Tag: Food

SAIGON, VIETNAM: 12 DAYS OF FOOD IN MARCH

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Bánh mì. The French left behind Catholicism, colonial architecture, and the baguette. Vietnam kept all three and improved at least one of them. The Vietnamese baguette is lighter and crispier than the French original because they cut the wheat flour with rice flour, which makes the crust shatter when you bite into it. Inside for me: pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, cilantro, eggs, pork or whatever protein you point at. I bought mine outside a Circle K because that’s where the cart was. It cost 20,000 VND. Less than a dollar. I ate it sitting on a red plastic stool on the sidewalk like everyone else. The Circle K behind me sells sandwiches too. Nobody goes inside.
Cơm tấm sườn. Broken rice with grilled pork. This is the one. If you forced me to eat one meal for the rest of my time in Vietnam, this is it and I wouldn’t complain. A plate of broken rice, a slab of pork chop grilled until the edges go dark and sweet, sliced cucumber on the side, and then the woman pours green onion oil over the whole thing from a small bowl like she’s anointing it. If she doesn’t do it, I will. The rice isn’t broken by accident. It’s the fractured grains left over from milling, originally poor people’s food, now the signature dish of Saigon. Every neighborhood has a cơm tấm stall. Every one of them thinks theirs is best. I haven’t found one that’s wrong. The pork is marinated in lemongrass and fish sauce and garlic and sugar, and when it hits the charcoal grill the smell travels half a block and pulls you in by the stomach before your brain can object. It costs about 35,000 to 50,000 VND. That’s less than two dollars. I eat it almost every day and I’m not tired of it.
Phở. I’m not going to pretend I have something original to say about phở. Everybody writes about phở. But nobody tells you what it feels like at 7am on a plastic stool in District 1 when the broth has been simmering since 3am and the woman hands you a bowl so hot the steam fogs your sunglasses. You add the herbs yourself from a plate on the table. Tear the basil. Squeeze the lime. Drop in the chili. The noodles are flat and soft and you pull them up with chopsticks and they never quite make it to your mouth without dripping broth down your chin and nobody cares because everyone around you is doing the same thing. Phở in Saigon is not the same as phở in Hanoi. Southerners add hoisin and sriracha. Northerners think this is a crime. I’m not getting involved. I just eat it.
Cơm tấm sườn

What I’ve been reminded of about eating in Saigon: the best food is never inside a building. NEVER. The best food has no menu, or a menu you can’t read, or a menu that’s just a woman pointing at what she’s already made. The best food costs less than two dollars. The best food finds you.

Canh bí đỏ nấu thịt bằm. Pumpkin soup with ground pork. This one showed up as a side dish at a com binh dan place, one of those everyday rice-and-whatever restaurants where you point at trays behind glass and they load your plate. The soup is clear broth with chunks of golden pumpkin, loose ground pork, and chopped green onions. Nothing in it is trying to impress you. It’s the kind of thing someone’s mother made because the pumpkin was ripe and there was pork in the fridge. It was ok and I’ll drink the broth if it is served on the side again. It isn’t something I would order as a standalone.

March 2026

KATHMANDU, NEPAL CUISINE: DAL BHAT

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National Cuisine: Dal bhat is Nepal’s classic comfort food—a simple yet hearty meal of steamed rice (bhat) served with a flavorful lentil soup (dal). Usually accompanied by vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat, it’s the staple dish that fuels daily life across the country, eaten for both lunch and dinner.

31july2025

THIMPHU, BHUTAN: A WANDERER’S TASTE BUDS

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Clean Plates in the Kingdom of Clouds

Sometimes, the local flavors, rich and earthy, rest heavy on the soul. In Bhutan, where the mountains loom like ancient sentinels and the air hums with prayer flags, I crave simplicity—a plate that feels like a fresh start.

I gather greens that taste of the sun, grains as humble as the monks in the dzongs, and let them whisper in the skillet. A drizzle of oil, some prawns, some cashews, and suddenly, I’m eating clean, eating free.

In the land of ema datshi, even the wanderer’s taste buds need a road less traveled.

2025

PARO, BHUTAN: FOOD & TEA

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I spent the week before Christmas in Paro and enjoyed some good food.

The four items directly below are from the Mountain Cafés. The first two are from the one on the Main Street. And it only offers veg-options. The other two are from the one facing the city center park. This one offers both veg and non-veg-options.

Christmas Oreo cheesecake
Aloo Tamatar

Bhutan Cordyceps Tea by Bhutan Cordyceps Sinensis is a blend of Bhutanese Wild Cordyceps, Tulsi and Green Tea.
*Cordyceps are known to boost your body’s immune system by strengthening the defence mechanism in the body. Packed with antioxidants and anti-carcinogen,  it delays the ageing process and also helps replenish the kidneys and gastrointestinal system. It was good.
Hamburger. I live in Thimphu and I’ve been trying to find a burger for the past six months, not one that’s going to match something from the States, I’ve given up that hope…BUT, I keep looking for something that’s going to at least satisfy my craving. Suffice it to say, this is the best hamburger I’ve found. Not disappointed.
Steamed pork momo at Sonam Trophel restaurant. Their dumplings are popular in Paro.
Sea Salt Caramel pie from Brioche Café

December 2024

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO 🇲🇽 FOOD: BEAUTY & TASTE

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The first taco 🌮 upon arrival! Beef taco at the Taqueria across the street from my hotel on Juventino Rosas.
Probably my favorite meal of all – a chicken quesadilla with sauces that burn 🔥 your face off, at El Moreno, in the Tepito Market.
Torta de Tamal 🫔 – Mole!
Chicken taco 🌮
Carne Enchilada
Chicken Flautas
Donut 🍩! From one of the many bakeries around…
Huevos Rancheros at Mexico’s version of a greasy spoon diner called Peltre.

Jan2024

COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA: FOODIE TIME

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After a most recent two-year stint abroad, I returned to Cocoa Beach for a few months in the fall of 2023 and decided to treat it like a little foodie holiday. I love exploring towns for the best Eggs Benedict, so that’s where I started. 😊

Simply Delicious Café & Bakery 125 N Orlando Ave

After years of passing by this spot, usually with a long line, I finally got in, and it was well worth it. A true traditional Benny.

4th Street Fillin Station Gastrobar & Grill 382 N. Orlando Ave

Whenever I can, I‘ll upgrade to a Crab 🦀 Benny. Real crabmeat.

Whisk & Grind 410 N Atlantic Ave

Another Crab Benny with potato salad on the side. This was a new place since I was last here, so I was excited to try it. I think this was an off day for the staff – took a really long time, lots of faux-like apologies, and then the eggs aren‘t actually poached. Lazy, sloppy. This was disappointing, but the menu is extensive and looks like it should be tasty, so I‘d try it again, and would still encourage others to give the other items on the menu a try.

The Green Room Café 222 N 1st St The Secret Spot – Delicious chicken burrito with black beans and brown rice. Big. With chips, salsa, hot sauce, and sour cream on the side.
The Green Room Café 222 N 1st St The Backdoor Burger – A Beyond Burger with Cheese and caramelized onions Delicious!

The Green Room Café is perfect – “Colorful health-conscious cafe doling out organic sandwiches, soups & smoothies plus vegan fare” – the ONLY meat item is the chicken in the Secret Spot above. Otherwise it’s all vegetarian and vegan.

Salty Bagel 25 S Atlantic Ave Hot Honey – egg, bacon or sausage, cheese, cream cheese, hot honey drizzle

Another new place since I was last here. A great addition to the town.

Squid Lips 2200 S. Orlando Ave Thai Chicken Burger with Fries

Delicious burgers, but pricier than other spots in CB.

Taco City 2955 S. Atlantic Ave El Macho – Chicken burrito smothered in Enchilada sauce – Limitless Chips and salsa
Taco City 2955 S. Atlantic Ave El Hombre – Shredded beef burrito smothered in cheese sauce – Limitless Chips and salsa

A cool little place with staff that remembers you and wants to make sure you never run out of sour cream, salsa, water, or beer. Reasonable prices. Looking forward to trying their famous ‘chings’ and guacamole next.

Cocoa Beach, Florida – Autumn 2023

SHAHRISABZ, UZBEKISTAN FOOD: MANTY and FRIENDS

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Uzbek MANTY – a traditional meat dish, consisting of finely chopped meat in a thin dough, steam-cooked. It is best eaten with your hands.
Dried fruit and Nuts – I’ve never had better than here in Uzbekistan 🇺🇿

July 2023

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: Part 6

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Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪 Cuisine, Part 6
1,2,3: Potato 🥔 & Onion 🧅 Cheburek @samsa_family_bakers
4 & 5: Hamburger 🍔 & Chicken Risotto @viktuscatering
6: CBD Brownie #coffeeshoptallinn
7: Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice #chinainn
8: Eggs Benedict @rukiskohvik
9 & 10: Best Cinnamon bun in town at Pulla Sourdough Bakery @pullabakery
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Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
October and November 2022

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: PART 4

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1&2: Kim Yum 🍜 @kimijimitallinn
3&4: Kaurma Lagman @samsa_family_bakers
5: Butter Chicken & 🍚 @cinnamon_restoran
6,7,&8: Grill 🍔 & 🍠 🍟 @grillpruul 9&10: Butter Chicken and Pakora @maharajarestoran

Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
September 2022

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: PART 3

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Tallinn Cuisine, Part 3.
1&2- Tuna Melt at @soshellfish.viru
3&4- Pizza 🍕 Pepperoni at @locaestonia
5&6- Potatoes and Onions Pelmeni & Shrimp and Salmon Pelmeni @pelment1
7&8- Brioche with Poached Egg and Bacon 🥓 & Brioche with Poached Egg and Salmon 9&10- Flat White ☕️ at @papermillcoffee in Viru Keskus

Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
Sep2022