Peking University, October 23, 2023: Welcome to the World Gourmet Plaza! As renowned chef James Beard said, "Food is our common ground, a universal experience." By tickling your taste buds, you can get a ticket to the world.
 
On Oct. 21, 2023, the Carnival and Food Festival was held simultaneously with the International Culture Festival (ICF) at Peking University. Hundreds of people flocked to the plaza to experience foreign cultures on the tip of their tongues. Let's savour this "tasty" festival and its behind-the-scene stories!

Japanese booth volunteers handle out Kirin Ichiban to festival-goer

A wide range of cuisines were available at the Carnival and Food Festival. Thai milk tea, Korean kimchi, Egyptian fried eggplant Mesa'ah, and pumpkin custard from Cambodia were amongst the delicious treats offered by eight countries in the morning, while the afternoon session delivered unique dishes from another six countries, including Hainanese chicken rice from Singapore, Mongolian dairy products, and Malaysian Nasi Lemak.

Overwhelmed with a strong passion for promoting their traditional food, "I was too excited to sleep last night!" exclaimed Fan Qie-Xuan, an exchange student from Egypt. This sentiment was shared by all the student volunteers who had dedicated hours to preparing and serving the delectable recipes, an enriching process that cultivated friendships and helped integrate students into campus life.
 

A staff prepares Korean kimchi for the festival

Speaking on the preparation phase, Lin Xuan-Yu, a Cambodian graduate student of International Studies said: "It has bonded our group into a closely-knit team. Although the process was tiring, I felt a sense of accomplishment." Liew Minru, a Singaporean first-year student studying International Politics at PKU, also recalled fondly, "It was definitely a memorable experience, singing our national day songs while serving chicken rice and Muah Chee (sweet glutinous rice balls)."

Decked in Peranakan kebaya, Singaporean student showcases local delicacies

This festival not only offered a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate their unique cultural heritage, it was also an excellent platform for all to engage in cross-cultural dialogue. Ana Eltermann, a professor from Brazil, expressed her delight, "It's so much fun to see people from various countries enjoying the snack my mother used to make for me."

Through immersing in diverse cultures together, Vietnam student Qing Ling expressed, "I became friends with people who come from different countries, and I cherish our friendships as my second family. I feel like PKU is my second home."

From the saccharine taste of Egyptian dates to the spicy tang of Tom Yum soup, the multitude of flavours exhibited the diversity of PKU students and boosted the spirits of festival-goers and volunteers alike. The Carnival and Food Festival at ICF 2023 brought the PKU community together through the gathering of students from all walks of life, filling their stomachs with a variety of delicacies, and their hearts with joy and appreciation for this multicultural experience. 


Reported and written by: Chen Licai, Fumika Nakahara
Photos by: Chen Yi
Edited by: Li Jiexin