In our country, sharing forms the backbone of most meals. And not far away, in neighbouring Myanmar, the ethos apparently is much the same. There, people sit together before a community tray bamboo set, which typically comprises piles of rice, different curries, as well as sweets. Each individual has a small plate, but everyone takes their food from the shared bamboo set.

We learn of this tradition from Ankit Gupta — owner of a seven-year-old vegetarian Burmese restaurant that is all set to launch their celebratory Thingyan menu next week that embodies this spirit of eating — who was travelling through the country in March. "This is how a community in Myanmar eats on a daily basis. They all sit on low stools and pass the food around," Gupta tells us.