MORE ABOUT MING-CHEAU

Day job: ‘I’m a freelance copywriter; I give talks on being mindful in a multicultural environment, and I do a bit of brand work.’

Hidden talent: Roller skating. ‘I really enjoyed hockey at school but I hate running, so it was a great way to exercise and get your frustration out.’ She co-founded and played roller derby for the Cape Town Rollergirls NPO. And she has the scars to prove it. ‘I broke my wrist on skates, so that’s where my derby name comes from – Wolverming. Because I had to get a metal implant.’

Dog squad: ‘We have three dogs: Louis, Buttons and Pepper. Louis has his own Instagram account – he has more followers than me!’

Tattoos: ‘I have so many! I have one for Buddhism – Guan Ying, the bodhisattva of compassion – on my one arm. I have a sun and a moon near my elbows: the word “ming” is a combination of “day” and “moon”. And I have a lot of flowers: proteas for South Africa, Taiwanese plum blossoms, rosemary (I had rosemary in my wedding bouquet), a tulip for my husband, carnations for my mom, as per an old Mandarin song about Mother’s Day, as well as sweet peas on my chest and roses on my back. Then I also have a typewriter, a swallow, a cupcake on my thigh and Totoro and soot sprites on my legs.’ Dish that makes you feel nostalgic: ‘Chinese herbal chicken soup. The smell – oooh… When I smell that, I think of my mom. I think of home. There are things like Goji berries, ginseng, Chinese dates and astragalus root etc, all these things that are really good for you in there. It’s our version of chicken soup for the soul.’

Ultimate comfort food: ‘Congee – it’s basically rice porridge. Babies are introduced to it quite early – it’s soft and great if you’re feeling ill. You can add copious amounts of ginger to it, or you can spruce it up and add a bunch of ingredients and make it into a big meal. It’s lovely in winter.’