Hi, I am Joy. I’ve lived in Kinshasa, Brussels, Madrid, Bangkok, London, and Lille — and traveled to over 20 countries.
…and my compass always points toward food.
New Flavor, New Destination
Every new flavor opens a door to a new destination, fueling continuous curiosity and a deeper understanding of the people, stories, and heritage behind the dish.
At its core, Flavors We Found is an exploration of global food cultures through cooking, travel, and inspiring human stories — It is a celebration of the culinary traditions and human experiences that flavors our lives.
Food as a way back…
Living across different places leaves a mark on how we eat. Cravings become global, even when our skills in the kitchen are still catching up. Recreating a beloved dish from memory is always a journey in itself — sometimes a triumph, sometimes a messy first attempt.
It is the longing for a restaurant favorite discovered thousands of miles away — dreaming of a unforgettable Djècoumé from Togo while in France, or craving fresh, flaky Msemmen from Morocco. Other times, it is simply missing the comfort of home cooking and familiar family recipes.
Each dish reconnects us to a place, a culture, and a moment in time, it’s a way of holding onto the places we’ve been.
Flavors We Found is also born from this ongoing quest: learning to master the flavors we miss, documenting the process, and finding solid culinary alternatives wherever we are.
On Youtube
Testing out Somali Bariis Iskukaris. Flavor: Spot on. Texture: Needs work.
French Food Critic’s Chakchouka Recipe 🍳 — Shockingly Delicious!
Attempting Ivorian Kedjenou—how does this look to traditional cooks?
I Cooked Congolese Donuts (Mikate) 🍩 — Delicious but They Looked Like Aliens 😅