Another collaborative post from a talented contributor regarding some of my favorite locations in the world.  Enjoy, C. Cutlery in one hand and your suitcase in the other; traveling the world with an eye on the cuisine that different countries have to offer is one of the best ways to do it. With that in mind here we are going to take at a look at a handful of countries from a continent that has influenced the world’s eating habits for decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Asia.

China

There is little denying the influence of Chinese food on the world outside of China, in particular in the US and Europe. The Chinese takeaway has become a staple of the world’s weekly meal plan, but that doesn’t mean we should be leaving our exploration of this intricate cuisine at our local store. If you like your Chinese food then you should be looking into flights to Beijing and Shanghai as soon as you can to go and get a taste of the real thing. You’ll soon find that there is a lot on offer when you make your way around China, more than just food. Be sure to make some time to visit the Great Wall of China. You will kick yourself if you don’t take a break from the dinner table to look on in wonder at one of humankind’s greatest feats. China can be broken down into regions when it comes to the different styles of cooking that there are for you to explore. Cantonese food is the Chinese food the average person will have tried in their local restaurant, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The different provinces of China all have their own specialties such as spicier cooking of Sichuan cuisine and the mellower, seafood-driven food of Zhejiang. In fact, you can travel around China and still be exploring new tastes and flavours for many years.

Photo by shameersrk from Pixabay

India

If Chinese food has been talked about as an Asian food that has pierced the culinary zeitgeist of other continents, then it is only fair that we next come on to India give its effects around the world. Traveling around India for different tastes is an experience in and of itself, let alone all of the wondrous things that you will be seeing like the Taj Mahal. Food lovers will want to do their research before setting off on a flight to India because there are so many different regions to explore. Similar to China, the variety of areas means cooking is met with particular styles and traits around India. For the non-vegetarian, you might want to consider making your way to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Here you will find experts in dishes like Galouti-Kebab, which literally translates as a melt-in-the-mouth kebab. A true Foodista should include Kolkata on any trip of India, which thanks to its many flavours and tastes is renowned for food. Whether you’re looking for varieties in chops and cutlets or something sweet like a mishti doi, Kolkata is the place for you. But food isn’t the only reason to visit this part of India; you must make sure to take in some of the sights and sounds of India while you travel around to truly appreciate the country you are feasting in. The Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge are particular highlights in Kolkata.

Photo by sorcel from Pixabay

Indonesia

While it maybe doesn’t the notoriety for its cuisine that the previous two countries do, there is no denying the rise of Indonesian food in western culture and the many tastes you can enjoy across its various islands. Similar to India and China, Indonesian cooking is influenced by the different regions that it has, meaning that you can travel around and get variations of dishes for weeks on end. The official national dish of Indonesia is tumpeng as decided in 2014. This a rice dish with meats and vegetable where the rice is shaped like a cone. However, almost to demonstrate the sheer level of options in this wonderful country, in 2018 five more dishes were given the national moniker, including satay and rendang. So where should you be heading if you’re on a food-based trip? Well if you’re looking for an introduction to Indonesian cuisine, then make your way to Bali and take part in one of the many tours that guarantee an education in food from this part of the world. You won’t regret it as you’re tucking into local Balinese food and learning how to cook in the Indonesian style. The country’s capital, Jakarta is a real mish-mash of different cultures after centuries of political change which makes it a perfect place to try some local cuisine and learn about how they found their tastes. But don’t fall in love too hard, or else you might be looking to sewa ruko - buy or rent a house.

Photo by DesignNPrint from Pixabay

Japan

Finally, we are going to come back to another culture that has had a significant impact on cuisine around the world. Japan may be famous for its technology-driven capital and passion for film, but the food isn’t far from most people’s mind when they consider this proud country. Whether you are a fan of sushi, ramen or tempura, there is a very good chance that at some point you have eaten food inspired by the Japanese. There is very little doubt that sushi sits at the top of the Japanese food exports list and if you’re a lover of this fish dish, then you might be wondering where you should head in the country itself. Well, travel driven by sushi has become more and more popular in the past few years and you won’t want to look much further than Tokyo itself and its vast number of sushi stores. However, if you want to get out of the city then consider heading north to Hokkaido for some of the best seafood that you will ever try. With Japan, try to head there in Spring so that you get to see one of its natural wonders, the beautiful blossoms that light up the country pink. What is your favorite country to visit?  Which global cuisine do you enjoy best?  Some of my favorites include Blanco par Mandif in Bali and Yasuda Sushi in Tokyo, and of course, Hoseki for a meal a bit closer to home in the UAE.