fave five #10: ash lee

featuring ikebana

today’s fave five is from ash lee, chef and owner of, in words pulled directly from the new york times, berlin’s “cultish Sichuan noodle joint”, chungking noodles.

i first met ash in 2018, when she was popping up around the city with chungking, shortly before her brick and mortar restaurant on reichenberger opened. i was a fan and let’s just say i did my best to go to every pop-up she had, evidence of which i pulled from my instagram archives here, here, here and here.

when i left my full time job in 2022 and was looking for work in a restaurant kitchen, my first choice was chungking, and i felt incredibly lucky that the timing worked out and i could join ash and her team. we worked together for a year and i learned a lot, least of all that many a self described “foodie” here in berlin still don’t know that biang biang aka hand pulled noodles and the noodles served at chungking are not at all the same thing—cue eye roll here.

this summer ash launched a new project called offmenu, and i know that i’m just one of the many that’s excited to see what she’s got in store. without further ado, enjoy ash’s fave five and see you next week with a new recipe.

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ash lee’s fave five

1. Flower arrangement a.k.a Ikebana—I love playing with flowers. There are so many different colors and different kinds of flowers. It's also such a meditating process to me. I have been reading some related books like Modern Ikebana, Flower Color Theory and, of course, something food related, Edible Flowers: How, Why and When We Eat Flowers. 

2. My way of rice noodles feast—I am currently obsessed with making rice noodle dinners. Parts of China mainly eat rice and rice noodles, especially in the south. I usually serve it family style with sliced meats, condiments, herbs, vegetables, fresh tofu curd, chili oil, flower pepper oil, and different shapes of rice noodles; I personally love the 1mm wide ones. Guests can then DIY their rice noodles with whatever flavours to their liking. We always end up having so much fun and very happy, satisfied full bellies. 

3. CKN stay spicy cap—Our beloved friend Anna from goodfoodcrapdrawing did the design of our new "Stay Spicy" cap. I love it so much and wear it every day.

side note from devan: read anna’s fave five here.

4. DISH the podcast—Hosted by Nick Grimshaw and chef Angela Hartnett, Angela usually cooks while they interview the guests. It's fun and casual and I put it on a lot when I take a long walk. 

5. Billards—LOL. I went to play Billiards for the FIRST time in my life with a bunch of friends, and I'm hooked! it's just a cute activity to do without heavy partying or drinking involved.