Chiang Kai-shek frying rice, summer 1956, Shilin Official Residence, Taipei.

Frying rice was one of Chiang Kai-shek’s long-standing personal hobbies — practically his signature dish.

According to the published Chiang Kai-shek Diaries, as early as September 2, 1947, while picnicking at Huanglongtan in Lushan, Jiangxi, he personally fried rice. In that day’s entry, he wrote:“At noon we picnicked at Huanglongtan. The sound of the waterfall and ancient trees could not wash away my worries, but my wife cooking the dishes while I fried the rice brought a rare moment of joy.”