The Indian restaurant displays the photos of foreign customers in Zhengzhou, Henan province. [Photo by Chen Fengyue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Suman Kumar, 22, an Indian student in Zhengzhou University, said: "I came to Zhengzhou about one year. My friends and I only had two choices, one was to cook at the dormitory and another was to eat here. This restaurant looks like our family in Zhengzhou."

After eating, he said "Goodbye, Mom" to Dong Fenglian, 51, Si’s mother. He said the food eases their homesickness.

Si said the customers also offer suggestions after eating, making the delicacies much better.

Tarek Mahmud, 22, a Bangladeshi student, said: "The food is tasty. Foreign students mainly go home in summer or winter vacation. People gather here to meet during mealtime or to hold a birthday party."

The 40-square-meter restaurant has seen many friendships develop. Si said he once received a call from an Indian father who was worried about food for his daughter who was coming to China for the first time.

"I feel happy to make these friends from all over the world, learning about different cultures is a very meaningful thing, which is becoming a part of my life gradually," Si said as Indian songs played in the background.