Chef Spotlight: DORON WONG of Yunnan Kitchen and Northern Tiger in NYC

Doron Wong is the Executive Chef of Yunnan Kitchen and Northern Tiger in New York City. In May of 2014, He was named Executive Chef of Yunnan Kitchen, the Lower East Side restaurant, specializing in market-driven dishes inspired by China's Yunnan Province. He brought 18 years experience to the position, having worked in Boston, Singapore, Hong Kong and New York alongside notable chefs like Ken Oringer, David Burke and Susur Lee. Wong also worked with the TungLok Group under award-winning restaurateur Andrew Tjioe. In January of 2015, he and owner Erika Chou will open Northern Tiger, filling the last slot at the new Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place.

Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Doron Wong about his career, Yunnan Kitchen and Northern Tiger.

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

I had the pleasure of having a mother that cooked very well! That inspired me to go to Asia and to understand where the food and culture was from.

Who were some of your career mentors?

One of the biggest career mentors in my life was Ken Oringer. If it wasn't for him, I would never had gone to work in Singapore and meet one of my other mentors and good friend today, Susur Lee.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Chinese food is comfort food, which translates into food that I enjoy eating and cooking. Foods that have influenced my cooking are Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and regional Chinese foods.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef?

I think a lot of my cooking comes from my training in the Eastern kitchens where techniques are the total opposite of a Western kitchen. For example, in an Eastern kitchen we braise meats in the steamer, while a Western kitchen will sear and braise in a low oven.

What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal of the moment is a simple Chinese breakfast. Savory warm soy milk curdled with a little rice wine vinegar paired with a shaobing youtiao, a puffy flatbread wrapped Chinese doughnut. It is an experience we can enjoy whether I'm visiting Flushing with my Family, or when I'm traveling the streets of Beijing & Shanghai.

In your own words, tell me a little bit about Yunnan Kitchen and Northern Tiger for our readers.

Many cuisines, French and Italian for example, express regional variations. Terroir defines food and people. China is a large and diverse country with 55 ethnic minorities. We are importing authentic culture to New Yorkers, starting with the bountiful southern food culture of Yunnan, and continuing with the hearty cuisine of Northeast China.

Yunnan Kitchen is located at 79 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002. You can phone them at (212) 253-2527 or visit their web site at www.yunnankitchen.com. For more information on Northern Tiger, visit www.northerntigernyc.com to get updates and learn about their opening. Northern Tiger will be located at Hudson East, 200 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10080.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Doron Wong

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