How a Taiwanese Grandma Makes Over 1,000 Potstickers per Day - The Experts

Meet the woman behind A-Pou's Taste, the famous Taiwanese pot sticker food truck and restaurant in NYC. Yeh Chi Yao named her business after the Taiwanese word "a pou," meaning "old lady," sharing her belief that more life experience makes for better, tastier food. Since introducing Taiwanese street food to the scene 15 years ago, A-Pou's Taste hasn't slowed down, producing over 1,000 pot stickers every day.
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Credits:
Producer: Carla Francescutti
Director: Carla Francescutti, Murilo Ferreira
Camera: Carla Francescutti, Murilo Ferreira
Editor: Daniel Card
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Supervising Producer, Operations: Stefania Orrù
Supervising Producer, Development: Gabriella Lewis
Audience Engagement: Frances Dumlao
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[@Anespian1]

She looks like such a sweet & genuine 'ah po' serving comfort food at 'street' food prices. Bless her :)

[@kero9rainbow]

As a musician and a loyal customer for two years who rehearses at a studio nearby, this is a go-to cafeteria for all of us, and a-pou remembers all of our names every time. She is the real deal!

[@BigboiiTone]

"You don't know my power. Do not judge me." Is such a great quote. She needs to put that on a placard or something

[@phreshmoney159]

Omg she shops at my old job .she has such a sweet soul and funny personality. always brings candy or a snack to share with everyone I have her # some where in my phone. she even use to drive me to the train after work god bless her and protect her 🤲🏽 and mind you ima big 6ft 280lb black man!

[@ThoseKidsMusic]

love this addded context. thanks for sharing it. this video was awesome, she's a legend, we need more people like her, and you, in this universe.

[@stanleyshen7075]

god bless "ah-po" and you

[@1629sl]

as a customer she really is the real deal, an inspirational character who i’ll never forget

[@MrNathancast]

What a beautiful lady. I pre-ordered my lunch for today 😊

[@leo_mas_922]

Not really

[@Brian-fr9jr]

The backbone of this country.

[@CyichinC]

The Taiwanese backbone of NYC, USA.

[@lucidx88]

I love her energy and outlook on life. "You don't know my power, so don't judge me."

[@skmuzammilzeeshan6173]

Agreed. She is one heck of a jolly lady to grow old with... really envy her old man.

[@yyyyyyexe963]

This is the cutest video I've watched in a loooong time, love her energy

[@jlye834]

She reminds me so much of my own Taiwanese grandma before she passed on. Miss you A-MA!

[@ArielK1987]

Pot stickers are one of the best food dishes ever to be invented.

[@boohere2]

I love pot stickers too! AND Egg Rolls.

[@johnnyappplesz]

Someone just decided to fry dumplings and now we have this delicious and crunchy piece of food.

[@fourleggedlys]

It isn't just comfort food, it's a comfort video now as well 😊

[@howard8085]

I think the smile and laughter they have are exactly what workers who work in big corporations need. like pure positive energy

[@someusername4129]

That's exactly why that type of worker isn't in large corporations. Large corporations squash joy from their workers. They don't want them too happy or too angry.

[@blackandyellowfreak8]

As someone who is working in a big corporation, we don't need smile and laughter, we just need a pay rise

[@Rei-xq3zm]

Hard to do when you have a big corporation crushing the soul out of you

[@kingbball66]

@@blackandyellowfreak8facts lol. I’m happy enough outside of work, just give me a bigger paycheck and that’s all I need

[@jumpkickingnara]

Dang I visited a couple times since I moved to NYC. So glad she got a special about her spot cus she really deserves it, she is such a kind and sweet person when you visit

[@OMGitsJESSElawlz]

I briefly worked as a carpenter around the corner from here, and they were always so welcoming and the food always incredible. I'm on the other end of the borough now but will certainly make a trip back!

[@BigboiiTone]

There's something about this business purveyor i really like. And the random guy named Balde. They've been working together for decades and I respect that also

[@fnulnu_]

That’s phenomenal work by her! Wishing her even more years of success in her restaurant!

[@dh5363]

Love Doris! She fed me well during my time working around the corner from there. Her food and kindness are like warm hugs.

[@robmarth2226]

She must be a very kind person, no way people would work for you as long as 20 years otherwise. Her positive energy is so contagious haha.

[@Uirusu_]

I never had pot stickers. But if someone as adorable as her came to me with it, little to no hesitation would I try them! Such a wholesome woman, and community she built~

[@kidneybeans8937]

I think all bosses and CEOs need to have a training seminar with her on how to be positive and treat everyone with kindness

[@vampireadjacent]

i’ve eaten at her restaurant and she really is the kindest person. it shows in the care she takes serving her food and greeting you when you come in-she makes everyone feel like they’re at home.

[@gnvw]

She has such a great sense of humor! and the fact that they had to corner Balde at the freezer to get him to compliment her 🤣

[@passbyicecube]

It's her positivity that brought the team together. Making pot sticking as business is no joke and she's doing a splendid job running it.

[@FranFluxx]

I love her! She's got such a great positive and friendly vibe, I'm not surprised that they have so many regulars!

[@Pheminon1]

Her story is literally what America is all about. She immigrated to America in the 80's, saw that there was a lack of something different to eat, so she decided to share what she knows with America. America is not a melting pot, it's a salad. In a melting pot, all the flavors meld together and the whole bowl tastes the same without uniqueness. But, in a salad you can taste each individual ingredient and when you get a bite of everything, the flavors together make something unique If you're a foreigner living in America, I hope you have as much joy sharing your culture with everyone you meet as this lady does.

[@jwpark417]

I love her laugh. It's literally HAHAHAHA 😄

[@richiecarang]

She started talking and i felt like I was being hugged and was talking to my favorite granma.

[@jujumui]

I could watch an entire season just watching her work

[@kirtanashanchez6534]

Absolutely love her! What a delightful lady - her story and culture are what make New York, New York. More wonderful videos like this please @Eater!

[@noorafirst217]

what a genuine she looks so strong and positive.

[@julietphillips1991]

She is a strong lady! Keep on doing what you're doing...food is great and you're happy!

[@johnnyblue07]

Comfort food, comfort lady, comfort video. Nailed it, Eater. More please. 🥰

[@Alex2011410136]

at first i was confused "dahell is a pot sticker..." and then the lovely 婆婆 said 鍋貼 (guotie) and then i was like "aaaaaaah". she does reminded me of my late grandma (婆婆). same energy, same determination.

[@Johnnybananass-_]

she's gorgeous and so lovely , what a spirit ! I bet other staff all stay a long time

[@BuddyDanger]

Her laughter is infectious!!! She is truly an Amazing Woman!!!

[@jstewlly4747]

"Don't underestimate my power" -Doris This lady is awesome if there is heaven she has a membership lol

[@long2181998]

This gotta be Top 5 guests that Eater ever made a video on. What a whirlwind of a personality.

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

What an adorable old lady

[@yun8996]

wow her passion and happiness towards life is truly inspiring

[@KC-hn1sg]

She is actually SO funny omg

[@adventureswithwonu4467]

such a beautiful soul and story! She and people like here are the reason America is a beautiful country

[@pang-ngiavang1956]

Every boss, ceo, manager, etc. need to spend one day with her!!!

[@Kevin-mo1xk]

Now this is what America is supposed to be about. Nice to see the dream still lives on somewhere.

[@ireview8621]

The hard work combined with passion and driven with lots of strength. Wishing her many more years of those "Ha ha ha" 😊

[@johnpaullaxa5486]

She's one of a kind... A master in disguise

[@thebigbient8736]

One day I will make it to Brooklyn to eat those potstickers! Reminds me of my mothers 🇹🇼

[@aldrensiscar3988]

More stories like these please!

[@bodyandsoulinconstanttrans9190]

Thank you guys for another lovely video of an amazing person as you portraits in free video ! :)

[@jorb1903]

“You don’t know my power, so don’t judge me” ICONIC

[@eduardoangeles4412]

This is the content I come to watch. I haven't watched eater in months because BBQ, pizza and rotisserie chicken.

[@FirstnameLastname-dy9qh]

I love this lady shows her passion for food and very compassionate to people

[@reviewchan9806]

Immigrants that made the backbone of this country

[@megicwizard4410]

i love grandma, its such happy and sweet

[@GregCurtin45]

Wow! She is lovely. Thank you #Eater for always sharing the best of best people out there. #PotStickers

[@eater]

Thanks for watching!

[@Finder_NY]

Her energy her laugh is so contagious

[@bobbybill8323]

she laughs with so much satisfaction lol

[@subektiiean5464]

Thank you grandma for bring love and energy ☺️

[@hungle817]

clicked on this video to enjoy some food, left with a more positive outlook on life :)

[@vincently3912]

This was wholesome AF.

[@katl8825]

What an incredible woman with a beautiful outlook on life. Hope I can visit her restaurant some day!

[@s0fa274]

“I’m getting too young” 😂 I love her spirit

[@TriTran-qz5bv]

Huge respect for this lady

[@TheSorcererAhrimanahsul]

I don't know now, That serving size looked like a grandma feeding her growing grandkids. If I lived anywhere near this place I'd have to check it out.

[@darkslatesky]

Love this type mama and papa shop. Just around the corner, nothing fancy but got the job done lol

[@xanderb3207]

This episode was beautiful. Really cut through to the soul. Will have to try if I’m ever in the area !!

[@erikcharlat9844]

thank you for showcasing this amazing chef. such a badass Chef and i would love to work for her and eat her food one day. one of the best videos ive watched this month. love her so much

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

This is what immigration should look like. All of these people are selfless and love America. Thank you Eater for making this video.

[@XyashimotoX]

ah pou u r so cute!!! love ur energy n smile :) stay healthy 😊

[@tentontarantula7750]

Absolutely joyful.

[@kaenova]

omg! what a treasure!

[@weilee9410]

Great personality!

[@newzealandtibetanfamily3397]

Such an amazing lady with such a prolific vibe. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this edition of EATER… Thank you and keen to watch such inspiring videos to come….

[@ilhamakbar1565]

what a lovely lady, God bless her.

[@joewojcik258]

She is awesome and an amazingly hard worker!!!

[@maachinimamaachinima]

Just had this for dinner again and it was sooooo good

[@ellosteve]

i love her 😭🫶

[@fredfredsson9480]

I love this lady!

[@maximiliansh]

What an amazing person. I want to be like her one day

[@KingOfSoysauce]

beautiful story.

[@AllTerpsNoBrakes]

Beautiful soul still full of energy

[@Jason-cg1so]

what an inspiration jia you!

[@CBD7069..]

I love her she’s so sweet and funny

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Usually when I see videos like this they have bad Yelp reviews and are overpriced so I don't trust what I see on camera. But this place looks like the real deal, affordable food made with love.

[@Sakja]

4.5 in Yelp.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

@@Sakja That's what I mean, local working people actually like this place.

[@galaxy_brain]

台灣第一 🇹🇼

[@p.stephens9305]

Great story!

[@kabaozi]

i just know the food is amazing

[@TheChefmike66]

Man, I really liked her. Another awesome eater episode!

[@golfer45nz]

Just WOW !!!

[@ichchecksnicht]

She is so sweet

[@hasslehoffs]

yo this grandma is so cool she's even using bone conduction headphones

[@hijodelrepublicasur1899]

Yum! Pork is love. Pork is life.

[@erikalin3782]

I missed the pot stickers so much!!! I live in Japan now, the dumplings here are not the same.

[@PEGGYINTAIWAN]

She's so Taiwanese!!!!

[@chrisfeleciano-ws1ze]

You just have to love this lady. I would dine there daily too if I lived in New York, what a sweet lady.!!!

[@sanjayraut8808]

Hardwork always pay back...

[@reneexiexie]

Her braised pork belly with rice is also soooo goood!!!!

[@Maatjuhhh]

Jesus, if I was there working, it would be hard, but so fun. And I would probably roll home after a week or two. It looks delicious comfort food.

[@___tony]

shout out og doin her thing 💯💯💯

[@DebR1210]

It's 4am and I am craving potstickers now... Lol

[@DisingenuousComment]

The Japanese influence for Taiwan is great

[@milfhunter8887]

where did you see Japanese influence?