Autobiography

Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream

Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream

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  • Create Date：2021-04-25 09:52:04
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Tung Nguyen
  • ISBN：1797202243
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Summary

A powerful memoir of resilience， friendship， family， and food from the acclaimed chefs behind the award-winning Hy Vong Vietnamese restaurant in Miami。

Through powerful narrative， archival imagery， and 20 Vietnamese recipes that mirror their story， Mango & Peppercorns is a unique contribution to culinary literature。

In 1975， after narrowly escaping the fall of Saigon， pregnant refugee and gifted cook Tung Nguyen ended up in the Miami home of Kathy Manning， a graduate student and waitress who was taking in displaced Vietnamese refugees。 This serendipitous meeting evolved into a decades-long partnership， one that eventually turned strangers into family and a tiny， no-frills eatery into one of the most lauded restaurants in the country。

Tung's fierce practicality often clashed with Kathy's free-spirited nature， but over time， they found a harmony in their contrasts—a harmony embodied in the restaurant's signature mango and peppercorns sauce。

• IMPORTANT， UNIVERSAL STORY: An inspiring memoir peppered with recipes， it is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of Roy Choi， Ed Lee， Ruth Reichl， and Kwame Onwuachi。
• TIMELY TOPIC: This real-life American dream is a welcome reminder of our country's longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees and immigrants。 This book adds a touchpoint to that larger conversation， resonating beyond the bookshelf。
• INVENTIVE COOKBOOK: This book is taking genre-bending a step further， focusing on the story first and foremost with 20 complementary recipes。

Perfect for:

• Fans of culinary nonfiction
• Fans of Ruth Reichl， Roy Choi， Kwame Onwuachi， and Anya Von Bremzen
• Home cooks who are interested in Asian food and cooking

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Reviews

Laura ，

This is a memoir of a Vietnamese woman who left Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and a woman in Miami who hosts her。 They end up opening a very successful and loved restaurant together and raising Tung's daughter。 The book has recipes and it was interesting to read about how they came to understand each other and work together。 This is a memoir of a Vietnamese woman who left Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and a woman in Miami who hosts her。 They end up opening a very successful and loved restaurant together and raising Tung's daughter。 The book has recipes and it was interesting to read about how they came to understand each other and work together。 。。。more

Pablito Greco Ltd ，

Enjoyable and with a killing cover。 Cover matters。

Dea Spears ，

I like this one it's interesting and awesome。I suggest you join NovelStar’s writing competition this April。 I like this one it's interesting and awesome。I suggest you join NovelStar’s writing competition this April。 。。。more

Kaitlin ，

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was familiar with the Hy Vong restaurant。 There wasn't enough of Tung's voice to really draw me into the story， but it was a quick read and account of Tung and Kathy's experience。 It left me wanting to read more about other refugee experiences。 I haven't had a chance to try any of the recipes yet， but some of them sound delicious！ Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for my free copy of this book！ I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was familiar with the Hy Vong restaurant。 There wasn't enough of Tung's voice to really draw me into the story， but it was a quick read and account of Tung and Kathy's experience。 It left me wanting to read more about other refugee experiences。 I haven't had a chance to try any of the recipes yet， but some of them sound delicious！ Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for my free copy of this book！ 。。。more

Mary ，

I really want to try these recipes。

Ruth ，

This is a beautiful story。 Made me tear up several times。 Told from the perspectives of both owners of a Vietnamese restaurant that opened in the late 70s in Miami。 Includes lots of recipes from the restaurant！

Tini Wan ，

Not the most well written memoir I’ve read but it is a quick read and worth it simply for the snippets of Tung’s life。

Heather O'Neill ，

This is a memoir/cook book about Tung Nguyen， a woman from Vietnam who immigrates to the US during the fall of Saigon。 Once in the US she is eventually sent to live with Kathy， a single woman from the midwest that is now living in Miami。 They create an unlikely partnership and decide to open up a Vietnamese restaurant where Tung does the cooking and Kathy handles the business side of things。The book goes back and forth between Tung and Kathy each telling their side of the story and how they reme This is a memoir/cook book about Tung Nguyen， a woman from Vietnam who immigrates to the US during the fall of Saigon。 Once in the US she is eventually sent to live with Kathy， a single woman from the midwest that is now living in Miami。 They create an unlikely partnership and decide to open up a Vietnamese restaurant where Tung does the cooking and Kathy handles the business side of things。The book goes back and forth between Tung and Kathy each telling their side of the story and how they remember things。 It was enjoyable to learn about them， especially Tung's life because she had a more interesting and dramatic life。 I actually kind of wish that there was more in the book about both of them and that some life events the book got a little deeper into the issues than what it did。 What the book did make me want was some of Tung's food！ It sounded so good and like she put so much love and work into her food。 She sounds like she's an amazing chef。 It is incredible that she wrote down her recipes to some of the best recipes her restaurant served。 I also loved the addition of the photos。 。。。more

Cathie ，

Through powerful narrative， archival imagery， and 20 Vietnamese recipes that mirror their story， Mango & Peppercorns is a unique contribution to culinary literature。Mango and Peppercorns is a memoir by Tung Nguyen， Katherine Manning， and Lyn Nguyen who share their stories and perspectives。It reflects on a Vietnamese refugee landing in Miami， and the relationship between herself and her sponsor， that spans over three decades。 It also reflects on the relationship between mother and child， infl Through powerful narrative， archival imagery， and 20 Vietnamese recipes that mirror their story， Mango & Peppercorns is a unique contribution to culinary literature。Mango and Peppercorns is a memoir by Tung Nguyen， Katherine Manning， and Lyn Nguyen who share their stories and perspectives。It reflects on a Vietnamese refugee landing in Miami， and the relationship between herself and her sponsor， that spans over three decades。 It also reflects on the relationship between mother and child， influenced by two vast cultures， and how the essence of time open up to understanding。 It's never easy to leave home， especially in harsh circumstances much less live with fear and regret。 Coming to grips to survive and heal and how they persevered is the journey they are taking us。Having established one of top Miami restaurants， Vietnamese cuisine was a lucky gem for the community; that opportunity to experience diversity through food。 Personally， I felt this to be a story of healing for Tung than American dream propaganda， although I do feel some of that in the narrative。 May we be reminded of cultural diversity and shared generational traditions。 There is beauty in food writing which is why I am enthralled by this genre。 As always， appreciate recipes - wished pictures were included for some of the dishes。 The flan with ginger sounds delish！ 。。。more

Kate ，

A delight！

{erika} ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Really cool to hear Tung's story about escaping from her home country and coming to America。 This unique memoir did a great job of blending the story of two women with vastly different cultures and personalities who became friends， then family， and created a restaurant and a life together。 It honestly would have made more sense if they were in romantic love: the fact that they weren't and became family and raised a daughter together is even more remarkable。 I read this very quickly， the pacing w Really cool to hear Tung's story about escaping from her home country and coming to America。 This unique memoir did a great job of blending the story of two women with vastly different cultures and personalities who became friends， then family， and created a restaurant and a life together。 It honestly would have made more sense if they were in romantic love: the fact that they weren't and became family and raised a daughter together is even more remarkable。 I read this very quickly， the pacing was great in the book。 It honestly made me want to eat （vegan） Vietnamese food so badly！ Too bad that only one of the recipes they include in this book is vegan。 。。。more

Bryna ，

I can't wait to attempt to make some of this food that has so much story behind it。 I can't wait to attempt to make some of this food that has so much story behind it。 。。。more

Sunni C。 | vanreads ，

I picked up this book because the cover was gorgeous and premise sounded super interesting: two women who run a restaurant together， sharing recipes and bits of their lives。 I thought this was a unique memoir， sharing the story of two unique women， one Vietnamese woman （Tung） and one white woman （Kathy）， who have built a life together。 I like stories of strong friendships， and I feel like these kinds of deep friendships are often missing in adult stories。 Since it is a story written jointly betw I picked up this book because the cover was gorgeous and premise sounded super interesting: two women who run a restaurant together， sharing recipes and bits of their lives。 I thought this was a unique memoir， sharing the story of two unique women， one Vietnamese woman （Tung） and one white woman （Kathy）， who have built a life together。 I like stories of strong friendships， and I feel like these kinds of deep friendships are often missing in adult stories。 Since it is a story written jointly between Tung， Kathy， and Tung's daughter， Lyn， I would believe that their relationship is one that is built off years of friendship that has overcome cultural differences， disagreements， successes， and joyful moments。However， I feel like parts of the memoir missed the mark。 There are many times when Kathy seems to jump in as a white saviour in parts of the story to 'help' when Tung first arrives in the US and as she learns to adapt to the US。 Granted， both Kathy and Tung are from a different generation， so while it's a bit uncomfortable to read about now， I believe that this was all done in good intention at the time， I think perhaps the editing process could have done a better job in ensuring that more of Tung's voice shines through， showing her agency as an individual。 I want to know what Tung was thinking when Kathy was trying to help her。 What did Tung feel？ When did Tung realize her independence in America？ I feel like this was probably more of an error on the editing part， because I truly believe that for a friendship that has been through this much， building a restaurant together， raising a child together， that both women are strong and independent in their own right。 If it was a bit more obvious in the book， then I think I would have appreciated the story more。 On an aside， I really love the recipes in this book！ Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review this book。 。。。more

Sandi ，

I really enjoyed this book。 I never knew the food memoirs was a category for literature and now this book has been wanting to read more and more food memoirs。 What a fun， creative way to weave food into a story。 I appreciated learning about Tung's background and journey - especially seeing America through the eyes of a immigrant。 It was interesting to see how each dish played a roll in her life story。 It left me eager to run to the kitchen and cook up some of the dishes shared in this book。 I really enjoyed this book。 I never knew the food memoirs was a category for literature and now this book has been wanting to read more and more food memoirs。 What a fun， creative way to weave food into a story。 I appreciated learning about Tung's background and journey - especially seeing America through the eyes of a immigrant。 It was interesting to see how each dish played a roll in her life story。 It left me eager to run to the kitchen and cook up some of the dishes shared in this book。 。。。more

Leslie Conner ，

This is a vibrant story of cross cultural and family pain， as well as， positive community support， mixed with， meeting personal challenges。 It broadcasts that living a creative， full and vibrant life means recognizing value beyond demeaning cultural boundaries， nurturing both talent & dreams and shows the cost of low self esteem。

Miaoye Que ，

american dream propaganda

Becky McGregor ，

I did not expect to love this book， but I did。 I could not put it down。 What a beautiful job of telling so many sides of the story。 Every point of view I was so into Tung's life I just couldn't put it down。 What an incredible journey she has had。 If you find other cultures interesting and love to read about peoples lives this book is for you。 I flew through it。 I am so glad I read it！ A must read。。 I did not expect to love this book， but I did。 I could not put it down。 What a beautiful job of telling so many sides of the story。 Every point of view I was so into Tung's life I just couldn't put it down。 What an incredible journey she has had。 If you find other cultures interesting and love to read about peoples lives this book is for you。 I flew through it。 I am so glad I read it！ A must read。。 。。。more

Kathleen ，

I was not as annoyed at this book as I could have been because it is mostly good intentioned and there was only one thing that bothered me - Kathy throws money OUT THE DOOR。 Jesus Christ。 Throw this woman on Millennial Money for Graham Stephan to set straight。 That invigorated me。 Tung should have dropped this woman as fast as the three men in her life， or her three brief encounters。 The only bright side is Kathy is the "mostly good intentioned。" I think the one problem with this book is it coul I was not as annoyed at this book as I could have been because it is mostly good intentioned and there was only one thing that bothered me - Kathy throws money OUT THE DOOR。 Jesus Christ。 Throw this woman on Millennial Money for Graham Stephan to set straight。 That invigorated me。 Tung should have dropped this woman as fast as the three men in her life， or her three brief encounters。 The only bright side is Kathy is the "mostly good intentioned。" I think the one problem with this book is it could have been better。 Like a great story has access to so many more doors than a disaster story。 The problem is the author did not bother OPENING THEM！ And so 4 stars instead of 5。 I did not read any of the recipes。 I know I would never make them。 I can't even make Chinese food。 I guess another qualm （But it's not really a qualm）， is how wild the story is yet it's real ？ ！ ？ Most people make this stuff up to turn it into a story。 I guess that's the all good things have a grain of truth adage。 。。。more

Jennie ，

Mango and Peppercorns is a refugee memoir and a food memoir。 On top of that it is a story of strength and perseverance。 Tung is a Vietnamese refugee who just barely escaped Vietnam after the war。 Kathy is a free-spirited American woman who sponsors Tung。 After just a short time together either friendship grew into a partnership both in raising Tung's daughter but also in one of Miami's best restaurants。 The story is told by three people， Tung， Kathy， and Lyn （Tung's daughter） through small stori Mango and Peppercorns is a refugee memoir and a food memoir。 On top of that it is a story of strength and perseverance。 Tung is a Vietnamese refugee who just barely escaped Vietnam after the war。 Kathy is a free-spirited American woman who sponsors Tung。 After just a short time together either friendship grew into a partnership both in raising Tung's daughter but also in one of Miami's best restaurants。 The story is told by three people， Tung， Kathy， and Lyn （Tung's daughter） through small stories。 Over the course of the book we learn about Tung's life in Vietnam， her challenges in a new country， visiting home again， and all of this through her cooking。 Each chapter specifies some dishes that are then given as recipes at the end of the chapter。I have to say that I could not stop reading this and the entire time I kept wishing that I lived in Miami while Hy Vong was around and could experience the food that Tung made。 Mango and Peppercorns is a story that we need as it highlights the troubles that immigrants experience while also showing how they make our world better。 。。。more

Missy ，

LOVED this book！ It is right up my alley- a memoir with a super interesting story of a life that you can't believed happened to anyone， and turning out the way it did is extraordinary， and with amazing looking Vietnamese recipes that she came up with in her home village。 The story is incredibly inspiring- I even read through the acknowledgements at the end- I wanted to know every morsel about Tung's story。 Also about how she and Kathy had this really complex relationship as friends， and friends LOVED this book！ It is right up my alley- a memoir with a super interesting story of a life that you can't believed happened to anyone， and turning out the way it did is extraordinary， and with amazing looking Vietnamese recipes that she came up with in her home village。 The story is incredibly inspiring- I even read through the acknowledgements at the end- I wanted to know every morsel about Tung's story。 Also about how she and Kathy had this really complex relationship as friends， and friends who did really get along that great， but who raised a daughter together- I was fascinated through the entire book。 Check it out。 。。。more

Stephanie P （Because My Mother Read） ，

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher。This engaging new memoir tells the story of a pregnant Vietnamese woman who fled to America by herself during the war， the woman who volunteered to host her and other refugees， the friendship and family they formed together， and their journey to create an award winning “hole in the wall” Vietnamese restaurant in Miami。 It is a fascinating peek into the highs and lows of restaurant life， a beautiful story of found family， and a complex look a I received a free copy of this book from the publisher。This engaging new memoir tells the story of a pregnant Vietnamese woman who fled to America by herself during the war， the woman who volunteered to host her and other refugees， the friendship and family they formed together， and their journey to create an award winning “hole in the wall” Vietnamese restaurant in Miami。 It is a fascinating peek into the highs and lows of restaurant life， a beautiful story of found family， and a complex look at experiencing a new culture and blending very different personalities with a common goal。There are recipes at the end of every chapter for a specific food mentioned in that chapter and it is full of mouthwatering food descriptions throughout。 It is an engaging read with painful moments， heartwarming elements， and evidence of a whole lot of hard work。 It also made me wonder about some of the backstories of other small business restaurants and gave me an added desire to go support them。 Mango and Peppercorns is a very fitting name， but I will let you read for yourself to find out why！ 。。。more

Tiena （aka T） ，

I received an advanced copy of Mango and Peppercorns from NetGalley and Chronicle Books， but I liked the description so much I preordered a Kindle copy。 It was a pleasure to read Mango and Peppercorns。 This little book is full of heart and of layers for the reader to uncover。 In 1975 pregnant refugee Tung escapes the fall of Saigon and finds her way to America and her sponsor Kathy who also includes stories from her own life。 Both women narrate this memoir with occasional inserts from Tung's dau I received an advanced copy of Mango and Peppercorns from NetGalley and Chronicle Books， but I liked the description so much I preordered a Kindle copy。 It was a pleasure to read Mango and Peppercorns。 This little book is full of heart and of layers for the reader to uncover。 In 1975 pregnant refugee Tung escapes the fall of Saigon and finds her way to America and her sponsor Kathy who also includes stories from her own life。 Both women narrate this memoir with occasional inserts from Tung's daughter as she grows。 From there it follows the journey of a family and all the ways family finds us; it is the journey of two unlikely partners in a decades long friendship; it is the journey of a business and a gifted chef。 Tung actually includes some of her most treasured recipes。 This is the American dream in all its struggle and triumph - and much more。 This is a big shot in the arm of Hy Vong - "hope"。 。。。more

Jessaka ，

Great story great recipes1 day I was looking for a book with mango in the title I didn't know why but that's what I was looking for。 I came up on this book and the title was so delicious that I ordered it。 And it proved to be a great readThe 2 women in the story opened up a Vietnamese restaurant in Miami， and it came to be a very famous restaurant。 They now share their recipes with you。 Actually the recipes came from only 1 of the women， a woman who came to America when the communist took over V Great story great recipes1 day I was looking for a book with mango in the title I didn't know why but that's what I was looking for。 I came up on this book and the title was so delicious that I ordered it。 And it proved to be a great readThe 2 women in the story opened up a Vietnamese restaurant in Miami， and it came to be a very famous restaurant。 They now share their recipes with you。 Actually the recipes came from only 1 of the women， a woman who came to America when the communist took over Vietnam。 She was taken in by woman named Kathy and soon they were opening up a restaurant。 What I like about this book is that a story actually a true story， is involved and it's a wonderful story 。。。more

Robin ，

This was cute and sweet。 I can’t wait to try the recipes！

Jessica Haider ，

I love food memoirs！ Mango and Peppercorns is the story of a Vietnamese refugee， the family she forged with an American woman， and the restaurant they opened together。 Tung escaped from Vietnam as a refugee in the mid 1970's。 As a pregnant young refugee， who spoke no English， she wound up living in the Miami home of Kathy， a college student who opened her home to a number of Vietnam refugees。 Kathy and Tung established a connection and Kathy helped encourage Tung's cooking talent。 Later they dec I love food memoirs！ Mango and Peppercorns is the story of a Vietnamese refugee， the family she forged with an American woman， and the restaurant they opened together。 Tung escaped from Vietnam as a refugee in the mid 1970's。 As a pregnant young refugee， who spoke no English， she wound up living in the Miami home of Kathy， a college student who opened her home to a number of Vietnam refugees。 Kathy and Tung established a connection and Kathy helped encourage Tung's cooking talent。 Later they decided to open a small Vietnamese restaurant， one of Miami's first。 The place quickly became popular for its delicious dishes。 Kathy and Tung raised Tung's daughter together。 The memoir is written by Tung， Kathy， and Tung's daughter Lynn。 The narrative alternates between each of their perspectives。 Each chapter also ends in a recipe or two that go along with what was written about in that chapter。 I found it fascinating and heartbreaking reading about Tung's experiences。 It must've been so tough moving to a new country where she didn't know the language， losing touch with her family back in Vietnam， having to face America as an unwed mother。 There is a lot in the book about how even in the US， Tung was judged by others from Vietnam since she grew up as a poor rural farmer。 The friendship of Tung and Kathy lasted through the years despite their differing opinions on how to run a business。 It is clear that these two women care for eachother。 What to listen to while reading。。。Lonely People by AmericaYou've Got a Friend by Carole KingHope by Arlo ParksI Will Survive by Gloria GaynorMarrow by Thao & the Get Down Stay DownLight On by Maggie RogersThank you to the publisher for the review copy！ 。。。more

Kristine ，

Mango and Peppercorns by Nguyen， Nguyen， & Manning is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early January。The chapters are heightened by recipes and with paragraphs labeled monologue-style by which a hard-working， strong woman is speaking， improving on recipes that they’ve known their entire life， building much of the restaurant themselves， gaining loyal customers， and sufficiency， as well as footing and trust in the US and between one another。

Emily Grubbe ，

Mango and Peppercorns by Tung Ngyuen， Katherine Manning， and Lyn Nguyen was such a good surprise！ It’s a memoir written by three women who share their experiences in this “unlikely family” （as the subtitle describes）。 Tung came to the US as a pregnant refugee from Vietnam and meets Kathy， her American host。 They end up living together for a long time， co-parenting Tung’s daughter， Lyn， and running a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Miami。 Their relationships with each other are complicated， but Mango and Peppercorns by Tung Ngyuen， Katherine Manning， and Lyn Nguyen was such a good surprise！ It’s a memoir written by three women who share their experiences in this “unlikely family” （as the subtitle describes）。 Tung came to the US as a pregnant refugee from Vietnam and meets Kathy， her American host。 They end up living together for a long time， co-parenting Tung’s daughter， Lyn， and running a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Miami。 Their relationships with each other are complicated， but beautiful， and this is a really well written memoir that describes this。 Highly recommend reading this if you like memoirs and lots of delicious food references！Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Kelsi ，

Thank you to Chronicle Books and TLC Book Tours for a free copy in exchange for a review。 I love food memoirs and found the story of Tung and Kathy inspiring and so cool。 That two women from totally different worlds came together to produce Hy Vong is great。 Also， a shout out to Ames， Iowa will always have my heart。However， this book jumped around too much and just didn’t flow。 There were flashbacks from Tung’s past， and while I understood what the writer was attempting， it just didn’t work for Thank you to Chronicle Books and TLC Book Tours for a free copy in exchange for a review。 I love food memoirs and found the story of Tung and Kathy inspiring and so cool。 That two women from totally different worlds came together to produce Hy Vong is great。 Also， a shout out to Ames， Iowa will always have my heart。However， this book jumped around too much and just didn’t flow。 There were flashbacks from Tung’s past， and while I understood what the writer was attempting， it just didn’t work for me as they didn’t tie together well。 The change in narratives was often blunt and without sense too。 It made the book hard to follow。 。。。more

Mark Riedmiller ，

A 10 out of 10 Read and Amazing Recipes-I love this book as it is an incredible story of a woman who opened her home and heart to refugees from Vietnam and the partnership forged with a very gifted entrant to this county， Tung and her daughter， Lyn。 I have read and re-read it and truly enjoyed it。I felt as though I was with them on their journey through life and the book touched all of my emotions， often。 It was difficult to put down and I never could have imagined the journey they took。The stor A 10 out of 10 Read and Amazing Recipes-I love this book as it is an incredible story of a woman who opened her home and heart to refugees from Vietnam and the partnership forged with a very gifted entrant to this county， Tung and her daughter， Lyn。 I have read and re-read it and truly enjoyed it。I felt as though I was with them on their journey through life and the book touched all of my emotions， often。 It was difficult to put down and I never could have imagined the journey they took。The story is so amazing， the challenges they faced in all aspects of their lives and this unlikely pair that persevered to operate an award-winning restaurant， in the heart of Miami that defied odds to be the great success it was。 I particularly felt touched learning about Lyn and the family dynamics she rose from to be who she is today…remarkable！Lastly， the recipes of Tung’s are to cherish。 I have already made the spring rolls， which are addictive！ I can’t wait to explore further guided by this master creator and chef 。。。more

Madeline ，

Picking up Mango and Peppercorns I was not sure what I would make of the cookbook， only that I was curious about southeast Asian dishes。 As it turns out， I do not think I could have been in for a better treat！ I really loved the narrative shared throughout this cookbook--how it bounces between Kathy and Tung， and later Phuong Lien。I found it brilliant and beautiful that each recipe was shared through a form of storytelling--this cookbook wasn't just recipe after recipe followed by glossy photos。 Picking up Mango and Peppercorns I was not sure what I would make of the cookbook， only that I was curious about southeast Asian dishes。 As it turns out， I do not think I could have been in for a better treat！ I really loved the narrative shared throughout this cookbook--how it bounces between Kathy and Tung， and later Phuong Lien。I found it brilliant and beautiful that each recipe was shared through a form of storytelling--this cookbook wasn't just recipe after recipe followed by glossy photos。 It was grit， challenge， and love。 More than anything I enjoyed reading about the story of these three women and their journeys over the years， in different locations， and how this lead to a mingling of Vietnamese， Scandinavian and American dishes。The only thing I would have enjoyed more， would be to see each recipe plated in a photo next to the corresponding recipe。 However， this did not at all take away my experience from reading Mango and Peppercorns。Really， if you can get your hands on a copy of this， I highly recommend that you do！ 5 stars for Mango and Peppercorns！ 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0