In Memory of 蔡澜 (Chua Lam)

挥一挥衣袖，不带走一片云彩

(I wave my sleeves. Not even a wisp of cloud will I bring away)

Chua Lam, the beloved food critic and cultural icon based in Hong Kong, passed away today. His deep love for food went beyond appetite—it shaped a way of living. A philosophy that was unique, profound, popular, and deeply worth remembering.

I don’t think I can explain the essence of this wise man’s worldview in a single paragraph. I can’t even say clearly why I adore him more than so many other writers—some of whom might be more polished, more literary. Maybe it’s because he was authentic, a little rebellious. Maybe because we share the same obsession with food and wine. Or maybe it was his playful irreverence, his open embrace of life’s indulgences—pragmatic, unserious, the exact opposite of spiritual or solemn. Life is short. So why not live it in the moment?

Answers to life

Young people usually dismiss the words of the old—until they’re truly lost or stuck when then do they start to listen. Having seen the world in all its splendour, Chua started a campaign of answering big, existential questions from strangers on Weibo in the last years of his life. These Q&As were later collected into books (see one of my previous blog: Lam Chua’s Weibo Sharp Comments) and are delightful reads.

Some are warm, empathetic and caring. Some are sharp:

One follower once asked, “I’m heartbroken. What should I do?”

Chua replied: “时间会解决，或者你死。” (Time will solve it. Or you die.)

Like, this is what makes his Q&A so iconic. They feel tossed-off, even cheeky, but underneath that casualness is wisdom: a kind of compassionate detachment, or what one might call wise irreverence. Chua doesn’t solve the problems—he subtly reminds you they’re yours to live through. And all shall pass. And yes, you should pick up the courage and say it out loud that you love him/her.

May we remember: there’s still fun, good food, empathy, and perhaps even a little love left in this life.