For many South Asian Australians, food is more than just sustenance – it’s a bridge to family, culture, and memory. Venba, a narrative cooking game by Toronto-based Visai Games, captures this beautifully. Through the story of a Tamil family migrating from the southern state of India’s Tamil Nadu to a new country, it delivers a deeply emotional experience that will not only resonate with Indian Tamils, but the broader South Asian diaspora.

At its core, Venba is about cooking, but the dishes you make are really about storytelling. Players prepare classic South Indian recipes such as dosa, idli, puttu, and biryani, but the game rarely gives you clear instructions. Instead, you piece together faded, incomplete recipes, mirroring the way second generation kids often reconstruct traditions, relearning their roots through trial, error, and love. Simple acts, such as  flipping a dosa or layering spices become a quiet, powerful metaphor for constructing hyphenated identities in a foreign land.

The story follows Venba, her husband Paavalan, and their son Kavin as they navigate the joys and challenges of migration. While the game is set in Canada, their struggles – from racism and financial hardship to cultural isolation – will feel deeply familiar to South Asian families in Australia. Venba beautifully balances experiences of the South Asian diaspora – both first and second-generation immigrants. Kavin’s conflict between fitting in with his peers and staying connected to his heritage is especially poignant for those who have grown up juggling two worlds, while Venba’s struggle to keep her son connected to their roots will no doubt resonate with immigrant parents. The dialogue blends Tamil and English seamlessly, capturing the rhythm and warmth of bilingual households.

What makes Venba particularly special is its focus on the human side of migration. In Australia, migration is too often discussed in political terms, reduced to numbers, election promises and headlines. Venba instead reminds us behind these stories are real people: the parents who sacrifice everything to build a better future, the children who grow up caught between cultures, and the powerful role of food in preserving heritage across generations. It’s rare to see South Indian language, foods, and experiences represented so thoughtfully in a video game, and for South Asian Australians, it feels both validating and deeply personal.

The artwork is done in a hand-drawn style that radiates warmth and comfort, with every dish lovingly illustrated so vividly you can almost smell the spices. The music is equally evocative, blending traditional Tamil melodies with reflective modern pieces, with the radio adding to the nostalgia hit. For many South Asian Australians, it will feel like stepping back into childhood, with the familiar sounds of home floating through the air as a meal is lovingly prepared.

At just 1.5 to 2 hours long, Venba plays more like an interactive short film than a traditional game. Its brevity works in its favour, making it perfect for a single evening playthrough while leaving an emotional impact that lingers long after the credits roll. Full recipes are available after you finish the game, so that you can compare what you just virtually cooked to the secret family recipes Amma and Appa used. 

Venba is more than just a game; it’s a love letter to Tamil culture and a moving exploration of migration, family, and belonging. For South Asian Australians, it offers a rare moment of true representation that feels validating and personal. It’s a chance to see our bustling home kitchens, our stories, and our struggles reflected back at us. For South Indian Australians, it’s even more powerful. While the Western world might accept and even favour butter chicken and naan, Venba shows that our dosas and sambars deserve a place too.

Venba provides much needed joy to our younger selves that our foods are worth celebrating. Whether you play for the art, the music, the food, or the heartwarming story, Venba is a nourishing experience that will leave you both hungry and full-hearted, and just maybe make you reflect on what the first generation have had to go through.

The game is available on multiple platforms, including PC via Steam and GOG, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. 

Rating: 9/10 – A deeply moving story that celebrates culture, connection, and the power of food.

Watch the Venba launch trailer below:

Draw Your Box is your go-to South Asian publication and media company in Australia. Follow Draw Your Box on Instagram here and TikTok here. For brand partnership enquiries, email alicia@drawyourbox.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and podcast below.