also published here: TASTE ASEAN at the ASEAN-ROK Food Street

A group of Honorary Reporters went to  Busan’s 놀이마루 , located just beside the famous Coffee Street, last November 15, 2019. It was the first day of the ASEAN-ROK Food Street and will be ongoing until the end of the ASEAN-ROK Summit on November 27, 2019.

Aside from the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, 2019 marks the 30th year anniversary of the ASEAN-ROK relations. This is a special year thus, special events showcasing the ASEAN members had been hosted by Korea these past months. It started in June with the ASEAN Week where the member countries had the opportunity to display their cultural performances, food, fashion (check out this ASEAN Fashion Festival) and other items such as furniture, rugs, fabrics and other lifestyle items. This was followed in October with the hosting of the ASEAN-Korea Train where participants were shown around Korea aboard the ASEAN-Korea Train. The pre-summit event this November started with this Food Street and we were lucky to be there on opening day.

The first food booth we found was the booth from the Philippines. Attendees will never miss it! It has a big roasted pig on display. We call it “lechon”. It is a roasted pig, very popular and cannot be missed on special occasions. It is every Filipino family’s centerpiece on any party they host. Remember and take note of this: the crunchier the skin, the better the lechon is. Mr. Antonio Sumayan of Pinoy Ako Lechon mans the booth. He also takes orders online or through Facebook and delivers all over South Korea.

I went around and checked the other booths from other countries. The restaurants from each member of the ASEAN showcased a dish that represents their country. Myanmar is being represented by Shan Noodles, Singapore by Tuan Yuan, Thailand by Savoy, Vietnam by Pho Lan, Malaysia by Rebung, Indonesia by Rindu Kampeong, Brunei by Kaka Restaurant, Cambodia by Haven, and Lao DPR by Lanith. All of us Honorary Reporters went around and tasted food from each country. I devoured my own country’s lechon because it had been a long time since I tasted one. My co-Honorary Reporters, especially those from the ASEAN, were equally glad to have seen and tasted their own country’s dish.

Delegates and attendees to the summit will have a mouthful of delicious dishes when they go to 놀이마루 . I hope the Koreans and other foreigners who will have a taste of the ASEAN countries’ food will grow to like them as well as we do.