Jon Kung
Jonathan Kung is a Chinese-American chef based in Detroit, Michigan. They are known for their viral cooking content on TikTok and Instagram. Kung's debut cookbook Kung Food: Recipes from a Third-Culture Chinese Kitchen was released in 2023.
Life and career
[edit]Kung was born in Los Angeles to parents from Hong Kong.[1] Kung was raised in Hong Kong and Toronto.[2][3] They received their bachelor's degree in creative writing and theatre from Eastern Michigan University.[3] Kung moved to Detroit in 2007 to study law at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.[4][5] During law school Kung began to cook more often and shared their experiences in a blog.[1] Kung began to assist chefs in Detroit,[3] and they also worked as a cook at Gold Cash Gold, Takoi, and Standby.[6] Eventually, they started their own food popup at Eastern Market, Kung Food, until they had to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] They graduated law school never passed the Michigan bar exam, failing the first time by three points and the second time by two. They decided to shift to cooking as a career not long after.[1]
In 2020, Kung gained a following by posting cooking videos to TikTok and Instagram.[5][3] Their initial videos were "survival" recipes fit for viewers sheltering in place.[2] Their recipes frequently combine traditional Chinese ingredients and American dishes.[3] Their debut book Kung Food: Recipes from a Third-Culture Chinese Kitchen was released in October 2023.[3] Kung and drag queen Kim Chi co-hosted the culture and food podcast 1 for the Table.[7]
Kung is nonbinary and uses he/him[1] and they/them pronouns.[5][6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Moores, Kate (2023-10-31). "In his debut cookbook, TikTok-famous chef Jon Kung digs into food and identity". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- 1 2 Frank, Annalise (2023-11-09). ""Kung Food" brings Detroit chef Jon Kung to the page". Axios. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patalay, Ajesh (2023-10-02). "Jon Kung, the self-taught chef who went viral". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ↑ Williams, Monica (2021-03-12). "The Detroit Chef Making All the Viral TikTok Food Videos We Need Now". Eater Detroit. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- 1 2 3 "Detroit Chef Cooks Up Sizzling Success: How Cookbook Author Jon Kung Left Law to Launch a Viral TikTok". Pride Source. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- 1 2 Thomas, Jack (2023-11-02). "Jon Kung's Partner Says 'Yes' to Marriage Proposal Hidden in the Detroit Chef's Debut Cookbook". Hour Detroit Magazine. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ↑ Saxena, Jaya (2023-03-14). "A Drag Queen and a YouTube Chef Walk Into a Podcast". Eater. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
External links
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