On Sunday, July 12, the International Understanding Program “Hello World – Discover Myanmar Cuisine” was held at the Kohoku International Lounge.
The instructor was Ms. Tobita, a native of Yangon, Myanmar, who is also a Japanese language learner at the Kohoku International Lounge.
She introduced participants to dishes that are enjoyed in everyday life in Myanmar and demonstrated how to prepare two traditional salads right in front of the audience: Laphet Thoke, a fermented tea leaf salad, and Gin Thoke, a ginger salad. Participants then had the opportunity to sample both dishes.
These salads are surprisingly simple to prepare, combining traditional Myanmar ingredients such as fermented tea leaves and mixed fried nuts with soybean powder, fish sauce, lemon juice, cabbage, and tomatoes. They can be enjoyed on their own or mixed with rice, and many participants commented, “I’d like to try making this at home.”
In addition to introducing Myanmar’s cuisine, Ms. Tobita also spoke about the country’s rich cultural diversity. Myanmar is home to 135 ethnic groups, and participants learned about its various ethnic communities and traditional costumes. The event provided a valuable opportunity to deepen participants’ understanding of Myanmar’s culture through both its food and its people.
