“ INTRODUCTION”

At Agápē de Via Aqua, we believe food and water carry more than flavor—they carry memory, identity, and movement.

This interview is part of my Food Media project, exploring how people navigate culture, belonging, and care through everyday food rituals.

Here, I speak with Joanna, who grew up in Hong Kong and later moved to Canada.

Her migration stories—dim sum weekends, the shock of eating alone abroad, and rediscovering identity through food—reflect the emotional foundation of our brand:

Connection through simplicity, craft, and shared moments.

interview

A conversation with Joanna

I sat down with Joanna to talk about food, identity, and the quiet ways a meal can anchor you when everything else is unfamiliar. She grew up in Hong Kong before moving to Canada as a teenager, and—like many of us who carry our childhood kitchens inside us—she has learned to navigate new places through taste, routine, and memory.

I asked her how she first understood food.

Joanna: I grew up in Hong Kong, and food is just… everywhere. Dim sum on weekends, street snacks after school, night markets with friends. But more than anything, food meant family. Every Sunday dim sum with my grandparents is still the warmest memory I have.

I asked what food looks like for her now, living in North America.

Joanna: It’s both comfort and routine. Even in New York, I still drink milk tea or “Yuanyang” every morning. It’s like a small way of saying good morning to my old life.

I asked about her early years abroad. Was it hard to adjust to the food?

Joanna: Honestly, yes. I went from hot soup and rice to bread and salads.

I missed warmth—the warmth of shared dishes, and the warmth of family.

What surprised me most wasn’t the food itself, but how often people ate alone. That felt strange in the beginning. In Hong Kong, you rarely eat by yourself. Food is meant to be passed around.

I asked how her values around food have changed.

Joanna: When I was younger, I chose everything based on taste. Now I care more about quality and health. Authenticity matters too—knowing where food comes from, how it’s made.

If something is eco-friendly or supports local farmers, I don’t mind paying a little more. It feels good to choose something better for the environment, even in a small way.

I asked where she stands on local vs. global brands.

Joanna: I think both matter. Local brands feel personal, but global brands give me variety. It’s like choosing between home and the wider world—I need both.

I asked whether social media shapes the way she eats.

Joanna: Definitely. I try TikTok or Instagram recipes and give them a Hong Kong twist. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes not—but it’s fun.

A lot of food trends are marketing, but they still spark creativity. Like whipped coffee during the pandemic—we all knew it was viral, but we still made it at home.

I asked how living abroad has changed her relationship with food.

Joanna: Food became the way I balanced cultures. It helped me stay connected to Hong Kong, even while learning how to live somewhere new.

I asked if she believes food can bring people together across cultures.

Joanna: Absolutely. When I lived in a dorm, sharing hot pot or dim sum helped me bond with my roommates instantly. You don’t need to explain much—sharing a meal does the connection for you.

Finally, I asked what dish would represent her.

Joanna: Hot pot. It’s warm, full of variety, and meant to be shared.

Talking with Joanna reminded me that food is often the first language we learn and the last one we forget. Her stories about Hong Kong breakfasts, culture shock, and finding belonging through shared meals echo the heart of Agápē de Via Aqua:

connection through simple, human gestures—pouring tea, sharing a bowl, sitting at the same table.