In the Carpathian mountains and surrounding foothills of Western Ukraine, locals make a porridge to get them through the long, dark winters and sustain them from breakfast to dinner. I, of course, ate this gut-bomb porridge in 90 degree heat with a humidity level that makes even the mosquitos sluggish…. but it’s all in the name of research! For this is true … Read More
Congolese Cuisine: Cassava, Caterpillars and the best Belgian food ever (Seriously.)
Being Franco-Singaporean, I was raised on the best two cuisines in the world, and would be hard pressed to declare Congo a center of culinary delights. But I fully agree with this blog’s proposition: food in far-flung places takes on a special flavor! I have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo frequently since 2002, and each restaurant, hole-in-the-wall, and Congolese … Read More
Marrow Vine Leaves and Pistachio Cream Pancakes in Northern Iraq
In this part of the world, restaurants tend to sling the same grub (kebab, mezze, biryani, baklava) — and what sets one place apart from another is the quality of ingredients and, when I get lucky, the existence of dishes I’ve never seen before. Green Jews Mallow in Egypt. Hot cheesy hummus in Turkey. And at Al Safadi, a Lebanese restaurant in Northern … Read More
Modern Meatballs and Delicious Dumplings in Istanbul
You can eat very, very well in Istanbul. Even with zero language skills, the point-and-nod method can get you amazing kebabs, shwarma, roast chestnuts, the donut-shaped pastry known as simit, and enough baklava to put you in a honey coma. And the street food scene has excellent company with a handful of modern restaurants serving what they call New Istanbul, … Read More
Hidden Gems in Cairo: Green Jews Mallow, Chicken Balls and More!
Egypt is known for many things – the birthplace of civilization, early forms of communication, inventing board games! – but sadly, culinary prowess is not among them. Bread, beans, rice, and meat abound. Koshari, a gut bomb of rice, lentils, and pasta, is considered by some to be its national dish… street food of the highest order, and not normally found … Read More