1 cup of nostalgia: Wei Lih Instant Noodle with Onion Flavor

The first ingredient in my pantry is a packet of WeiLih instant noodles, a vibrant little treasure that transports me back to a sunlit kitchen in Shanghai, where time seemed to stretch like the delicate strands of these noodles. I can still hear the bubbling of the pot as the water danced in anticipation, the familiar sound blending with laughter and the clinking of chopsticks. As the steam curled upward, releasing the rich aroma of sautéed onions, my heart would flutter with joy. I was just a child then, perched at a table surrounded by my mom’s best friend’s family, a kaleidoscope of faces and voices that enveloped me like a cozy blanket. Each slurp of those noodles was a taste of connection, a reminder of warmth and belonging that lingered long, even after the meal was over. Now, this packet sits nestled among jars and boxes in my Vancouver pantry, a bridge to my roots and a comforting whisper of home that I can summon whenever I crave the flavors of my childhood.