Hey there, I’m Emma

Welcome to That Cute Dish – my little corner of the internet where I share my huge love for all things food! Thanks for being here!

I’m the recipe developer, food photographer, and chief taste-tester behind the scenes. Whether it’s creating recipes, capturing drool-worthy photos, or hunting for culinary inspiration, I’m all about bringing you dishes that are bold, beautiful, and delicious.

photo of me.
me sitting in a Korean coffee shop with a hanok village view.
a cup with korean sweet potato latte on a table with a purple korean sweet potato aside

A little about me…

Born in Korea and raised in Belgium, I grew up with the best of two incredible culinary worlds. I was adopted as a baby and spent my childhood savoring Belgian/French dishes, lovingly made by my parents.

I was fortunate to find and get to know my Korean family at the age of 18 and discovered my Korean mom’s extraordinary cooking. Her home-cooked meals opened up a whole new world of flavors, and I was hooked from the first bite. Thanks to reconnecting with my Korean family at a young age, I learned how to cook Korean food while I was still figuring out the basics of cooking in general.

Learning to cook was a necessity when I left home for uni. Having been spoiled by my parents’ delicious meals, I quickly realized the only way to keep eating well was to cook for myself. Turns out, I had a knack for it! My friends always raved about my cooking, and before I knew it, I was developing my own recipes inspired by both my Belgian upbringing and my Korean roots.

I’m also obsessed with snapping photos of food! My love for food photography began with the first smartphones, and I’ve been that person ever since – you know, the one who delays dinner for the perfect shot. In 2021, I took my passion to the next level by learning more about food photography.

That same year, I won first prize in a recipe creation and food photography contest organized by Ixina (a well known kitchen shop here) judged by Michelin-starred chefs David Martin and Filip Claeys. My Honeycomb-Shaped Pineapple Coconut Cheesecakes earned me a €7,500 prize, which motivated me to keep creating and photographing recipes.

a Korean bingsu composed of milk shaved ice, cheesecake, strawberries and strawberry puree
2 cups of Raffaello overnight oats on a table
spicy korean fried chicken dakgangjeong chicken drumsticks covered with a sweet and spicy sauce sprinkled with peanuts

My recipe inspiration

My recipes are a reflection of my life: a mix of cultures, travels, and personal twists. I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, living in Australia and the UK for a while, and exploring hundreds of beautiful places (my fav being French Polynesia!).

Every trip brings new flavors, techniques, and ideas that I can’t wait to recreate at home. Asian cuisine is my ultimate weakness, so you’ll find plenty of those recipes here, alongside Belgian/French classics that bring me back to my roots.

What you’ll find here

On That Cute Dish, I focus on making cooking fun, approachable, and rewarding. My recipes range from quick, fuss-free meals for busy days to more indulgent dishes that are perfect for special occasions. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Bold, vibrant flavors inspired by my Korean and Belgian heritage.
  • Asian favorites and fusion dishes that are easy to recreate at home.
  • Western classics with a modern twist.
  • Travel-inspired recipes that bring the world to your kitchen.
  • A mix of simple, speedy meals and dishes worth the extra effort.

Every recipe is tested and written with care to ensure it’s easy to follow and yields amazing results. My goal is to inspire you to make homemade meals that not only taste incredible but also make your guests say “Wow, did you make this?”

5 tuna kimchi yaki onigiri aligned on a white plate

Let’s connect!

Thank you for stopping by and letting me share my love for food with you. I hope you find recipes here that inspire you, impress your friends and family, and maybe even spark a lifelong love for cooking. Feel free to drop me a message or connect on social media – I’d love to hear from you!

xoxo