Charles Sun (Justin Chien) discovers churros in “The Brothers Sun”.Photo:Michael Desmond/Netflix
Michael Desmond/Netflix
The Brothers SunstarsMichelle Yeoh, Justin Chien and Sam Song Li are weighing in on the ultimate fried dough debate.
In the Netflix series, Charles Sun (Chien) heads to Southern California to protect his mother (Yeoh) and younger brother Bruce (Li) from rival Taiwanese gangsters. After arriving, Charles — who is as skilled at baking as he is at killing — discovers churros. He immediately falls in love with the sugar-dusted dessert and becomes obsessed with recreating it.
Churros unlock a core memory for the brothers, who haven’t seen each other for 20 years. “It’s like a cinnamon sugaryoutiao,” Bruce informs Charles, referencing the plain Chinese fried dough pastry with a similar shape they loved as kids.
Some historians believe thatyoutiaoeven inspired churroswhen trade routes between Asia and Europe opened centuries ago.
Michelle Yeoh as Mama Sun, Sam Song Li as Bruce Sun, Justin Chien as Charles Sun in “The Brothers Sun”.Courtesy of Netflix
Courtesy of Netflix
PEOPLE caught up with Yeoh, Chien and Li at theThe Brothers Sunevent at the 626 Market in L.A. County’s San Gabriel Valley, which is the Asian American enclave where the series was filmed. They talked all things fried dough and whether they’re #TeamYoutiao or #TeamChurro.
“Youtiao!” Yeoh declared, revealing that she likes hers best with congee (Chinese porridge). “I dare not venture to churros,“the Oscar winneradded.
“Do you want me to tell the truth?” teased Chien. “I’m gonna pick the churro, with a little bit of chocolate. I didn’t have anyat the premiereand I really wanted them.”
However, when Chien does haveyoutiao, he prefers the savory version. “I like myyoutiaowith a little bit of soy sauce,” he says.
“You weirdo,” his costar Li jumped in, who like Yeoh is #TeamYoutiao. “You have to have it sweet!”
“You gotta get the sweet soy milk,” Li continued. “I always add a little bit of sugar to the soy milk. I want theyoutioudrenched in sweet soy milk.”
“Condensed milk!” his on-screen mother suggested.
“I haven’t tried that but I should,” Li replied. “I have a huge sweet tooth.”
The production team onThe Brothers Sunwere clearly #TeamChurro. Over 1,200 of the treats were made for the show, food stylist Melissa McSorley tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“Some of those were my trial and error as I provided samples to [director] Kevin [Tancharoen] and [executive producer] Byron [Wu] for their approval, many were for the background that were in the school campus scenes, and then of course the hero ones you saw on camera,” McSorley explains.
Justin Chien, Michelle Yeoh, and Sam Song Li attend “The Brothers Sun” premiere.Charley Gallay/Getty
Charley Gallay/Getty
McSorley also describes the meticulous planning that went behind Bruce’s discovery and eventual mastery over churros.
Even if they looked less than perfect, they were still delicious.
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“All versions were edible, just ask the prop team and crew that made sure that none went to waste!” McSorley revealed.
All episodes ofThe Brothers Sunare currently streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
