Joanne Lee Molinaro has a fascinating story. She jumped into veganism in 2016, following her boyfriend’s health journey. While juggling her role as a litigation attorney, she shared her cooking journey on social media. After the 2016 election, she added personal stories about being a child of immigrants and her political views, resonating with many.
By 2020, Molinaro discovered TikTok, right when there was chatter about banning the platform. A post where she responded to criticism took off, and she gained 35,000 followers in one night. Now, her following has grown to around 5 million.
Molinaro recently released her second cookbook, The Korean Vegan: Homemade. However, calling her just a “cookbook author” doesn’t capture her essence. She’s a master storyteller, weaving personal anecdotes into her recipes. Her journey from law to vegan cooking reflects a deeper self-exploration.
Originally, she envisioned a lifetime as a lawyer. A graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago Law School, she started working at Foley & Lardner. At first, sharing her food journey was a side project. But when she began telling her personal stories, things changed. She realized her platform could spark conversations about identity and cultural experiences.
In one TikTok, Molinaro shared a touching family story about her father as a teen during a protest in South Korea. Even in cooking videos, she connects food with memories and emotions, making her content relatable.
Her new cookbook continues this trend. It features vegan twists on traditional Korean dishes, like maeuntang, a spicy stew made with tofu. One standout recipe is for kimchi queso, a dip that blends cultures delightfully. She also recommends Rainbow Jeon, a vegetable pancake perfect for skeptics of plant-based food.
Interestingly, Molinaro’s followers aren’t all vegans. During a recent book tour, she learned that less than half the attendees identified as vegan. Many come for her unique blend of stories about immigration, politics, and empowerment. She often engages with topics like body positivity and women’s health, attracting a diverse audience.
Now based in Los Angeles, Molinaro continues to expand her brand. She’s even launched a Korean Vegan beauty line with shampoo and face cream, made in Korea but shipped globally. Despite stepping away from law full-time, she appears as a legal correspondent on local news.
Molinaro’s evolution from lawyer to influencer highlights the power of storytelling in building a community. She shows how sharing personal experiences can create meaningful connections, making her an inspiring figure in both the culinary world and beyond.
For more insights into her journey, visit the Korean Vegan website.
