Victor Sen Yung's Great Wok Cookbook - from Hop Sing, the Chinese Cook in the Bonanza TV Series

First-off, understanding this cookbook is a cultural icon rescued from a hidden storeroom of a vintage Los Angeles bookstore buried in the Northridge earthquake. The "Real" , "Authentic, family friend cookbook from before those descriptors were commodifried, letting us in on what California dinner parties at a friend's home were like when the kitchen was staffed by Bonanza celebrities with Sam Wo credentials. Recipes and culinary history that you hear being said as in conversation rather than read on a page. Starting on page 46 with Rice Congee is as great a spot as any, then continues with egg rolls and won ton on page 47. Right away its like getting basic cookery lessons from your own chinese nana, and if you want to relive what that chldhood might have been like pages 11-46 introduce Chinese food, food prep and utensils. Its like reading the shooting script for a lost episode of the Twilight Zone or Star Trek, hosted by Chinatown SF's incarnation of Fred Rogers. Any failings or crticisms, you ask? OK, there are two columns filling an entire page of pork recipes in the index, but not one duck recipe. ("Wah!!")

Was delighted to find that the book had been autographed by Victor Sen Yung himself. This was not mentioned in the description so was a nice surprise.

I *LOVE* this book! As an American born person of Chinese descent AND as a former professional performer, I often look to the trailblazers, those who came before me, like Victor Sen Yung. His life story is incredible - an accomplished, educated man, who paved the way for later generations of Asian-Americans in the performing arts. We still have a long way to go from the standard chop-suey roles of the past, but we're getting there. My mother (for whom I bought this book as a gift) was thrilled to read through it, and she said that many of the recipes were dishes that she grew up on. The recipes are clearly written and list American ingredients that can substitute for the more exotic, possibly less available Chinese ones. However, in our modern world, it's not difficult any more to find most Asian ingrediets. We consider this book to be a collector's item - it is a part of our heritage both as Chinese and as Americans. Yes, Hop Sing was a stereotype, but while all those minority stereotypes were "knowin' nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies," they were making the road a little easier for the rest of us.

Victor Yung was Charlie Chan's #2 son in his movies. Then later he played the cook on Bonanza TV show. Did a great job acting and I am a fan. When I learned he had a cook book...I had to have it. I am going through it now.

even though this was published in 1974, it provides easy methods to create fantastic Chinese meals. never knew the proper method to create wonderful, tasty stir-fried vegetable was so easy. (never knew 'Hop Sing' was actually an accomplished cook either - shame he was always cooking Western meals for the Cartwrights instead of some healthier Chinese meals for them once in a while).Love it!

Excellent vintage cookbook for Chinese food The best chicken curry recipe in the worldthe recipes are easy to follow with great results it’s been fun trying all the recipes family loves them allA must have for beginners & food lovers

This is Hop Sings book he was the houseboy in Bonanza. Receipes in this book are good and easy to prepare.

It's a pretty good cookbook!

Alles OK