Dishes solution

If I had to solve it without using algebra, I would say that since

                                              2 people share 1 plate of rice,

Therefore                              4 people share 2 plates of rice,

                                              8 people share 4 plates of rice,

Which also implies               12 people share 6 plates of rice

Now, if                                  3 people share 1 plate of broth,

                                              6 people share 2 plates of broth,

Which also implies              12 people share 4 plates of broth

For meat, if                            4 people share 1 plate of meat,

                                               8 people share 2 plate of meat,

Which also implies                12 people share 3 plates of meat

Thus 12 people share (6+4+3) dishes

13 dishes is to be shared with 12 people

And since altogether there is 65 dishes, so

We have 13*5 dishes = 65 dishes   for 12 * 5 people = 60 guests

The answer is 60 guests

What effect, if any, does cultural context have?

Well personally I don’t think that the cultural context will affect the solution. I could have done the same example and saying Canada instead of china where the guests are sharing food in Mc Donald

And also you not sure if a guest sharing meat would also eat rice and broth.