I went to the Jook Off Cook Off at the Asian Art Museum. It was a festive event and supported a great cause, benefiting the Asian Women’s Center.

I had been looking forward to it. I’ve only known home-cooked chicken jook, usually served when someone was under the weather. We don’t eat it very often, but when we do it’s pure comfort food.

At the event, I got to taste eight different jooks from eight restaurants. I was surprised by the variety. There was even a pizza-flavored one that actually worked. And yes there was a chocolate dessert jook.

My favorite was the was the only vegan entry, the one from Understory Oakland. It was smooth, savory, and full of flavor.

This year’s lineup (in alphabetical order):
Abacá @restaurantabaca
Fins & Feathers @jinchua_akajc
GaiNoi @gainoithaistreetfood
Jook Up Stars
Likha @likhaeats
Outta Sight Pizza @thatsouttasight
Palette Tea House @paletteteahouse
Understory @understoryoakland

I would absolutely go again.