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When Is Street Food Safe To Eat?
I love eating street food. Satay. Corn on the cob. Hot dogs. Takoyaki. Ramli burger. You name it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does. There are always endless queues for street food at food festivals that pop up every now and then around Melbourne. Though we can find street food in restaurants,…
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What Do We Think Of When We Meet People?
It’s always interesting meeting strangers on the street. It can be exciting. Awkward. Maybe a little scary. The other afternoon I was taking photos of Federation Square in the city, minding my own business. “Excuse me? Can you take a photo of me?” I turned around. The summer-in-autumn sun shone right into my face. Eyes…
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When Is It Okay To Wear Cultural Costumes?
A few months ago, I was wandering through Bourke Street Mall on a summer’s Saturday afternoon and spied some buskers wearing traditional cultural attire (photo). I wondered if anyone saw this scene as racist. I stopped to watch. It stuck me as odd that they were wearing sunglasses with their outfits. There are two scenarios…
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Why Asians Don’t Say “I Love You” To Their Parents
“I love you, mom, dad.” That’s something we hear children and adults alike say to their parents in movies and TV shows. And in everyday life, of course. But funnily enough, be it in reality or the fictional worlds, the phrase of affection “I love you” is rarely uttered by Asians to their parents, whether…
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Why Asians Use Lots Of Plastic Bags
“Here’s your change and receipt,” said the Woolies cashier. I pocketed the slips of paper and stood still. She pushed the two boxes of Shapes biscuits and one packet of Freddo Frogs on the counter towards me. I waited. Where’s a plastic bag to carry my things in? That was what happened on one of…
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Food, Family And The Lunar New Year
Just like how roast is often a staple eaten at Christmas, it is customary for the Chinese to feast on Yusheng, a raw fish salad, during the Lunar New Year. Yee sang, yuu sahng, lo hei or ‘Prosperity Toss’ are alternate names for this salad that is typically served at the beginning of multi-course meals…
Mabel Kwong 