esea contemporary is pleased to present Congee Pick n Mix, in collaboration with Little Yellow Rice Co. — a communal, story-rich event celebrating the shared yet diverse traditions of congee across East and Southeast Asia. This event forms part of esea ArtClub, our arts programme created for East and Southeast Asian residents of Manchester aged over fifty.

Participants will prepare their own bowls of congee – with both chicken broth and vegan bases available – and explore a DIY garnish station featuring condiments and herbs from across the ESEA region, from century egg and fried shallots to sambal and pickled vegetables. Guests are warmly encouraged to bring a favourite topping of their own as we recollect and honour stories about family traditions, childhood memories, or the cultural significance of this humble but beloved dish.

As the event unfolds, these personal stories will take shape on a collective ‘regional congee map’: a large illustrated map of East and Southeast Asia where participants will be able to note how congee is prepared in their culture. Together, these contributions will illustrate the many ways this simple dish carries deep histories of care and community.