I have read another novel which tells stories about how some of those Chinese dishes got those crazy names, such as the book’s title Buddha Jumps Over a Wall. Full of historical fact or fiction, it makes for a great graphic novel which also includes endearing illustrations to accompany the stories. To add even more flavor (get the pun there?) recipes are included for each dish.

Mind you, I am a Chinese-American and have been to many authentic Chinese restaurants, including those in mainland China and Hong Kong. I have to say that I have not seen many of these dishes with the odd names on the menu. The recipes were rather long and complicated and require quite a menagerie of sauces and ingredients, so being a lazy cook, I think I will just stick with my favorite dishes at Chinese restaurants.

Be forewarned, your mouth will definitely be savoring those tasty dishes. I sure do miss my grandmother’s Cantonese cooking!!

Buddha Jumps Over The Wall is a very cute and informative cookbook that ties together anicent history and mythology along with the more modern recollections of life in communist China. The illustrations are soft and relaxing yet still make me hungry. I would definitely be proud to add this to my graphic cookbook collection.

I really like this illustrated cookbook. It was so fun to learn the stories behind the dishes and to learn how to cook some of my favorite Chinese dishes. The art is fun and cute, and there are lots of different recipes. I also appreciated the information about common ingredients as well as etiquette for chopsticks,tea, and more. Overall this was a really fun book and it made my mouth water thinking about making all these incredible dishes. My only qualm with this book was that the images were a bit blurry. It might be because I read it in the NetGalley app or because it was a proof, but it did make ir difficult to read at times.

Muy buen libro de comida china. Bien redactado y dibujado. Este libro es muy buenos para aquellos que no les gusta un libro de cocina de puras instrucciones, los dibujos ayudan a entender los ingredientes y las historias detrás de los platillos. Definitivamente es un buen libro para todo interesado en la comida china, sea niño o adulto. Es un libro de cocina que te mantiene interesado. No pensé que los libros de cocina pudiesen ser así, esto debe ser el formato de los libros de cocina, fácil de seguir.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

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.

"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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!