What does this lamb stew recipe mean to you?
This dish is very dear to me as it represents almost everything that I am - warm, sweet, vibrant, and enthusiastic, much like how my mother raised me. It’s a blend of the nomadic Mongolian culture from the steppe and the deep, rich flavours of China.
It's a celebration of tradition. In my family, this soup is a Spring Festival essential, just like the dumplings. It’s the dish that starts our New Year’s dinner, warming up our conversations and our bodies in the cold winter. It’s imprinted in my memory as a key part of our traditions, along with watching the Chun Wan Gala and setting off fireworks with our friends and families.
How does this remind you of home?
Studying at a global university like UCL is both challenging and rewarding. One of the toughest parts is the 8-hour time difference and the 12-hour flight, which means going home for Spring Festival is almost impossible. In that sense, being able to recreate a simple dish from my culture has truly helped me cope with homesickness. For me, cooking is a form of meditation. Everything from preparing the food to seasoning the soup keeps me present in the moment, which is “mindfulness” in psychology.
Sharing the food I make with my colleagues is another joy of mine. I’m grateful that I am surrounded by people who are embracing to different cultures. One of my favourite things to do is sharing lunch with my friend Ludovica in the Chandler House kitchen where we exchange stories about how growing up can be so different between China and Italy.
How did you celebrate Spring Festival this year?
This year, living in UCL accommodation, I was able to celebrate Spring Festival with my roommates by recreating traditional dishes and dumplings ourselves. It’s moments like these - along with hosting and presenting conferences, going on field trips, and bonding over shared meals - that have made my time at UCL so memorable.
Me and my roommates making dumplings in UCL accommodation