"What stemmed from a 10-day trip to Hong Kong in 2009 to visit my then-boyfriend blossomed into a love story with Asia. On my first foray into the East, I landed bright-eyed, eager, and entirely clueless. My welcome meal - a dim sum feast - was a revelation. With my now-husband and 10 of his newest friends, we encircled a table piled with dozens of steamer baskets filled with dimpled sweet buns, flaky taro puffs, braised meats, crispy-bottomed dumplings, and more."
"Ignoring my lack of chopsticks experience, I dove in, unsteadily maneuvering a still-steaming bun toward my plate. My finger slipped. And the pastry, in all its custard-filled rotundness, plopped into my teacup, forming a geyser of hot liquid that sprayed those around me. Mortified, I vowed to use chopsticks at every meal until I mastered them. Seventeen years in, it has shaped my sense of self and defined my career as a food journalist."
Sophie Steiner has lived in Shanghai for over a decade and traveled to 50 countries. A 10-day visit to Hong Kong in 2009 sparked a lasting connection with Asia after a revelatory dim sum meal. An awkward chopstick mishap at that meal led her to vow to master chopsticks, a commitment that influenced her identity and career as a food journalist. She recommends Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Chengdu as top gastronomic destinations and favors Osaka's approachable vibe over Tokyo. Bangkok staples she never misses include Pa Nee Kung Chae Nam Pla, Polo Fried Chicken, Talad Noi Crab Fried Rice, and Bún Thịt Nướng at Nguyễn Trung Trực.
Read at Business Insider
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