There are some things in Bangla, the language of my parents and of Bangladesh, that seem to lose their nuance when translated to English. One of these phrases is tumi bhat kecho  or literally, have you eaten rice? Such a simple phrase appears in my life constantly, from my mom when I’m up late finishing my physics homework or from relatives in Bangladesh who haven’t seen me in years.  But this phrase is rarely about whether I’d eaten rice specifically. Rather, it’s a way to c

The aroma of perfectly cooked rice is more than just a scent; it’s nostalgia. Every single evening, after hours of grueling gymnastics practice, I’d stumble through the front door, muscles aching and mind fuzzy. Yet, the moment I stepped inside, a quiet assurance would greet me: a pot of rice, steaming and ready.  The nightly comfort of rice wasn’t just about filling an empty stomach; it was a profound lesson in consistency. In the often chaotic world of competitive gymnastic

A few weeks ago, I got three of my wisdom teeth removed, and recovery was anything but pleasant: No dry socket and no infections, but two weeks of jaw pain, not being able to smile properly, and having an intense lisp. Although all those things were uncomfortable, the real discomfort laid in my food cravings. After one week post-op, I was craving every solid food out there: apples, PopCorners, un-shredded chicken, bread, and RICE. I just couldn’t risk getting   rice stuck in

Every single time we cooked, whether it was with a wok, pots, or pans, there was always one other appliance that we used: the rice cooker. Using the rice cooker was inevitable. It's always in use in our household, and over the years, it's become worn and scratched. The rice cooker is a staple in Asian households. It’s extremely convenient, as it is easy to use and frees up space. Operating a rice cooker can be done with very few steps: wash the rice, add the rice and water, p

E, F♯, E, A, E, F♯, E, F♯, F♯, E, F♯, E, D, C♯, B, C♯, A That was my sign that dinner was ready. Repeated one more time, this melody used to project from my rice cooker at least once a day for ten years. I could recognize it from any room of my house—over the roar of the neighbor’s lawnmower, the Doraemon blasting from the TV, and my mom’s audiobooks of Twilight (Chinese version, of course). Then, it broke.  A new rice cooker arrived at our door immediately. Sleek and dark—th

Have you ever had Asian street food? The chances are very likely! Asian street food has become yet another staple of American cities. From frozen food packages to fresh from the pot meals, Asian food is a cultural craze that has taken over America. Ever wonder where to start your Asian street food journey purposefully? Here are a few of my favorite Asian street foods that I recommend you try. Click on this link for some ambiance music to heighten the reading experience: soft

In recent years, Asian street food, primarily from South East Asia, has become extremely popular with the American population. While...

Asian street food has become a staple in today’s world. In America particularly, Asian street food can now be found in any state, from...

Dear APP community, Our website is also undergoing construction. Thank you for your patience!

Every couple of years, my family would go visit my parents' hometown, Tianjin, China. We would take a plane to Beijing first and meet my...

The Korean film industry has mastered heart-wrenching productions—achieving the perfect balance between sweetness and tragedy and tension...

I am a part of a community of Indians, and I never would have admitted that when I was younger. I do not look like what one would...

I was at a puja when one of the children asked, what are we? Are we black or white?". The father didn't know how to respond because he...

“If you don’t finish every grain of rice you’re going to marry a cat.” I slowly turned to face my mother who was eyeing my unfinished...

Through the rise of K-POP, Anime, K-Dramas, and Asian fashion in the last decade, Asian culture is more popular than ever in the Western...

The significance of the Korean War simply cannot be overlooked. The events that took place, as saddening as they may be, hold great...

In the summer of 2019, I traveled to China to participate in a two-week summer camp program. During that time, I had the chance to meet...

Statistics about Mental Health in Asian Individuals Recent data collected from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) found...

On March 13th, 2022 we hosted a Country Showcase to learn about the diverse cultures of all our country chapters. We learned about food,...

Join us for a fun birthday party recap at AsianPassion Program's headquarters.