Traveling is also about savoring. From Asia to Europe, there are cities where typical dishes are transformed into sensory experiences. The Australian travel website Lonely Planet recently revealed a list of five gastronomic destinations in the world that make meals a true highlight of the trip.
Savor the world with all your senses
According to the publication, these places are “authentic temples of world cuisine”, capable of winning over even the most demanding travelers. The list brings together different culinary styles and cultural traditions, but with one thing in common: the passion for food as an expression of identity.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Malaysian capital is a mix of aromas, spices and cultural diversity. One of the most famous dishes is laksa curry, a spicy broth with noodles, chicken, seafood, tofu and fresh herbs. According to the same source, the best way to try it is at the street stalls on Madras Lane, where each stall defends its secret recipe. The rule is simple: follow the longest line and ‘enjoy’.
Tokyo, Japan
In the Japanese capital, eating sushi is almost a ritual. Restaurants like Mantensushi Marunouchi or Jūzō Sushi follow strict etiquette rules. Sushi should be eaten with your hands, without excess soy, and each piece is served with the exact dose of wasabi. According to Lonely Planet, chefs consider rice to be the real protagonist, and many spend years perfecting the technique.
Austin, Texas
In the United States, Austin is synonymous with barbecue. Franklin Barbecue is the most iconic name, and its smoked beef brisket is considered one of the best in the country. Cooked slowly and seasoned only with salt and pepper, it results in tender and aromatic meat. The publication describes the long queues as part of the experience, where waiting turns into an American-style conviviality.
Bangkok, Thailand
Vibrant Bangkok captivates travelers with the energy and intense flavor of som tum, a sweet and sour salad of green papaya, shrimp, peanuts and lime. According to Lonely Planet, the secret is in the balance between spicy and sweet, served at street stalls amidst the noise of traffic and the aroma of spices. It’s an explosion of flavors and a faithful portrait of the Thai soul.
San Sebastian, Spain
In the Basque Country, San Sebastián is a reference for haute cuisine and one of the most awarded gastronomic destinations in Europe. However, it is in the local bars that its true charm lies. According to , pintxos, small tapas served on slices of bread, are the heart of local gastronomic culture. Among the most popular are the breaded asparagus, the tuna pie with anchovies and the sautéed mushrooms with garlic.
Around 9pm, the bars fill with tourists and locals who walk the streets in a ritual of flavors and glasses of wine, one of the city’s most vibrant traditions.
Eating is, after all, one of the most pleasurable ways to discover the world, and these five gastronomic destinations in the world prove that, sometimes, the palate is the best travel guide.
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