Hi there, I’m Claudia!
Welcome to Butter Joy Kitchen — your cozy corner of the internet for Asian baking, nostalgic snacks, and comfort food that feels like home.
I’m the recipe developer, food stylist, photographer, and enthusiastic coconut-lover behind this blog. As an Asian food blogger, I firmly believe dessert doesn’t need a reason — it just needs good lighting and maybe a cup of oolong milk tea on the side.
So, What’s Cooking Here?
At Butter Joy Kitchen, you’ll find:
- Classic cakes passed down from the Dutch colonial era in Indonesia
- Savory stir-fries that fit perfectly into your weeknight rotation
- Traditional Indonesian desserts like Kue Lumpang, Ongol Ongol, and Bugis Mandi
- Step-by-step guides that help demystify tricky techniques (yes, even Lapis Legit!)
Want to get started? Try these reader-loved recipes: Wingko Babat for a sweet project, or whip up a simple stir-fry tonight.
Meet Claudia – Asian Food Blogger & Recipe Developer
I’m a Chinese Indonesian who grew up surrounded by incredible food. Living in Indonesia gave me a deep love for traditional flavors and local desserts — if it involves glutinous rice, coconut, or pandan, I’m in.
But my food journey took a few fun detours.
I actually studied architecture — yep, before I was baking Pandan Chiffon Cake and cooking Chicken Rendang, I was drafting floor plans. Though I didn’t end up practicing professionally, I still put that degree to use by occasionally offering “constructive criticism” on my husband’s architectural designs (he says it’s helpful… I say it’s teamwork).
Later, while living in Taipei and teaching English, I decided to follow my true passion and enrolled in culinary classes. There, I learned to make candies, Chinese pastries, and bread — skills that would later shape my food business and this very blog.

Later, while living in Taipei and teaching English, I decided to follow my true passion and enrolled in culinary classes. There, I learned to make candies, Chinese pastries, and bread — skills that would later shape my food business and this very blog.
Back in Indonesia, I launched my own food business, creating handmade Asian-style nougat, nostalgic cookies, cakes, and beverages. The journey was sweet — literally — and full of milestones:
- 🇮🇩 Nusa Pangan Award winner (2014) for Best Snack Product in Indonesia
- 🏆 Nova 2012 Inspirational Women in Food Business
- 🏅 Femina Women Entrepreneur Competition Finalist (2012)
- 🎓 Australia Awards Scholarship recipient — studied food business in Brisbane




These days, I live with my husband — a practicing architect who’s been endlessly supportive of my culinary path (and very patient when I commandeer the kitchen for days). He’s my first taste tester, my design consultant, and the only person I trust to give me honest feedback when a chiffon cake flops.
We also live with my dogs who bring joy, chaos, and a suspicious level of interest in whatever I’m photographing. They’re basically the unofficial blog mascots and crumb-cleanup crew.

Why I Started This Blog
After years of running a food business, I realized I wanted to do more than just sell food. I wanted to share it — the recipes, the memories, the little tips that make something turn out just right.
Butter Joy Kitchen is where I get to do that. It’s where I take everything I’ve learned — from my heritage, my experiments, my food science detours — and turn it into recipes that anyone can try at home.
No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just really good food with instructions that make sense.
What You’ll Find on Butter Joy Kitchen
At Butter Joy Kitchen, I share recipes inspired by my roots as a Chinese Indonesian and my experience as an Asian food blogger — from traditional snacks to modern twists. Here you will find:
- Tested Recipes That Work — Every recipe is developed and tested in my home kitchen (often more times than I care to count). If it’s on the blog, it’s been husband-approved and corgi-observed.
- Asian Flavors, From Simple to Showstopping — You’ll find everything from easy Indonesian stir-fries to nostalgic jajan pasar and celebration-worthy cakes like Lapis Legit — perfect for home cooks of all levels.
- Step-by-Step Guidance — No vague directions here. I walk you through each recipe with detailed instructions, tips, and photos so you can cook and bake with confidence.
- A Taste of Culture in Every Post — Many of my recipes come with stories, traditions, and ingredients from across Asia — especially Indonesian and Chinese-inspired dishes — to help you connect with the flavors behind the food.
More About Claudia and Butter Joy Kitchen
I studied architecture (plot twist!) but later took culinary classes in Taipei where I learned to make candies, Chinese pastries, and bread. I also ran a successful food business for years and still obsessively test recipes in my home kitchen. So, not a classically trained chef — but definitely a recipe nerd with well-floured hands.
After running a food business and studying food entrepreneurship in Brisbane (thanks to an Australia Awards scholarship), I realized what I love most is sharing food — the stories, the flavors, and the steps that make people go, “Wait, I can make this?!”
Think Asian‑inspired favorites — from layered spice richness in Lapis Surabaya, to everyday comfort in a home‑style Chinese Stir‑Fry.
Coconut, no contest. Pandan is a close second. Anything that smells like home.
Absolutely — though I try to share. My husband is the main taste tester, and our three corgis are always nearby hoping for an “accidental” crumb.
Yes! I handle the cooking, styling, photography, and editing — usually while dodging corgi paws and racing against melting whipped cream.
Please do! I love hearing from readers. You can leave a comment on the blog, message me on Instagram, or email me anytime at claudia@butterjoykitchen.com.
I’m open to partnerships that align with my brand and values. If you have something in mind, feel free to reach out!
My Favorite Recipes
I hope you’ll enjoy exploring Butter Joy Kitchen the way you’d flip through a beloved family recipe book — a little nostalgic, a little exciting, and always full of flavor. Whether you’re baking for a celebration, a rainy afternoon treat, or just because you feel like it, I’m so happy to be part of your kitchen journey. Let’s cook, bake, and create sweet memories — one delicious recipe at a time. 💛
Let’s Stay Connected!
Follow the Asian culinary adventure in Butter Joy Kitchen! Join me on social media for more updates and fun!