They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, with good food. Judging by the photos below, it’s also the way to great travel stories. At Agoda, we believe travel has the power to bring people, cultures, and places closer together. It’s at the heart of our purpose: bridging the world through travel.
To celebrate this, we invited our colleagues to share their unique perspectives through our monthly internal travel photo contest. February’s theme, “Shared Tables, Shared Stories”, focused on the connections forged over food. From busy street food stalls to colorful communal feasts, the entries beautifully capture how food brings people together and the stories that unite us across cultures.
Here are the five winning shots that perfectly capture how we bridge cultures, one shared table at a time.
Cold Skewers in Jiangyou, China
Danyao Zhou
Product Designer L2
Product Team
“In Sichuan, China, there’s a small city called Jiangyou, known for its lively street food culture. One of its specialties is Leng Zhan Zhan (冷沾沾), or “cold dipping skewers.” Unlike the famously fiery Sichuan hotpot, this dish is served cold. Skewers of vegetables, tofu, and meats are boiled, cooled, and dipped into bold, flavorful sauces.
What really makes Leng Zhan Zhan special isn’t just the food, it’s the experience. At a roadside stall, everyone gathers around a communal table, sharing skewers and dipping into the same bowls of sauce. Laughter fills the air as strangers swap stories, recommend their favorite sauces, and pass skewers to one another.
In a world where meals are often rushed or eaten alone, Leng Zhan Zhan slows everything down. It’s a great reminder that food is more than just flavors – it’s about the joy of coming together and sharing moments with others. The best meals aren’t defined by what’s on your plate, but by who you share them with.”
From Rainy Blues to Turkish Delights
Kamalika Halder
Senior Consultant, Talent Business Partners
People Team
“This photo was taken in April 2023 during a solo trip to Turkey, over the Songkran holidays in Thailand. Unprepared for the unseasonal cold, I was miserable by the end of my first day in Istanbul, drenched by rain and chilled to the bone. But if there’s one thing that never fails to lift my spirits, it’s food — whether I’m cooking or eating. On a whim, I decided to book a food tour for the next day.
It turned out to be the best decision I could have made. The sun came out, and this photo captures the very start of the tour at a little café in Sultanahmet, where a massive Turkish breakfast awaited me. I broke bread with fellow food lovers from around the world, sharing stories and laughter. Over the next five hours, we sampled some of the best Turkish food, and by the end, both my heart and tummy were full.
That day, I learned how a city’s food culture reflects its history, traditions, and geography. I also discovered new dishes and gathered recommendations for future travels. It was one of the best days of my trip and a memory I’ll always cherish.”
New Year’s Eve in Berlin: A Table of Heritage
Lalita Kittisrikangwan
Senior Specialist, Social Media
Marketing Team
“As the clock ticked towards midnight on New Year’s Eve 2023, I found myself in a cozy corner of Charlottenburg, Berlin, celebrating with my partner’s family. It wasn’t the grand occasion that made it special, but the deep significance of the moment we shared.
His family, originally from in Benin, had settled in Berlin decades ago and built a thriving life as business owners – a testament to their resilience. Around the table, we shared African delicacies like fufu and okra soup, with Papa Soglo urging, “Iss mehr,” (“Eat more!”) as we ate more than we thought we could. Each bite was a celebration of heritage, a tribute to where we come from and how far we’ve journeyed to build new lives in places we now call home.
We laughed our way through the German tradition of watching Dinner for One (a television comedy sketch aired every New Year’s Eve), while fireworks boomed outside. In that moment, I realized that the true magic of New Year’s Eve – and this beautiful spread of food – lay in the bonds that unite us across time and distance.”
A Global Feast in Chicago
Revathi Nair
Program Manager
Product Team
“This photo was taken on a crisp winter day during my first business trip to Chicago, where I had the chance to meet other team members from around the world. To celebrate the diversity of our group, we headed to a lively food hall, each of us choosing dishes that reflected our cultures. As we ate, we traded stories of home, comfort, and adventure, transforming the table into a bridge that connected us across borders.
This experience showed me how food transcends cultural differences, fostering connection and understanding. Despite the chilly weather outside, the warmth and joy at that table were unforgettable. It was a powerful reminder of the beauty of shared meals, shared stories, and the bonds they create – a memory that still inspires me to seek connection wherever I go.”
A Table Above the Clouds
Zhefu Peng
Lead Software Engineer
Tech Team
“This photo was taken during my climb up Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Borneo and Malaysia. The journey to the summit takes at least two days and one night. At the midway point, there’s a restaurant that every climber pays a visit to, a haven surrounded by clouds.
The food was hearty, and the view breathtaking. Climbers gathered around tables, swapping tales of their latest trekking adventures, struggles, and triumphs, laughing as the sun set in a blaze of orange and pink. For a moment, our exhaustion faded, replaced by warmth and connection.
That evening reminded me how shared tables bring people together, recharging both our bodies and spirits. It was a fleeting yet profound moment showing the strength we find in each other, no matter the journey ahead.”
Click here to view past winning entries from our monthly contests and explore the incredible stories and perspectives shared by our Agodans.
Ready to start your Agoda journey and create your own stories of connection? We’re hiring! Explore opportunities with us and be part of a team that values diversity, creativity, and the transformative power of travel.
