Southeast Asian food, I believe, is the most complex. They find ways to blend all 5 flavor profiles without creating a bite of confusion. There are dishes that pack a huge punch, while there are other dishes that are light and clean, but still give the satisfying fulfillment of a complete dish. Ingredients with such distinct flavors, like cilantro, are utilized in ways that complement the other ingredients of a dish and provide a uniqueness to the overall dish.

I am no master in Southeast Asian food, but this wonton soup is my attempt at putting my admiration for the cuisine into a bowl. I took the shells of the shrimp to create a stock that was adjusted with lime and chili oil to create that bright, tangy addictiveness on top of the shrimp flavor. The wontons were filled with pork, shrimp, and finely chopped cilantro. 

A final touch of sambal and black pepper rounds the dish out and was a big hit at the dinner table. I would love to learn more about Southeast Asian cooking because the intriguing complexity of flavor combinations is second to none.