Benjamin Law

The writer on instant ramen, celebratory Champagne and yum cha dates.

Your dad ran a restaurant called Thai Breakers when you were growing up. Was Thai food a big part of your diet?

That came in the teen years. He’s CantoneseChinese and he had Cantonese-Chinese restaurants when we were kids. His Thai restaurant was my first introduction to the cuisine. His staff were Thai; they were such great cooks, so I felt really spoilt for other Thai food I’d eat later on.

When you were starting out as a writer, was there a budget meal you ate when money was tight?

A good brand of instant ramen with fresh greens. I think that’s legitimately a good meal. That’s what I ate then and it’s what I eat now.

How did you celebrate your first book deal for your memoir The Family Law?

My boyfriend Scott has always been great at getting a proper bottle of Champagne when something like that happens. And I’m not talking about Tasmanian Brut sparkling, even though I love that shit. I might’ve bought oysters. Champagne and oysters: clichéd sitcom aphrodisiacs!