During my exchange programme in University of Maryland, I had a potluck dinner party with the other exchange students from Korea. I was excited to try different foods and learn about the cultures of different countries.
Singapore
We decided to cook mala for the potluck party and introduce it to the Korean exchange students. Mala is a dish that is popular in Singapore for the spicy and numbing sensation. For the ingredients, we used chinese cabbage, dumplings, lotus, mushrooms, noodles, pork belly, potatoes, and tofu. Mala sauce has a unique blend of flavours, with hints of chili and Szechuan peppercorn. The heat level was just right for me, and the crunchy vegetables added a great texture to the dish.
Korea
The Korean exchange students cooked Kimchi Pancake, which was a savory pancake made with kimchi, vegetables and flour. It had a crispy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior. The kimchi added a tangy kick to the dish and made it a great Korean signature flavour. Along with the Kimchi Pancake, the Korean exchange students also cooked Stir Fry Chicken with Gochujang Sauce and topped with cheese. The gochujang sauce added a rich, spicy flavor to the tender chicken and the melted cheese added a creamy texture to the dish. It was a unique combination that I had never tried before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
