Ying Chang Compestine (born March 8, 1963^[1]) is a Chinese American author, speaker, television host and chef. She has written over twenty-five books including Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (novel), based on her life growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.,^[2] and a middle grade novel, Morning Sun in Wuhan,^[3] set in Wuhan, China.

Ying Chang Compestine was born and raised in Wuhan, China.^[1] Her family was considered "bourgeois," so the Red Guard took her family's belongings and her father was put in jail twice.^[4] Because of the family's difficulties, Compestine was sent to live with her grandparents.^[4]

Compestine earned a degree in English and American literature and taught English in China.^[1] She also worked as an interpreter for China's Bureau of Seismology.^[1]

Compestine graduated with a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1990.^[5][6] She met her husband just before she finished graduate school.^[7]

After immigrating to the United States, Compestine taught sociology and writing at universities in both the U.S. and China.^[8][1] Compestine has received various education awards including the Master Teacher Award from both Front Range Community College (1991-1992) and the International School of Beijing (2000).^[1]

Compestine has hosted several cooking shows on Chinese Language News Broadcaster for Phoenix North America Chinese Channel, as well as appearing as a guest on the Food Network, Discovery Channel,^[9] and HGTV.^[1] She also worked a food editor for Martha Stewart’s Body + Soul magazine^[7] and is a contributor for Cooking Light, EatingWell, Self, and Men's Health.^[10][11][12] Compestine is also a spokesperson for Nestle and Celestial Seasonings.^[13]

• Untitled Chinese Comic Cookbook. Chronicle Books. Release date: Fall 2025.
• The Chinese New Year Helper. Rocky Pond Books. Release date: January 2025.
• Growing Up Under a Red Flag. Rocky Pond Books. Release date: May 7, 2024. ISBN 978-0593533987.
• Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu. Rocky Pond Books. 2024. ISBN 978-0593533055.
• Dragon Noodle Party. Holiday House. 2022. ISBN 978-0823449507.
• Morning Sun in Wuhan. Clarion Books. 2022. ISBN 978-0358572053.
• Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon. Abrams Books for Young Readers. 2022 ISBN 978-1419737282.
• D is for Dragon Dance (Chinese/English bilingual edition). Holiday House. 2018.
• Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (German translation). Verlagshaus Jacoby & Stuart. 2018.
• The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes. Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018. ISBN 978-1419725425.
• A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales. Tumbling Dumpling Media. 2016. ISBN 978-0997218701.
• The Story of Chopsticks. Immedium. 2016. ISBN 9781597021203.
• The Story of Kites. Immedium. 2016. ISBN 978-1597021319.
• The Story of Paper. Immedium. 2016. ISBN 978-1597021234.
• Boy Dumplings: A Tasty Chinese Tale. Immedium. 2016. ISBN 978-1597021197.
• Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier. with Vinson Compestine. Abrams Books. 2014. ISBN 978-1419705403.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
• Cooking with an Asian Accent. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2014. ISBN 978-1118130759.
• Ying's Best One-Dish Meals: Quick & Healthy Recipes for the Entire Family. Sellers Publishing, Inc. 2011. ISBN 978-1416206439.
• The Runaway Wok. Dutton Books for Young Readers. 2011. ISBN 978-0525420682.
• Crouching Tiger. Candlewick. 2011. ISBN 978-0763646424.
• Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party. Henry Holt & Co. 2007. ISBN 978-0997218701.
• The Real Story of Stone Soup. Dutton Books for Young Readers. 2007. ISBN 978-0525474937.
• D is For Dragon Dance. Holiday House Inc. 2007. ISBN 9780823420582.
• The Story of Noodles. Holiday House. 2002. ISBN 0823416003.
• Secrets From a Healthy Asian Kitchen. Avery. 2002. ISBN 9781583331279.
• The Runaway Rice Cake. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2001. ISBN 0689829728.
• Cooking With Green Tea. Avery. 2000. ISBN 9781583330654.
• Secrets of Fat-free Chinese Cooking. Avery. 1997. ISBN 0895297353.