Food for thought

In Wang's view, food in China is taken very seriously. "For the simplest food like the fried bread stick, particular care is taken－like which part has to be crispy, which part thick, and which thin," says Wang.

Lin Xi, Chinese ink painter and illustrator of the book, depicts vegetables and fruits and provides handwritten recipes to go with Wang's stories.

Commenting on the book, Lin says: "It's neither a restaurant guide, nor a cookbook. It's his understanding of food."

Chen Xiaoqing, director of A Bite of China, a popular documentary series about Chinese food, likes Wang's book.

Speaking about food and how people react to it, he says: "When facing food, some people eat to fill their stomachs while others eat for love.

"And among food lovers who like to share, some of them write for columns, while others write for fun. From these two categories, Wang Kai firmly chooses the latter, and that's why I admire him."