Where do the ambassadors eat when they're homesick?

Where do we eat when we're feeling homesick, what do we eat? Do we head out for a meal or turn to our own kitchens?

We asked dozens of ambassadors and high commissioners based in Canberra what their go-to meals and restaurants were.

Next time you're eating in your local suburban restaurant, perhaps that person at the next table is actually the Russian ambassador.

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

"Food is a great comforter. When I miss home the best place to find it is in my own kitchen where I can recreate the favourite foods of my childhood that my mother used to cook and that she would serve, when, as an adult I would visit my parents.

"Being a Eurasian family, originally from Malaysia, we always had a fusion of cultures in our kitchen but one of my favourite dishes is mee goreng, simple spicy fried egg noodles with prawns or chicken, beansprouts, beancurd, eggs, chilli paste, soy sauce and greens. Every family has a slightly different recipe and there are no hard rules. But this is fast food, quickly fried up in a wok and ready to serve in minutes but to be enjoyed slowly with my husband as we catch up on the day, each other and news of family and friends."

"About once or twice a month my wife Marjolijn van de Geer and I take time to cook ourselves some traditional Belgian food at our residence. Waterzooi, a chicken or fish dish from my hometown of Ghent; beef stew a la flamande or fish and purée 'grandmother style'. Black mussels, another favorite of ours, are delicious at pizzeria Locale in Deakin, as are the pastries from the Flute bakery in Fyshwick.

"For great 'Belgian' chocolates made in Australia we turn to Koko Black but for the real stuff we travel all the way to the House of Anvers in Latrobe, Tasmania."

"Although I am 16,000km from my home in Zagreb, I have found tremendous comfort from my homesickness within the large and very welcoming Croatian community in Canberra and across Australia.

Three Canberra eateries, owned and operated by Australians of Croatian heritage, are my go-to comfort food favourites: Spit Shack, with locations in Braddon, Mitchell, Tuggeranong and Pialligo, for amazing Adriatic lamb or evapii with a side of ajvar roast red pepper sauce; Maestral Mediterranean Seafood Restaurant in Weston Creek for seafood reminiscent of the Dalmatian Coast; and finally, anytime I'm in the vicinity of one of the Krofne pop-up shops (Canberra Centre, Gungahlin, the Old Bus Depot or Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets), I indulge in a Croatian doughnut (or two).

"Unlike back home, I don't even feel guilty about my doughnut consumption here in Canberra given that Krofne is a social enterprise, employing young people with special needs, so I plan on eating a whole lot of Krofne doughnuts over the next three and a half years, and all for a very good cause."

"I have been in Australia on and off since 2008 when I was head of mission at the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt In Melbourne. I enjoy the variety Australia has to offer in the hospitality field. In Canberra, my favourite restaurants, in no particular order, include Raku, the Boathouse, Pomegranate and Ottoman for the Middle Eastern twist."

"I've been travelling extensively since my arrival in 2018 and have not had too much opportunity to visit many restaurants in Canberra. I have, however, thoroughly enjoyed the menu at Rama's Fiji Indian Restaurant in Pearce, which reminds me of home."

"When I'm homesick I just go home and home is next door to my office. I'm a lucky man because my wife Brigitta is an accomplished cook with certificates to prove it from places such as The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. She can cure homesickness any time. I often think that Brigitta could have done quite well as a professional chef or pastry chef. She collects ideas and recipes from all over the world and I'm the guinea pig, not that I have ever eaten guinea pig.

"Admittedly I do have a sweet tooth, and my dentist can attest to that, so meals end up being judged on the quality of the desserts such as various chocolate mousses or soufflés or Brigitta's excellent maple syrup mousse. Yes, it doesn't sound very Finnish but then again Brigitta is Austrian. Our kitchen is a microcosm of flavours of the world after the two of us having served in so many countries around the world."

"The Indian restaurants in Canberra have got good traction not only among the diaspora, but also among locals and people from other nationalities. This fact is quite visible whenever you visit any of Indian food eateries and there are quite a number of them across Canberra.

"While these eateries present authentic tastes to their guests, they have also tried to keep their preparations to suit the taste buds of everybody visiting them. I'm somewhat strict with my diet and prefer homely food."

"I yearn most for a good plate of nasi lemak for breakfast when I am staring down my bowl of muesli or toast in the morning. The rich aroma of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, served with sambal, fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts and cucumber is enough to make me miss home. That's when my mind wanders to Malaysian Chapter in Belconnen, which offers this dose of home and an authentic selection of other Malaysian dishes. Though available only on the lunch menu, the nasi lemak, a collective Malaysian favorite, is as good as that in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

"I am also fortunate as there is an option of Pappa Rich in Canberra Centre, when truly pressed for time. Another favourite is the penang char kway teow. These stir-fried rice noodles with smoky flavours is still heavenly without the cockles, and not to be missed with a cuppa of hot frothy teh tarik."

"The 'Limburgse Vlaai' at L'Orange Patisserie in Manuka. It reminds me of childhood visits to my oma (grandmother) who used to live in Limburg. One taste and I am back in her living room ... Vlaai can best be described as a sweet pie or tart consisting of a pastry and filling, usually 26-31 centimetres in diameter. L'Orange sells beautiful Dutch cakes and pastries, but Vlaai is my absolute favourite."

"It's hard to feel homesick in Australia because it is so like home and Australians are our best friends. But if I want to be reminded of my favourite night of the week it's Friday in front of the television watching Friday night footy, eating fish and chips. My choice would therefore be fish and chips from Snapper on the Lake. Salty, crispy battered fish and steaming hot chips, my mouth waters at the thought. And for my husband Ray, a cold Corona to wash it down."

"When Filipino food comes to mind, people think of adobo, a dish flavored with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. Here in Canberra, I particularly like the chicken adobo of Delikase in Nicholls.

"My father hails from the northern part of the Philippines known as Ilocos region and to satisfy my Ilocano craving, I go to Lolo and Lola in Watson to get my fill of bagnet or crispy pork belly. I cannot miss Filipino desserts such as leche flan (Filipino creme brulee) and our sweet soft buns known as ensaymada at Lolo and Lola."

"I haven't had the time to develop nostalgic feelings yet, as I only came to Canberra about a week ago. But normally, when homesick I look around for a restaurant or a cafe serving one specific dish, known in some countries as Russian salad.

"Quite paradoxically, in Russia they call it Olivier salad - after a Belgian chef who introduced the recipe to Moscow restaurants back in early 20th century. In my country it is considered a must whenever the table is set for the New Year celebrations or at family reunions."