Chef West, a Hong Kong-based rapper and content creator, never trained professionally in the culinary arts, but he’s built a dedicated following by blending cooking with music. Despite calling himself a home cook, his Instagram has grown to over 45,000 followers thanks to his distinctive videos where he raps in Cantonese while preparing traditional dishes. His breakthrough came on February 29, 2024, when a video of him making chicken with garlic and spring onion oil went viral, gaining over 1.5 million views. Since then, he’s appeared in promotional content for local brands and expanded his format to include interview-style videos with celebrities and influencers.
Starting in 2025, he began cooking the favorite dishes of his guests while engaging them in casual conversation. His most popular episode so far features indie singer Chanka and her pick, Chinese watercress soup, which has garnered over 728,000 views. West’s connection to food stems from his childhood, observing his mother prepare Cantonese meals. A gap year in the UK pushed him to cook for himself and his flatmates, leading to a deeper interest in food and video creation.
West studied at the University of Hong Kong, where he met frequent collaborator Shinylungs. They began making music together during the COVID-19 pandemic, recording through the night while juggling day jobs. Their creative process emphasizes spontaneity over polished production, reflecting a desire to enjoy the moment rather than chase perfection.
He started mixing food and music while filming a casual cooking session during a house move. Using skills he developed as a freelance videographer, West added homemade beats and lyrics to the video, which quickly resonated online. His alias “Chef West” plays on the hip-hop phrase “cooking something up,” reflecting both his musical and culinary passions.
His niche appeals particularly to the Chinese diaspora, with many viewers saying his dishes evoke nostalgic memories of home. West sees food as a universal language that transcends boundaries, helping him connect with people worldwide. With commercial gigs funding his passion projects, he now feels free to explore music on his own terms, fusing creativity, culture, and identity in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.
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