International bazaar blazed through Union

The Turks stayed up until 3 a.m. Tuesday baking baklava, the Indians got up four hours later to steam rice cakes to go with sambhar and chutney and the Chinese ordered takeout for the masses at the annual international bazaar put on by the International Student Organization at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Thomas Triplet, a computer science graduate student and a member of the International Student Association, said 13 different student organizations bought booths at the Nebraska Union on Tuesday for $35, and some bought additional booths for $30 to offer traditional dishes from the countries their student groups represent.

"Most of the organizations have their own big events but not all together like this," Triplet said after the bazaar wrapped up. "Most people enjoyed trying food from all over the world … foods the restaurants in Lincoln are lacking."

The food was sold in a buffet style per country, and individual items were sold for either $1 or $2. The event lasted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Leyla Masmaliyeva of the Turkish Student Association said baklava, a dessert pastry with layers of dough and nuts, has its own reputation and was sold early and often.

The Singapore Student Association said its fried dumplings were some of the best and most traditional cuisine the country offers.

The African Student Association said most of its recipes came from West Africa and were made by hand. Sophomore member Thelma Nomenyo, a marketing major, suggested the fried plantains. Plantains are a sweet-tasting banana and have a sweet, powdery taste when fried.

The Singapore Club at Nebraska gave a spicy-Asian kick to cabbage by serving Cut Kimichi, which is cabbage seasoned with spicy peppers and served almost as a side salad.

Chase Taylor, a member of the International Association of Students for Technical Experience and a senior chemical engineering major, said his organization contemplated what to bring before deciding on bruschetta, an Italian appetizer. Taylor is not Italian, but he has been there and said the dish was perfect for the event because there are no Italian student organizations at UNL.

"We knew there would be a ton of Asian food," Taylor said. "And everybody likes Italian."

ryanboetel@dailynebraskan.com