Mindful eating is currently on the rise, and many of Southeast Asia's traditional dishes and cooking methods are inherently healthy, even if they're never marketed that way. This issue invites readers to eat mindfully by considering not just what's on your plate, but everything behind it: the story of the ingredients, how they're sourced, how we treat leftovers, and how we build a healthy relationship with food over time.

Our relationships with food are always shifting. Some seasons are carefree, others are filled with restriction or overthinking. Wherever you are in your food journey, we hope you find something here that resonates—and brings back a little joy to the act of eating.