A Piece of Asia in Turkey

I think I am a strange person. In Asia I always look for Turkish food---it's like my hobby and goal every time I go to Japan and Korea. Every time I see a sign that says "Turk" or "Dondurma" I go nuts. Yet, now that I'm finally here, I crave Asian cuisine. I must say, Hong Kong really spoiled me--well Brian really spoiled me. Shanghainese, Korean, Japanese, Dimsum, Cantonese, Fish, seafood, Peking duck etc. ...not to mention wonderful homemade Indonesian food! So here I am now, in Turkey, the places I have wanted to go all my life, the place I was wishing I was in Korea, and I just want Kimchi and dimsum more than anything.

So in my pursuit of kimchi--kimchi chige in particular--I went to the ONE ASIAN restaurant in Ankara. It was good--not amazing--but satisfying enough. I am currently trying to find the ingredients to make some Japanese or Korean food--like mandu or okonomiyaki.

I am currently living with a Korean now as well, and it's so nice! I get to practice both Korean & Turkish, and it's so nice! I feel like "I'm with my own people." I came to Turkey for just that, yet every time I meet another Asian person I find myself getting giddy with excitement. My hope was that this trip would teach me something about myself--find my "true self" better, and I guess I am doing just that, but not at all in the way I expected. ...but I guess that's how life is, right?

CONCLUSION: I am Asian at heart. I belong in Hong Kong. I miss Korea--it's my other home--so is Japan. I know my place is in Asia....but I am still really really enjoying Turkey.