Never Whistle at Night (and Other Asian Superstitions)

When I’m eating a meal, I never stick my chopsticks upright in my bowl. When I’m walking home at night, I won’t whistle. And when I sign my name, I remember not to do so with a red pen. Growing up in my Malaysian American household, I’ve gotten used to living with superstitions. If I accidentally didn’t follow one, my mother would quickly point it out, warning me of the repercussions. They seemed absurd, but there was always a small part of me that took them seriously. Like the food our parents cook for us and the holidays we celebrate, superstitions are a part of our culture, even if we don’t believe them. And hey, if we could avoid bad luck and wandering spirits, it doesn’t hurt to write our signatures with a black pen instead… Banana Magazine 

Lo - Operator, The Line Is Dead

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Back when I stayed in Thailand, I’ve tried to cook the Singapore-style Hainanese chicken rice, but it turned out differently due to the different breed of chicken there. The chicken meat in Singapore is firmer, and more importantly, the skin is smoother, which gives our version its signature gelatinous texture… The Burning Kitchen