Student Blog

“When I get to Japan, let’s make traditional Chinese food together!” said Nancy.

Last year, I met Nancy in class. For half a year we took classes together with the same group members. That was online. Over a year had passed since Nancy had said those words to me before she finally arrived to Japan from Shanxi, China and was able to move into AP House.

And then it was another 2 weeks before Nancy finally contacted me and said, “Let’s eat Chinese food tonight!”

Once I arrived to her room, she pulled out a red cube I had never seen before in Japan and in English, said, “This is China’s most famous spicy hot pot roux. This is the first time in a while for me that it smells like home.”

I was so surprised that they eat something that looks so spicy regularly!
Meat, carrots, mushrooms, radish, tofu. After cooking them all together with the roux and some water, it was not an hour before the hot pot was done.

In the AP House kitchen was the famous Chinese hot pot.

I was worried about being able to eat it, since I am not one for spicy food, but it was delicious. It was, however, very spicy. I drank 1.5 liters of water! I was able to make the hot pot, talk, and learn a lot from Nancy about China. Cooking and eating together, it felt just as if I was in that country. That night was my own little fun trip to China.

DU YIXUAN
Nickname: Nancy
College of Asia Pacific Studies 2nd year
China

Published in the September 27, 2022 morning edition of Oita Godo Newspaper

Mai Koizumi

My nickname is Maimai! I thought I had just entered the school, but the next thing I knew I was already a sophomore. I'm RA at AP House! I'm looking forward to taking on a lot of challenges this year! I'll do my best!