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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Inspired by dramas and anime, Lukang girl becomes a pastry chef

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A girl from Lukang, Taiwan, was inspired by Korean dramas and Japanese anime to become a pastry chef and open her own shop.
  • She uses local ingredients like Lukang's brown sugar, Fangyuan peanuts, and Fuxing rice crisp to create unique cakes.
  • The local government supported her entrepreneurial venture with a subsidy, encouraging young people to start businesses in their hometown.

Inspired by the Korean drama "Dae Jang Geum" and the Japanese anime "Yumeiro Patissiere," Yen Ya-chih from Lukang, Taiwan, pursued her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Her passion led her to open a shop in her hometown, where she now creates unique desserts.

Yen's journey began in elementary school after watching "Dae Jang Geum." Later, in high school, the anime "Yumeiro Patissiere" solidified her desire to specialize in cakes and pastries. She pursued culinary studies at the Kaohsiung Union University, preparing for her future career.

Seeing customers' moods improve after eating desserts is the greatest happiness of being a pastry chef!

— Yen Ya-chihThe pastry chef describes her motivation and joy in her work.

Despite the demanding nature of pastry making, which requires both physical effort and meticulous attention to detail for taste and appearance, Yen persevered. After graduating, she gained experience working in five-star hotels and dessert shops in Taipei and Kaohsiung before returning to Lukang to establish her own business.

Lukang Afternoon Cream Cake

— Yen Ya-chihShe names her signature cake, which features local ingredients.

Her signature "Lukang Afternoon Cream Cake" incorporates local flavors like Lukang brown sugar, Fangyuan peanuts, and Fuxing rice crisp. Yen finds immense joy in seeing customers' moods lift after enjoying her creations, describing it as the most radiant moment for a pastry chef.

Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei highlighted Yen's success as an example of the county's entrepreneurial support program, which has provided subsidies to 138 individuals. The program aims to encourage more young people to return and establish businesses in their hometowns.

We hope more young people will stay and start businesses in their hometowns.

— Wang Hui-meiThe county magistrate expresses support for local entrepreneurship.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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