Savouring ESEA Heritage: Conversations, Culinary Odyssey and Culture with Freemavens

Get ready for a delightful journey as we team up with the vibrant ESEA employees of Freemavens to explore the rich cultural tapestry of East and Southeast Asia. From tantalizing cuisines to intriguing insights, join us on this rollercoaster of flavours, stories, and heritage.

What’s your top pick for a London eatery that offers the delectable dishes from your homeland?

Aska from Indonesia:

Aska spills the (rendang) beans on her top pick in London, “Toba near Leicester Square is my go-to spot for some mouth-watering beef rendang! (CNN’s no.1 pick for the world’s 50 best foods!)”

Dhoni from Indonesia:

Dhoni’s go-to spot is Bali-Bali Restaurant, famous for its Rijsttafel Menu. He explains, “Rijsttafel, or ‘rice table,’ offers a tantalizing spread of Indonesian dishes, each with its distinct flavour and preparation style, all centred around fragrant rice.”

Shafaq from Pakistan:

Shafaq recommends Charsi Karhai in Norbury and adds, “You can also find lots of options in Ilford, Southall, and Tooting.”

Joo from South Korea:

Joo suggests, “One place to visit for Korean stuff is New Malden (Zone 4 near Wimbledon), which is a small town with apparently the highest population density of Koreans in Europe.”

Kai from Japan:

Kai brings a touch of home cooking to London, “Try Zōsui, a comforting Japanese rice soup that’s a warm hug in a bowl.”

Rose from the Philippines:

Rose’s pick for authentic Filipino dishes is Earl’s Court. She recommends Lutong Pinoy in Earls Court and Coco’s Lounge for delivery. “Earl’s Court is where you’ll find authentic Filipino dishes. Don’t miss out on Sisig, Kare Kare, Dinuguan, and Crispy Pata!”

Calvin from Vietnam:

Calvin shares, “Vietnamese food goes beyond just Pho, and that’s what I appreciate about Cay Tre, a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Shoreditch and Soho. I dare to say that some of its food is even better than what you can find in Vietnam! In addition to Pho, you might want to check out Bun Bo Hue or Bun Cha, and don’t forget about that infamous Vietnamese coffee to start your day!”

Ashley from Taiwan:

Ashley mentions, “I’ve tried to find authentic Taiwanese restaurants in London for the past two years, but it seems like we are still sticking with the famous Din Tai Fung for now. Bubble tea-wise, T4 or Milksha.”

Yin from China:

You can’t be friends with Yin, if you don’t like dim sum! She shared, “Delicious and something that could be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner (in my opinion). Whilst the quality of dim sum in London can’t be compared to Hong Kong, my two recommended spots for dim sum would be Dragon Castle and Royal China.

What are some unique and noteworthy aspects of your home country that everyone should know about? 

Aska from Indonesia:

Aska proudly shares, “There are loads of other islands besides Bali, especially since we have one island inhabited by only the living dragons in the world. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard ever, and they are apex predators.”

Dhoni from Indonesia:

Dhoni enlightens us about Tana Toraja, “Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi is a place of intrigue, known for its boat-shaped houses (Tongkonan) and dramatic burial sites carved into cliffs.”

Shafaq from Pakistan:

Shafaq speaks of Pakistan’s diverse landscapes, “Pakistan is home to all four seasons with a vast terrain that has everything; beaches, deserts, lakes, plains, mines, forests, and mountains, and don’t forget about the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro!”

Joo from South Korea:

Joo explains the creation of Hangul, “The Korean language, Hangul, is quite a young language, and was invented by King Sejong in the 15th century.”

BONUS FACT: “You are born as 1 year old in the Korean age system – so if you ask a Korean their age, they’ll usually have two ages.”

Kai from Japan:

Kai enlightens us about Shinto, “Shinto is the biggest religion in Japan and translates to ‘the way of the gods.'”

Rose from the Philippines:

Rose invites us to explore the Philippines’ stunning beaches, “Our beaches are to die for, and I think it is so underrated. Amanpulo in Palawan is a must-visit. It is a bit expensive though, so when you’re there it is like you’re in your own private island!”

Calvin from Vietnam:

Calvin emphasizes the importance of food in Vietnamese culture, “Do not refuse when a Vietnamese person offers you food because it is in our love language; we want to share our love through food. We appreciate a good dinner and a meaningful conversation. We tend to dislike small talk because we want to understand you as a person and enjoy discussing various aspects of life.”

Ashley from Taiwan:

Ashley shares two noteworthy aspects, “Taiwan is the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing.”

Yin from China:

For Yin, there is more to China than The Great Wall of China. Here are some of her top tourist spots that you need to visit, “Jiuzhaigou’s lake changes colour due to algae, rocks, and reflections. Best in autumn. Nanshan Temple’s Guanyin statue, world’s fourth tallest, has three faces. Leshan Giant Buddha, 230 feet tall, calms rivers, took 90+ years to build.”

What aspects of your cultural background bring you a sense of pride and significance?

Aska from Indonesia:

Aska shares her pride in Indonesia’s diversity, “As an Indonesian, I’m proud of Indonesia for its cultural diversity. We are incredibly diverse with over 700 languages and a multitude of ethnic groups.”

Dhoni Ibrahim from Indonesia:

Dhoni expresses his cultural pride, “Cultural diversity is a point of pride for me. It’s expressed through various aspects of Indonesian life, creating a vibrant and unique cultural tapestry.”

Shafaq from Pakistan:

Shafaq takes pride in Pakistan’s cultural diversity and history, “The cultural diversity, the incredible cuisines, and the hospitality!”

Joo from South Korea:

Joo is pleased to see Korean pop culture gaining recognition, “Korea’s recent cultural pop trends are quite cool, and it’s a nice surprise to see a lot of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean food become more mainstream in the UK.” 

Kai from Japan:

Kai appreciates Japan’s blend of tradition and modernity, “I am always very proud of how respectful and humble Japanese people are.”

Rose from the Philippines:

Rose admires Filipinos’ resilience and positivity, “As a Filipino, I am always proud of our ability to see the positive in almost everything.”

Calvin from Vietnam:

Calvin appreciates the Vietnamese outlook on life, “We are the prime example of overcoming anything life throws at you. We realize that life is full of ups and downs, but there’s an appreciation for that philosophy because you begin to value the small things in life even more. Receiving and giving back is in our blood.”

Ashley from Taiwan:

Ashley’s pride lies in Taiwan’s innovation and progress, “Taiwan’s ability to be at the forefront of progressive movements and technological advancements.”

Yin from China:

Music, people, food and the rich history of China are what she is truly proud of, “Huge population, years of history, variety of food, red envelopes on Chinese New Year, traditional Chinese music (the Guzheng instrument is beautiful)”

ESEA Heritage Month is a whirlwind of culture, flavours, and stories. With Freemavens’ ESEA employees as our guides, we’ve tasted the world, uncovered secrets, and celebrated the pride they hold for their heritage. Let’s keep savouring the cultural buffet and cherish the unity in diversity.