Sometimes I dream about taking a vacation just to eat. Then sometimes I actually do it...like adding Italy into my upcoming road trip (March/April) just because I feel I can't get a good freakin' meal here in Norway and I know for a fact that Italy does anything but disappoint in the food department. Since I'm linking up with Ellen at the Company of Clever again today doing The Friday List, I thought I'd share the 5 places I have not been yet...but am dying to visit...mainly just for the food. Take mind I have tried all of these foods at restaurants in other countries (mostly the US and Canada), so I am hoping the actual cuisine is similar to what I had at those restaurants, just an improved taste!
If you read this post from when I was in Ukraine, you know why. The food was the best I have ever had. Hands down.
I first tried this cuisine in Pittsburgh at Abay and was sold ever since. It was spicy, hearty, and unique. Eating using the injera instead of silverware was definitely an entertaining experience that probably had everyone around me laughing at me, but it was well worth it. I also love that many Ethiopian cuisines are focused around vegetarian options.
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When I lived in Ohio, I used to visit the same Vietnamese restaurant as much as I could. Thank goodness it was like a 15 minute drive from my apartment so I didn't eat there as much as I would have if it was located right next door. It was the best Vietnamese I had ever had. Recommended to me by a former US Air Force General who was a Vietnam War POW (who spent close to a decade as a POW), I initially figured it had to be good because if anyone knew Vietnamese food, it had to be him. And he was absolutely right. I figure the only thing better than eating at this little hole in the wall was to actually take a trip to Vietnam itself. And I promise myself I will do that someday. The photo below was taken by Celeste at Wanderlust, who takes the BEST photographs!! (check out her wonderful blog for more!)
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Obviously.
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I was lucky to have a friend from Uruguay back in the states. Very lucky. Actually, I think my stomach thanks me the most. Uruguayans know how to eat. And they know how to BBQ (asado). The food was heavily influenced by Europeans, so much of the cuisine is to the likings of what I've seen and eaten before, but undoubtedly with a South American influence. And ohhhh that BBQ.
Whoops...there are apparently 6 places I need to visit. I have only had the chance to eat this cuisine once and am so curious to try it again. I just can't find a place to do so in Bergen. Maybe I'll have better luck in Oslo. The main reason I like Indonesian food? It's spicyyyy. It has flavor. Much to the extreme opposite of Norwegian food. And I love it!
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I'm sure I'm missing out on many delightful cuisines here. I'll have to get on that quick! If you are interested in linking up with Ellen today, head over and do so now!
If you were/are a foodie, where would you travel just for a culinary adventure?!
Oh god, not only did this make me hungry but it also made me want to go travel in Europe. Which poses a problem, since I live in south Louisiana....I would probably try France, Thailand, and Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteThailand definitely has a variety of flavorful dishes, many of which aren't featured on menus at Thai restaurants around the world! There was a lot of good food when I visited Vietnam a while back- I'm considering returning just for the food alone! Other places I'd love to visit to just eat are Italy, Japan, Mexico and Peru.
ReplyDeleteOkay you've definitely added some food to my list for trying but Italy has been one of my favorites and France..... all those buttery pastries and desserts especially!
ReplyDeleteItaly never disappoints us: the food and wonderful wines are a major part of the reason we keep going back. The fresh anchovies with lemon in Liguria, the pizza down in Naples, the simple things that taste so much better in Tuscany...yum! Germany is an awesome stop for carnivores and we who love beer. A wide variety of wonderful beers, very reasonably priced, await you pretty much everywhere. And life-giving pork, and sausages in infinite variety. Dim sum and noodle-shop offerings are great in China, though I would love to give authentic Thai food a try...love it back in the US. I found the food, from the fresh fish to the unpronounceable (to me) side dishes superb on Crete, and am going back soon to confirm that. The Basques in northern Spain serve up some hell-yes chuletons in their asador...better strap on your appetite when you head up there! And I can't forget the tapas there either, of course. Oh, what a wonderful post for those of us in the northern climes, dreaming as we are of vacations to places that are not northern Europe.
ReplyDeleteum, food is like the main reason to travel anywhere. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd now the crappy hospital food I just ate at work is really not sitting well..I want any of the above!
ReplyDeleteI'm always a sucker for Mexican, Indian and especially Spanish tapas!!! I could eat those babies all day and all night! I am SO glad you mentioned Enthiopian too...its amazingly delicious! I could always do with a bowl of Vietnamese Pho too..mmm mmm mmm! Great post!
ReplyDeletei have never experienced Ethiopian cuisine, but that picture has inspired me. I truly feel one of the best parts of traveling is the food. it is an easy way to get a better understanding of the local culture, and it usually tastes pretty good too. it's a great way to become more creative in the kitchen after the fact to, trying different things / new things and incorporating them into your own meals - one of the best souveniers.
ReplyDeleteI am very difficult to eat, give me Dutch food, or Mexican, or mac donalds LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish you a great weekend
I want all of that food, but let me tell you, this is when having a peanut allergy SUCKS.
ReplyDeletei wish i felt this way! im cursed with being a very very picky eater so when i travel i find eating to be one of the most difficult things for me, because I don't like anything! Or, it takes me a really long time to adjust to a new food - case in point - sushi. i used to hate it. but then everyone talked about how amazing it was so i kept forcing myself to eat it. now i can say i thoroughly enjoy a california roll but im too scared to move onto any other type! lol! that being said, i live in NYC and this might be the place to come for food from all over the world - i know a really great ethiopian restaurant 4 blocks from my BFs casa!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you - Thailand and Vietnam! I love noodle soups so maybe add Japan on there too! And of course can't go wrong with Italy either!
ReplyDeleteIn Greece!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm 100% with you on the Vietnamese and Ethiopian! I have been known to scarf down entire Ethiopian platters meant for two people all to myself :) And the food in Vietnam really is amazing, and everything is like $1, which makes it even better.
ReplyDeleteI've seen you post about Georgia's food twice now, I need to visit!
xxx
Jenna
Ah I would love to go to Argentina for the steaks. Or Maine for lobster. And I'd love to eat salmon all day long in Norway.
ReplyDeleteI was once told this joke that you just reminded me of: "Have you ever had Ethiopian food" "No?" "Neither have they!"
But this wouldn't work on you I guess ;)
thai food is the best! yummm this post just made me realize I'm starving! haha!
ReplyDelete:)
xx
Thailand, India, Mexico and Italy! Yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteI travel for the GROCERY STORES..lol.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to admit that I had no idea that Uruguay was so famous for BBQ! See, you taught me something!
Back when my mother and I lived in Dublin (before she went back to TX and I came to France) we used to take a few city trips throughout the year and after the plane tickets were booked, the restaurants were booked next. We'd always do one michelin starred place and then two places that were popular with the locals. They were some of the best trips ever! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd YES to all of your food choices! I love food!
I LOVE Ethiopian food.
ReplyDeleteI am honestly just craving some hot, authentic italian pizza...I think I'll head there, next!
Great list! I love the look of that Ethiopian dish. I reckon it would be amazing!
ReplyDeleteAhhh I'm so excited to be in Thailand next week! Trust me I won't be counting calories.
ReplyDeleteOh Sweet Mercy!!! The flavors must be incredible.
ReplyDeleteFlavor, oh I miss flavor!! Living in Germany you don't get much of it, or much spice!! Make sure you hit Uraguay as it has some of the best food I have ever had, and the best wine!
ReplyDeletehttp://itsabouttakingthejourney.blogspot.com/
We might be food soul mates. Ethiopian food rocks my world!!
ReplyDeletemmm. These look so good. now I'm hungry.
ReplyDeleteDef Vietnam and Ethiopia, possibly Japan, and I'd like to go to Switzerland to have some swiss chocolate.
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