Travel and taste go so well together! For most of us an ideal holiday is about great weather, relax and… delicious food! Many people travel to explore new delights, find culinary inspirations or return to enjoy that unforgettable taste! From street food to Michelin star restaurants. From home made food to ready made treats.
Traveling is food for the soul.
‘Trying amazing food’ is one of the reasons why we travel, one of my recent posts talks about it. Do you love enjoying delicious food during holidays or when exploring the world? If yes, continue reading! I don’t think there will be many no’s!
MY TRAVELS, MY TASTE
I was fortunate to travel since I was a child. In 80’s, Poland had travel restrictions so we traveled within the country. When I was 6 years old, I traveled first time abroad, with my parents and sister, to Germany. That’s when my international travel journeys had started. I continued to travel a lot with my dear sister, both within our country and also abroad.
My so called ‘travel game changer’ journey was trip to UK, when I had traveled alone with an organized group and school in UK. My dream trip at that time included being 30 hours on the bus from Poland to UK, 3 weeks of English school in UK, few sightseeing trips (Paris, London and Brighton) and the stay in the local family in Eastbourne. Rest, I had to do on my own including daily commuting to the school by the bus, shopping (yes! already was a shopper by then!) etc. And I was 10 years old, with very limited English knowledge back then. I still remember when once my parents called me on the landline and I told them quickly: “I can’t talk a lot now, call me tomorrow, I am going for a disco party!” 😀
After that it was all about travel and all my last years I have traveled to new continents, new countries, having new experiences – be it personal trips or business trips.
I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.
Anthony Bourdain
My taste? I love good and healthy food, both veg and non-veg. I try to limit non-veg options in my daily diet. In the past years I have opted few times for vegetarian diet only for a longer period of time. Yes, I was successful, just that I love seafood too much! And when I try I love to try new dishes: from shark in Goa, whale in Norway to Chinese century eggs! Food is an integral part of each travel and some of the tastes I just can’t forget.
UNFORGETTABLE TASTE
While travelling across the world, I have created my own unforgettable menu! I am often dreaming to return to many places: to re-live special moments, to meet loved people, for particular views or to try again food, enjoy the taste that is chasing me.
Sometimes the greatest meals on vacations are the ones you find when Plan A falls through.
Anthony Bourdain
So here I am, with a special menu, of my unforgettable spots = food spots!
UNFORGETTABLE MENU
BAKED POTATOES – ISTANBUL
Istanbul is one of the places in the world, where I would love to return: for amazing views, atmosphere and… food! My visit to Istanbul was like a delicious food tasting trip! So if you happen to visit this European-Asian city, don’t miss “kumpir”, baked potato with various fillings. Visit Istanbul’s Ortakoy neighborhood, it is famous for kumpir stalls. Yum street food!
BAKLAVA – TURKEY
I just love baklava. With a nice cappuccino, I could eat unlimited quantity of baklava with it (luckily, till coffee lasts!). First time in Turkey, I had tried warm baklava, freshly made, melting in mouth! And the selection of baklava and desserts is just unbeatable! The best I had in Istanbul was in ‘Hafız Mustafa’ in Istiklal Street (main street between Taksim Square and Galata Tower). Go for it!
bRUNOST CHEESE – NORWAY
One of the tastes I can’t forget! And each time I happen to be in Norway, I search for it: both to enjoy it there and also to take it back home with me. This sweet cheese, with caramel-like taste, is so unique and tasty! You can enjoy it on wafers or toast bread. I can’t wait to try it again!
CEVICHE – panama
I think I could eat ceviche every day! It is a Latin American seafood dish typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh lemon or lime juice and spiced with different seasonings. I didn’t have a chance to visit yet its origin countries, Peru or Ecuador. However ceviche’s selection in Panama, in the seafood market, was just amazing. I just loved this street food full of ceviche stalls!
CHILLI CRAB – SINGAPORE
Don’t be worried: chilli crap is not very spicy! It is a Southeast Asian seafood dish originating from Singapore. Taste? Sauce is semi-thick, sweet and savoury tomato, plus a bit of chilli. Best in Singapore street food! Yes, the famous street food place that has a Michelin star stall, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.
FALAFEL – TEL AVIV
If I have a chance to return to Tel Aviv, I will run to “Falafel Gabay” in the city center to enjoy their falafel meals. Too yummy! You can’t leave Israel without trying falafel and shakshuka! Two musts! Shakshuka is our regular ‘guest’ now for breakfasts.
JACK-FRUIT – INDIA
Although my favorite fruit in India is mango, there is something very special in the taste of jack-fruit that I just adore. The fruit has sweet taste, for me it is like a mixture of mango and strawberry together. I just loved its taste from the first bite!
Kashubian strawberries – north of Poland
Kashubian strawberries have their unique taste. So delicious. They are smaller and so sweet. Available in north of Poland, in Pomeranian region in the month of June. It is taste that I miss a lot. Taste of the summer in Poland and my birthday. Taste of the childhood home.
LOBSTER & crab – SAN FRANCISCO
If you visit San Francisco in California and love seafood, Fisherman’s Wharf is your place! This great selection of restaurants and street food bistros, it is a real heaven for non-veg food lovers! Street stands offer a variety of seafood items such as fresh steamed crab, seafood cocktails, fried seafood or shrimp salad sandwiches. My favorite here: lobster and crab!
PAPDI CHaAT – INDIA
Another very unique taste: papdi chaat! All in one: sweet, sour, tangy and spicy flavors, with creamy and crunchy texture! Yum! Excellent as an afternoon or evening snack. This is one of the dishes I miss a lot every time I go back to Poland. If you visit India, try it!
RAMEN SOUP – HONG KONG
I would never imagine that I could fall in love with a… a ramen soup for breakfast! And it happened! During my stay in Hong Kong I had an amazing ramen soup each morning. Ingredients and toppings were based on own selection. Just too good! Given a chance for another travel to Hong Kong, I would opt for the same hotel again – just because of the food!
SEADAS – SARDINIA
Also known as sebadas, is a traditional Sardinian dessert. It is so unique in its taste! The sweet pastries are filled with pecorino cheese and lemon zest before being deep-fried in olive oil and drizzled with honey. Truly surprising dessert: crispy, deep fried, lemony, with oozing cheese and soaked in warm honey. My top list!
SEAFOOD (PRAWNS & shark) – GOA
I just love seafood. So as you can imagine – I love Goa too! One of the best seafood I had so far in my life: made in Goa! Butter garlic jumbo prawns! During my first visit – I was ‘eating with eyes’ and really struggled to finish all I have ordered. That’s also the place where I tried first time shark meat – delicious! Tastes like a mixture of fish and chicken. If you like seafood, that’s a paradise place!
SOUR BREAD SOUP – POLAND
My home taste. My Mom’s food taste. Sour bread soup: best in Poland. Best when made by my Mom.
TASTE ATLAS
“TasteAtlas” is a mandatory step before each travel! TasteAtlas is like a global map of different tastes. Something super useful for travelers, both during planning phase and also when already on the road. This map can help you select the most traditional delicacies of the place, in each corner of the world!
Simply: explore the map to discover local ingredients, traditional dishes and authentic restaurants.
Before using TasteAtlas for travel purposes I tested it for known locations! I encourage you to do the same, it is great to cross check it! Additionally, you can also submit your knowledge to the creators!
What else is local favorite in Gdansk, my hometown? Apart from Kashubian strawberries, listed here, its Goldwasser liqueur – liqueur with gold flakes, it’s sweet in taste. Must try!
And how about local dishes in my home in Bangalore? List is longer! Among many, two of my other favorite items: masala dosa and coconut chutney (both had for breakfast today!). Yum!
What if we were to return for a visit to Singapore? Yes, my favorite chilli crab is there on the top list!
So explore, benefit from it and have yummy travels with TasteAtlas!
TRAVEL & TASTE VIRTUALLY
A Taste of Travel (Prime video)
‘A Taste of Travel is a 13-part series that explores exciting destinations around the world. Hosts Carolyne, Lynton, Scott and Susannah head to South Africa, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Fiji, Greece, Italy, France, and the USA and offer plenty of handy travel tips and insights into the colorful local characters, the great attractions and, of course, where to eat and what to eat!’
Anthony Bourdain A Cook’s Tour (Prime video)
‘The #1 food writer and television presenter in the world, Anthony Bourdain reinvented the food travel genre. In his groundbreaking first series, Bourdain travels around the world indulging his taste for local cuisine and eccentric characters. ‘
Gordon’s Great Escape (Prime video)
‘In this three-part series, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay embarks on a gastronomic quest, traveling to India for the first time to experience the stunning diversity of its culinary traditions and immersing himself in all aspects of Indian culture – no matter how challenging, unfamiliar or extreme.’
Food Journeys of a Lifetime – National Geographic (book)
‘500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe: On the menu is the best of the best from all over the globe: Tokyo’s freshest sushi; the spiciest Creole favorites in New Orleans; the finest vintages of the great French wineries; the juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina; and much, much more.’
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines (book)
‘The only thing “gonzo gastronome” and internationally bestselling author Anthony Bourdain loved as much as cooking was traveling. Inspired by the question, “What would be the perfect meal?,” Tony sets out on a quest for his culinary holy grail, and in the process turns the notion of “perfection” inside out. From California to Cambodia, A Cooks’ Tour chronicles the unpredictable adventures of America’s boldest and bravest chef.’
Moments that matter, no matter the taste.
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