Having to come to terms of a loved one’s departure is never easy. While some would turn towards safekeeping precious photographs and mementoes, others try to relieve the experiences: from taking in the scent of their beloved’s favourite perfume, or even walking along the streets once visited together.
In the case of a family in Japan, they preserved a stewed pork dish in their freezer—a dish cooked by their mum before she suffered from a fatal stroke.
On the morning of her mum’s passing, Mizuki recalled discussing with her mum over what to eat for dinner, according to Chinese News outlet Sin Chew Daily. Her mum eventually decided on the said stewed pork dish.
But instead of getting to enjoy her mum’s cooking after returning home from school, Mizuki found her mum collapsed on the floor instead.
Although mum was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, she suffered from subarachnoid haemorrhage that night and left the world.
Preserved Dish in Freezer for 5 Years, In Memory of Mum
Upon reaching home from the hospital, Mizuki noticed the stewed pork lying in the kitchen and cried on the spot.
Unable to bear discarding the dish, Mizuki and her dad decided to preserve it in the freezer in memory of mum. It was left untouched for 5 years.
The pork was frozen in the bottom of the freezer for 5 years. | Photo via Video screengrab
For a long period of time, Mizuki abstained from skewed pork for fear of revisiting the memory of that evening, according to Sin Chew.
It was only until 2018, 5 years after mum’s passing that the family took out the frozen stewed pork.
The father-daughter pair held a tribute for mum where they were featured on a Japanese variety show, Knight Scoop.
An 11-minute clip of the show was uploaded by a netizen, after being touched by what she had seen on a TV live broadcast.
Photo: Video screengrab
Family Reheats Last Meal Cooked by Mum Before Her Death
With the professional help of a university teacher who is knowledgeable about food poisoning and a cooking expert, the dish was eventually restored.
The food was brought to a lab and examined for safety. The chef also made sure to cook the dish above 100 degree celsius. As long as it is eaten in small portions, it is considered safe for consumption as mentioned in the video.
When the food was served up, both father and daughter’s faces lit up with excitement.
Father and daughter excited when presented with mum’s dish from 5 years ago. | Photo via Sin Chew
The stewed pork was presented very aesthetically by the chef, even adding vegetables on the side.
Mum’s meal, revived by professional hands. | Video screengrab
“The same feeling, just like 5 years ago”
While sinking her teeth into the pork, and taking in her first mouthful, Mizuki said that it was “yummy”.
She had a quiet moment before commenting that it was the “taste of mum”. Reliving this experience further jolted the memory she had of mum and tears began to fall.
“The same feeling, just like 5 years ago,” she said.
Reminiscing of old times with her mum, Mizuki cannot help but tear up. | Photo: Sin Chew
Mizuki’s father too could not hold back his tears after tasting his late wife’s food. It was a heartbreaking sight filled with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Even the chef who “revived” their meal teared up as he watched the father-daughter pair savour the meal.
Seeing how sentimental the father and daughter pair was, both host and the chef was extremely touched. | Photo: Sin Chew
Mizuki also thanked the chef repeatedly for allowing her to remember her mum this way, even if that meant half a decade after her passing.
It is always a blessing to come home to mum’s dishes. This is perhaps a timely reminder for us to treasure our loved ones and the moments spent together before it is too late.
Lead photo via Sin Chew.
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