The food that I have enjoyed the most across my travels.

2026 Day 161. #Food. #TravelDays.

When I travel anywhere I try to eat as much of the local cuisine as possible. I want to learn the taste of the country, see what people like and how they like it. I have been fortunate enough to have tried home-cooked meals, fast-food, and gourmet meals in multiple countries.

I like to start off my mornings with a strong breakfast. Often when I am travelling the breakfast is the only meal of the day that I actually plan. Everything else is situational.

I prefer a big platter for breakfast and the Turks have an excellent one. It’s more of a large spread, even for one, and feels like an absolute feast. If food did not have any calories, this is what I would have for breakfast for the rest of my life.

The only thing that comes close is my love for Chole Bhature/Kulche, an Indian dish that is better for brunch. It is chickpeas and bread cooked with a lot of spices and chilli. Absolute beast of a breakfast that I have had for brunch, lunch, dinner, and post-drinks.

There is also something about an espresso (a Shakeratto (Italian) or Freddo (Greek) or the straight one) that can really turn your hungover mornings into the best morning of your life. Coffee and a little sun is the breakfast of people trying to cut weight or compensating for the alcohol from the previous night.

With all of the days I spent in Ireland, it is one of my biggest failures that I only had a smoked salmon bagel near the end of my time there. This is something I crave still, but nobody makes it like that one place in Dún Laoghaire. Optionally, a perfect eggs benedict and a glass of orange juice in a hotel spread never fails to make my day.

A Full Irish is sight, and something to feast on. Every Sunday morning in the summer of 2023 you would find me at a new place, trying to find the best Full Irish in the city.

One of the most common breakfasts in India is a Stuffed Parontha. It could be cottage cheese, potatoes, cauliflower, just about anything and I am sure that I will love it intensely. This is probably the one thing I have had most consistently since I was child. My tastebuds have outgrown this, but it is still the old reliable for when I am in doubt.

I like to keep my lunches light, if at all. Dinners are one meal where I tend to feel a little fancy. The sun has set, and my need for an excellent meal are higher than ever.

People in China have mastered the art of skewers. I am not a big fan of skewers on the general because the bite sized portions just do not let you enjoy the food. The Chinese do excellent skewers with a variety of meat and there are no limitations to what you can serve.

Hot Pot is an interesting concept and Haidilao (Restaurant chain in China) is one of the best places to try it out. The broth flavours, the condiments, and the overall experience is excellent.

Rice or related grains are not usually at the top of my list but a Mutton Biryani (India), Nasi Goreng (Bali), Bulgur (Turkish), Shezwan Fried Rice (China), Kosheri (Egpyt) would be the top of my recommendations.

Sushi is always an interesting option, although I am always a bit skeptical with it. Most sushi I have eaten tastes of nothing but rice. Something to look forward to when I visit Japan.

An honourable mention is Arhar and rice (along with a traditional dry mango pickle). This is my comfort food, my maternal grandmother used to make the perfect pickle and would pack a big jar for me that would last a year. She is physically still around, but her mental state is an obstruction and any other recipe just does not taste the same.

Ramen used to be the joy of my life. I do not have a good ramen spot near my house and so I absolutely miss it.

Hong Kong style Crispy Duck is an experience. Combined with beetroot flavoured risotto, it is probably the best single bowl meal I have ever had. I liked it much better than anything I have had at Nobu.

Dubai had wonderful meals everywhere, I enjoyed the grandeur, but the flavours never really stood out to me, they were excellent, but only the special things stand out. Call that an availability bias.

Some snacks taste better after a pint. Some taste better solo, others need the perfect condiment with it. I prefer my snacks a little crispy, something to feel I am biting into.

I love chicken wings as a snack. One of my favourite places in the city of Dublin was Firebyrd in Ranelagh, they had an unlimited wings special every Tuesday and the wings were to die for. KFC — KOREAN Fried Chicken is the best version I have had ever in terms of its crispiness and the unique flavours. Only Lemon Pepper wings and Chicken Karage came close.

I never really caught on to Fish and Chips until I hiked around Houth on a slighty rainy day. The sea air, and the tiredness makes the flavours just right. Writing this on a rainy day has brought about a longing for it.

The absolute favourite snacks after a pint are a kebab (I prefer Turkish ones, but any kebab is great), a chicken fillet roll, a spice bag, pizza, and something I have only had in Turkey, Wet Burgers. A wet burger is the ultimate slop food, you prepare a burger as normal with no add ons except cheese and then dip the entire thing in a sauce. The sauce makes it so that it does not feet dry at all and you can gulp one down fairly quickly. An absolute masterpiece.

Dabeli, Samosa, and Sev Puri are my favourite Indian street food ever. The excitement and the nostalgia that all of them bring about make it difficult for me to resist them.

Dumplings/Kothey/Momo/Gyoza are all closely related and I love them all.

Bahn Mi is a common Vietnamese sandwhich(?) that I grew to adore. It is THE snack to have when in the country. Every street vendor has their own little twist on it, so you can try it all the time without ever getting bored.

I am not particularly a big fan of seafood, but the Goan Rave prawns are things you should try at least once in your life. I ate them until I got sick the first time I was in state. P.F Changs and their dynamite shrimp also get a mention.

I have a huge sweet tooth. Anything sweet after a big meal is always welcome.

Over the years my taste has refined a little bit, I now prefer to have fusion dessert. Gulab Jamun with icecream, Rasmalai flavoured cheesecake, and so on.

Something about the fusion of two different cuisines, the unexpected mixing of flavours brings about a sense of satisfaction that surpasses even that of a good dinner.

Martabak (Bali) and Loukomadies (Greek) are some of the more uncommon desserts that I have grown to enjoy.

I always thought baklava was just one style. Then I paid a visit to Karaköy Güllüoğlu in Istanbul. I will not say much, but I will add that this place changed my views entirely. You could spend an entire day trying out all of the variations that they had there.

One thing I did not talk about enough is my love for burgers. Any kind, as long as they are a little spicy. I have had them at all hours, in all countries I have visited, and in many styles. The Wet Burgers I mentioned earlier stand out because of the way they are served but overall, any kind is lovely. The bigger the better.

Eggs. The most versatile food item out there. I have had them sunny side up, half boiled, fried, with chilli oil, as a topping, as the main dish, as dessert and I have never grown tired of them. They are quick and easy to make, are very healthy for you.

Another honourable mention is a burrito and chimichanga. This feels like two meals in one and feels so satisfying. It is the kind of food I want to eat on a cold, rainy day snuggled in bed, watching TV or writing another blog like this.

Recounting all of this took an awful lot of time and made me very hungry. It was kind of saddening to recount all of the nicest food I have had.

1. because I will never be able to taste it the first time again
2. because the cuisines are so spread out that I will never be able to have them at a moment’s notice.
3. often the recreations are not what you had in mind, which is an even bigger disappointment than not having them in the first place.

A big thanks to the person who told me this is a topic I could write about.

I have always been someone who is really excited about food, but my every diet is not so extravagant. I eat with a plan and mostly for sustenance, not the taste. Another interesting topic to pick up for later.

See you tomorrow.