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In Roselle Lim’s latest young adult novel “Celestial Banquet,” the way you cook noodles can change your life. The novel begins with 16-year-old Cai, our hot-tempered protagonist who is a young noodle chef in Lu Pong, an impoverished town. Despite living a hard life, she honors her late father’s memories through cooking. However, when the Major Gods host the Celestial Banquet again for the first time in 10 years, contestants from all over the Continent start to assemble their teams. Cai wants a piece of the competition too, especially the highly valuable, enticing reward — the Peaches of Immortality. 

Readers and those who grew up with Asian myths and folklore may find the Peaches of Immortality to be familiar. These are often portrayed as a prize for overcoming a series of dangerous trials and shared among long-lived beings. For Cai, the celestial peaches could change her life. Moreover, they promise to transform the lives of many others in Lu Pong and the surrounding peninsula itself. 

At the same time, noodles, especially Longevity Noodles, symbolize a long life in Chinese culture. It was not a coincidence when Lim selected Cai to be specifically a noodle chef. 

“The two things that I wanted to show is that noodles are very much an earthly aspect, and the Peaches of Immortality is more of a fantastical and mythical aspect to it,” Lim explained. 

Set in a vibrant, whimsical environment, “Celestial Banquet” seeks to captivate others with its magnificent world-building, a delightful but arduous love triangle, and a deadly culinary competition where only one team will emerge as the victors. I talked to Lim about the world of colorful, delicious recipes laced with nuances in social class and traditional gender expectations.

Revisiting Favorite Food with Writing

Lim infused her life experiences of growing up around cooks and her memories of northern Scarborough in Ontario, Canada, into the wondrous world and cast of the Continent. Drawing on…

Read the full article here

The post Roselle Lim’s “Celestial Banquet” Serves Up Noodles, Myth, and Immortality appeared first on The Proud Asian.

In Roselle Lim’s latest young adult novel “Celestial Banquet,” the way you cook noodles can change your life. The novel begins with 16-year-old Cai, our hot-tempered protagonist who is a young noodle chef in Lu Pong, an impoverished town. Despite living a hard life, she honors her late father’s memories through cooking. However, when the Major Gods host the Celestial Banquet again for the first time in 10 years, contestants from all over the Continent start to assemble their teams. Cai wants a piece of the competition too, especially the highly valuable, enticing reward — the Peaches of Immortality. 

Readers and those who grew up with Asian myths and folklore may find the Peaches of Immortality to be familiar. These are often portrayed as a prize for overcoming a series of dangerous trials and shared among long-lived beings. For Cai, the celestial peaches could change her life. Moreover, they promise to transform the lives of many others in Lu Pong and the surrounding peninsula itself. 

At the same time, noodles, especially Longevity Noodles, symbolize a long life in Chinese culture. It was not a coincidence when Lim selected Cai to be specifically a noodle chef. 

“The two things that I wanted to show is that noodles are very much an earthly aspect, and the Peaches of Immortality is more of a fantastical and mythical aspect to it,” Lim explained. 

Set in a vibrant, whimsical environment, “Celestial Banquet” seeks to captivate others with its magnificent world-building, a delightful but arduous love triangle, and a deadly culinary competition where only one team will emerge as the victors. I talked to Lim about the world of colorful, delicious recipes laced with nuances in social class and traditional gender expectations.

Revisiting Favorite Food with Writing

Lim infused her life experiences of growing up around cooks and her memories of northern Scarborough in Ontario, Canada, into the wondrous world and cast of the Continent. Drawing on…

Read the full article here

The post Roselle Lim’s “Celestial Banquet” Serves Up Noodles, Myth, and Immortality appeared first on The Proud Asian.

As you drink your mango boba while studying for your high school senior finals, you’re listening to lo-fi cafe music. A sweet, innocent girl. On the outside, you look as if you have your life together.

When you were younger, you loved to color and were very careful to do it inside the lines. You wanted it perfect, no mistakes. Your lola gave you an A+ on the page, and that was when you started to need reassurance and validation.

Growing up Asian American, you felt pressure to be perfect: Don’t get into anything that will ruin your reputation; don’t be too thin and don’t be too thick; you have to earn love through your success and achievements; you have to get an education before marriage, but you will also feel the pressure of your parents wanting grandchildren right away.

“Look at your cousin! How successful!”

“You need to lose weight.”

But also, growing up, love was served in forms of food and acts of service. You might not have always heard the words of affirmation or emotional support, but there was still love. Your mom cooked warm sinigang (sour Filipino soup) on cold, snowy days, especially when you were stressed by schoolwork. Your dad drove you to school every day, especially so you’d be safe on rainy days.

You were always pressured by your parents and told you were not good enough, but you reframed it and thought: Your parents did the best they could, with the tools and knowledge they had. You don’t have to earn love. You already deserve it.

Success is not just a form of money. It’s also joy, love, and peace. Growing up as a mixed Asian American, you wanted to have more typical features, speak Filipino, and be in that Asian group that was cliquey, but your college was a predominately white institution.

On social media, you posted your success and achievements to try to feel validated, but as you changed over the years, you shared personal insights on what college was really like. On the outside, you were always busy, had an event or club…

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“Daydreamers”

Film
June 3, 2025

As one of the first vampire movies set in Vietnam, “Daydreamers” follows two estranged brothers Nhat (Trần Ngọc Vàng), a young vampire who suppresses his thirst for human blood, and long-lost Marco (Thuận Nguyễn), who returns with stories of vampires thriving in the big city among humans. When Nhat meets Ha (Trịnh Thảo), a rebellious schoolgirl who uncovers his secret — Nhat breaks vampire law to protect her. Ruthless vampire queen Trieu (Chi Pu) orders their execution, setting the stage for a final battle between brothers.

Directed, written, and produced by Vietnamese American Timothy Linh Bùi, this vampire flick also stars actors Trần Ngọc Vàng, Thuận Nguyễn, Trịnh Thảo, and Chi Pu. Purchase or rent this video on demand via Prime Video starting June 3.

“Presence”

Film
June 3, 2025

Premiering at Sundance last year, “Presence” is a horror movie by Steven Soderbergh, releasing June 3 on Hulu. Rebekah (Lucy Liu) and Chris (Chris Sullivan) move into a suburban house with their two kids Tyler (Eddy Maday) and Chloe (Callina Liang), and soon, Chloe becomes convinced they’re not alone.

Stream “Presence” starring Lucy Liu, Callina Liang, and Eddy Maday on Hulu. 

“Wylde Pak”

TV Series
June 6, 2025

Nickelodeon’s new animated series “Wylde Pak” follows half-siblings Lily Pak and Jack Wylde as they navigate life under one roof for the first time. Set in the fictional town of Canyon Valley, the show delves into the dynamics of a blended, multigenerational Korean American family. Lily, an energetic 11-year-old, lives with her father William Wylde, mother Min-Ju Pak, and grandmother Halmoni. Jack, a 13-year-old who has spent much of his life traveling with his documentarian mother, moves in for the summer, leading to a series of humorous and heartfelt adventures as the family…

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Set in a world of pop glam and celebrity gossip, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz’s new novel “When Stars Align” follows three girls who were once part of this high society and their journeys afterward. Inspired by the pop scene of the late ‘90s/early 2000s, de la Cruz brings to life the highs and lows of three former band members in that period. The book follows them as they rebuild their lives, learn to walk away from familial expectations, and lean on each other for friendship. It delves into finding the courage to build your own path when things fall apart and remembering to keep friendships close by.  

Miranda Montana, Sicily Bell, and Germaine St. Germaine-Chang are former members of the infamous girl group, 3AM Girls. They were once on top of the world and their every move and detail was printed on gossip columns. We follow each of their journeys as they navigate life after leaving the glitzy pop world.

In the aftermath of their disbandment, Miranda, wild child of the group, starts to slowly rebuild her life after rehab. Sicily creates a successful pop solo career and finds herself in the middle of the dark side of mixing business and family. Germaine returns to work for her family business and looks to find her own creative path in life.

De la Cruz, who is best known for her Blue Bloods series, Descendants series based on the Disney Channel films, and Witches of East End series, which were turned into a two-season drama series on Lifetime Television, spoke to me about her latest release. We discussed breaking free from familial expectations, keeping friendships close, and rebuilding yourself when life breaks you down.

Inspired by ‘90s Pop Culture

Bringing to life the stories of three former pop stars, de la Cruz pulled inspiration from her journalism experience and a recent conversation with her daughter.

“I remember meeting Paris and Nikki Hilton when they were 17 and 15, and I was a reporter for Harper’s Bazaar, and just…

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It’s a truly Asian American franchise, but until now, no Asian actor had played the titular role. Over four decades after its debut, the Karate Kid series returns with “Karate Kid: Legends,” starring Ben Wang (“American Born Chinese”) as Li Fong — the first Asian Karate Kid. The film brings together Jackie Chan, who led the Karate Kid reprise with Jaden Smith in 2010, and Ralph Macchio, the OG Karate Kid, for the first time, alongside Ming-Na Wen as Li’s mother, Dr. Fong.

Wen, whose career spans iconic roles in “The Joy Luck Club,” “Mulan,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” and “The Mandalorian,” brings intention and emotional depth to the role — and made it clear from the start that Dr. Fong would not be a “Tiger Mom.”

“I wanted to make sure that she was still grounded,” she says. “There was definitely a serious issue with having lost a family member and making sure that she has dignity and not just as a caricature of this typical Asian Tiger Mom. I wanted to really make sure that she comes across as someone who is wanting to protect her child and guide him and not just be domineering and controlling.”

It’s a portrayal that joins a growing list of complex Asian moms on screen — from the multiverse-traveling Evelyn Wang in “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” to the overbearing-yet-loving Ming Lee in “Turning Red.” Wen’s Dr. Fong represents a newer generation of Asian motherhood in media: compassionate and deeply human.

In developing the character with director Jonathan Entwistle, Wen was insistent on portraying Dr. Fong as contemporary and worldly — not defined by immigrant struggle or linguistic difference.

“My mother-in-law and father-in-law speak perfect English because they came to America to go to college out here and learned English very early, and that’s a generation before me,” Wen shares. “So with Dr. Fong, she is…

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In the short film “God and Buddha Are Friends,” director Anthony Ma uses religious conflict as a metaphor for the broader immigrant experience of navigating between cultures. Ma grounds the film in comedy and a distinct ’90s-era San Gabriel Valley aesthetic, deftly navigating the nuances of religious colonization, protection, and why we fight over differing beliefs. 

Co-written by Ma and Jonathan Hernandez and based on Ma’s childhood experience, the short follows young Taiwanese boy Andy (Ethan Wang) after he receives a jade dragon necklace from his Buddhist mother (Karin Anna Cheung). Meant to protect him, the necklace instead draws the ire of a white Christian pastor, who calls the necklace a “devil’s totem” and confiscates it. When Andy returns home, he’s terrified. His mother reacts with fury, and the next day, she rushes to the pastor’s home, where the two adults clash both ideologically and culturally.

I talked to Ma about religious trauma, conforming to whiteness, and coexistence between different belief systems.

Caught in a Spiritual Crossfire

While the main conflict in “God and Buddha Are Friends” seems to be young Andy being stuck between two religions, it’s also a larger metaphor about two cultural worlds at odds. For instance, his mother’s protective stance over Andy’s connection to Buddhism mirrors many immigrant parents’ desire to maintain cultural ties to their country of origin. 

Andy believes what all the adults in his life tell him about the world, and because he’s a child, he wants to please them. Not only does he want to honor his mother, he wants to fit in and please the pastor. He wants to eat pizza and hang out with a family friend who knows all the words and dance moves to a Vacation Bible School song. 

While this could be interpreted as assimilation and rejecting heritage, it’s evident that Andy is just a kid trying to fit two world views together…

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Once home to an inescapable prison, Alcatraz Island now marks the starting line of one of the most iconic endurance races in the world: the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. Athletes plunge into the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay for a 1.5-mile swim, grind through a challenging 18-mile bike ride with steep hills and sharp turns, and finish with an 8-mile run through the city’s streets and coastline.

For Jennifer Lau, vice president of Action Sports Events at IMG, it’s an event that holds a special significance. It’s not just a race — it’s a celebration of grit, endurance, and belonging set against one of the most iconic backdrops in the world. As an athlete who has completed the course herself, Lau sees the event as a chance to challenge perceptions of who belongs in endurance sports and to open doors for the next generation of athletes.

“It’s about exposure. It’s about the stories. It’s about the young transgender athlete who might have not thought that they could compete in a triathlon, but they’re watching a nonbinary group of athletes cross the finish line,” she tells Mochi Magazine. “My work is about finding opportunities and telling those stories where people accomplish, personally and professionally,  the feats that they’re pursuing.”

A Race Like No Other

This year on June 1, athletes will be at the starting line hoping to end their journey in Marina Green. The event draws athletes from around the world, many of whom consider this a bucket list race. Over 40 years old, the athletic endurance event taps into the mythos of the prison — i.e., “no one has escaped Alcatraz alive” — making the triathlon both a symbolic and physical challenge for athletes.

Although the race is capped at 2,000 athletes, between 8,000 to 10,000 sign up for a spot when registration opens up. While there have been athletes that repeatedly take on the challenging course, Lau’s hope is to inspire a new generation of athletes to take on the…

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Content warning: This article contains references to emotional and physical abuse as well as suicide. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please, contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both programs provide free, confidential support 24/7.

Asian Americans and, in particular, Asian American women, are among the least likely to seek mental health support. Advocate, writer, and Mochi alumna Michelle Yang is one reason that might be changing. Not shying away from the stigma of mental health, Yang’s memoir is titled “Phoenix Girl: How A Fat Asian With Bipolar Finds Love,” and is the perfect read for May, which is both Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Her story is uniquely intersectional and largely untold even as representations of Asian Americans continue to prosper. Being fat, bipolar, and desiring love is often unspoken about in our communities and in America as a whole. Yang’s writing is a salve for those who do not feel seen by current narratives that hide the mental and psychological pressures of being Asian American.

Starting by introducing her ethnically Chinese family with roots in Incheon, South Korea, the memoir follows her and her family as they immigrate to Atlanta, Georgia when she is 9 years old and as they move several more times across the United States until she finds herself in Phoenix, Arizona helping out at her family’s Chinese restaurant. The memoir explores her struggles as a teenager with her appearance and racism, as well as her father’s abusive nature, her eventual hospitalization, and, later, her adult dating life. Despite the subject matter, Yang always voices a hopefulness and a desire to be seen, to be loved, and to not hide who she is. 

Mochi Magazine talked to the writer and advocate about Asian American families’ silence around…

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