Born in Macau then moving to Hong Kong later and eventually the United States at the age of six, celebrated actress Ming-Na Wen spent much of her youth learning about food in her family’s Pittsburgh restaurant, the Chinatown Inn, now a historic landmark and the only remaining establishment from the city’s original Chinatown. As an adult and now an Asian American icon, Ming-Na has appeared in television and films ranging from her breakout starring role in The Joy Luck Club, based on Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, to Karate Kid Legends in 2025. She broke barriers with her seven-year run as Dr. Chen on the Emmy Award–winning NBC series ER and was beloved by a younger generation for voicing the titular role in Disney’s acclaimed Mulan. She went on to be named a Disney Legend thanks to roles such as Agent May on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fennec Shand on the Star Wars franchise shows The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. With hundreds of other roles she’s played over decades, Ming-Na was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. She lives with her husband Eric in Los Angeles, and she is proud that they have raised their two beautiful children, Michaela and Cooper, to be passionate foodies.
Browse Related Books
“Ming-Na and I share many things in common—one being that we always want our work to make people happy. I know that she’ll be making many people happy—and full—with these recipes!”—Jackie Chan
“Ming-Na has been breaking barriers for decades, and doing it with so much heart and soul. With the arrival of Have You Eaten Yet?, she brings that same heart and soul into the kitchen with incredible recipes and heartwarming stories, proving yet again why she is one of my personal heroes.”—Randall Park
“Full of cherished family recipes, Ming-Na Wen’s Have You Eaten Yet? is more than just a cookbook—it's a heartfelt journey about growing up Asian American and the stories that have shaped her life as a restaurant daughter.”—Ken Jeong
“Have You Eaten Yet? is a delicious deep dive into Ming-Na’s unique journey and the profound influence of her family’s culinary heritage. With her magical touch in the kitchen, she has crafted an incredibly heartfelt and entertaining cookbook that will bring your taste buds to new heights!”—Ralph Macchio
“Ming-Na Wen shows us the universal heart of every culture—home-cooked meals with recipes and intimate stories handed down through generations of women. Have You Eaten Yet? is an invitation to experience the meaning of a family’s legacy shaped by secret ingredients, lessons learned, and traditions that deepen over time. The aunties of the Joy Luck Club approve.”—Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club
“I’ve worked with Ming-Na over many years, and this book introduced me to a whole other side of her creativity. We share a love of food and storytelling, and these recipes are presented in a way that combine both. I can’t wait to try them out in the kitchen.”—Jon Favreau
“Huzzah! We no longer have to watch Ming-Na prepare these mouthwatering dishes on Instagram and wonder, “How does she do it? Why does that look so good? What’s her secret?” She has finally graciously agreed to share her family’s incredible recipes with us! If you love to cook, love to eat, or love Ming-Na as much as I do, you’ll need and treasure this book.”—Noah Wyle
“Ming-Na Wen’s Have You Eaten Yet? is a love letter not only to the recipes of an entire generation of immigrant parents but also to the very sacrifices our parents made so that we could enjoy a better life. This is a breathtaking tribute that is savory to the soul and transportive to the culture, and it will make your belly say ‘Sik Fan La!’”—Harry Shum Jr.
“As a restaurant daughter myself, I have watched my parents work tirelessly in the kitchen to provide for our family. Have You Eaten Yet? captures a beautiful snapshot of the Chinese American immigrant experience and all the love that’s infused in our dishes. I can’t wait to share Ming-Na’s recipes with my own family.”—Michelle Kwan, Olympic medalist and former US ambassador to Belize
“Part memoir and part cookbook, Ming-Na Wen’s Have You Eaten Yet? is a deeply moving story of how her family’s Chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh and the tantalizing dishes it served shaped an immigrant girl from China into the American superhero that she became on the screen and in life.”—Lisa Ling, journalist
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
.
Watch your inbox for the Children Bookseller Newsletter
If you would like to receive the Children Bookseller email, please check below. Or visit our preference center to select the newsletter(s) you prefer.
