Project Description
A Beginner’s Guide to Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes is a personal recipe zine that introduces readers to the process of making this comforting and iconic Chinese home dish. Designed with warmth, humor, and illustrative charm, the zine combines visual storytelling with a step-by-step cooking guide.
Full zine
My Role
As the creator and illustrator, I developed the concept, visuals, and writing for this zine. I chose a recipe that holds deep personal meaning to me and translated it into a beginner-friendly visual guide. I handled every step—from sketching page layouts and coloring ingredients to deciding the tone of the written content, which blends instruction with affection.
The Challenges
The biggest challenge was the coloring process. I spent a lot of time trying to get the illustrated steps to match the playful, cozy tone I had in mind, but some parts (like page 2) didn’t turn out the way I envisioned. It taught me the importance of balancing perfectionism with letting go and moving forward. Time management was also a struggle toward the end of the term.
The Problem
Many beginner cooks feel intimidated by traditional recipes or don’t relate to stiff, overly formal cooking instructions. I wanted to create something that felt casual, inviting, and fun—something that reflects how food, especially simple dishes like scrambled eggs with tomatoes, can be full of love and personality.
The Solution
The final zine is friendly, approachable, and visually rich, using soft colors and expressive drawings to demystify the cooking process. It also acts as a small self-portrait: a love letter to a dish that’s shaped my identity and memories. More than a recipe guide, it’s a reflection on comfort, home, and joy through food.