“The grass is always greener”
Interviewer: PJ Helderlein
Interviewee: Kevin [Redacted], manager of Rice Fun, 1531 Cinema Dr, Statesville, NC 28625
The following page is an account of a hard-working man named Kevin who immigrated to the United States from Taiwan early in his life and eventually became the manager of a very successful Chinese restaurant in Statesville, North Carolina. This page discusses his immigration story, his ascension into managerial status, his view on food and culture between the United States and Taiwan, and his plans for the future. His story is truly inspiring, and very humbling.
My family has known Kevin for many years. I guess you would call us “regulars” at his restaurant, Rice Fun. I can honestly say I have tried everything on the menu at least once. I am grateful that he gave me the opportunity to speak with him and give me insight into his life.
Here is his story:
Where the Story Begins
Kevin is a Chinese immigrant from Taiwan. His mother and father made the decision for him and his family to immigrate to the United States in 1991 when Kevin was only 12 years old. They made this life changing decision because of unsubstantial wages in Taiwan. If his parents were to continue to work in Taiwan, their family would have lived in extreme poverty. Kevin’s uncle had previously made the transition to the United States and was working in the restaurant industry, so Kevin’s parents knew that they would have somewhere to work if they were to move. They also knew that the education would benefit the children, so to them, the move was a no brainer. When Kevin moved to the United States, he began to live with his uncle’s family, and worked by helping with his restaurant in Charlotte, NC. While living in Charlotte, he was living in a very crowded home with all of his and his uncle’s immediate family (approximately 8-9 people). Kevin explained that the primary concern from his parents was that they did not know any English prior to immigration. They struggled slightly because the Chinese population at that time was not very concentrated in Charlotte, however, they had his uncle’s family who assisted them and eased the transition.
How Rice Fun Came to Be
Kevin’s uncle owned a small restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina where Kevin was able to gain some experience in the restaurant industry, however, it was his sister who actually worked with their father to start the restaurant, Rice Fun. She finished high school and took two semesters of college, after which she began to work exclusively in the restaurant. Kevin followed the same path and began working with his sister and father once the restaurant opened. The original Rice Fun opened in Mooresville, North Carolina in 2005 and they decided to expand to open a second location in Statesville, North Carolina in 2008. Kevin took charge of the Statesville location, where he has been working as a manager ever since.
Kevin’s Take on Food
As expected, the food that Kevin traditionally eats at home is far different from the food that he prepares in his restaurant. He mentioned that the food in his restaurant has naturally become very Americanized with fried foods, breading, and excessive seasoning. His traditional cuisine was composed of stir fry with minimal seasoning. He noted that the reason for minimal seasoning was because “the more seasoning, the [more] thirsty you are afterwards”. So, when he started his restaurant, he started cooking like he was used to at home, and his customers
complained that there was no flavor. Over time, he continued to add seasonings and fried foods until he did not recognize the dishes any longer.
Additionally, a large difference he noticed was among the vegetables eaten here versus in Taiwan. He tells an anecdote about when he originally came to the United States, he saw a stalk of broccoli and thought it was cauliflower. When he tried it, he said he spit it out because it “tastes nasty”. He has started to eat the vegetables here and began to acquire a taste for them, broccoli included. He now notices that when he goes back to Taiwan he does not like the traditional foods as much anymore. He now prefers the vegetables from the United States.
He mentioned that this was largely due to the texture of the vegetables. When he moved from Taiwan, he was accustomed to the textures of the various vegetables found there, however, upon moving to the US, he did not have access to those vegetables any more so he had acquired less of a taste for them. He does continue to go to his local Asian Market, but he mentions that they only have the common vegetables found in Taiwan, like bok choy.
The dishes that are made in his restaurant are highly focused on seasoned, breaded, and fried foods, however, the foods he eats at home are largely focused on stir fry. He even mentioned that his stir fry is much different than the stir fry made at home. The stir fry in his restaurant has multiple vegetables with a variety of textures that “tastes like grass”, and some sort of meet cut up from a filet. Conversely his stir fry at home traditionally consists of only one or two Asian vegetables, with either a whole chicken or a whole fish, bones included.
What is Next for Rice Fun
Kevin now has a wife who is also from Taiwan and one son, 3 years of age. He discussed that he does not have any desire for his son to take over the business when he retires. It is very early to anticipate what his son will be doing in terms of the workforce, nevertheless, he believes that he will have his son work with him in the restaurant to gain experience in the workforce, but would not urge him to work there full time. He mentioned that he would let him take over the business if he really wants to, but he would rather have his son get an education and make his own decision based on what he likes to do.T-shirts hung in the dining room of Kevin’s restaurant in support of local high schools.
Kevin is a joyful, loving man that sincerely enjoys the work he does and the friendships he makes through his restaurant. I am glad to call him a friend. Thank you, Kevin, for taking the time to sit down and have a conversation with me so that I, among others, may gain a better insight into the process of immigrating to North Carolina and the processes that follow.