Martin Yan Quotes

A collection of quotes by Martin Yan.

Martin Yan is a renowned Chinese-American chef, television host, and food writer. Born on December 22, 1948, in Guangzhou, China, Yan discovered his passion for cooking at a young age. As a teenager, he apprenticed at a popular Hong Kong restaurant before moving to Vancouver, Canada, in the early 1970s. It was in Vancouver where Yan first gained international recognition with his television show, "Yan Can Cook," which aired in the United States and several other countries. The show not only showcased his culinary skills but also highlighted his charismatic personality and entertaining cooking style.

Yan's cooking expertise and enthusiasm for Chinese cuisine made him a familiar face on various television programs, including the popular series "Martin Yan's China," "Martin Yan's Quick & Easy," and "Martin Yan's Taste of Vietnam." Through these shows, he introduced millions of viewers to the intricacies and flavors of Asian cooking.

Apart from his television career, Yan is also a successful cookbook author, having written over 30 books on Chinese and Asian cuisine. His cookbooks not only provide recipes but also educate readers about the history, culture, and techniques of Chinese cooking.

Throughout his career, Martin Yan has been celebrated for his ability to bridge cultural gaps through food and his dedication to promoting Asian cuisine. His lively personality and infectious passion for cooking have made him a beloved figure in both the culinary world and the hearts of many food enthusiasts worldwide.

Happiness is within. It has nothing to do with how much appl

Happiness is within. It has nothing to do with how much applause you get or how many people praise you. Happiness comes when you believe that you have done something truly meaningful.

Martin Yan


I normally don't eat junk food.

I normally don't eat junk food.

Martin Yan


When I retire or pass away, I will be able to look back and

When I retire or pass away, I will be able to look back and say that this has been an exciting life. That's all that matters.

Martin Yan

Life

So when I do Chinese cooking, I mix everything together, the

So when I do Chinese cooking, I mix everything together, then the kids have to eat their vegetables. They won't have the patience to pick them out.

Martin Yan

Patience

As long as the food is well prepared and not overdone, I thi

As long as the food is well prepared and not overdone, I think it tastes good. It doesn't matter if it's Chinese, Japanese, anything.

Martin Yan

Food

If I could only have one type of food with me, I would bring

If I could only have one type of food with me, I would bring soy sauce. The reason being that if I have soy sauce, I can flavor a lot of things.

Martin Yan

Food

I've never considered myself a celebrity or even part of the

I've never considered myself a celebrity or even part of the entertainment business. I'm a cooking teacher.

Martin Yan

Teacher

Some people never contribute anything positive to society, t

Some people never contribute anything positive to society, they may even drain our resources, but most of us try to do something better, to give back.

Martin Yan

Positive

I think being famous is more of a hindrance, a constraint, t

I think being famous is more of a hindrance, a constraint, than just letting yourself be free.

Martin Yan

Famous

I don't like to waste anything. Any food left over from the

I don't like to waste anything. Any food left over from the night before is always eaten the next day.

Martin Yan

Food

People who don't travel cannot have a global view, all they

People who don't travel cannot have a global view, all they see is what's in front of them. Those people cannot accept new things because all they know is where they live.

Martin Yan

Travel