YIN CHANG AND MOONLYNN TSAI
FOUNDERS of HEART OF DINNER
December 2022
Meet Yin Chang and Moonlynn Tsai. At the start of the pandemic, the partners—in love and in life—began working to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by NYC’s Asian American seniors—an existing problem only compounded by COVID-19. With the help of volunteers and partner businesses, they started delivering care packages of hot meals, groceries, pantry essentials and bulk ingredients to Chinatown’s Asian elders in hand-decorated bags with handwritten notes attached. What they started—from the ground up—was a movement that uplifts, celebrates and supports community, family and our cherished Asian elders—and it’s only since grown, with no signs of stopping. These two have got heart, and they put that heart into action. And we love them for that. Let’s meet Yin and Moonlynn, shall we?
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Who are you?
Yin: New Yorker born and raised, actor, entrepreneur, and community cultivator whose identity as a Malaysian, Taiwanese, American queer woman informs the lens I see the world.
Moonlynn: Taiwanese-American-queer-west coast east coaster-restauranteur- co-founder of Heart of Dinner-forever builder.
What’s on your mind?
Moonlynn: We shouldn’t have binged so many streaming shows, now we’ll have nothing to watch on the flight…will our team be all right when we’re gone….what should our first meal be when we land?
Yin: How do we continue to expand and evolve as humans? What needs to be done to continue the shift in culture of building community into the framework of all businesses and careers on a more sustainable scale so that it’s long-term? Will there be any unforeseen emergencies popping up for the team at Heart of Dinner while we’re away? Will we have access to the internet just in case anyone needs us?
Photo credit: Melora Yaru
Where are you right now?
Yin: At JFK on our way to Taiwan, typing away at the terminal getting caught up and getting ahead on work. The last time I visited my Dad’s home country together with both my parents and sisters was over 20 years ago!
Moonlynn: Catching up on work at JFK waiting to board our flight to Taipei, excited to see my Popo who I haven’t seen in 8 years!
When did you start?
Moonlynn: A little over 37 years ago
Yin: Everything started as soon as I fell in love with the first storytelling medium I came across – books and movies!
Why do you do what you do?
Yin: I believe in uplifting communities as a bare minimum which is the reason why I do what I do across various mediums.
Moonlynn: I’m curious about so many things and passionate about building projects that excite me which usually contains some combo of hospitality and food.
What is your favorite meal to eat?
Yin: Oh god…where to start? Genuinely, everything. Not as exciting of an answer, but true!
Moonlynn: TOO MANY! As I’ve gotten older my palette craves Asian food all the time, especially when traveling. One of the first meals when we got to Barcelona a couple months ago was having Hot Pot @ Yuan Lao Si (Hands down the BEST hot pot restaurant I’ve ever experienced).
What’s your favorite meal to cook?
Yin: Anything that reminds me of my Taiwanese Grandma, and a pork belly dish that my Dad taught me growing up. I also love to experiment when cooking and will often lean towards Italian style cuisine.
Moonlynn: I don’t get to cook as often as I used to when we lived in LA, mainly because our NY stove is TINY, ie: a 4 top burner but really 2 top because only 2 pans can fit at the same time, I love comforting one pot meals – one of my favorite dishes to cook (and eat, I guess this would then also answer the question above!) would be my Mom’s braised oxtail stew, it’s a dish that’s so easy to make and I could eat it for weeks straight.
Wise Words
Moonlynn: Take time to appreciate the process and journey.
Yin: Rest should be a part of productivity.
Photo Credit: Alex Lau