Posts By: Xin Xu

Cassandra Wang

Cassandra Wang hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.

In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.

Top Five Foods to Eat During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, celebration, and delicious overabundance of food. Every year my family hosts a dinner that includes a variety of dishes to treat extended family members and friends. Every dish served during this festive time carries a deep cultural significance, often symbolizing… Read more »

The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Experience

Recently, I had the unique culinary experience of ordering my meals through a digital menu and picking them up in a locker! Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is a chain of diners that feature delicious dumplings (a traditional classic) but with a modern flare. From its sleek, tech-driven ordering system to its menu packed with creative flavors,… Read more »

The Yakiniku Experience Worth Trying

Recently with the cold weather, I’ve been craving DIY BBQ restaurants but with a Japanese flare. Enter yakiniku, a social and sensory Japanese BBQ that brings people together over sizzling grills and delicious flavors. Rooted in tradition but constantly evolving, Japanese BBQ offers a unique way to enjoy high-quality meats, fresh vegetables, and a variety… Read more »

Oyster Tasting Experience and Tips

Happy New Year AU students! AU students who want to treat themselves this year can indulge in some delicacies from the ocean. I’ve started the year off fresh with some oyster tasting. But oyster tasting is more than just pure consumption; it’s an experience that engages all your senses, connecting you to the ocean and… Read more »

Why Cats Make the Perfect Student Pet

1.  Low Maintenance Cats are relatively independent animals compared to other pets like dogs.  They don’t require daily walks or constant attention, which is ideal for a student with a busy schedule of classes, studying, and social activities.  So long as they have their litter box, and their feed, cats are generally lower maintenance than… Read more »

Everything I Ate in Japan—Part III

Being a big foodie means that even in a one week trip to Japan, I got the opportunity to try some fairly adventurous dishes, from yakiniku made with beef innards to octopus balls. Whenever I travel, I travel to taste the local cuisine and food has always been a highlight. I can never stop talking… Read more »

Everthing I Ate in Japan—Part II

Traveling to Japan is like stepping into a food lover’s paradise.  From savory street snacks to intricate multi-course meals, every bite is a chance to experience Japan’s rich culture, history, and artistry.  Last week, I wrote about some of the food adventures I had trying sushi, ramen, kushikatsu and bento boxes and this week I’ll… Read more »

Everything I Ate in Japan—Part I

Recently I had a very short trip to Japan for a single week, but there was so much interesting food that I found that this article is in two parts. Since WestJet has started offering direct flights to Tokyo, it made much more sense to visit Asia than to fly to the east coast of… Read more »