857: Cha Chaan Teng with Lucas Sin and Nourishing Networks with Dr. Ashley Rose Young

This week, we’re diving into the everyday food of two of the world’s best food cities, Hong Kong and New Orleans. First, chef Lucas Sin joins us to talk about the iconic dishes found at a cha chaan teng, a casual Hong Kong-style food diner. Dishes like scrambled egg sandwiches, delicious milk teas, and golden rice, all born from limited pantry ideas and reinvented with kitchen hacks and techniques. Lucas Sin is the author of Cha Chaan Teng: Comfort Food from Hong Kong's Iconic Diners. He left us with his recipe for the Hong Kong classic, Baked Pork Chop Rice.

Then, we turn to the origins of the food scene in one of America's great food cities, New Orleans, with historian Dr. Ashley Rose Young. She walks us through the history of the public markets, tells us about New Orleans’ most iconic street vendors like Mr. Okra, and how street food shaped New Orleans’ culture and cuisine. Dr. Ashley Rose Young is the author ofNourishing Networks: The Public Culture of Food in New Orleans.

Head to our YouTube channel and watch this extended cut of our interview with Lucas Sin. Subscribe so you don’t miss anything!

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 25, 2026 (originally aired)

Donate to The Splendid Table today and we will show our appreciation with a special thank-you gift.