Delicious and exciting food is one of the best – if not the best – parts about traveling the world. When you’re away from home, and you’re living your best luxurious life of greed and gluttony, new types of food and the exotic cultural dishes that end up on your plate should be a whole new experience for you to enjoy.
If you’re a real foodie who’s fascinated by the different cultural cuisines around the globe, here’s a short guide on how to eat your way around the world like the seasoned eater we all wish to be.
Enjoy learning about new foods
If you want to be a true food traveler, you need to be willing and open-minded about learning. We don’t necessarily mean learning to become an expert chef – but we mean it’ll be good for you to explore where the particular food comes from, or learn about the historical and cultural importance of a specific dish. Food is a core pillar in any culture, so it is an excellent gateway into the authentic cultural experience that epitomizes the destination you’ve traveled to.
Step out of your comfort zone
If you’re a particularly picky person when it comes to your food choices, then food traveling is probably not for you. Traveling the world in search of new and exciting foods requires an eclectic palette – you have to be open to trying anything and everything – remember, what may be something rather strange to eat to you, may actually be a tasty delicacy for others. Always step outside of your comfort zone by exploring cuisines, dishes, and ingredients that you wouldn’t usually go for. Your tastebuds might surprise you. Anyone for fried tarantulas?
Plan ahead
As much as it’s great to see and do other things throughout your days, if you want to take things seriously with your food travels, why not book in certain experiences and tours that are set up to purposefully teach you about a certain food or dish? For example, book a day tour around a local coffee plantation or join a cheese-tasting experience at a dairy farm.
Immerse yourself in the culture
Don’t just focus on the taste of the food itself, you’ll appreciate what you’re eating far more if you fully immerse yourself into the culture you’re exploring. Learn about the social norms and etiquette that comes with the cuisine – this is all part of the fun when you’re learning about the traditions in other countries. Befriending locals and asking them about their traditions is a great way for you to get the most out of your experiences. Be respectful and savor the culture around you.
Base your day around what you eat
Much to our gluttonous pleasure, we have three main times of the day where we can eat – breakfast, lunch and dinner, so make sure you are making the most of these hours by tasting something different each day. Remember that certain countries and cultures will specialize in certain dishes, so don’t skip anything, or you’ll risk missing out on something you grow to love. For example, the variety of breakfasts cooked up in India are particularly tantalizing.
Last but not least – be sensible! Food safety is an important concern that you need to watch out for. Street markets and food stalls can offer you some fresh and unique produce, but these are also the places you need to watch out for. Other than that – DIG IN!
