The Lawati Legacy and My Cantonese "Surprise"

There is a famous story about the late Lawati Babai. During a ministerial trip abroad, he allegedly ordered a meal at a restaurant only to have the waiter bring out a table covered entirely in chillies. Whether this is entirely true or a bit of "soda-added" folklore doesn't matter; the sentiment is relatable.

Many of us in foreign lands often hesitate to enter restaurants due to language barriers, shyness, or a lack of confidence. Even if we go in, we struggle to order what we truly want. This is why I have started sharing photos of my Cantonese meals on my social media stories. Some might think it’s childish to post pictures of food, but when people screenshot my posts to ask, "Where can I find this?", I know the stories are serving a purpose.

However, even with my best efforts, I still find myself in Lawati Babai’s shoes occasionally.

A few days ago, I went for lunch at a Cantonese restaurant. Usually, I have friends with me to translate the menu, but this time, I was alone. A waitress approached and, in a mix of Cantonese and broken English, asked what I wanted while pointing at the menu.

Taking a "shot in the dark" with my own broken Cantonese, I confidently ordered "No. C." I sat back, expecting a delicious meal. Five minutes later, the waiter arrived with Orange Curry and steamed rice.

I stared at it, debating whether to send it back. Ultimately, I decided that one must never insult "Laxmi Mata" (the food) once she arrives at the table. I gave Laxmi a home in my stomach, but I’ll admit—my soul remained "Sour & Sweet" for the rest of the day!