Join Julia for a captivating interview with Siobhan McDermott, author of the enchanting middle-grade fantasy series, Paper Dragons. We dive deep into the wellspring of her creativity: the rich tapestry of her dual Irish-Chinese heritage. Siobhan shares how the myths and legends told by her parents not only shaped her childhood, but also built the very foundations of her magical worlds.

In this episode, Siobhan traces her writing journey from its earliest spark, recalling how her imagination first took flight during the regular ferry trips from Lantau Island to Hong Kong. She opens up about her creative process, the profound influence of cultural stories, and her powerful message that it is never too late to become a writer.

Whether you're a writer seeking inspiration, a lover of myths, or someone fascinated by the beautiful collision of cultures, this conversation is filled with warmth, wisdom, and a tangible sense of magic.

Find Siobhan McDermott on Instagram @siobhanmcd91 and on her website.

Want to explore more works by Hong Kong writers? Subscribe to Hong Kong Lit Club wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Instagram @hongkonglitclub and Threads.

A follow-up to Episode #7, this is our most personal episode yet. It’s not an interview; it’s a kitchen recording. Inspired by her previous conversation with James Beard-nominated author Christine Wong, our host, Julia — a Frenchwoman living in Hong Kong — decides to put the celebrated cookbook The Vibrant Hong Kong Table to the ultimate test.

Armed with two of Christine’s iconic veganised recipes (“Jing Seui Daan” steamed eggs, with no eggs, and “Yu Heung Ke Ji” fish-fragrant eggplant — with no fish!), she embarks on a culinary experiment that becomes a beautiful family affair. Joining her is her valiant mother-in-law, Mama, a brilliant Cantonese cook who navigates the kitchen with awe-inspiring skill despite being visually impaired, and Archie, their patient and gifted domestic helper.

What follows is an amusing, heartfelt, and sometimes chaotic odyssey. Listen in as three women, bridging generations and cultures, communicate across a whirlwind of Cantonese, English, and later, French (when a toddler returns from playgroup). It’s a story about more than just recipes — it’s about translation in every sense, the joy of collaborative creation, and what happens when you try to reinvent a home kitchen, one vegan dish at a time.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• The sizzle, the steam, and the very real sounds of a home kitchen experiment.
• The challenge (and comedy) of cooking from a recipe that redefines classics, guided only by Christine Wong’s book.
• Mama’s incredible expertise and intuition, challenging the notion of disability in the kitchen.
• Archie’s graceful support, acting as photographer, translator, and calm centre.
• The linguistic tango of coordinating in Cantonese, English, and French.
• The final, hopeful taste test of our plant-based creations.

Featured Cookbook & Recipes:

• Cookbook: The Vibrant Hong Kong Table: 88 iconic dishes from dim sum to late-night snacks by Christine Wong (Chronicle Books). A James Beard Award-nominated cookbook that lovingly veganises 88 iconic Hong Kong dishes.
• Recipes Attempted:
  1. Jing Seui Daan 蒸水蛋 (Steamed “Eggs”): The ultimate comfort food custard, made without a single egg.
  2. Yu Heung Ke Ji 魚香茄子 (“Fish Fragrant” Eggplant): The iconic, savoury-sweet sauce clinging to soft eggplant, with zero fish.

Listen to the Inspiration: Want to hear the interview that started it all? Check out Episode 7: Macaroni Soup, Minus the Ham: Christine Wong on Reimagining Hong Kong's Iconic Foods, Plant-Based, for the fascinating conversation on heritage, sustainability, and the art of veganising Hong Kong’s food memories.

Where to Find Our Podcast: Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RSS, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Us: Instagram @hongkonglitclub

Support the Show: If this chaotic, heartfelt kitchen journey resonated with you, please leave us a 5-star review.

Guest: Christine Wong – James Beard Award-nominated author, plant-based cook, food photographer, and sustainability advocate.

In this episode, we chat with Christine Wong in a bustling Hong Kong cha chaan teng about her culinary journey, the art of veganizing iconic comfort foods, and how our food choices connect to culture, family, and the planet’s health.

• Key Topics & Discussion Points:
• The Spark of the Journey: How making baby food for her toddlers ignited a path to culinary authorship and plant-based advocacy.
• The Vibrant Hong Kong Table: The story behind her James Beard-nominated cookbook; a mission to preserve culinary nostalgia and disappearing food traditions with a future-forward, plant-based twist.
• The Gutsy Vegan Makeover: The creative challenges of reimagining meat- fish- and dairy-heavy classics like wonton noodle soup, steamed eggs, and beef brisket noodles without relying on processed mock meats. (Spoiler: Cabbage steaks and sweet potato puree are heroes!).
• Nostalgia vs. Innovation: Balancing deep respect for tradition with the desire to innovate, and why visual appeal and "eating with your eyes" are so important in her recipes.Cooking Philosophy & Tips:
  • Beginner-friendly recipes from her book (steamed "egg," sautéed veggies).
  • Essential tools for a small kitchen (steamer rack, long chopsticks, a good pan).
  • The importance of time, planning, and making cooking a communal, family activity.
• Family & Food Memory: The influence of her grandmothers ("Mama"), early food memories of Lunar New Year, and passing on cultural heritage to her children raised in New York.
• The Hong Kong Food Scene: The stark contrast (and surprising harmony) between street food stalls and fine dining, and the growing but gradual shift toward plant-based options in the city.
• Sustainability & Conscious Cooking: How her work, including co-authoring Living Without Plastic, ties together personal health, cultural representation, and eco-friendly kitchen choices.

Resources & Links:

• Christine's New Cookbook: The Vibrant Hong Kong Table (Chronicle Books)
• Christine's Website: https://www.consciouscooking.studio/copy-of-home
• Follow Christine on Instagram: @thevibrantveggietable and Substack: @thevibrantveggietable

Support the Show: If you enjoy Hong Kong Lit Club, leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with a friend who loves food, culture, or just a great story! Instagram: @hongkonglitclub