Hey, I'm Herman!
I'm a food blogger, recipe developer, and food enthusiast who is passionate about sharing my love for cooking and food with the world.
Let's connect on social media!
Welcome to Herman at Home!
I'm Herman Chan, the recipe developer and content creator behind this blog.
Here you'll find easy, comforting Asian-inspired recipes that taste like takeout but come together quickly for busy days. From weeknight stir-fries and noodles to dim sum and cozy soups, my goal is simple. I want really good food to feel easy and doable on a Tuesday night.
As Seen In:
- VoyageLA: Featured in their Community Highlights series spotlighting Los Angeles creators.
- Parade: My easy hack to make Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao) was featured here!
What You'll Find on Herman at Home
- Easy, human-tested recipes. Every recipe is developed and tested in my home kitchen in Los Angeles. If it doesn't work in my kitchen, it doesn't make it onto the blog.
- Easy Lazy Meals. My signature series of low-effort, big-flavor dinners for nights when you want to eat well but also want to lie down.
- Family recipes worth keeping. Cantonese classics I grew up eating with my family in San Francisco, like Char Siu Pork, Wonton Noodle Soup and Hong Kong Borscht.
- New recipes in your inbox. Join my email list and I'll send the latest and greatest recipes straight to you. No spam, just good food!
- Herman's Homies. My membership for superfans, with an exclusive e-cookbook and member-only recipes.
- My favorite kitchen gear. The kitchen gadgets, appliances, and tools I actually use every day are all in my shop.
My Story
It All Started With Fried Rice
I was born and raised in San Francisco. Both of my parents worked full-time jobs and long hours. So at 12 years old I taught myself to cook out of necessity. My very first dish was egg fried rice, which is about as on brand as it gets for a Cantonese kid from SF!
Learning From Mom, Grandma and the Food Network
From my mom and grandma, I learned how to cook Asian foods, specifically Chinese food, that reminds me of home cooked comfort meals. They taught me that food isn't just about flavor, it's about family, connection and love. My mom and grandma are no longer with us, so it’s important for me to memorialize my family’s recipes and traditions.
I also learned how to cook other types of cuisines from watching TV chefs on local broadcast channels (like PBS) and The Food Network. As a teenager, I used to tune into cooking shows like Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home, America’s Test Kitchen, 30 Minute Meals, Everyday Italian, and Barefoot Contessa. These TV chefs opened my eyes to different recipes, cuisines, and cooking techniques I never knew.
From San Francisco to Los Angeles
I moved down to Los Angeles to attend UCLA for college and I now call sunny LA home. Living here has opened me up to so many cuisines and I spend a lot of my free time exploring restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries for inspiration. And because I just love to eat.
How Herman at Home Was Born
I started posting photos of my home cooking on social media and my friends and family kept asking for the recipes. I wanted one place to share them and wanted to preserve the dishes I learned from my family so they don't get lost.
Today Herman at Home blends my Cantonese roots with everything I've taught myself since, from Thai and Vietnamese to even Italian and American flavors. Food is my love language and this space is how I share it with you!
Not Sure Where to Start?
Here's how to find your next favorite recipe:
- Browse every recipe in the Recipe Index.
- Short on time? Head straight to Easy Lazy Meals.
- Love your air fryer? I've got a whole Air Fryer collection.
- Craving comfort? Try my Soups and Noodles.
- Missing your favorite dim sum spot? Check out Dim Sum and Desserts.
- Saw it on your social feed? It's probably in Viral on Social Media.
- Shopping by protein? Start with Chicken, Beef, Pork or Shrimp.
Fun Facts About Herman
- First dish I ever cooked: Fried rice at age 12.
- Go-to weeknight dinner: Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu Recipe. I might be biased but I think they're better than takeout.
- Favorite weekend plan: Hunting down new restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries around LA. Purely for research, obviously.
- Head taste tester: My dog Miles. He has never once given a bad review.
- Childhood ritual: Food Network every day after school.
My Most Popular Recipes
Join Herman's Homies
Want even more? Herman's Homies is my membership for people who want to cook along a little closer. Members get my exclusive e-cookbook, ad-free experience on the blog, and perks you won't find anywhere else.
FAQs About Herman and the Blog
Mostly easy, comforting Asian-inspired recipes. You'll find Cantonese family classics, quick weeknight stir-fries, noodle bowls, soups, dim sum and air fryer favorites, plus dishes from other cuisines I love experimenting with. I occasionally share cuisines and flavors from other regions, such as my Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta and Dirty Cabbage Recipe, because I just love all foods.
Absolutely! Most of my recipes use everyday ingredients and simple techniques. If you're just starting out try my Honey Butter Chicken, Garlic Soy Chicken or Thai Basil Chicken.
Easy Lazy Meals is my series of quick, approachable dinners with minimal prep and minimal cleanup. Lazy on effort but never lazy on flavor.
I love this question! Try my Char Siu Pork, fold your own Smashed Ginger Scallion Chicken Dumplings or bake a batch of Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao).
I get inspired from my family's cooking, the restaurants and bakeries I eat in LA (and around the world), and the food trends taking over my feed. If something goes viral and it's actually good it ends up in my Viral on Social Media collection.
Of course! Send me a message through my contact page or DM me on Instagram. Some of my favorite recipes started as reader requests.
It's my membership program. Members get an exclusive e-cookbook, ad-free experience, and extra perks. Already a member? Head to Membership Resources.
I do! I partner with brands I genuinely use and love in my own kitchen. Reach out through my contact page to chat.
Not yet but it's a dream of mine! I hope to create one in the future.
Work With Me
I create recipe content, short-form video and photography for food and lifestyle brands, reaching 3+ million followers across all my socials. If that sounds like a fit, let's connect!
Let's Stay Connected
The best way to never miss a recipe is to subscribe to my email list. You can also find me cooking (and eating) on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy cooking!