🕒 6 min read

It all started at a young age. While her peers were taking on typical roles in elementary school plays (horse, tree, Robin Hood), Alli Chung was performing Shakespeare.

That drive continued throughout her teens and young adulthood - modelling during high school, followed by acting in her “spare time” while completing a B.A. in Advertising and Marketing. So it’s no surprise she’s amassed an impressive amount of work in a short amount of time.

Recently, she guest-starred on hit shows The Bold Type (Amazon) and UnReal (Hulu), and wrapped a major recurring role as Detective Taylor Kim on CBC’s Coroner. You can also catch her on The Expanse (Syfy), Dark Matter (Syfy), Damien (A&E), Man Seeking Woman (FXX), The Stanley Dynamic (YTV), Almost Heroes (Showcase), Lost Girl (Showcase). and horror filck SAW 3D. Speaking of films, she lead Mariner - an official selection for TIFF 2016 and one of TIFF’s Top Ten Shorts in Canada - and co-produced her first short film, FOMO.

Never one to just “sit around,” the Canadian actor shared her current food obsessions in-between takes of her (many) upcoming projects.

Occupation

Actress 

Place(s) of Residence

Currently residing between Toronto and Vancouver.

Last thing you ate

Chicken bone broth and a pomegranate banana smoothie. Today was a healthy day!

If you were left to your own devices to make something at home, what would it likely be?

Honestly, I’d like to say sushi or truffle risotto but the more embarrassing truth is I’d probably just munch on fancy crackers and cheese. Or dare I say, make frozen pizza!

When staying at a hotel, what are you raiding from the mini fridge?

Let’s be real. It’s going to be the wine. And cheese and crackers, of course. LOL.

Guilty pleasure

Mac and cheese. And chips. Always chips.

Drink of choice

Peach iced tea or water.

Favourite meal of the day and why 

I love lunch! I’m not a huge breakfast person, so I usually have a matcha in the morning, start working and forget to eat, so I’m starving by mid-afternoon. Which makes lunch so much more satisfying!

Favourite cookbooks to use 

My favourite cookbook I’ve had for years. Jamie’s Kitchen by Jamie Oliver. Cliché, but so good. It’s on my coffee table.

Favourite cookbooks just to look at

I’m not vegan, but I love to peruse vegan cookbooks. I love comparing the recipes to the meat-based and dairy-based recipes that are out there.

Most of them taste just as good! And feel healthier. Doing a little bit can make a huge difference. It’s a journey. I’m trying to do my part for our planet.

Three items always in your fridge

Hot Sauce, Cheese, and Oat or Coconut Milk. 

Top three Toronto restaurants

1. Yueh Tung  

My favourite Chinese restaurant. I’ve been going there for years. Cantonese Chow Mein and the Chicken Curry are excellent. Love the low-key vibe and the traditional phoenix and dragon artwork.   

2. Live Organic Food Bar

This place makes plant-based foods top quality and luxurious! Cocktails are delicious and healthy. They have smoothies, juices and elixirs sold in bottles to go. And they’re committed to sustainable, organic, local farmers. What couldn’t I love?!

3. Bukhara Grill

Amazing curries, dimly lit with exposed wooden beams, and family run. Lovely service.

Go-to food and bev order at a restaurant

Anything with avocado, fries or cheese. Wine all day, every day! Pinot Noir, please.

Would you rather: Go to farmers’ market/nearest pub/food truck?

You’ll usually find me at the nearest pub. ;)

Describe your kitchen

I travel often so I’m usually living in different spaces. But my cottage up north I consider MY kitchen. I’ve recently just had it renovated and added an island, dishwasher and sink looking out onto the water. It’s open and airy, minimalistic, with a grey and white color scheme. Sometimes blue jays come to visit me on the patio while I eat lunch. It’s my favorite place to cook, hang out and have great chats. 

Describe your cooking style

I’d say my cooking style is ‘on-the-go.’ I’m usually cleaning while I’m cooking. When I’m by myself, it’s very basic and minimal. But I love taking the time to make special meals for friends and family.

Ideal food day: From the time you wake up until bed, what are you having?

Wake up: Matcha with oat or coconut milk.

Lunch: Tuna sandwich or avocado toast and blueberry & chia smoothie with cinnamon on top.

Dinner: Depends on the day! Mattar paneer and garlic naan, truffle mushroom pizza, or tacos and margaritas.

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