Ask the Foodie: Brian Goldberg

Brian Goldberg's story is that of a potential medical student who gave up his chosen field when he realised his heart just wasn't in it.

Instead, Goldberg, now 35, went on to get a bachelor's degree in Chinese studies and a master's degree in Asian studies, writing his thesis on Hong Kong and mainland cinema. To immerse himself in his studies and improve his Putonghua, he spent a year in Beijing when he was 21. It was during that year that he became enamoured of jian bing, the savoury street food crêpes, and his graduate paper was a business plan on setting up a jian bing store in New York, his hometown, although it never came to fruition.

Eighteen months ago, taking a trip to Beijing and eating the snack food brought all those memories and plans flooding back. Feeling that the timing was right, he decided to open Mr Bing, a tiny restaurant at 83 Wellington Street in Central that serves the Beijing crêpes he so loves.

It is challenging, but worth it. I enjoy both immensely. Ultimately, it is about having the right people in place at Mr Bing so that the business runs smoothly when I'm not there.