Weber State University students and faculty had the opportunity to taste the different flavors that Asia has to offer. Veggie borscht, beef borscht and fried rice were some of the dishes served during the Tasty Thursday at the Multicultural Center (MCC).

Decorated with an eastern ambiance, the MCC prepared two activities for attendees. Participants learned about the Chinese zodiac, as well as how to write their names and other phrases in languages like Chinese, Hebrew and Japanese.

“I like how we had the activities going on and the whole atmosphere,” Garrett Weeks, WSU junior, said.

The Tasty Thursday committee did not just present the traditional Asian foods. The two other dishes served were from Russia. Borscht is a soup that is famous in Poland, Russia and Ukraine. It is made with beetroot as the main ingredient, and potatoes and cabbage are also basic ingredients.

“We just wanted to not move away (from Chinese) but kind of focus on other countries that aren’t just China,” Maria Huerta, peer mentor and member of the Tasty Thursday committee, said. “Asia is not just China.”

Huerta said that there are many people who don’t think of Russia as an Asian country. Instead, many think it is part of the European continent. She suggests that more students should participate more in activities such as Tasty Thursday so they are more knowledgeable about other cultures.

“For example people can say, ‘Oh I tried borscht,'” said Huerta. “Personally I’ve never heard of it, so coming here is a way to learn about it.”

Weeks said that participating in Tasty Thursday is a good opportunity to learn about other cultures, and that the best part of it is the food is free.

“I think it is good to try something new,” Alberto Gomez, a WSU senior, said.

Gomez added that it would be good to maintain the tradition of Tasty Thursday.

The next Tasty Thursday will be taking place on March 26, featuring different foods from Europe.

“Everyone should come down to the next one,” Weeks said.