With all the current restrictions on international travel, have you been reminiscing about that exotic dream holiday you took to Asia? Alternatively, have you been creating your bucket list or designing your fantasy vacation in far off lands? Why not bring all these dreams and desires to life in your own home? You can host an event that showcases the best of what you have experienced, or hope to experience in the near future when travel opens up again, by inviting friends and family to partake in your sense-stimulating adventure while staying safe.
Create Excitement and Anticipation
Set the scene by sending out themed invitations that allude to the exoticness of your chosen Asian theme. Encourage guests to dress the part. Allow them to think outside of the box. A perfect dress-up costume could even be their most comfortable travel outfit, complete with (an empty) suitcase as an ideal prop to finish it off.
The success of your event will depend on the details. If budget permits, go all out with the decorations around the theme. Either concentrate on one room, or the whole house if possible. Take your inspiration from the sights and smells you remember from your fabulous trip, or do some research.
A popular color scheme for Asian décor is red, black and gold. Offset these bold colors with accents of well-loved Asian items like a Buddha statue, a teapot or set, bamboo, fans, chopsticks and even some rocks and sand to create a Zen Garden idea.
Beverages
It is probably best to have a variety of drinks available for your less adventurous guests, but to also have some traditional ones like Tiger Beer and Saigon Beer. Palm Wine, Sake and Bubble Tea are other obvious choices to include. Most Asians like to enjoy a refreshing tea after a meal and will later partake in their favorite cup of coffee. Kopi Luwak is frequently referred to as the world’s most costly coffee and is available for delivery direct to your home by Kopi Luwak Direct. This smooth, delicious gourmet coffee is made from beans that have passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet. But don’t let that put you off!
Cuisine
In most Asian countries, the approach to food and eating is a means to create wellness. Meals are ideally well-balanced and nutritious with the ratio of vegetables to meat being three to one as per the food pyramid. Not only are small plates and chopsticks aesthetically pleasing for your guests, but it also encourages eating smaller portions more slowly.
If you are feeling adventurous and love to cook, why not make all your own food for the event? Most popular Asian dishes are fairly easy to prepare if you have the correct ingredients on hand. Some popular choices would include Wok-fried salmon, ginger and soba noodle stir-fry, Prawn and three-pea stir-fry with rice, or coconut and chili pork stir-fry. Just thinking about all those flavors makes the mouth water.
Alternatively, take-out food from your favorite Asian restaurant in Missoula is also acceptable and takes the stress away from you as the host. SakeTome is a popular Asian fusion and sushi restaurant popular with the locals. Panda Express and Zoo Thai are two more options of where to get your choices like Tom Kha Soup, Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimp, or Phad Kee Mao (drunken noodles).
Getting a taste of Asia in Missoula is easy if you let your creative juices flow to submerge you and your guests in taste and flavor sensations that are exotic and exciting.