The Journey Behind “Galangal: A Peranakan Legacy”
There was a moment in Galangal: A Peranakan Legacy where Emily Chan, the protagonist, runs her fingers over her late father’s spice jars, each labeled in his careful handwriting. She’s at a crossroads, struggling to save her family’s beloved Peranakan restaurant while staying true to her roots.
For me, writing that scene felt deeply personal because it mirrored my own journey — not just as a writer, but as someone rediscovering their identity and cultural heritage.
Writing Galangal was not merely about crafting a compelling story; it was an odyssey of research, introspection, and connection.
What began as a nine-month creative endeavour to write a novel blossomed into an emotional exploration of my family’s history, my cultural roots, and my understanding of how the best stories are born from half-truths: a blend of lived experiences and imagined possibilities.
The Story of Galangal
At its core, Galangal is about Emily Chan, a chef who inherits her family’s struggling Peranakan restaurant after the passing of her father, Chef Michael Chan, an icon of traditional cuisine.
Set in Singapore’s vibrant Tiong Bahru district, the novel delves into Emily’s internal and external conflicts as she fights to preserve her father’s legacy while facing the pressures of modernisation. Her fiery sous chef, Jarrod Leong, fiercely defends culinary tradition, while
Emily’s pragmatic fiancé, Joe Prescott, pushes her to embrace innovation to attract a wider audience. The kitchen becomes a battleground for more than just food; it’s where identity, ambition, and loyalty collide.
As Emily struggles with mounting debts, dwindling patrons, and her own doubts, she realises that saving Galangal isn’t just about running a restaurant — it’s about honouring the generations of love, resilience, and culture that have shaped her family’s legacy.
But Galangal is not just Emily’s story. It’s also Jarrod’s, a character whose journey was equally important to me. An orphan raised in a tough environment, Jarrod found purpose and salvation in the discipline of cooking under Chef Michael’s mentorship. His staunch belief in preserving Peranakan authenticity often clashes with Emily’s desire to modernise, creating a dynamic that drives much of the narrative tension.
Writing Jarrod’s backstory was cathartic, as I saw reflections of my own struggles with finding purpose and identity.
Why This Story Matters to Me
When I began writing Galangal, I thought it was a simple story about food and culture. But as the months went on, I realized it was so much more than that. It became a deeply personal project rooted in my own experiences and those of my family. The restaurant at the heart of the novel is fictional, but it’s inspired by stories passed down through generations: tales of perseverance, the power of tradition, and the resilience of immigrant families.
I grew up hearing about how my grandparents struggled to make ends meet, often using food as a way to connect with the community and preserve a sense of home. My grandfather was a spice trader, and my grandmother was known for her extraordinary cooking. While they didn’t own a restaurant like the Chans, their story laid the foundation for Galangal.
Writing about Emily’s late-night conversations with her mother or her memories of learning to cook with her father reminded me of my own childhood, standing by the stove and watching my mother recreate recipes passed down from her mother.
But beyond these personal connections, Galangal was also a way for me to rediscover and celebrate my Peranakan roots. Peranakan culture is a beautiful blend of Chinese and Malay traditions, evident in its vibrant cuisine, intricate beadwork, and colorful sarongs. Yet, like many people of mixed heritage, I had at times felt distanced from this identity. Researching the rich tapestry of Peranakan history, language, and food for the novel felt like coming home.
The Nine-Month Journey of Writing Galangal
Writing Galangal took nine months of dedication, and it was far from a straightforward process. I immersed myself in research, from reading about the history of Peranakan cuisine to interviewing chefs and food historians. I pored over old cookbooks, recreated traditional recipes in my kitchen, and even visited Singapore’s Tiong Bahru and Joo Chiat districts to soak in the atmosphere.
But the research was only part of the journey. Crafting a story that felt authentic and emotionally resonant required countless hours of brainstorming, writing, and rewriting. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, unsure if I could do justice to the culture and characters. Yet, each challenge pushed me to refine the narrative, dig deeper into the characters’ motivations, and ensure that every scene carried emotional weight.
Emily’s journey of reconciling tradition and innovation mirrored my own creative struggles. Just as she wrestles with whether to modernize Galangal’s menu to attract new patrons, I grappled with how much creative freedom I could take while staying true to the essence of Peranakan culture. In the end, I realized that both Emily and I were searching for the same thing: balance. How do we honor the past while moving forward?
Identifying with Emily and Jarrod
One of the most fulfilling aspects of writing Galangal was how much I saw myself in both Emily and Jarrod. Like Emily, I’ve felt the pressure to prove myself, to live up to expectations while forging my own path. Her internal conflict — to preserve her father’s legacy while finding her own voice — resonated deeply with me.
At the same time, Jarrod’s fierce loyalty to tradition and his struggle to overcome a turbulent past echoed my own battles with identity and purpose. His character is a reminder that heritage is not just something we inherit; it’s something we fight to protect and pass on. Writing his story helped me process my own feelings about the importance of staying connected to one’s roots.
The Truth Behind the Fiction
One of the reasons I’m proud of Galangal is because it’s a story built on half-truths. I’ve always believed that the best stories come from a blend of actual events and imagined possibilities. While Emily and Jarrod are fictional, their experiences are grounded in realities I’ve observed, lived, or heard about. The challenges Emily faces as a second-generation immigrant trying to uphold her family’s legacy are drawn from real conversations I’ve had with friends and family.
Similarly, the kitchen dynamics in the novel — the tension between preserving authenticity and adapting to change — are inspired by the culinary world’s ongoing debates. The rise of modern fusion cuisine has sparked discussions about what it means to innovate without losing cultural identity, a theme I wanted to explore in depth.
An Emotional Journey
Writing Galangal was, at its heart, an emotional journey. There were moments when the words flowed effortlessly, and others when I sat staring at a blank screen, overwhelmed by the weight of what I was trying to convey. But through it all, I felt an undeniable connection to the story. Every character, every scene, and every dish described in the book felt like a tribute to my family, my heritage, and the universal human experience of seeking belonging.
One of the most emotional moments for me was writing about Emily’s relationship with her late father. Chef Michael Chan is a larger-than-life figure in the novel, but he’s also deeply human — a man who poured his soul into his work and his family. Writing his character allowed me to reflect on my own relationships and appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to give me opportunities they never had.
Why I’m Proud of Galangal
As I look back on the nine months of writing Galangal, I feel an immense sense of pride. Not just because I completed a novel, but because of what it represents. It’s a celebration of culture, family, and resilience. It’s a love letter to Peranakan cuisine and the stories that live on through food. And it’s proof that the best stories — the ones that resonate most deeply — are those that come from the heart.
I hope that readers of Galangal will not only enjoy the story but also feel inspired to reflect on their own roots, their own legacies, and the stories they want to pass down. Because at the end of the day, we’re all connected by the same threads: love, tradition, and the desire to find our place in the world.
Galangal: A Peranakan Legacy is now available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions. Whether you’re a fan of cultural fiction, a food enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good story, I hope this novel speaks to you as much as it spoke to me while writing it.