Asian Food Fair showcases dishes from 14 nations

Abu Dhabi:  The love of Asian cuisine prompted a British couple to relocate from Singapore to Abu Dhabi.

"During a two-and-half-year-long stay in Singapore, we liked the Asian culture, which revolves around [their] food, and decided to settle somewhere in Asia..." the couple told Gulf News on the sidelines of the Asian Food Fair held yesterday at the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The couple added that they intend to settle in Malaysia when they retire.

"While working in Singapore, all colleagues used to go out during lunch time to have [their] food [in restaurants and at food stalls]... You get a heavy lunch for a few dollars," said Laurence Jones, 51, vice-president of a petrochemical company based in the capital.

"That culture makes [for] a relaxed atmosphere which we liked very much." Jones, whose favourite dish is Chinese dumplings, said the only difference was that people in Abu Dhabi usually have lunch at their offices.

His wife, Elenor, 51, said she loves ‘Roti Jalan', an Indian dish that comes with chicken curry.

At least 14 countries are taking part in the fair organised by the Asian Ladies Association.

Saedah Yahya, president of the association and wife of the Malaysian ambassador to the UAE, inaugurated the event and told Gulf News that they wanted to use the fair to promote Asian culture.

"The food represents the culture and everyone likes Asian food," she said.