A childhood memory was waking up in the morning to see the door from the living room to the kitchen closed and finding a bunch of women who had been cooking in the pre-dawn. Usually it was Mom with Mumu (Oi Lick "Judy" Mar - Junior Mar's wife), Thliam Hu (Great Aunt Wong Shee Mar - Junior Mar's mother), and one or two others. After Grandma Suzon, arrived in 57, she was part of the party.
They made a variety of dumplings - tee, bao, chueng fun (crepes), sesame balls, bamboo sticky rice and other things. My favorite was the glutinous rolled up pancakes - white with specks of green onions and other ingredients.
I didn't figure it out back then (in the 1950s), those were gatherings of my relatives. There was no Chinatown experience for Midwestern Chinese living separately in houses across town. Gatherings were at the city parks, each other's homes, or in one of the numerous Chinese restaurants.
Here's a photo I'll call the Mar Clan of Wichita in 1957, probably taken at the restaurant on east Central (I can't remember the name now).
For the record, here's who I can identify (family relations names are from my point of view):
1st row: Kenneth (brother #2), Grandma Suzon Mar holding Sam (brother #3), Great-grand mother Cheung Tsui Tai, 3rd Great Aunt (Thliam Hoo), Vincent Lem, Grandpa King Mar, Alice Lem, me (brother #1)
2nd row: Han S. Mar, Oi Lick "Judy" Mar (Mumu to me, or Ngee Mu), 4th Great Aunt (Thlee Hoo), Mom Yim Ngo Wee holding Don (brother #4), Maureen Lem (Thliam Seem - I think, wife of Keng), Keng Lem (was he Thliam Sok? I can't remember how I addressed him or Maureen).
3rd row: don't know this guy, Junior Mar (Bakbak, or Ngee Bak, Mumu's husband), I think this guy was Cheung Gong (or Sok? can't remember the age distinction; he was married to a Japanese woman, the only one without family circle), Robert Mar (I think sone of Junior and Judy Mar), don't know this guy's name but he's many of the Junior Mar Family photos.
Ken, Vincent, Alice and Kim - can any one of you help?
Make the connection: Great grandma Cheung Tsai Tai in 1957 above with the young
Great Grandpa Dune Toi Mar in the 1920s at the Pan American Cafe.
3 comments:
Hi Gene,
This is Arthur Mah. My dad, Q Gar (Karl) Mah, was a partner at Fairland Cafe.
You may or may not remember me. My email is mahoo95@yahoo.com.
I have a question for you relating to Chinese egg cake.
Your blog about food memories directed my question to you.
Occasionally, I 'hit' upon your blog as I look for info relating to the Chinese community in Wichita.
Awesome blog...keep up the good work...
Arthur
PS: I was a grade behind you in school. Our only common school was West High; but unfortunately, I don't recall seeing you in the hallways.
Arthur,
Glad you made the connection. You're due for your 55th West High reunion. My class postponed because of Covid.
What's your question about Chinese egg cake?
But first, what is a Chinese egg cake? What was it in Toisanese?
I'll check with my brother Kim and his wife, too.
Gene
Hi Gene,
My friend (Wichita) commented that all the Wichita Chinese made the same egg cake...a baked egg cake...could be a specialty of our village or maybe a baked cake common to our region in China...
1) Do you or family members have a "family egg cake" recipe?
2) Do you remember eating egg cake...some call it sponge cake...as a kid...
3) If you have a family recipe, can you share it?
4) I have my mom's recipe and my friend's recipe. Recipes are nearly identical...6 of the 8 ingredients are the same...mixing and baking instructions are very similar. I can share these recipes with you if you are interested.
I live in Salem Oregon now. I don't do HS reunions. I think the organizers either took me off their list; USPS stopped forwarding mail as I moved; or I am one of the misplaced West High alums...
Thanks for your reply.
From the few blog pages I have read, they are excellent.
Arthur
PS...I remember visiting the MarDocks family in Tyler TX with my uncle Wah Fong Mah and family...couple of visits I believe...JR HI & HS age. My brother Gene is lifelong best friends with Vincent Lem.
Food...brings people together...
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