Our Story

“Jook sing” is a Cantonese term for a person of Chinese descent growing up in Western culture. It roughly translates to “bamboo”. Bamboo is hollow and segmented - water within doesn’t flow out either end.
A jook sing is not part of either culture, but rather somewhere in between.

I have wrestled with identity ever since elementary school. I wanted to be like the other kids that brought cold sandwiches, fruit roll ups and Capri Suns from home. Mom graciously obliged and supplied me with a nutritious meal in an old insulated steel can. I still remember the stares and murmurs when I opened my vintage lunchbox to rice, black bean riblets, and steamed veggies.

Nowadays, I’m proud of my heritage and my upbringing. Our cuisine is a combination of how we were raised and what we’ve experienced. I hope that we can share a part of us with you.

I grew up on the Southside of Chicago, far enough away from Chinatown where my siblings and I were typically the only Asian kids in our neighborhood, and certainly the only half white half Chinese kids we knew.

While growing up biracial had its challenges, my parents made sure we were proud of who we were, and gave us a home that celebrated that blend of traditions. This shaped who I am, and continues to inspire me today.