Preface to the Korean Edition 6
Author's Note 8
Prologue 12

Chapter 1: Unfamiliarity 16
Chapter 2: Obscurity 44
Chapter 3: Avidity 62
Chapter 4 Antipathy 88
Chapter 5 Adaptability 120
Chapter 6 Consistency 140
Chapter 7: Gluttony 164
Chapter 8 Entirety 180
Chapter 9: Perplexity 206
Chapter 10 Clarity 242
Chapter 11 Proficiency 268

Acknowledgments 294
Glossary and Basic Recipes 296
Recipe Index 310

Literature, structure, and rhythm of the senses

This book is a memoir, a travelogue, and a sketchbook filled with breathing recipes.
The author personally draws illustrations to visually complete his own story.
From the small streets of the city, to the unfamiliar and cramped kitchen, to the handful of spices handed down by a Chinese chef, the temperature of the senses is melted into the tip of her brush.
It is not a simple picture, but a structure in which sentences and images resonate.


Carolyn Phillips doesn't understand Chinese cuisine as just a "recipe."
Her gaze penetrates the traditional context surrounding the roots of the ingredients.
The 22 recipes in this book are not just a collection of recipes; they also convey the region and season where each dish originated, as well as the cooking philosophy.
From the springy dough of Northern-style steamed buns, the tingling spiciness of Sichuan-style mala sauce, to the delicate aroma of Cantonese-style steamed buns.
She shows how the food that comes from our fingertips connects to the story of our family, and guides the reader to feel the texture of Chinese culture as they follow the taste.

My Chinese husband and in-laws will be joining me on this journey.
At the dinner table, not only the taste of food was shared, but also family bonds, silence, and subtle glances between generations.
These scenes allow readers to vividly witness how food becomes the 'language of family.'

This family history is not made up of just the kitchen and the dining table.
The turbulent times of modern Chinese history are deeply engraved in the memories of my husband's elders.
The Cultural Revolution, the political upheaval, and the experiences of migration and resettlement on the continent often come up as unexpected topics during casual dinners.
For some, a plate of noodles or a sip of alcohol evokes memories of losing a family member, while for others, it evokes memories of leaving for a strange city in search of survival.
Phillips presents these stories to the reader slowly, as if simmering a soup.
Through this, readers can savor the bitterness and sweetness of history and life that permeate the flavors of Chinese cuisine.

Love and meaning felt by Korean readers

In this book, food goes beyond the realm of "taste" and becomes a medium that initiates conversations between people from different backgrounds.
This book interweaves the meticulous procedures and symbolism of Chinese culinary traditions, the family traditions that pass them on, and the personal stories intertwined within them.
《The Chinese Table》 is a food travelogue, a cultural and ethnographic exploration, and an autobiography of love and memory.

“Food speaks to us, and as we listen to its stories, we step into each other’s worlds” – this is Carolyn Phillips’ ultimate message.
As a chef and illustrator, Phillips's skills give him a keen understanding of the intersection of food, image, and language.
It is a rare experience to experience the history of food, family stories, personal growth, and cultural encounters all in one book.

As the saying goes, “Food speaks to you, and you listen,” this book will quietly melt your heart.
“A story that begins in the kitchen, travels through history, and returns to the dining table.”