Have You Eaten Yet?: Family Recipes from a Restaurant Daughter (a Cookbook)

A heartfelt collection of stories and recipes from beloved actress and Asian American icon Ming-Na Wen, weaving together her childhood in her family's Pittsburgh Chinese restaurant with the dishes she now cooks at home for loved ones and friends.

In Chinese culture, asking "Are you hungry?" is more than a question--it's a way of showing you care. It's the love language legendary, award-winning actress Ming-Na Wen grew up with in Pittsburgh, where her parents ran the iconic Chinatown Inn restaurant. While many fans know her as the voice behind Disney's Mulan or for her acclaimed acting roles in the film adaptation of Amy Tan's bestselling novel The Joy Luck Club, several years on the Emmy-Award-winning ER, or as Fennec Shand in the Star Wars franchise, off the screen, Ming-Na is also legendary in the kitchen, cooking traditional Chinese dishes for her family and friends.

Have You Eaten Yet? is the ultimate love letter to food and family, offering delicious, accessible recipes inspired by her family, heritage, and restaurant roots and for every occasion. In chapters like Restaurant Classics, you'll learn to master iconic dishes like The Best Egg Rolls, Simple Wonton Soup, and Shrimp Fried Rice. Discover family secrets from her father in Feasts from Chef Baba with recipes like his tender Prime Rib and comforting Winter Melon Soup. Straight from Ming-Na's Kitchen, you'll find crowd-pleasers like Shrimp with Garlic Noodles and the show-stopping Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Cups. Ming-Na even gives readers advice on perfecting rice, her guide to condiments, and restaurant-inspired tips for prepping sauces, broths, and dry spices.

Filled with personal stories, heartwarming memories, practical tips, and even never-before-seen family photos, Have You Eaten Yet? is an essential guide for anyone looking to explore the rich flavors of Chinese American cuisine.

Author: Ming-Na Wen
Publisher: S&s/Simon Element
Published: 10/06/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.19lbs
Size: 9.28h x 8.25w x 0.91d
ISBN: 9781668011614


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 07/01/2026 pg. 75
Booklist 09/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 10/05/2026

About the Author
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.