Hunter Lu
Contributor
Hunter Lu is a New York-based food and features writer, editor, and NYU graduate. His fiction has appeared in The Line Literary Review and The Bangalore Review, and his nonfiction has appeared in Foreign Policy Magazine, Atlas Obscura, Greatist, Edible Queens, The Cleaver Quarterly, and The War Horse.
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Burgers and Champagne? A chef explains why this unusual pairing really works
Burgers and champagne might be the perfect pairing. Chef Sebastien Chaoui of The Chester teaches The Manual all about why the flavor combination works.
The top Asian-inspired wood-fire cooking tips from a chef
Learn how to combine wood-fire cooking techniques with Asian ingredients from KYU, a restaurant that specializes in wood-fire cooking.
Purple or green? Meet the mixologist crafting color-themed cocktails
Creating cocktails based on color is a must-try. To learn how, we interviewed Charlotte Voisey, an award-winning mixologist at the cocktail bar two fifteen.
What is Chinese barbecue? An essential guide
Char siu is Chinese barbecue pork, and it's a delicacy that's beloved throughout the Chinese community.
How to make a crowd-pleasing shrimp scampi
Garlicky and buttery, shrimp scampi is equally delicious by itself or with pasta.
Experience Japan in New York: Inside The Prince Kitano Hotel
Looking to experience Japan in New York City? The Prince Kitano Hotel offers everything from authentic kaiseki cuisine to tatami mats.
The ultimate guide to Thai food, one of the world’s most dynamic cuisines
The richness of Thai food goes far beyond standard takeout orders of Pad Thai and chicken satay.
6 classic Italian pasta recipes to make in your own kitchen
For a delicious and ambitious Italian feast, indulge yourself with these classic Italian pasta recipes, a must-cook for any pasta lover.
How to grill spicy Turkish Adana kebabs (and more tips)
One of the most famous kabob styles is the Adana kebab, a spicy Turkish lamb mince fragrant with chili peppers.
What to know about Hanwoo, the Wagyu beef of Korea
Its flavor can best be described as a combination of Wagyu and American Angus. For many beef lovers, Hanwoo is the best of both worlds.
The iconic Benjamin Steakhouse shares its best meat cooking tips
Interested in learning steak cooking tips from a top steakhouse? Benjamin Steakhouse of New York is here to share its best industry tips.
The 7 best anime to stream on Amazon right now
Amazon Prime is home to many anime, from classics to exclusive titles and new ones. So, start your binge sessions right with the best anime on Amazon Prime.
How to make a soft, chewy Neapolitan-style pizza like a pro
Pizza stems from one style — Neapolitan pizza. Despite the countless variations of pizza throughout the world, Neapolitan pizza has stood the test of time.
NYC restaurant Mala Hot Pot teaches us about modern Chinese hot pot
Chinese hot pot comes in many forms. We interviewed Mala Hot Pot to learn the details, from optimum cooking times to their specialty — the Nine-Grid Blind Box.
A Michelin-recognized restaurant’s guide to pairing drinks with Indian cuisine
We interview Chola, a Michelin recognized Indian restaurant in New York to learn about pairing beer, wine, and cocktails with Indian cuisine.
How a Michelin-starred sushi chef crafts omakase to go
Michelin level omakase sushi is now accessible for takeout. We take an inside look into Jōji Box,
How to make a killer meatloaf (and it’s easier than you think)
A favorite of family meals and diners, a well-made meatloaf is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and is simple to make at home.
Upgrade your next barbecue with elk, the healthy red meat you should be eating
If you're looking for a healthy beef replacement, look no further than elk. We interview First Light Farms to learn all about this healthy red meat.
How to brunch like the French with lobster croissant and champagne
Learn how to brunch like the French with lobster croissant, cocktails, and frog legs. Maison Close, a New York-based French restaurants, teaches us how.
What is caviar? A seafood expert breaks down all the details
Delicate and buttery, caviar is a luxurious delicacy. To guide us, caviar expert John McDonald of Hancock St. teaches us how to enjoy this prized ingredient.
What is dim sum? A guide to China’s most famous culinary tradition
Dim sum restaurants are a culinary institution in many American Chinatowns.
The complete guide to cleaning a fish for beginners
Landed a big catch? Nice work! Tasty, fresh fish meat is just a few slices away. Follow this guide to learn how to best prepare a fresh-caught fish.
How to make sweet and crispy Hawaiian fried chicken
From fragrant garlic chicken to sweet mochiko chicken, Hawaii is a fantastic place for fried poultry.
How to make peri peri chicken, a South African BBQ classic
Want to know about the delicious and spicy peri peri chicken? Read this simple guide and make your own at home with a chef-approved recipe.
Here’s the chicken pot pie recipe you need to bake up this comfort food favorite
The best of both worlds, chicken pot pie combines crispy pastry with rich chicken stew.
Tips and tricks: A pro chef reveals how to cook prime rib
The highlight of any celebration or menu, prime rib requires plenty of skill to execute. Chef James Tracey of Monterey helps us break down this classic.
Tlayudas is the ‘Mexican pizza’ you never knew you needed
Tlayudas are a Mexican street food classic. Chef Alex Mixcoatl shares his favorite tips and tricks with The Manual for this Oaxaca dish.
How to make Salisbury steak, an American classic
An iconic American classic, Salisbury steak is a savory and hearty dish guaranteed to satisfy any meat lover.
How to make chai tea: Tasty recipes for a homemade delight
An excellent beverage for any weather, a cup of creamy Indian chai is second to none. Read on to learn all the tips and tricks to making this amazing drink.
How to make Vietnamese pho, a perfect soup for any time of the year
A steaming bowl of rich beef broth brimming with noodles and fragrant herbs, pho is widely considered the most famous dish of Vietnam.
How to find the best street food (and other travel tips), according to YouTube megastar, The Food Ranger
Looking for travel tips? From the best street food to digital safety, YouTube megastar The Food Rangers share his best tips.
Here’s all you need to know about brisket: A comprehensive guide
There aren't many foods more heartily satisfying than slow-cooked meat. Here's all you need to know about brisket.
Secrets revealed: Chef shares his best tips for cooking a picanha steak
Brazilian picanha is a must-eat for any meat lover. We learn all the tips and tricks from a chef.
A pro chef gives us tips on how to make a great breakfast burger
Who wouldn't want a burger for breakfast? A pro chef gives us all the tips and tricks you'll need.
How to make creamy, crispy chicken fried steak – a recipe for the home chef
Crispy and covered in gravy, chicken fried steak is a delicious and filling Southern delicacy.
Meet the Bikini sandwich, Spain’s answer to the Croque Monsieur
Have you ever heard of a bikini sandwich? It's Spain's version of a Croque Monsieur, and it's incredible.
There are several health benefits of wine – we explain them here
ETTORE, an organic winery in California, shows its expertise on the health benefits of wine.
How to make a delicious Philly roast pork sandwich
The cheesesteak might be Philadelphia's most famous culinary item but for many locals, the roast pork sandwich is deemed to be the true taste of Philadelphia.
The best Indian butter chicken recipes we’ve tasted
Satisfy your craving for Indian butter chicken without going to a restaurant with these crowd-pleasing butter chicken recipes from Indian cuisine experts.
Chef-inspired recipe: How to make Mexican carne asada for a winning meat entree
Carne asada, a smoky and savory Mexican style steak, is a one of the most popular items in Mexican cuisine.
Secrets revealed: A chef shares a guacamole recipe upgrade you won’t be able to resist
Everyone loves guacamole, but with this chef's tips and recipe, your guac will be even better.
Seltzers, cocktails, and more: The 9 best CBD drinks we tried in 2024
From tasty fruit flavors to drinks that help to de-stress and mellow out, these are our favorite CBD-infused drinks.
How to make limoncello: Everything you need to know about this Italian delicacy
Crafted from an aged mix of lemons and liquor, limoncello is the bright yellow liqueur that's become synonymous with sunshine on the Italian Riviera.
A seafood expert teaches us all about rare, gourmet shrimp
Citarella NYC owner and fishmonger reveals all about gourmet shrimp — how to source and how to prepare them.
Meet the mail-order wagyu beef company prized by Gordon Ramsay and David Chang
Jon Urbana of KOW Steaks teaches us all about high-quality American Wagyu.
Beyond the espresso martini: A speakeasy mixologist teaches us all about coffee cocktails
From how to pair coffee with your cocktail ingredients to how to make a Black Manhattan, this is your expert guide to coffee cocktails.
Why chocolate is the must-add ingredient for the perfect eggplant parmesan
Executive Chef Adam Leonti of the restaurant Cucina Alba is adding an interesting ingredient to his eggplant parmesan — chunks of bitter chocolate.
How to pair soju and beef: Master Sommelier Kyungmoon Kim of Wangbi gives us his top tips
Soju and beef are a match made in heaven. Master sommelier Kyungmoon Kim of NYC's Wangbi tell us how to pair soju and beef.
Chef Andrew Zimmern teaches us all about wild game cooking
Andrew Zimmern, well-known TV personality and chef, teaches us about wild game cooking.
From roasted to dressed, a chef’s guide to upgrading your oysters
We got some advice from a chef on how to upgrade the lowly oyster to something incredible.