Western-Chinese food is authentic — and isn't white washing our culture

This First Person article is the experience of Kathryn Mannie, a third-generation Chinese Canadian from Vancouver. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

“Sik jor fahn mei ah? Have you eaten yet?” 

This common Cantonese greeting indicates just how closely Chinese culture associates food and well-being. My gung gung (maternal grandfather) fiercely proclaims that food and money are the two most important things to possess — in that order.

Like many second- and third-generation Chinese-Canadians, I was partially raised by my grandparents while my parents worked full time. 

And at the centre of their home