Yu (Jade) Li

My name is Yu Li, but you can call me Jade (in Mandarin, Yu actually means Jade)! I was born and raised in a rural area of the Chinese Province of Sichuan, an area known for its chili infused, spicy dishes. I’ve lived on the North Shore of Massachusetts since 2016 with my husband and two dogs, Marley and Jasper. In addition to a love of cooking, I take classes at BU and work at a local trading company.

My hometown of Zigong is recognized nationally for its ancient salt mines (yes, they used to extract salt from the Earth), the many dinosaurs discovered there, as well as the flavorful dishes. There is a traditional Chinese saying that goes, “Eating in Sichuan is tasting Zigong,” due to the strong influence of our local flavors on the globally known Szechuan cuisine. In Chinese, our food is known as Yan Bang Cai, or Dishes of the Salt School. Some concepts to describe our dishes are “fragrant, spicy, and fresh.” Sounds good, right? Just a word of caution, locals like their food EXTRA hot, whether it’s cooked in a hot pot, dry pot or stir fried!  

I have loved to cook since I was a kid. The recipes I’d like to share with you have been perfected by my ancestors over many years. Back home, half the village would come over for feasts prepared by three generations of our household – from my grandpa to my dad to me – during national holidays like the Chinese Lunar New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival. 

To share the joy of good food and cooking with new friends and old from around the world is a passion I bring to every occasion. Contact me if you’d like to arrange a catered event for a small group of buddies or a larger party. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, we can arrange a cooking class for you and your friends, and in no time, you’ll be creating amazing, authentic Sichuan dishes on your own! Contact YUCANCOOK and we can plan out a great event tailored to you!