Origin and Identity - The speaker was born in a refugee camp in Thailand in 1984, where 1 in 3 babies didn't survive past their second birthday [1] - The speaker's family spent 10 years in the refugee camp before immigrating to America in 1987 [1] - The speaker initially felt ashamed of his M identity and tried to assimilate by learning English from late-night talk shows and sitcoms [10][11][12] - The speaker later embraced his heritage, recognizing his parents' quiet strength in preserving their language, traditions, and values [13][15] The Language of Food - The speaker believes food is a powerful universal language that carries emotion, memories, and identity, telling stories without words [5] - The speaker is the founder of Union Monk Kitchen and the owner/chef at Vi, where he serves food that tells his story [5] - The speaker sees the world through the lens of the kitchen, learning about timing and pressure from cooking [6][9] - Food connects people across cultures, backgrounds, and time, creating a common language even without shared words [10] - Food is a catalyst for cultivating great relationships and a doorway to understanding each other [25] Legacy and Impact - The speaker's parents' journey from war to a refugee camp to a new life in America is a hero's journey [14] - The speaker honors his parents through every dish he cooks and every story he tells, recognizing their sacrifices and love [16][20] - The speaker's mother couldn't speak English to her grandkids, so she made them 100 egg rolls to show her love [20][21] - Success is measured in legacy, the echo that is heard for many generations to come, not just awards and headlines [27] - The speaker's restaurant, Vina, and his friend Gustavo Romero's restaurant, Oro, both made it on the New York Times list, demonstrating the power of food to tell their stories [22][24]