Remember Awkwafina from Crazy Rich Asians? The actor and comedian, whose real name is Nora Lum, is taking on a rather unexpected role in her new Apple TV show. This time, there are no film sets or scripted comedy scenes. Instead, she is stepping into a kitchen, trying to learn how to cook and, more importantly, bring her family’s restaurant legacy back to life.
The Story Behind Awkwafina’s Family Restaurant Lum’s
Titled Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook, the eight-episode docuseries premieres on Apple TV. It follows the actor on a culinary journey across the US as she explores Asian American food, learns from professional chefs and attempts to revive Lum’s, her family’s beloved Chinese restaurant in Flushing, New York.
There is just one small problem: Awkwafina admits she cannot cook. In fact, she has been quite far removed from the kitchen despite growing up in a family with a restaurant business.
Her great-grandfather, Jimmy Lum, moved to the US from China in the 1930s and established one of New York City’s early Chinese-American restaurants. Located in Flushing, Lum’s became an important part of the family’s identity.
Her grandmother, Powah Lum, also carried forward the restaurant tradition by running her own establishment. However, the family business eventually came to an end, and Lum’s closed in 1982.
With the new show, Awkwafina is trying to reconnect with that legacy and see whether the restaurant can have another chapter. The idea is not simply to recreate the old menu but to understand what made the restaurant special and how it could appeal to a new generation.
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Awkwafina Learns To Cook To Bring Lum’s Back
The show takes Awkwafina across the country, where she learns from chefs, restaurateurs and people who have grown up around food businesses. Her journey includes a crash course at the Culinary Institute of America, exploring Texas barbecue with Jimmy O. Yang and learning from chefs Roy Choi and Martin Yan.
She also travels to Hawaii to understand the tiki culture that influenced her grandmother’s restaurant and spends time working in a restaurant kitchen in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.
The journey builds towards a special pop-up restaurant opening, where Awkwafina gets to put her newly acquired cooking skills to the test. Among the guests is her grandmother, who gets to try the dishes and offer her honest feedback.
A Tribute To Her Grandmother And Family Legacy
Beyond the cooking lessons and kitchen mishaps, the show has a deeply personal side. Awkwafina’s grandmother, who helped raise her, features in the series and was closely involved in the restaurant discussions.
Sadly, Powah Lum passed away in August 2026, before the show premiered. This makes the series an especially meaningful tribute to her and the family’s history.
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For Awkwafina, the show is not just about learning a new skill. It is about returning to something her family built, understanding the memories attached to it and finding a way to keep that legacy alive.
Cover Image Courtesy: Apple TV
FAQs
What is Awkwafina's new show about?
Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook follows the actor as she learns to cook, explores Asian American food traditions and attempts to revive her family's restaurant legacy.
Does Awkwafina know how to cook?
Awkwafina admits that she is not an experienced cook. The show follows her as she learns from professional chefs and gains hands-on experience in restaurant kitchens.
Is Awkwafina reopening Lum's restaurant permanently?
The show documents her efforts to bring the family restaurant back through a pop-up experience, while a permanent reopening remains a possibility being explored.
