Eat Bitter

In her evocative and unyielding exploration, Lydia Pang delves into the Chinese proverb 'Eat bitter,' which translates to enduring difficulties to eventually taste sweetness. This concept resonates deeply with Pang, reflecting the resilience of her Hakka ancestors, who, despite being a persecuted Chinese ethnic minority, developed a rich culinary tradition based on fermentation and foraging. Pang adapts this notion of 'eating bitter' as a personal guide to navigate her own life hurdles such as professional burnout, marital pressures, fertility issues, and parental care. Through a collection of eight meaningful recipes, she weaves together food, memory, and healing. Highlights include the comforting egg noodles her father made during her sister’s sickness, the nourishing bone broth she turned to while feeling lonely in New York, and the homegrown courgettes in rural Wales representing familial ties. "Eat Bitter" serves as a brave and insightful journey through food and emotions, appealing to readers who appreciate works like "Crying in H Mart," "Butter," and "Midnight Chicken."