char kway teow, which brought back memories of my own trip to Singapore—it’s everywhere in the hawker centres, something you could easily enjoy every day.
What lingers most is the sadness that follows these rich descriptions: not long after leaving Southeast Asia, the author’s mother passed away. These memories drift slowly like the large fans hanging from the ceilings of coffee shops—lingering, swaying, leaving an ache of emptiness and longing. Much like my own experience after leaving the region, a deep sense of melancholy remains.
How much one dedicated for food reflect for one's taste, in a small business family, her grandma cook for all the family and employees, so all the memories and stories goes on