Welcome to Chinese American Family!
Chinese American Family is a supportive community of American families proudly sharing our Chinese heritage with future generations. This site celebrates multicultural living, the blending of Chinese and American influences to create new and exciting family traditions.
Chinese American Family serves a diverse community. Perhaps you are a second generation Chinese American, a grown-up Hapa kid, a spouse in a multicultural marriage or a parent to a child adopted from China. Perhaps your love for Chinese culture simply comes from personal travel, work or education.
Whatever your connection with China and Chinese culture, you are welcome here.
My Story
While my mother grew up in Hong Kong and my father has held a lifelong fascination with China, Chinese culture wasn’t a big part of my American childhood. I played baseball on Saturday mornings, instead of attending Chinese school. Simple as that.
I gained the confidence to embrace my Chinese heritage as an adult. My Chinese half stopped being the part of my identity that made me different — neither completely American, nor completely Chinese — and became a point of pride.
Supported by my family, I began to collect the elements of Chinese culture I wanted to bring into my own life. A journey that began by exploring New York's Chinatown and then taking Cantonese classes in Hong Kong now continues in the San Francisco Bay Area as a parent with a son of my own.
Chinese American Family is my effort to preserve, pass along and renew the cultural inheritance I'm so lucky to have.
How to Use Chinese American Family
I hope that you visit Chinese American Family as you make weekend plans or prepare for a holiday celebration. Choose a traditional recipe to cook at home, use a buying guide for your shopping list and pick a craft project or children’s book to share with your kids.
How to Get Started
What You'll Find At Chinese American Family
Holiday Guides
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year
How to Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival
How to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Next, you can dive into some of the most popular "greatest hits" on the site. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch through a post's comments section or by sending me an email.
Recipes
How To Make Traditional Pork Dumplings
How to Make a Whole Steamed Fish
How to Make Rice Dumplings
Crafts
Making Firecrackers and Sharing the Story of Nian
How to Make a Floating Lotus Flower Paper Lantern
Trimming the Tree with Chinese Lanterns
Family Activities
How to Plan a Reunion Dinner
My Experience Dragon Boating with the Oakland Renegades
Making Memories at a Chinese New Year Parade
Thanks very much for visiting today.
Wes Radez
Kathy Patton
Our daughter is from China. I’d love to learn more.
Wes Radez
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by!
I would love to help — please let me know if there are any topics you’d like to start with or questions I can answer.
Wes
Sharon
saw your site on hapa mama blog and really like it! I am mom to a wonderful daughter adopted from Guangdong Province and we are always looking for special ways to incorporate and celebrate Chinese culture…great site!
Wes Radez
So wonderful, Sharon! It sounds like you’re doing a lot to support your daughter and I really appreciate your interest in the site. Please check back frequently. I’m really working hard to make this a valuable resource for families like ours. ~Wes
Alberto
Wes,
Thanks for putting this together. I am a Chinese-American who didn’t grow up with a lot of Chinese cultural influences as my parents were too busy working in a Chinese restaurant. I grew up not being too proud of my Chinese heritage given the racism I endure as a kid. Now that I have a half-Chinese son, I want him to be proud of his heritage and I am learning as much as I can through your superb website. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
Wes Radez
Alberto, your comment made my day. I’m so glad that I’m able to help you and your family. Thank you for the kind words and please let me know as we go along if there are additional resources you think would be useful on the site. ~Wes
Scout
Hello Wes, your site is a wonderful rare resource for those of us caught between two worlds. It’s not only informative, but easy to navigate–and your kind replies to questions is a lovely touch! I’d like to humbly suggest a post about Chinese American funeral traditions. Definitely a sad topic, often straddling American and Chinese traditions, but speaking from experience, it is helpful to know what to expect when attending one. For example, the white funeral envelopes. Just a thought. I look forward to your future posts either way! Many thanks!
Wes Radez
Thanks for your kind words, Scout, and welcome! I’ll add your suggested post to my list. Will look forward to “seeing you around the site.” Please continue to share your ideas and experiences. ? ~Wes
mavis wong
Do you have a book with all these desserts and food receipe ?
Wes Radez
Not yet, Mavis. Perhaps one day! ~Wes
Karen Young
I am looking forward to sharing what you post with my own kids. Tried the red bean soup recipe and it was yum! Thanks!
Wes Radez
That makes me happy to hear, Karen. Thanks very much for writing and please send feedback whenever you have it! ~Wes
David Ng
Hi Wes,
What an inspirational website you built. I was researching on the different features between a typical American wedding vs. Chinese wedding and bumped into your website. I’m a 100% ethnic-Chinese “ABC” and I must say your knowledge of Chinese culture is definitely ahead of mine. Keep up with your great work!
Cheers!
Wes Radez
Hi David, thanks for your note. I appreciate your encouragement and hope you’ll return to contribute your experience and family stories! ~Wes
K. Chow
Hi Wes,
I stumbled upon your site while trying to prepare for the mid-autumn festival. I am white, but my husband is Chinese-American. He no longer has much family, so trying to keep his Chinese culture alive has been hard especially since we are young (23) and his memories of childhood celebrations are fuzzy. I wanted to make a celebration that would be special for him and incorporate his heritage. This site has helped me so much, and I am beyond grateful! He is going to be over the moon about our party next month.
Wes Radez
It made me so happy to receive your note today. I’m so glad that you’re helping your husband preserve his heritage in your family life! Have a terrific celebration and please tell me about any other resources you would find especially helpful. ~Wes
Lotus Yee Fong
Hi Wes. We just met at the This Land Is Our Land conference this past weekend. As a practicing Popo who has three bi-racial grandkids ages 12, 7 and 3 with two working parents, I find your website very helpful! Did you meet the children’s book author Dori Jones Yang and her daughter who sold me a copy of The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball? I bet she’d be interested in doing a children’s book reviews section for you to help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians find more good books! I forgot if I asked if you live here in California or somewhere East of California? Thanks for such a helpful, accessible website! Lotus Yee Fong, San Francisco now but we started the Albuquerque, New Mexico Chinese School back in the mid-80s.
PS Don’t forget to recommend AACP Asian American Curriculum Project based in San Mateo.
Wes Radez
Hi Auntie Lotus! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I’ll have to write Dori Jones Yang to learn more about her book — all the best to you and your family. Hope to see you around the site. ~Wes
Serena
Hi Wes, do you have any thoughts on creating family/ancestral altars from a modern ABC perspective? There is very little information on this subject. I’m going to go ahead and put one together in my home to honor my deceased grandfather.
Wes Radez
Hi Serena, Wow what a great question and one that I’m going to have to research further. It’s a topic I’ve thought about a lot. How to make the altar contemporary. How to create an altar in a mixed race family or multicultural home. Thanks for suggesting this subject, I hope to cover it soon in the future. ~Wes
Dena
Hi, I grew up with a family altar all my life. Traditionally, it’s done with red light bulbs. I’ve only known it to be done that way until I got married and saw my in-laws using white light bulbs. If you have kids growing up in the house, consider setting it up with white or clear light bulbs. I hate to say it because I know that it’s all about honoring our ancestors but the red glow at night was unsettling because you’re suppose to keep them lit 27/7. Also, from what I understand, once you set up an altar, you’re not suppose to discontinue the practice.
Wes, I’ve always wanted to do something to share Asian culture (specifically Chinese/Vietnamese mix) in America while I can still ask my parents about it and I just discovered your website! I’ve only read the red envelope page and wow, your responses are on point. I can’t wait to explore more of it.
Wes Radez
Hi Dena, thank you for contributing and welcome! I hope you’ll share more stories, memories and experiences as you explore more of the site! ~Wes
GUO ZHIBO
Follow Chinese traditional festivals. It is April 5 every year. That is, Ching Ming Festival. Burning some special memorial banknotes and ingots will be burned in empty areas. Hope ancestors will receive. Rich flower.
Sue
Will you be adding the 2018 dates to the different special events? I stumbled onto your website, looks great!!!
Wes Radez
Hi Sue, thanks for asking! You beat me to the punch! The holidays are now updated for 2018! ~Wes
joan vanderburg
Hello Everyone! While I’m very new to this site, I would like to say publically that, as a customer, I was treated BETTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE by Wes Radez and his team. I was SO impressed with the communication and humanity as well as THANKFUL to Wes for the way he handled my purchase and communications with him. I certainly will be coming back and back for more information as well as education! Thank you for such a superb Internet experience and for creating such a great site!
Wes Radez
Thank you for your kind words, Joan, and for being part of our community! Look forward to seeing you around the site. ~Wes
Betty
I’m so happy that I found your website – thank you for putting together this great resource! So much helpful information for Chinese Americans, or descendants of Chinese immigrants anywhere in the world! I’m excited to share your articles with my friends and other parents!
Wes Radez
Thanks, Betty! Your web site is beautiful, too. Happy to know we’re both working to promote the understanding of Chinese culture in the United States. ~Wes
GUO ZHIBO
Hello, I am very happy to see your website. I am a friend from China. Hope to communicate with you more. Talk about Chinese culture. Give you more help. You can send me an email.
Wes Radez
Welcome! I’ll look forward to having you involved in our community! ~Wes
Lisa
I work for Vipkid (teaching English to Chinese students online) and your blog was the perfect little gem to find! Often students talk about the different holidays in China. They do their best to describe it but I’m often left with more questions. You give a great description but then add a personal touch. Thank you!
Wes Radez
That’s wonderful, Lisa! I’m so glad the site is able to help you better connect with your students. ~Wes
Gilbert Gong
Hey Wes! Why didn’t you tell me about this gem of a website you’ve created? I’ll be checking out each topic soon, and plan on sharing this within our community.
Wes Radez
I’m glad you found me, Gilbert! This site is a labor of love that’s been a joy to build. Please feel free to share it around the community — I’m always happy to have it reach more people. ~Wes
Heather Creech
I teach English online to children in China. It has been some of the most rewarding teaching experience I’ve had! I found your site when looking for ways to connect with my students during the Mid Autumn festival, and all of your articles and information is amazing! Thank you for your hard work! Your efforts will enable me to make my classes so much more personal. 🙂 Blessings on your continued work!
Wes Radez
Hi Heather, I’m so happy to hear that the site has helped you connect with your students. I’m sure they appreciate it. Hope to see you around the site! ~Wes
Nancy
My husband and I recently married. My brother in law, presented my husband with a beautiful red and gold decorated box with various miniature opera masks inside. He told my husband the masks represent a message and my husband would need to figure out the message. We have researched opera masks, the colors, the detail of the design, but have been unable to figure out the message. What are we missing? How do we go about figuring out the message? Can you provide some insight or guidance.
Wes Radez
Hi Nancy, thanks for your question! The meaning is in a mask’s color — here are three articles that could help you. General meaning of mask color, The Colorful Masks of the Chinese Opera & Meaning Of Colors Used In Masks. Hope that helps! ~Wes
Tiffany Daniel
I just found this website and I could cry, I am so thankful to dive in! My son is 5, adopted from China. I feel a profound sense of cultural loss for him and want to incorporate Chinese culture into our home. I have felt overwhelmed and inadequate though. This site looks like it’s exactly what I need!
Wes Radez
Welcome, Tiffany! Please take a look around the site and write with any questions! I’m glad to help you. ~Wes
Jeannie L von Salm
Hi Wes,
I was researching Chinatown Vegas and was looking up dim sum restaurants and somehow stumbled onto your website. I’ve been on it all night…LOVE IT !!! THANK YOU…YOU HAVE CREATED A WONDERFUL INFORMATIVE WEBSITE.
Now, I got to go and try the egg tart recipe.
AGAIN, THANK YOU!!!
Jeannie
Wes Radez
Wonderful, Jeannie! Welcome! ~Wes
Mary Topper
Hello Wes:
Exactly three weeks from today, I will be meeting my soon to be daughter-in-law who was born and raised in China. I am so happy to see her in person, after only chatting with her online for the past five years (my son met her when they were both studying in Japan years ago).
I found your site as I was researching celebratory dishes/recipes. She will be here during the Chinese New Year, so that means she’ll be far away from her family and I would like to help her feel a warm welcome from her ‘new’ family here in the U.S.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the very enlightening, clear information your website contains!!!
MCT
Wes Radez
Hi Mary, I’m so glad to hear that! If you haven’t already, please check out my article, How to Plan a Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner. Good luck with your celebration! ~Wes
Emily
I’m so happy this exists! Thank you!
Wes Radez
Quite welcome! I checked out your blog, too, and really enjoyed your writing. ~Wes
perry
Great job Wes,
Glad to see some cultural pride in being a Chinese born in America.
I’m ethnic Chinese, born and raised in Oakland too and was a Chinese language major at Sf state.
Sincerely,
Perry
Wes Radez
Thank you for your kind words, Perry, and welcome to the community here! ~Wes
Nancy
Love your site! I am glad I stumble into it! I am going to send this site to my husband; this way he can understand my culture.
Wes Radez
So happy to hear that, Nancy. Welcome to the community! ~Wes
Jennie Liu
Hey Wes,
Spoke with you briefly through the shop. My novel GIRLS ON THE LINE (young adult) was published late last year. It follows two unadopted girls who age out of an orphanage in China. My website is jennieliuwrites.com if you want to check it out.
Wes Radez
Thanks for getting in touch, Jennie. I’ll enjoy checking out your site! ~Wes
April
I just wanted to tell you I have greatly appreciated your site! We home school and are also part of a Co Op where I teach Geography. This Term we are learning about China and I have been very grateful for your site and all of the great resources and books you have suggested. I have been using the recipes to cook for the children and so far they have all been wonderful!
Thank you so much for sharing what you know.
Wes Radez
Thank you for your kind words, April. I’m so glad that you’ve found the site useful! ~Wes
Marian Pinsky
Pleas sign me up for your wonderful website so I can get all your amazing updates!
Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for 🙂
Marian
Wes Radez
You’re in, Marian! Thanks for stopping by. ~Wes
Colleen
Hi, Wes! I sure hope you’re still reading the comments on your website…I’m only seeing posts from last year and older. Anyway, very glad to find this site. My daughter-in-law is Chinese, but has lived in the U.S. since she was a teenager. I was particularly interested in your article about gift-giving, because she’s a tough one for me to figure out! Lol. She’s a city girl from a wealthy family and she and my son live in Chicago. My husband and I raised my son in rural Ohio on a farm, so their backgrounds could not be more different! But, she’s so down-to-earth and awesome. We just love her. My son is very evasive, however, when I try to ask him about what she’d like for gifts. So, it’s tough for me to figure out. They plan to have children, so my grandkids will have a heritage like yours. I would love to learn more about Chinese culture and how Chinese-Americans prefer to honor their traditions. Take care!
Wes Radez
Thanks so much for your kind words, Colleen! Great to have you stop by. ~Wes