Homecoming: A Memoir

by Eddie Huang

When Eddie Huang found out Tom Hanks had COVID, he made a split-second decision to cop a flight to Taipei. It was in the thick of the pandemic, before we had much information at all besides to mummify ourselves and cry in a corner of our bedrooms listening to James Blake if we wanted to survive. All Eddie wanted was to get in his room, order room service, and enter a thirty-day dumpling coma—after which, he figured, this whole thing would be over.

Eddie didn't think twice about throwing his social life away when his life was threatened. He’d never really felt at home in the U.S., and he’d always told himself that he’d try Taiwan if America ever became too much—mainly because his father’s best stories had taken place there. At first, he just ate mushroom chocolates, hiked in the mountains, and wrote. But as the rest of the world stayed in lockdown, he started meeting up with other Taiwanese friends he'd made over the years. And it was nice, but it still felt like something was missing in those late-night meetups in the Eastern District.

Then he met Ji Twei Fan, a local rapper who became his best friend in Taiwan and his guide to its upside down. Whether it was taking Eddie to the dark basement of a betel nut shop or a legendary spot for sour cabbage pork hot pot, he was always with Ji Twei Fan. As their friendship deepened, he learned more about the life his dad must have lived, and he finally got the courage to ask his dad what he'd wanted to know all these years: how his life had gone sideways in Taipei.

In this funny, tender, and irreverent true story by the creator of Boogie and Fresh Off the Boat, Eddie Huang explores love, friendship, belonging, food, IBS, and family in his unforgettably singular voice.

Genres: Memoir, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Asian American, Biography

Audible Audio

Published July 14, 2022

About the author

Huang was born in 1982 in Washington, D.C. to immigrant parents from Taiwan. He was raised in Orlando, Florida, where his father managed a successful group of steak and seafood restaurants. Huang identified with African-American culture, especially hip-hop, at a young age. He attended The University of Pittsburgh, Rollins College and graduated with a B.A. He earned a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law.

Not long after graduating from law school, Huang decided for a career change. After being laid off from a New York law firm, Huang worked as a stand-up comic and as a marijuana dealer.

In December 2009, he opened BaoHaus, a Taiwanese bun shop, on the Lower East Side of New York. His straightforward menu consists of pillowy steamed buns filled with a flavorful protein of choice, cilantro, crushed peanuts and Taiwanese red sugar, and sweet bao fries.

He hosted Cheap Bites on the Cooking Channel the end of 2011 and also appeared on several episodes of Unique Eats before leaving the Cooking Channel for Vice where he hosts a recurring segment, also called "Fresh Off the Boat". Also in 2012, Huang was named a 2013 TED Fellow. In 2011 he made the Chow 13 and was voted one of the 101 People You Must Meet in 2011 by Town and County Magazine.

Reviews

[Jonatas da Silva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

Felt like he wrote the first chapter of his memoir, got bored and tired of it, and so decided to publish the chapter as the whole memoir.

Overall. It’s a very forgettable piece. Sounded like my friend telling me about his trip overseas. “Dude. Crazy story. So anyways…”

If you’re looking for a quick listen, with a dash of arrogance, cuss words, and a American view of Taiwan - then look no further.

[Rachel Smalter Hall]

OK so I’m a little biased, but this one makes me laugh, cry, and even get chills when the outro music comes in ❤️ Love Eddie’s honesty and guts - and I’m always here for a genuine exploration of masculinity and male bonding.

[Victoria Pring · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When people give you a piece of themselves they feel ownership over that piece and I was starting to understand that there were repercussions for running away with a piece of them never to be seen again." Now let me preface this review with the fact that I am a white british female, the author mentions a few times that people with Chinese or Taiwanese nationalities may have issues with some of his choices and views, I ofcourse could not possibly speak for this demographic. I can only say what my thoughts were on the book. I found it facinating, it felt like an honest look into a persons life who didn't really feel like he fit anywhere but at the same time showed such confidence in who he was as a person. He embraced his differences and was able to take a step back and see things differently than his peers. His trip to Taiwan showed him that though he didnt always feel privileged that he had far more privilege than others in the country. He also discussed how hard it is when you unconditionally love someone who is not a good person. It was an interesting book that I would reccomend reading, it's only short but I think its worth a read.

[Tommy Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short memoir. At its best, this is a fun and engaging story about the perils of trying to “go home again” when you misidentify what “home” means. Huang tells great stories about the nuances of life in Taiwan as a Taiwanese-American. At its worst this book devolves into humorless ranting about the social ills of modern American life. There are myriad better sources for thoughtful critique of modern America. This book also makes very little of the social ills that Taiwan has, except those caused by “ABCs.” In the end, the author beautifully wraps up his short story by coming back to the truism that home is home, whether you like it or not, and that even if we never felt “at home” or welcome, we might have been.

[Julie Tillman-Amador · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 equally hilarious and heartbreaking stars. A quick listen on Audible, Eddie wrote something heartfelt and relatable. Even for this older (ahem!) white lady; especially when it comes to family that’s hard to love and not necessarily feeling like you fit in growing up. He conveyed this and so much more. Highly recommended.

[Silvia Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded this audiobook because it was short but I was blown away by the accuracy of it all. As an immigrant who grew up in the USA who lives in Florida , I was surprised by Huang’s ability to take thoughts I’ve always had and put them into words. He explains privilege, saviorism, and being a foreigner no matter where you are.

[Stefania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I didn't understand a lot of the references and struggles outlined in this memoir, it resonated with me in a sense of finding home and being able to understand and emphasise with others. I really enjoyed it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowkey crush on Eddie Huang ever since watching Huang’s World. This was such a great and funny listen!!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique perspective on Taiwan from a leading asian american voice, we probably need more of these perspectives to be written. Read by the author.

[Jyotsna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I kept getting bombarded with reels from the TV series, Fresh Off The Boat.

After reading this, I realise that I need to read the memoir with the above name first, and then maybe this was a good follow-up read.

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Tom Hanks got COVID, Huang took off for Taiwan (a country that handled the epidemic of COVID so well that they had nearly zero cases). He speaks about his adventures in Taiwan and learning more about his father & culture.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

:)

[sliceofmini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m quite lost for words with this one , the thing about a meh experience is you just don’t have strong opinions to elaborate on , and this book is just that

[Karena Bakas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really fun to listen to. I want to go look him up now.

[Ally Marov · Rating 3 out of 5]

’That evening, as I sat on my toilet in LA reading my Vox article about Taiwan’s successful COVID response, I made a split second decision to cop a flight to Taipei on the Delta app. Besides, my dad grew up there and I always wondered what it would be like to live in Taiwan like him.’

✨2.75 stars✨

Another short listen to add to my reading goal. The first half kind of dragged on a bit but as soon as he meets and befriends a local rapper, Ji Twen Fan, the phone conversation he has with his father, and the ending where he talks about his culture, it became enjoyable to listen to.

Overall, this is definitely a forgettable listen but upon further research, he’s also the guy who got a TV sitcom series made based off of his other memoir Fresh Off The Boat?! I’m intrigued to check that one out too ☺️🌻✨

[Simon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing. I don't think I can be convinced to like Chinese rap.

[Nicholas Pickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more an essay than a book but I enjoyed it a lot. Good to hear others stories when it comes to Covid.

[Mackenzie Behrle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short story. A few too many mentions of poop though.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself learning a bit about the culture of Taiwan. I had never heard of Eddie Huang before this, and hearing it has made me feel like I have been missing out.

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short and raw.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but falls flat in a few places. Still worth a read.

[Katrina Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of why most people love America, the USA. “Not because it is better. “ Through some wild stories, this book helped me appreciate where I live.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful, well-written story about the author's quest to identify with his ancestry during the onset of COVID-19. It's entertaining and poignant.

[Jacob Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting, funny, and a nice quick read.

[Bella Bolstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

About Eddie moving to Taiwan during the pandemic and exploring his parent’s birth place and how it feels being an Asian American in an Asian country, very interesting.

[Alsie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pollo a la brasa es el mejor del mundo!

[Jillian Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, interesting

[Amy Ingalls]

I liked the ending, and how he realized that home is home, even if you don't neccessarily like it.