Once I ask influencer chef Jon Kung to call the acquisition they remorse most, there isn’t any deliberation. “In my early twenties, I purchased this used SMEG fridge,” the 42-year-old Chinese language American TikTok creator tells me. “It is obtained this giant British flag on it, and I nonetheless have it. I’ve caught Intercourse Pistols, Ozzy Osbourne, and Spice Ladies stickers on the edges to attempt to make it a bit of higher.”
It is change into a dialog piece on the dinner events Kung hosts at residence. Each vacation season, Kung whips up their Chinese language takeout feast; it is a seven-course unfold that maps their upbringing throughout Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Detroit—mapo tofu, pumpkin and lotus root curry, superior inventory wonton noodle soup, crab rangoons, Balinese crab fried rice, mushroom lo mein, and, for the grand finale, Cantonese roast duck with cherry duck sauce. And, clearly, dessert.
That layered, third-culture palate is strictly what has made Kung probably the most compelling meals personalities of his era, with over 2 million on-line followers. (Additionally they printed a cookbook, Kung Food, with over 100 recipes.) Whether or not they’re demystifying global ingredients for a Western viewers or sharing meal prep tips, Kung’s perspective stays the identical: good meals ought to really feel like residence.
I caught up with Jon Kung over Zoom to speak about their favourite cooking methods and kitchen gear.
Wash Your Rice
Once I ask Kung what they want they’d that doesn’t exist already, they don’t hesitate: “A rice cooker that additionally washes your rice.”
“It’s so vital to scrub your rice, particularly in the event you’re making Asian rice. Italians don’t wash their rice as a result of they want that starch for risotto, however in nearly some other tradition, it’s a must to wash your rice. Additionally, I don’t suppose individuals know there are bug eggs in rice. They’re referred to as rice weevils, and except you’re shopping for that tremendous costly prewashed rice, there are many bugs in rice.”
For now, you will want to scrub your rice by hand, however in the event you want a rice cooker, King likes the same Japanese rice cookers the WIRED Reviews team swears by: “Zojirushi rice cookers are unbelievable, particularly those which have stress choices, as a result of they maintain rice recent for thus lengthy.”
Drip Espresso Accomplished Proper
“I swap between a drip espresso and an Americano after I make it for myself,” says Kung. “I used to do a Chemex pour-over, however lately I switched to the tremendous computerized Terra Kaffe. It’s form of superior.” (Our reviewers additionally really like the Terra Kaffe.)
Skip the Mixture Pans
“Mixture pans—those which might be a combination between nonstick and stainless-steel—simply find yourself being rubbish variations for each jobs,” says Kung. “I might relatively individuals simply get one ceramic nonstick pan and one stainless-steel pan.”
