Hello, my name is Erbolot, and like many other foreign students living in South Korea, I face the problem of missing the tastes of home. As a Muslim student from Kyrgyzstan studying in Daejeon, food is one of the ways I stay connected to my culture, family, and memories. Being away from home, I often find myself missing central asian food. And while it's not always easy, I've found some helpful ways to bringing those feelings back.

One thing I’ve discovered is that many Uzbek and halal food restaurants are conveniently located near big international universities, as these areas are full of people from diverse nationalities. For example, in Daejeon, I’ve discovered several Uzbek restaurants close to the Woosong University area. These places offer dishes like plov, samsa, and manty—foods that instantly remind me of home. Even though I am far away from Kyrgyzstan, I can still experience familiar flavors that feel like a warm hug. The first time I tried plov here, it felt like a little piece of home. It immediately reminded me of family gatherings back in Kyrgyzstan, where my father would cook plov outside using real wood. I still remember those moments, surrounded by family, the smell of the food filling the air, and the warmth of being together. Sitting in that restaurant in Daejeon, miles away from home, I felt that same warmth and connection, and it brought all those memories back.

Finding halal products in Korea has also become an issue. There’s a small halal shop near my dorm where I buy fresh meat, and I’ve found a few reliable online stores that can deliver halal products straight to your door. Me and most of my friends buy meat there, it is affordably priced and you can find several options there. 

When I start cooking, there’s always one moment that takes me back to Kyrgyzstan—the smell of fried onions and meat. The moment when it fills my kitchen, I’m  reminded of home. It is like I’m back with my family, gathered around and my father is cooking plov outside. That smell is so special, and it comes along with a flood of memories. Being away from home makes that feeling even more valuable. It’s something you can’t just experience whenever you want.