If A Dish Could Hug

By: Emily Lim

          This was an essential dish to have whenever someone was sick or when it was just too cold for any food to be able to restore that warmth. If a sick person ate this dish, they’d instantly feel like they’ve recovered and healed, or they’d wake up from their nap or sleep feeling much better. My grandmother and even my mom now would make it for neighbors, family friends, and people in our community who got sick. During the wintertime, this is the dish that brings our family together. Everyone is just so excited to eat it despite it being a pretty simple dish. It’s the one dish to bring instant warmth that’s long-lasting. 

          This dish has definitely passed down the same history it’s been for my grandmother and mother. It does exactly what it did for them when it came to healing and warmth on sick seasons and cold days as it does for me. It also brings the family together! My family isn’t the type to have family dinners at a certain time or anytime at all so this dish definitely has some powers in bringing my family close. I will always remember vividly, a very cold time, when my mom cooked bubur ayam and my dad came upstairs, knocking on everyone’s door saying, “ayo, turun bawah makan,” which translates to “come on, let’s go downstairs and eat.” My brothers are usually all in one place just hanging out while I remain in my own room, in my own space. All my brothers said okay with no intention of really going downstairs to eat anytime soon. All our doors were opened so I asked my dad as he was in the hallway, “what are we eating?” 

“Bubur ayam!”

“Ooo!”

          Instantly, my brothers are out of their chairs and bed as we collectively swarm the hallway, racing down the stairs to be the first to get the biggest portion possible. 

          Before we even started eating, my oldest brother said, “Hmm. Smells so good mom, thank you!” Then we all say thank you to mom and give her a kiss on the cheek for the chef’s kiss herself. 

We sit on the couch, some of us on the floor, in our fuzzy socks, sweatpants, ugly Christmas sweaters, and throw blankets on. “Selamat makan, guysss” I say, which means, “Eat well.” Minutes go by and we’re already getting up for seconds, then thirds. While eating together, all we talk about is how good it is and how nice it makes us feel with a movie playing in the background. 

          By sharing this food known to be of healing and warmth to the people in our community, not limited to the SEA communities but also our neighbors of color, grows a multicultural mutual aid in a sense. These are small acts of support that enable people to recognize one’s self-determination and build resilience in a small, but meaningful way.