Sweet and Sour Dilemmas

There are three simple steps to perfect dumplings. Step One: Support the base. Step two: grab the shaft. Step three: pinch the tip. That’s according to Chef Chung, portrayed by Brendan Wan in Jeremy Nguyen’s one-man show, Sweet and Sour Dilemmas. Chung is depicted as the owner and head chef of the Happy Lucky Dragon, and walks the audience members through their ‘first day’ in the kitchen.

As the performance progresses, Chung begins to diverge from the regular teachings of Asian cuisine, and delves deeper into his personal life. He begins his story with the reason behind his immigration to Australia: a girl he met during a trip to Singapore, which resulted in a long-term relationship over the course of many months. However, after a heated argument about their future together, Chung makes the decision to move across the globe to live with his partner, and build their future in Melbourne. 

Chung’s character provides audience members with many different experiences – both good and bad – that come from living as an Asian in a Westernised country. This resonated with me, as both my parents have migrated here, and I bared similar circumstances that were mentioned. Racism is a prominent topic among the first part of the performance, which then transitions into his thoughts about his children, and their opportunities in this environment. 

However, Chung isn’t pushy, his serious topics are overlaid with a robust sense of humour and comedic timing. While discussing his doubts about a fair background and racial stereotypes, Chung maintains a chilled atmosphere, and often laughs along with the ridiculous nature of societal expectations. Certain moments where he chats about the Western view of Asian culture had me in fits, as these tidbits weren’t just fiction, they were often fact for me. Wan’s character portrays a very important message: despite the frustrations that accompany our backgrounds, don’t take the whole situation too seriously and just enjoy the ride for what it is. 

It’s a shame that this performance was only a one-off in the Melbourne Fringe Festival, but it’s clear how much the audience enjoyed this show. Although it touches many different matters that immigrants have faced, and still face today, the comedic timing is undeniable. Wan’s heartwarming representation on Chef Chung’s jovial but hardworking demeanour is bang on, and one that resonated with me on a personal level. 

Overall, Sweet and Sour Dilemmas is a show filled with laughter, love and poor dumpling making (in my personal opinion).

Sweet and Sour Dilemmas
Performed at Melbourne Fringe Festival
melbournefringe.com.au/event/sweet-sour-dilemmas