Melissa Clark recounts how Lane Li, chef and owner of Noodle Lane in Brooklyn, guides her 11-year-old son Jackson through his first lesson in making Cantonese noodle soup—a dish Li learned from her own mother as a child. The article highlights the importance of starting with a flavorful homemade chicken broth, boiling noodles separately to keep the soup clear, and adding ingredients like bok choy, pickled mustard greens, and oyster sauce for depth. As Jackson prepares and enjoys the soup, the story emphasizes the value of family traditions, hands-on learning, and the joy of sharing comforting, homemade food across generations.