Taste of Asiad in full display in Incheon

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Mon, September 25, 2023 | 05:29

2014 Incheon Asian Games

Taste of Asiad in full display in Incheon

Posted : 2014-09-21 17:42

Updated : 2014-09-21 18:04

Chef Publis de Silva

By Woo Hae-chung

INCHEON — Athletes from 45 countries will fiercely compete for national prestige in a variety of sports during the ongoing Incheon Asian Games, but there is another spicy competition heating up outside the sports venues.

Chefs hailing from 10 Asian nations are now offering visitors a chance to sample the finest cuisine their country boasts in the "Asian Food Festival."

Serving some 50 authentic dishes made from indigenous ingredients, they all proudly say their food is the best. The participating countries are Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Iran, Japan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia.

"Sri Lankans consider the food as an offering to the gods, so we put forth our greatest efforts into every meal we prepared," Publis de Silva told The Korea Times, Saturday, as he was making prawn curry with lentils.

According to organizers, Sri Lankan dishes are one of the most popular choices during the festival.

The chef in his 70s said, "I pray with all my heart that everyone who eats my food will be able to get more energy and become healthier."

Across from the Sri Lanka booth was a Thai kitchen, named "Blue Elephant Restaurant," which has 28 franchises around the world. The Founder Madame Nooror Somany Steppe was also busy preparing lunch using heated oil in a frying pan.

Pulling out her own brand of yellow curry paste produced in Thailand, she also emphasized about the importance of natural herbs and spices without any artificial flavors.

"Instead of using artificial additives, I use palm sugar and organic ingredients to make my food natural. For this reason, President Vladimir Putin and the queen of Belgium love my dishes," the chef said.

The festival is scheduled to continue through Oct. 4, the last day of the Asiad. Visitors are required to make reservations online at least a day before their visit.

The writer is an intern for The Korea Times.

woohchs@gmail.com