My brother, who used to refuse cilantro, now grows three varieties on the balcony. My mother, a meat-and-potatoes traditionalist, asks for tom kha gai (coconut lemongrass soup) on her birthday.
So the next time you meet someone who has traveled abroad, ask them not for photos. Ask them to cook for you. Because It is sour, spicy, bitter, sweet, and deeply, deeply human. Have you had a similar experience with a family member or friend who brought back flavors from overseas? Share your story in the comments below. And if you want Maria’s recipe for Larb (the one that changed my life), subscribe to our newsletter. Taste of My Sister in law Who Traveled Abroad -...
She would text me at 4 PM: “I found fresh galangal. Dinner at 8. Don’t eat lunch.” My brother, who used to refuse cilantro, now
That is the real taste of a person who has traveled abroad: . The ability to throw together lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste, and palm sugar without measuring. Breaking Down the Flavors She Brought Back Let me detail what “taste” means in this context. Over the following months, Maria hosted a series of Sunday dinners. Each one revealed a layer of her transformation. 1. The Taste of Umami from the Mekong Delta Dish: Cá Kho Tộ (caramelized catfish in a clay pot) Flavor notes: Salty-sweet, pungent, sticky, with black pepper biting at the end. What it taught us: That caramel can be savory. That patience (simmering for two hours) is an ingredient. 2. The Taste of Sour from Morocco Dish: Harira (lamb, lentil, and tomato soup with lemon and cilantro) Flavor notes: Bright, acidic, herbaceous, with a background of warm spices (ginger, turmeric). What it taught us: Sour is not a mistake. It is a cleanser. It resets the palate after richness. 3. The Taste of Heat from Pai, Thailand Dish: Som Tam (green papaya salad with Thai chilies, dried shrimp, and long beans) Flavor notes: Aggressive heat, crunchy, fishy, sweet from palm sugar. What it taught us: Pain can be delicious. Endorphins are real. 4. The Taste of Time from Georgia (the country) Dish: Khachapuri (cheese bread with a runny egg yolk) Flavor notes: Buttery, stretchy, eggy, with a tangy sulguni cheese. What it taught us: Simple foods, done perfectly, are revolutionary. The Metaphorical Taste: A Shift in Attitude Beyond ingredients, the most profound change was in Maria’s approach to eating. Before traveling, she was a planner. Meals were scheduled, balanced, and safe. After traveling, she became opportunistic. Ask them to cook for you