Southern foodways intersect with various Asian-American tastes in this fusion cookbook of 100 recipes celebrating inclusivity and diversity at the dinner table with the best from various cultures, cooking styles, and comforting foods.

“’Can food be the catalyst for accepting diversity?’ asks Sauce Maven founder Keng…in the introduction… Keng gleefully mixes cuisines and high and low culture: an elegant recipe for a whole fish fit for a banquet is followed by instructions for frozen fish sticks atop congee. The fusion is clever…This playful collection answers its opening query in the affirmative, and has fun along the way.”—Publishers Weekly

Ni hao, y’all! Welcome to the dining table, a special, sacred place. Egg Rolls & Sweet Tea: Asian Inspired, Southern Style is in part a memoir of Natalie Keng’s personal food journey growing up in the deep South, but make no mistake: This is a cookbook full of tasty Asian-American and Southern fusion dishes, sauces, and drinks that home cooks will enjoy preparing and sharing.

With recipes like Fried Chicken Spring Rolls With Honey, Rainbow Black-Rice Salad, Okra and Tomato Stir-Fry, Black-Eyed Pea Hummus, Georgia Bourbon Coca-Cola Meatloaf, Golden Milk and Sorghum Hot Toddy, and of course, several recipes for egg rolls and sweet teas.

More accolades:

A 2024 Book Every Georgia Should Read, Georgia Center for the Book

2024 Finalist, Georgia Author of the Year, Specialty Book

“Keng’s first cookbook is recommended for all libraries, especially those with regional interest.”—Library Journal