Flavors of the World
After hopping from a plane to a different country, or venturing to new lands in search of amazing hiking trails and waterfalls, or swimming with whale sharks and running around my bikini on white sand beaches I transform into an eating machine. Let me introduce to you the most delicious and amazing foods I have ever tried during my travels and my favorite iconic foods around the world. Let me hear you say Slurp! Ok. Here are a few of my favorite food experiences abroad. Let’s go!
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COVID Life: Latest Food Adventure is at home
Food and dining have lots of restrictions right now due to COVID however, the fun doesn't stop there. I have a List of Easy Recipes for Beginners that you can do at home. I call it our kitchen adventures at home, reminiscing our favorite dishes and recreating them at home with our own kind of twist.
( Links below go straight to my travel experience, not a recipe.)
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Asian Food Adventure begins...
I lived in the Philippines most of my life and there is one thing I'm proud of what we have, and that is Fresh Seafood! The abundance of marine life in the Philippines is extraordinary. My first grilled lobster experience was on Boracay, an island famous worldwide for its resorts and natural powder-like white sand beaches. We also have this traditional dining experience called “Sutukil” where the seafood is prepared fresh, right on the spot in three different ways according to your liking: grill (sugba), stew (tuwa ), and raw (kilaw).
More seafood favorites:
1. Inihaw na Pusit which is a fresh squid grilled to perfection using charcoal.
2. Adobong Pusit (Squid Adobo) is made of squid cooked in vinegar and soy sauce.
3. Kinilaw na Isda consist of raw fish made into a salad, a famous appetizer mixed with lemoncito/vinegar, ginger, onion, cucumber, and crispy green tomatoes.
4. Sinigang na Hipon, shrimp cooked in tamarind soup and then pair it up with hot rice.
5. Buwad/ Dried fish which is basically dried salted fish, then dipped in a "sawsawan" ( a soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.
Next on my list is Singapore, I lived and work here for a few years, and the diverse food experience was amazing. They have a variety of foods: Chinese, Malay, Indian and even their Western Fusion are delectable.
I fell in love with Hokkien Mee, it became my comfort food and celebratory dish after work or at the weekends. It consists of rice noodles, egg noodles, pork, egg, prawn, and squid, garnished with pieces of lard/crispy pork skin, and sambal sauce with lime.
Singapore Satay (grilled chicken skewers) is also one of my favorites. It is basically grilled meat (chicken/beef or lamb) over charcoal then served with a peanut sauce.
Pad Thai is a very addicting dish in Thailand. It's a stir-fry dish made with rice noodles, tofu, chicken, shrimp, scrambled egg, and garnished peanuts and bean sprouts.
When I went to Bangkok the street food selection was insane. They have night markets where you can have all kinds of street food you want and at a very affordable price. I also love their natural fresh fruit juice selection, a life-saver while shopping in Thailand as the heat can be pretty intense sometimes.
A sweet and sour fruit originally found in Southeast Asia. I fell in love with this fruit in Thailand as the price difference is amazing compared to the Philippines.
Vietnam is very famous for "Pho" a soup dish made of broth, rice noodles, meat, and herbs. However, I find their spring rolls really healthy and refreshing. The Rice paper spring rolls are made of pork, prawn, vegetables, bún (rice vermicelli), and then wrapped in Vietnamese bánh tráng or also known as rice paper.
I tried Banh Chao in Cambodia while hunting for grilled foods. Banh Chao is a traditional Khmer dish or also known as "Cambodian Crepe.” The crepe is made with a special kind of flour mixture, mixed with turmeric and egg. Inside the crepe, it is filled with bean sprouts, chilli, pork, and onions.
Indonesia is considered one of the largest producers of coffee in the world. The best coffee I tried was on a coffee farm located in the small village of Kintamani called Pineh Colada Bali. The coffee I tried has a dark and bold flavor. Some of their coffee has a tinge of earthiness, making it aromatic and flavourful. If my memory served me right I think I tried Kopi Luwak, it is said to be the most expensive coffee in the world.
And you wouldn't believe where it came from...It is also known as civet coffee for the simple reason the coffee is made of defecated feces of an animal called the Asian palm civet. The secret is in the civet intestines where its gastric juice gives the coffee a unique flavor. Aside from the Luwak Coffee/Bali's Specialty, I also enjoyed the Bali Coffee, Vanilla Coffee, Lemon Tea, Ginger Tea, Ginseng Coffee, and Coconut Coffee.
Dim Sum is a Chinese meal served with numerous small bite-sized portions typically placed inside a mini-bamboo steamer. I love ordering the siu mai/pork dumplings,
har gow/shrimp dumplings,spring rolls, potsticker dumpling (fried ones), and the not-so-ordinary fung zao/chicken feet,.
Grilled Sea Snails are popular street food in Taiwan. I had my bite while strolling around Jiufen in Ruifang District, Taiwan. A must-try local delicacy where the snails are marinated in five-spice powder and then grilled to lock in the flavors.
Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish made with a bowl of warm rice, garnished with namul (seasoned assorted vegetables), slices of meat, a little bit of kimchi (traditional fermented vegetables) and mixed with doenjang (fermented soybean paste and my little brother's favorite gochujang (chilli pepper paste). Lastly, topped off with a raw or sunny-side-up egg. All of these ingredients are perfectly designed to sit side by side with each other in a hot stone pot creating a very beautiful and delicious-looking rice bowl.
When I went to South Korea I made sure I try the famous bibimbap. So I went to a very old famous bibimbap restaurant and guess what! Surprisingly, this famous rice dish was not served in a hot stone as how I passionately described it. In my experience, I was given a bowl of rice, a mixing bowl, and numerous selections of toppings and sauces. I was given the chance to make my own bibimbap - not that I'm complaining about it. My favorites were in abundance in my bowl and it didn't look like the typical bibimbap, ahahaa.
Korean Shaved Ice cream is also known as Bingsu The fine ice melts in your mouth and is creamy and sweet. It's basically made of shaved ice and condensed milk with choices of toppings like sweet red bean, fruity pebbles cereal, mochi rice cake, chopped fruit, or fruit syrup. It's one of my favorite desserts! This dessert is similar to the Philippine's Halo-Halo, Singapore and Malaysia's Ice Kacang, Taiwan's Shaved Snow, Hawaiian's Shaved Ice, and
Japan's Kakigori.
I've never tried an authentic Burmese dish before so I was pretty excited about my travels in Myanmar, formerly called Burma. The locals said this is the most Authentic Myanmar Food we can order. Most of their meals consist of fish and vegetables but we ordered chicken with vegetables, fish curry with plain rice and watermelon, and lime shake, and it comes along with three side dishes: beans, salad, and tofu with tomatoes. The taste was very mild, not too salty and spicy.
I want to add two must-try foods in Myanmar as it's rare to find Burmese food in restaurants. One is the Shan-style noodles where the chicken or pork is cooked with a clear, peppery broth and tomatoes. It is served on top of the rice noodles with side dishes of chopped peanuts and assorted vegetables. The second dish called Mohinga is considered the national dish of Myanmar. Mohinga is a rice noodle soup consisting of catfish, eggs, vegetables, and a flavorful touch of lemongrass.
I tried two Sri Lankan streets or also famous as "short eats" like the Mutton rolls and the Vegetable Roti. The Mutton rolls are stuffed with potatoes, onions, and mutton (lamb) then wrapped, rolled in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. While the Vegetable Roti or also known as Elawalu Roti is mildly spicy and is filled with potatoes, spices, and meat (fish/beef), and are also made in a triangle-shaped where there's no meat added.
Most meals in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan meals are mostly plant-based it consists of rice, a curry dish either with fish or chicken or potatoes, and other assorted vegetables, and what I loved most is the Dhal curry (lentil curry) - next to the beer. It is a staple curry in Sri Lanka that consists of lentils, tomato paste, cumin, and other spices. Also, Sri Lankans love their coconut milk which makes their food different from Indian cuisine. Lastly, the country of Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean which makes them seafood heaven for pescatarian diet eaters.
A popular drink I loved most in Malaysia is called Teh Tarik or also known as "pulled tea". A hot beverage made of hot black tea and condensed milk tea. What makes Teh Tarik interesting is how it is prepared. The tea is gracefully pulled at a practical speed from one jug to another where it creates a delicious froth on top of the drink.
Japan
Japanese Ramen
I love Japanese Ramen with its addicting savory soup and noodles. My favorite is the Spicy Miso Ramen Soup of Ramen Izakaya in Los Angeles which uses soybean paste (miso) as its soup base. Optional toppings: slices of roasted or braised pork (chashu), dried seaweed (nori), bamboo shoots (menma), bean sprouts (moyashi), egg (tamago), fish cake (kamaboko), corn (kon), and green onions (negi).
My husband lived in Japan for a few years and he said when you're eating your Ramen you can slurp away all you want. It's not considered rude at all as for a Japanese chefs it means you're satisfied. One day I'll go to Japan and slurp myself out.
India
I've never been to India but Singapore's cuisine is unique in its cultural influences like Chinese, Malay, Indian, and fusions of Western flavors. It has introduced me to all kinds of cuisines particularly in Asia. One of my Indian food favorites is the Roti Prata, derived from the word Roti means bread and prata or paratha means flat in Hindi. It is filled with cheese, onion, banana, red bean, chocolate, mushroom, or egg, and served with curry, (dhal/fish/chicken) as a dipping sauce.
In Southern India, they call it Paratha Roti a popular unleavened flatbread layered with ghee (clarified butter) and In Malaysia, it's commonly called Roti Canai. They are all cooked on a hot griddle called thava or tawa(tava) then pan-fried.
Afghanistan
I have not yet gone to Afghanistan but I've always been curious about the country's cuisine. I was able to find a great place in Toronto called Naan and Kabob and it was a fantastic foodgasm experience.
From the bottom picture, this dish is called Mantu (Manto), or meat dumplings filled with ground beef and sauteed split peas and served with garlic yoghurt. It's also a popular street food in Afghanistan. The next dish I ordered is a Kabob/Kebabs (meat roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit) consisting of chunks of tender veal marinated in special seasoning including basmati rice, salad, and naan (a leavened, oven-baked flatbread). The meat was aromatic and flavorful.
Mongolia
They said Hot Pot originated in Mongolia hundreds of years ago before it spread out throughout China. I tried my best in one in Toronto called Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot. The soup base is what makes a Mongolian Hot Pot superior in the hot pot food industry. The soups feature 36 different kinds of herbs and spices like jujubes, black cardamom pods, goji berries, and ginseng, for some heat mala chilli oil and peppercorns are added.
. You are then given a selection of raw meat, seafood, noodles, and vegetables that you drop in the soup.
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Africa's Aromatic Dishes
Morocco
It's prepared like a traditional salad consisting of fresh tomato, cucumber, lettuce however, what makes Morocco's Salad Marrakesh special is the delicious cooked eggplant you see in the middle. The cooked eggplant is also called Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Salad) made from eggplant, tomato, olive oil, and spices. A light and refreshing salad dish. This salad is also served with Moroccan bread on the side. I tried my first Moroccan food when I visited Seattle, Washington in the US for my birthday.
Ethiopia
I read that in Ethiopia they have this term called "Gursha" which means feeding another person with a bite-size of food wrapped in Injera bread. I find that really sweet as it represents an act of friendship and love among the locals.
We found this restaurant at Little Ethiopian in Los Angeles, California. Our food was called the Vegan Feast which offers ten kinds of Ethiopian vegan stews: Cabbage Stew, Whole Lentil Stew, Split lentil Stew, Split pea Stew, String Beans mixed with carrot, Zucchini Stew, Kale Chopped, Chopped Tomato mixed with onion, and jalapeno, Sunflower seed mixed with Injera and for the appetizer one giant Sambussa - this was delicious paired with the green and red sauce on the table! The feast was paired with a side of Injera bread that looks like French crepes and tastes mild sour and sweet. There are no utensils provided you use the Injera bread, rip it apart and use it to wrap the stews and gently place it in your mouth. The Ginger beer was something new to me too, no alcohol at all.
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North America Food Cravings starts here...
After Singapore, I worked and studied in Canada. And the first thing I had when I arrived in Canada was a cup of coffee and I got it only from the best coffee shop in the country. Tim Hortons is a cultural icon of Canada. I love their coffee as it's fresh and affordable. I'm also a big fan of the Blueberry Timbits, nom nom.
Another famous food is Poutine, I had my bite in Toronto, Canada. A delicious dish made of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.
United States
After moving to California with my husband I discovered the authentic taste of Mexican Tacos. The number of food trucks in California is amazing. Mexican street tacos are small-size and consist of corn tortillas, a choice of meat like beef (carne asada), pork (al pastor), and chicken (pollo). They provide a variety of selections of side dishes like salsa, guacamole, onions, cucumber, cilantro, and different levels of hot sauce.
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South America's Must-try Dishes
Peru
Papa a la Huancaina is a Peruvian appetizer made with boiled yellow potatoes and topped with a spicy, creamy sauce called huancaina sauce. We went to this restaurant called Machu Picchu in Los Angeles as my coworker insisted I should and must try it - so glad I did!
Brazil
In Brazil, the most popular cut of beef meat is called Picanha which is taken from the rump cap muscles. We went to this place called Samba Brazilian Steakhouse at Redondo Beach in Los Angeles to try an authentic Brazilian experience. The meat was juicy and delicious. What makes Brazillian barbecue special is the style of cooking called Churrasco (roasted over charcoal). This is where cuts of meat are fire-roasted, skewered, roasted over an open flame, and added with seasonings. I think what I have on my plate is the beef sirloin (picanha), garlic beef, tri-tip, tender pork loin, and pepper steak. The Brazilian sausages, chicken, and lamb is a must-try too.
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Europe's All-time Food Favorites
Paris is a pastry and dessert heaven. They have a cafe culture and that explains the number of coffee shops in Paris. A popular drink they have is the Café Crème which is similar to a cappuccino, a coffee drink with espresso topped with foamed milk. Paris is also home to the world's best croissant, a flaky, airy, and butter-rich pastry sold in every pastry shop. One thing I didn't miss to order was Crème brûlée, another french classic dessert with a rich custard base and a layer of caramelized sugar.
This is just a must-try for me French crepes and gelato while watching the Eiffel Tower. A French Crepe is usually made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour with a sweet taste and a subtle egg flavor. Another treat I love is a Gelato which contains less cream and more milk compared to ice cream.
Escargot, a famous snail dish prepared with garlic, parsley, butter, and with kinds of different herbs. I love trying out exotic foods as it exposes you to distinct flavors of the world.
The most amazing breakfast I've ever had happened, well of course in Italy. The first one was our Prosecco breakfast after we had our hot air balloon ride. A fancy kind of breakfast in Europe specifically popular in Italy and France too. It consists of a Prosecco wine an Italian version of wine made from prosecco grape which is a perfect match for a variety of cheeses and a wide selection of Italian cured meats. A perfect combination made in heaven.
Another favorite dish on my list is having a Caprese salad in the morning. A savory salad made with arugula, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
The best Margherita pizza I've ever tried was in the town of Anacapri. A pizza basically consists of garlic, mozzarella cheese, basil, tomatoes, and extra-virgin olive oil.
One more thing, in Italy you can have wine whenever you want! Heaven! It is in Italy that I discovered the world's renowned red wine, Chianti Classico, a wine that contains at least 80% Sangiovese and is medium-bodied with firm tannins.
Denmark
Danish Sausage Medisterpolse also known as Christmas Medister. It is a sweet-tasting Danish Pork sausage filled with pork, garlic, ginger, onions, allspice, other seasonings, and a broth made with pork bones or chicken. It is paired with potatoes and brown gravy. I'm impressed by how good this sausage is as I'm particular with my meat.
Danish Meatballs also known as Danish Frikadeller is traditionally consist of minced meat (veal, pork, beef, mixed), eggs, onions, milk, and seasonings, rolled in bread crumbs/flour, and pan-fried to perfection. We found these Danish specialities when we visited the Danish Village of Solvang, California.
Stay tuned for more flavors around the world!
Have fun and be safe ^__^
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Read more: How to Travel on a Budget and How to Save Money on Food While Traveling.
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