Member Reviews

The most unusual cookbook I've ever read (in graphic comic book form!) with fantabulous illustrations with easy-to-follow recipes for delicious Chinese food. A perfect gift for the cooks in your life and for you, because you MUST have a copy for yourself!

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I'm a sucker for an illustrated cookbook, and this one was great. I loved that it told the origins of the names, and also provided great details on cooking them.

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I love this book! This is such a fun, informative story and cookbook. This would make a great family activity, to read the history and then cook the dish together.

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Loved the departure from the standard cookbook. The animated history of the dish and instructions was a really nice touch.

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Buddha Jumps over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes is the most interesting cookbook I have ever read.
Written in story form, beautifully designed, with colorful illustrations on every page and delicious, easy-to-prepare traditional recipes, this book is a must read for cooks of any level who are interested in both the dish and its history.
As a half-Chinese, I have obviously tried some of these dishes, but I had never before learned the origins of their curious names.
It also contains a helpful guide to tea-time etiquette and the use of chopsticks, among other topics.
For all these reasons, I thank the author for writing this work and sharing it with all of us.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

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It's a is a cute and charming read, offering delightful insights into the history behind classic Chinese dish names. However, it feels somewhat short—I would have loved more depth or additional entries. Also, this seems like a book that would shine more in a physical format rather than a digital one, as the reading experience didn’t translate as well online.

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I picked this up on a whim, but I adored this and wish I had a copy when I was a child. Very informative, but incredibly accessible--the step-by-step illustrations are not only helpful for adults, but would be a great way to engage children in cooking these dishes. Will absolutely be purchasing a copy; thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the early review copy :)

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This book is a summary of stories that the author heard as she was young about various dishes her mother made. They are illustrated in a comic book style that is very cute. This compilation also includes the recipes and drawings showing how the recipes are made.

While there are a lot of recipes, I only found a handful of interest to me; on the other hand, the coverage is good for someone who does not already have their own recipes. I tried a recipe that I already had from my own mother and other sources and it turned out well. The stories are good but may differ from stories that one may have heard from one’s own parents or even can find in the literature. (For example, Amy Tan wrote a children’s novel covering the moon lady and moon festival.) Still, the book is entertaining and well-written.

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I loved the artwork. It really complemented the narrative and added another layer of depth to the overall experience. The attention to detail was evident, and it enhanced my connection with the material. I appreciated the author's stories to accompany the art. One small note I wanted to mention is that I found the font slightly challenging to read at times.

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I really enjoyed this very cute, illustrated cookbook! The art style is cozy and the recipes look delicious. The only issue I have is that the text is a bit too thick, which makes it hard to read.

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"Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes" by Ying Chang Compestine is a fun new way to share recipes and the stories behind them!

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Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a wonderful graphic cookbook, combining Chinese folklore, recipes, and graphic novel in one delightful volume. Including appetizers, mains, and desserts, this book provides a story about how each recipe got its name as well as a visual, step-by-step preparation instructions. If only all cookbooks would come like this! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese cuisine, history, or enjoys graphic novels.

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This is how I wish all "modern" cookbooks would be presented. Provide interesting and relevant background information (pertaining to the dish) with great illustrations. Provide the recipe with easy to follow step-by-step instructions with graphics and an image of what the final dish should look like. I need a hard copy of this cookbook to add to my library. Chef's kiss!

Ying Chang Compestine presented these 26 dishes in the perfect format and they are easy to understand and the ingredients are easy to find. Well if you have an Asian grocery store in your area or an online service that delivers to your zipcode. The way the recipes are presented makes it easy to identify substitutions for hard to find items. Appetizer, main course and dessert right at my fingertips. She has demystified these Chinese dishes in a fun and cute way. The accompanying stories were very interesting.

All opinions are my own. I received an advanced digital copy of “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes" from the author, Chronicle Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a cute read! I enjoyed the stories behind the names and have made a list of recipes to try. The Lion’s Head Meatballs are good as well as the Dan Dan noodles
After watching the Culinary Wars on Netflix, I’m super curious to try Dongpo pork and Mapo Tofu. Green Tea eggs , Milk custard, and Rock sugar pear are also on the list.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I’ve never read a graphic cookbook, so reading Ying Chang Compestine’s“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes,” was really interesting and enjoyable. I love Chinese cuisine and have read several cookbooks but have never read one so vividly illustrated and, to be completely honest, enthralling. With the translated names of recipes like Beggar’s Chicken, Ants Climbing a Tree, Old Pockmarked Lady’s Mapo Tofu, and Empress Lu Zhi’s Beauty Soup how can anyone not be drawn to this book?

This cookbook looks at a number of different regional cuisines in China, and also discusses etiquette rules for eating, drinking, and using chopsticks. Chang Compestine’s tips on making and using “training chopsticks” was particularly useful.

This book was illustrated by Vivian Truong who did a fantastic job. For example, when illustrating the story for Husband and Wife Lung Slices, the illustrator even ensured that the men’s hair—shaved bald on the top with a long braided pony tail on the back of the head that was required by Qing Dynasry law at the time—was historically accurate.

Unfortunately, the illustrator’s focus on historical accuracy seems to have evaded the author at times. For example, while telling the story for the recipe Ants Climbing a Tree. This story allegedly took place during the Yuan Dynasty (1272-1368) and the story included a reference to bird’s eye peppers. However, peppers didn’t exist in China during this era as peppers originated in the New World. Strangely, while peppers appear in the story, they don’t appear on the recipe page.

Another story, “The Youngest Prime Minister” discusses how a young boy in 475 BC made a dish using orange and red tomatoes, and King Qin rewarded the boy and also made the tomatoes and egg recipe his “signature dish.” Like peppers, tomatoes are indigenous to the Americas, so they didn’t exist in China during this era. While stories are naturally embellished over time, I was hoping for historical tales.

Chang Compestine grew up in Wuhan, China during the Cultural Revolution, and I love the fact that she included not just ancient cuisine-related tales, but also newer ones, such as those she told for Mongolian Beef, Chop Suey, and Rock Sugar Pears.

This graphic cookbook, overall, is fantastic and one that I definitely recommend to anyone interested in the history of cuisine, Asian food fanatics, and anyone who loves Chinese food.

I received an ARC of “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes,” by Ying Chang Compestine from NetGalley and Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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This wonderful little cookbook is informative as can all be, and I loved reading about the tales behind several different dishes I've eaten over the years. Also enjoyable were the accompanying recipes attached to each little section, complete with an illustrated step by step guide on how to prepare them. But also, on top of it all, the artwork is wonderfully cute as well. "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" is just a joy all-around!

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The first thing that caught my eye when picking up Ying Chang Compestine's cookbook was its unique title: "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Other Curiously Named Chinese Dishes." The second was its unique premise. A "graphic novel" cookbook that is part cookbook, part history lesson, part memoir, and part introduction to Chinese culture sounded so interesting that I simply had to read it. I was absolutely not disappointed.

This book is a wonderful read, even beyond its recipes. Compestine's memories of her Nai Nai and her childhood during the Cultural Revolution in China when paired with the tales that inspired these recipes elevate the book. If you've ever been to a family gathering where the stars of the event are the main courses on display at the dining table, you will enjoy this graphic novel. Food is at the heart of so many social moments; it is a connection to your culture and your history, be it traditional dishes or inherited "family recipes." This novel celebrates this and allows you to experience these dishes as more than a list of ingredients.

The illustrations are very well done, and I appreciated that the instructions for these recipes were graphically depicted. For a first-time cook, being able to visualize the exact order and sequence makes it so much easier to follow along with the recipes. It was also very welcome to see a cookbook that incorporated not just traditional Chinese dishes, but also American Chinese inventions (such as Chop Suey and the fortune cookie) as well as the author's own / family recipes. Moreover, the brief primer on Chinese ingredients and using chopsticks would be particularly helpful for beginners to Chinese cuisine.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this and saw it as not just a cookbook but a delightful foray into China's rich culinary culture. In fact, I plan to purchase this book for my own collection as soon as it becomes available!

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So unique! This book is part cookbook, part Chinese cooking history, and part graphic novel. On the outset, it might sound a bit disjointed, but the whole thing worked surprisingly well.

I absolutely adored the stories that preceded each recipe. It was a completely different way to be inspired. Whereas most cookbooks rely on pictures to inspire cooks to try a recipe, this one relies on the history and the stories surrounding the dish. While I will never begrudge a good picture, I found the stories to be an exciting medium for inspiration.

And then there are the recipes themselves. They are appetizing classics that range from beginner level to more advanced, making this book accessible to cooks of all skill levels.

There is so much to learn and so much inspiration to be had from the fun graphic novel.

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A comic book format cookbook with a nicely drawn folktale and recipe for each food. Storytelling and food is inherently tied together when it comes to appreciating one’s culture, and this book ties it all together nicely. Each step in the recipe is illustrated - what a labor of love!

This is a light and fun read for anyone who is interested in Chinese cooking or learn about the meaning behind some interesting food names, and the recipes seem delicious and approachable too. The author draws from her memories of food and her Nai Nai and family and growing up in Wuhan. I especially like the tea egg recipe and story - it’s simple and sweet!

Special thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

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Ever thought a cookbook could be your next graphic novel obsession? Well, brace yourself, because it soon will be, on precisely March 4th — its release date. This isn't just for those with an interest in Chinese cuisine and culture; if you love cooking or are enchanted by graphic novels, this book is destined to become your new best friend.

I've explored countless cookbooks, but this one stands out as a top contender. It's not merely in my top 10; it's the most vibrant, quirky, and engaging cookbook I've ever come across. The idea of a graphic novel cookbook aimed at adults is nothing short of genius. You don't have to plan on cooking to enjoy this; it's a sheer delight to read, much like flipping through a captivating comic book.

The recipes are a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Imagine preparing Mango and Lobster Spring Rolls or perfecting Tea Eggs and Moon Cakes. The dish names alone are a source of amusement read: "Ignored by Doggy Buns," "Ants Climbing a Tree," "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," and who wouldn’t love "Old Pockmarked Lady’s Mapo Tofu?”

For parents eager to spark culinary interest in their children, this book is a treasure. The illustrations aren't just charming; they're mesmerizing, transforming each page into a visual banquet. It doesn't just inform; it captivates, enriching your knowledge with every page turn. On a word — FABULOUS!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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