sunshine
12-11-2015, 16:55
Like to eat? Like to see the world? Culinary travel could be for you. If you want to eat your way around the world (or at least through a few cities), there are some ways to maximize your eating experience. From befriending a local to researching the best dishes ahead of time, here are several ways to make the most of an eating adventure abroad.
Do your research
Before you even leave the house, gather as much information as you can about the food, drink and cooking techniques you’ll be met with when you arrive. The more you know, the deeper you can go in your exploration of a particular cuisine, and the better versed you’ll be in the must-try dishes.
Be adventurous
If there was ever time to push yourself, a culinary adventure is it. You may come across things that you’d never think about putting in your mouth back home, but you’re here to embrace new foods, so try your best to be an adventurous eater in your travels. You might not like what you try, but half the fun is trying something new.
Get tips from locals
Talk to people you meet about where to get the best food. You can read about must-try places online or in guidebooks, but no one is going to know where to eat better that the people who live there. You’ll find that most people love talking about their favourite meals and divulging the best places to get them.
Take a cooking class
One of the best ways to get a feel for the food culture, cooking techniques and staple ingredients of where you are is to take a cooking class. Do some research before you go to find out if any are available and if so, how you can sign up. You can spend a half day or even a full day, shopping at local markets, preparing ingredients, cooking and of course, eating.
Frequent markets
Markets are another great way to gain insight into the food culture of a certain country, what people buy, how they use it and what ingredients seem most abundant. Markets, whether you’re in Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro or Barcelona, are also usually a good place to fill up on good (and cheap) food from crowded stalls.
Eat where it’s busy
As you explore a new city and find yourself getting hungry, pay attention to which restaurants or food stalls are busiest. A lineup, be it at a hawker center in Singapore or food truck in New York, usually means you’ve found something worth waiting for.
Explore off the beaten track
You’ve done your research, made lists of where to get great meals and downloaded apps to help you get there. But it’s also important to see what kind of culinary discoveries you can make on your own. Devote some time to checking out a neighbourhood that’s not on your list, just to see what you might find.
Take an organized food tour
Most major cities offer organized food tours that explore (usually on foot) various restaurants, markets, food trucks or food stalls to sample local favourites. Culinary tours are ideal if you’re short on time and want to get an overview of what the local food scene has to offer.
Seek out specialties
Always find out what a particular town or city known for in terms of food and drink. If there are specific dishes, ingredients or cooking techniques you’ll only find in a particular region, seek them out. Make a list before you go, or talk to locals to get the goods on what you absolutely need to try before you leave.
Go right to the source
Depending on where you go, look into getting up close and personal with how local goods are made. Are there brewery or winery tours you can take? Can you visit a bakery or cheesemaker? If so, such venues are an interesting way to find out more about items that are specific to the city or country where you’re travelling.
Do your research
Before you even leave the house, gather as much information as you can about the food, drink and cooking techniques you’ll be met with when you arrive. The more you know, the deeper you can go in your exploration of a particular cuisine, and the better versed you’ll be in the must-try dishes.
Be adventurous
If there was ever time to push yourself, a culinary adventure is it. You may come across things that you’d never think about putting in your mouth back home, but you’re here to embrace new foods, so try your best to be an adventurous eater in your travels. You might not like what you try, but half the fun is trying something new.
Get tips from locals
Talk to people you meet about where to get the best food. You can read about must-try places online or in guidebooks, but no one is going to know where to eat better that the people who live there. You’ll find that most people love talking about their favourite meals and divulging the best places to get them.
Take a cooking class
One of the best ways to get a feel for the food culture, cooking techniques and staple ingredients of where you are is to take a cooking class. Do some research before you go to find out if any are available and if so, how you can sign up. You can spend a half day or even a full day, shopping at local markets, preparing ingredients, cooking and of course, eating.
Frequent markets
Markets are another great way to gain insight into the food culture of a certain country, what people buy, how they use it and what ingredients seem most abundant. Markets, whether you’re in Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro or Barcelona, are also usually a good place to fill up on good (and cheap) food from crowded stalls.
Eat where it’s busy
As you explore a new city and find yourself getting hungry, pay attention to which restaurants or food stalls are busiest. A lineup, be it at a hawker center in Singapore or food truck in New York, usually means you’ve found something worth waiting for.
Explore off the beaten track
You’ve done your research, made lists of where to get great meals and downloaded apps to help you get there. But it’s also important to see what kind of culinary discoveries you can make on your own. Devote some time to checking out a neighbourhood that’s not on your list, just to see what you might find.
Take an organized food tour
Most major cities offer organized food tours that explore (usually on foot) various restaurants, markets, food trucks or food stalls to sample local favourites. Culinary tours are ideal if you’re short on time and want to get an overview of what the local food scene has to offer.
Seek out specialties
Always find out what a particular town or city known for in terms of food and drink. If there are specific dishes, ingredients or cooking techniques you’ll only find in a particular region, seek them out. Make a list before you go, or talk to locals to get the goods on what you absolutely need to try before you leave.
Go right to the source
Depending on where you go, look into getting up close and personal with how local goods are made. Are there brewery or winery tours you can take? Can you visit a bakery or cheesemaker? If so, such venues are an interesting way to find out more about items that are specific to the city or country where you’re travelling.