Missing Asia

by Ren Hang

I miss Asia. God, I miss Asia so much. There, I said it. I miss Asia, especially the humble and laid-back and at the same time, edgy, Southeast Asian vibe. I miss the curbside restaurants where you can devour full good meals for less than a dollar, while sitting back, soaking in the view of lush green rice paddies... I, especially miss the kick and the acidity and the spice of Asian cuisine. There's something incredibly comforting and nostalgic about savoring a piping hot, extra sour pork sinigang or a fiery tom yum, or indulging in the mouthwatering flavors of Vietnamese bún bò huế, eaten with cheap banh mi on the side, on a cool, chill day.

Eating good Asian food is something my palate has been craving for for the past couple of weeks (or maybe even months) since I cannot seem to find it anywhere here in Europe. So perhaps it is not eating good Asian food that I'm looking forward to; perhaps it's the whole enchilada. Eating good food, after all, is all about the experience. I finally understand why the late Tony Bourdain fell head over heels in love with Southeast Asia, Vietnam in particular. In an interview, he said, "Going to Vietnam for the first time was life-changing for sure. Maybe because it was all so new and different from my previous life and the world I grew up in. The food, culture, landscape, and smells—they're all intertwined. It felt like another planet, a delicious one that sucked me in and never let go."

Last time I spoke with my mom, she told me not to skimp on food, even if I'm on a tight budget these days. "Don't worry about money, baby. I'll send you some if you need it," she said. Come on, mom, I appreciate the offer, but I'm in my damn twenties. Asking my folks for money is the last thing on my mind. I'm not scrimping on food because I'm strapped for cash; I'm doing it to save up so I can visit Asia next summer. Anyway, what were we talking about? Right—food, food, food, glorious Southeast Asian food! How I miss you so.

Good food is a true reflection of a country. Unlike the pompous French notions of what constitutes good food, Southeast Asian cuisine is down-to-earth, soulful, rooted in tradition, and at the same time experimental, and bursting with personality, flavor, and spice! The best part is, the humble legends behind these sumptuous dishes don't even have to try too hard to please their customers. They simply bring their high standards and refined culinary palates to the kitchen, and voila—a masterpiece! A masterpiece that can be found on every street, where everyone, regardless of social class, can savor heavenly delights.