I’m sorry—I was a bit late with last week’s blog.
Last Friday, two of my labmates and I—from Thailand and Indonesia—planned a dinner together. Around the table were different cultures, languages, and experiences. Since lab work had been really intense for all three of us over the past couple of weeks, we decided it was time to shake it off and relax.
While thinking about where to go, we eventually decided that home was the best place. As international students, we don’t really go “home” for New Year’s, so it felt less fancy but much more peaceful and cosy. This time, my labmates cooked food from their home countries.
My Thai friend made Tom Kha Gai, a Thai coconut chicken soup. It was cooked in coconut milk with mushrooms, chicken, cabbage, and other vegetables and eaten with rice. The soup was creamy and mildly tangy, thanks to the coconut milk, with a bright, sour note from lime—comforting and refreshing at the same time. I took multiple servings and even brought some home.
Our Indonesian labmate made Tomka Cireng, fried tapioca served with a spicy tamarind sauce. It was my first time eating fried tapioca with this sauce, and it was really fun to try. She also brought dessert—an orange-flavoured milk jelly, which was light and refreshing and the perfect way to end the meal.
It was a simple dinner, but it felt warm and meaningful. For a moment, home felt suddenly close.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year! It has been lovely getting to know each of you.
Moments like these really show how food brings people together across cultures and makes even a simple dinner feel like home. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt memory. Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and joyful New Year as well!
返信削除Wishing you a wonderful year ahead. May you receive the best of everything.
返信削除Your lab is composed of such a great members!
返信削除It's wonderful to be able to taste cuisines from so many countries all at once! I'm curious about the texture of the fried tapioca!
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