Chef Jon Kung Reveals Home Kitchen Setup and Culinary Philosophy in WIRED Interview
From a regretted SMEG fridge to a prized AGA induction range, Jon Kung discusses the gear that fuels their seven-course dinners in Michigan.
Influencer chef Jon Kung has detailed their home kitchen setup in Michigan during a recent interview with WIRED, offering a candid look at the appliances and cookware that power their culinary creations. The 42-year-old Chinese American TikTok creator, who hosts dinner parties featuring a seven-course "third culture" feast mapping their upbringing across Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Detroit, emphasises that good food should feel like home.
Kung opened the discussion by sharing a specific regret regarding a purchase made in their early twenties: a used SMEG fridge adorned with British flags and pop culture stickers. While the appliance remains a conversation piece at their holiday gatherings, the chef contrasts this with their current investment in an AGA Total Control induction range top. Kung revealed that they bought the range with their first paycheck after their TikTok channel gained significant traction, noting it was shipped directly from the UK.
The discussion covered specific recommendations for rice cookers, cookware, and knives. Kung strongly advises against combination pans, describing them as inferior versions of both nonstick and stainless steel options. Instead, they recommend dedicated ceramic nonstick pans from GreenPan for delicate tasks like frying eggs, alongside stainless steel pans from Demeyere for searing and frying. For rice cookers, Kung praises Zojirushi models, particularly those with pressure options that keep rice fresh for extended periods.
On the topic of knives, Kung suggests spending on two affordable Victorinox knives rather than one expensive blade to allow for regular maintenance through sharpening services. They note that even the finest knives are useless without upkeep, recommending that home cooks utilise mail-in subscription services or local shops for sharpening to avoid damaging the blades.
Meal prep tools also featured prominently in the interview. Kung endorses silicone storage bags equipped with vacuum pumps for sous vide cooking and general storage, highlighting their ability to transition from freezer to microwave or oven without plastic. They also highlighted a specific kitchen scale with a USB-C rechargeable battery and waterproof features as a favourite among their collection.
The interview, conducted over Zoom, concluded with Kung's preference for the Terra Kaffe super automatic coffee machine, having switched from a Chemex pour-over. Throughout the conversation, the chef maintained a focus on practical advice for home cooks, ranging from washing rice by hand to remove weevils to utilising a slow cooker for thawing frozen proteins.
