January 17, 2019

10 Foodie Destinations for your Bucket List

Traveling can’t be fully explored unless it encompasses tasting the local food of the region or city your in. This travel bucket list provides information about traditional dishes and drinks available in my top ten visitors guide. It is intended to help you develop a better outlook on local food cultures around the world. In addition, it will assist you in making an informed decision before traveling. Chefs alike can aspire to develop travel goals versus working all year round tirelessly. What’s life without a little adventure?

1. Bordeaux, France

If you’re a sucker for wine and adore its ability to be easily paired with food , this is surely the ultimate destination for you. A travel bucket list must-have!

Bordeaux has been recognized as the “World’s Most Famous” Wine Region accompanied by a very rich culture and historically preserved buildings. It’s located in the southwest part of France close to the European Atlantic coast. As a result, the city is packed with fresh fish and seafood.

Many cellars around the world pride themselves in having wines made from various chateaus (large French house producing wine) of the region. Cannelés Bordelais is one of the region’s most traditional specialty cake or pastry. It has a slightly chewy texture, similar to cinnamon roll because of its caramelization but really is a brioche-like pastry, which uses master baker skills to be produced. Similarly, there are a wide range of desserts available such as profiteroles, madeleine, éclairs, and crème brûlée amongst others.

2. Tuscany, Italy

Located in central Italy, Tuscany boasts its countryside landscape and breath-taking coastlines within the city of Florence. Whilst many travel in search of fine art, exploration of beautiful rolling hills, and amazing islands and sea coasts, it’s simple yet extraordinary cuisine should remain the star of the show. There are so many things to see in Tuscany that you won’t know where to start.

Much of the cuisine of Tuscany is rustic; comfort food known for its simplicity. A minimum of seasoning and herbs are used in this region for the purpose of keeping the focus on quality ingredients. Culturally bread, wine, beef or game, and olive oil are highly prioritized by Tuscan locals. Despite the lack of wealth creative soups, stews, and other dishes were created to use up every part of an animal, bread, vegetable or fruit. Although Italian cuisine is most popular around the world, it’s imperative to try authentic food regionally versus restaurants abroad.

3. Marakesh, Morocco

The spice destination…

Morocco is known over the world for it’s amazing food and hospitality. The word “souk” is often used in this cuisine as it relates to the open air markets where vendors serve food via carts. Vendors sell home-grown food or goods according to traditional methods. The most literal translation of the word is an Arab market or marketplace; a bazaar. If you decide to pursue a tour, you will learn how to buy the best products by feeling, looking, smelling, and of course, tasting. If you don’t see it, then you are bound to smell it.

Upon visiting any souk, you will notice stall after stall of the most delightful colored bins of spices. Spices are the defining point of authentic Moroccan meals including its use for medicinal value. The top ten spices are cayenne (felfla), cinnamon (karfa), seaseme seeds (jinjelan), cumin (kamoon), turmeric (quekoum), ginger (skinjbir), black pepper (elbezar), aniseed (nafaa), paprika (felfla hlouwa), and saffron (zafrane). Keep in mind that prices are listed very high because of a cultural bargaining tradition, which will urge you to interact with vendors.

Moroccan cuisine includes a number of salads, that use the wonderful fresh local vegetables, spices, dried fruit, and herbs. Popular dishes include couscous with onions and raisins, tagine with boulettes de sardines, salad with melon and rosewater, tagine with lamb and quince, and zaahlouk of courgettes. Mint tea is another common tradition, the drink of choice, also known as “Moroccan whiskey”, usually sold in huge bundles.

4. Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

Can you handle the heat?

Chengdu known as China’s “panda central” is the perfect foodie exploration for tourists seeking to go beyond the regular go-to-spots such as Beijing. Located in the southwestern part of the Sichaun province in China. Sichuanese cuisine is famed through the high usage of the spicy chilies and peppercorn used primarily in regional specialties and hot pot dishes. These spicy sensations can be purchased in restaurants and hot pot shops, as well as various stalls surrounding the city at very low costs. Travel China Guide lists their most common dishes “Ma Po Tofu (Bean curd with mince and chili oil) one of the most influential flavors of Sichuan cuisine, served in every Sichuan restaurant. Kung Pao Chicken (Spicy diced chicken with peanuts)” is also popular.

If you’re a tea connoisseur (like myself) there are ample tea houses both traditional and modern, where you’re able to enjoy jasmine, long jing, and biluochun tea (a famous green tea also known as Pi Lo Chun) – to help induce relaxation.

Another popular destination that towers at an astonishing 233 feet from the red sand stone cliff is the Budda in Leshan carving. The statue is the most highlighted scenery in that city, perfect for tourist destinations, rich of culture and heritage.

5. Santorini, Greece

Opa! (a common Greek verbal expression used frequently during celebrations or dancing).

Whether you’re traveling on foot or by donkeys, Santorini is truly a traveler’s delight and getaway from life’s daily curb balls. This culture encompasses the most authentic foods you’ll ever come across and consume. Everything is always made fresh surrounding amazing whether, beautiful houses, and dreamy sunsets with panoramic ocean views.

When in Greece, try out these food specialties; Greek salad, tzatziki – a yoghurt, cucumber & garlic dip and hummus for starters served with bread. Saganaki – fried cheese in filo pastry covered in honey, moussaka.
Baklava – filo pastry with honey and nuts. Loukoumades – doughnuts laced with cinnamon and honey. Additionally, spanakopita – spinach pie, gyros, fava me koukia – fava bean mash, and roasted lamb all make up the list of food you should consider trying before you leave Greece. Do not overlook tasting the island’s wine at the local wineries, restaurants, coffee shops or bars. Ask for homemade wine, which is called a “karafaki”, that is non-bottled.

If you’re unable to do so don’t be shy to look up an authentic Greek restaurant nearest your location. Discover what Santorini really offers.

6. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, pronounced wa-ha-ka, is one of the most diversified states in Mexico. It’s surrounded by 500 kilometers (310 miles) of Pacific Coast beaches, archaeological ruins, colonial architecture, mountains, valleys, and a mild climate, attracting visitors from around the world.

Well known features of the cuisine include ingredients such as chocolate – often used in mole. There are seven very notable varieties of mole sauce.These include mole coloradito (little red sauce), verde (green sauce), amarillo (yellow sauce), chichilo, and mole manchamantel (literally, tablecloth staining sauce). Other popular favorites are Oaxaca cheese, avocados, chili, corn fungus, and barbecued grasshoppers (chapulines); for the adventurous of course.

Don’t leave without trying dishes such as tlayudas – better known as Oaxacan pizza and Oaxacan-style tamales which are wrapped in banana leaves.

7. Bombay, India

The ultimate spice destination.

Mumbai, also known as Bombay, is noted as the wealthiest city of India located on the west coast of the country, densely populated with over 20.7 million people with a very prominent harbor.

Indian food is known to be heavily influenced by the traditions of its inhabitants with both cultural and religious choices. Therefore, its cuisine and history is shaped around many immigrants who
traveled from Central and Middle Eastern Asia. Historical reports showcase diversity of the cuisine through trade relations and other historical events that introduced the breadfruit tree (see related post), as well as chilies and potato by the Portuguese.

There are multiple local favorites which include Batata vada (a deep fried spiced potato dumpling), baida roti, bombil fry– or Bombay duck, is actually a fish (not a duck) found largely in Mumbai waters fried in gram flour, and Bhel puri (most commonly served on the streets on Mumbai) amongst many others. Yogurt, rice, curries, and nan bread are key accompaniments and ingredients in Indian cuisine. Sizzlers are the hype of the party for both adults and kids alike. The name is used to describe a combination of grilled meats and vegetables served on piping hot cast iron which sizzles and steams when it arrives at your table. If you’ve ever eaten in Indian restaurants in the United States, you may very well be familiar with it.

End your meal with a “Falooda”, a must-have treat when in Bombay; a rich drink topped up with two scoops of ice cream made from rice noodles called “vermicelli” mixed with milk, pistachios, almonds, rose syrup, and the key ingredient — “sabza” or basil seeds.

8. Phuket, Thailand

This tropical destination off the west coast of Thailand’s main land is certainly a place I’ve fallen in love with. The island is an international magnet, home to numerous resorts over-looking the emerald green waters of the Andaman Sea, spas, and restaurants. It is absolutely stunning and deserves a stamp in everyone’s passport.

Phuket prides itself on farm fresh produce, sold in market stalls, vending carts, motorbike side cars, or rattan baskets balanced on the shoulder of the vendor with a long slender pole. If you’re familiar with Thai food, you’ll know that their cuisine is filled with spices and bold flavors. Some ingredients such are lemon grass, curry paste, galangal, coconut milk, chilies, seafood, and lime leaves.

If you intend to skip the street vendors to dine in a restaurant (in regards to the fear of hygiene), the most suitable ones would be located on the west coast of the island. Menus are frequently available in English there.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to clean your plate because it relates that the cook has prepared something delicious. This is a practice highly favored in Thai society.

9. Barcelona, Spain

It’s highly recommended by “Travel+Leisure” to travel to Barcelona in the fall and early summer as it’s otherwise usually very humid. In Barcelona, eating is always prioritized; when you taste the food, you will discover why. Although it is a fast-paced city, mealtimes, especially lunch, are highly respected. Therefore, wine and bread are always accompanied with the meal.

Typically, their diet consists of Mediterranean food. This includes an abundance of fish, legumes, and vegetables. Most restaurants now have multilingual menus if you’re unable to speak Spanish with majority closing on Sundays and Mondays. Pork is widely eaten in all its forms, whether as grilled filets, and the ubiquitous lechona (suckling pig), the famous Serrano ham, Ibérico ham or cold cuts from inland Catalonia.

The Ibérico hog is big, naturally black with very little hairs, with slender legs and a very long snout. Their hooves are black as well, visibly seen on the ham as it remains throughout the curing process and distinguishes it from a Serrano ham. Some are fed corn and other feed whilst the most prized ham is fed ‘bellota’, or acorns. As a result, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota can cost twice as much as a normal Ibérico ham.

10. Cape Town Africa

South African cuisine is a melting pot of different cooking styles, due to a combination of the best of food traditions worldwide. The South African cooking mainly consists of chicken, game, tomatoes, lemons and limes. Corn is usually transformed to breads and flour whilst beans, ginger, curry, nutmeg, chili, and allspice are prime cooking additives.

Cape Malay cuisine is usually spicy but can also be on the sweet side. Traditionally, this cuisine includes dishes such as pickled fish, curries and sambals. A variety of fish stews is also a main highlight for
Cape town. These may include; bobotie (a spiced mincemeat baked with an egg-based topping), breies (a meat and vegetable stew) and sosaties (skewered meat).

There is also a variety of typical South Africa dessert, which is very popular. Among these are: koeksisters; syrupy sweet twisted donut strips, looking like girls braids. Melktert (milktart); a milk flavored cake. Malva pudding: sweet apricot flavored sponge cake, often served with custardrusks: a thick and hard sweet biscuit slice, that is dunked in tea or coffee before eating.