Upon arriving in a hotel in Medan, Indonesia in the 80s, I remember being presented with a glass of markisa or passion fruit juice as a welcome drink. We often hear of welcome drink but welcome food? Well, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam; at the underground food court of Asiana Food City, we had had Banh xeo for lunch, a crispy crepe made from rice flour. That's a welcome food of sort. Traditionally, friends and relatives visiting a Vietnamese home are welcome with the food. It is stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, eaten with fish sauce and garnished with fresh herbs, the latter reminding me of the ulam in Malaysia; that refers to fresh leaves, vegetables or fruits eaten raw or after being soaked in hot water.
Now, where is the welcome food?
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