Poll: Adventures with Exotic Food
Last month’s poll
The question that 58 of us answered was: what is your biggest issue when it comes to eating? This was a toughie because you could only pick one answer; we were identifying our major vice. However, I think that many of us would say that we fall under a few of these categories. The results: 41% are sugar addicts and another 41% can’t control portions in general; 10% are salt junkies; 7% either hate cooking or don’t like it so they resort to pre-packaged meals; and 0% have an obsession with fancy Starbucks coffees.
No surprises with the sugar and portion control issues! But I was interested that no one put the fancy coffees as their biggest problem. I’m not a coffee drinker so I can’t relate, but the way that some people talk about their whipped cream/syrupy/chocolate-shaving beverages, it’s sounds as though it’s some kind of cult following. No cult members in this crowd, I guess.
This month’s poll
Considering that I’m traveling to Cambodia as you read this (the beauty of scheduling posts to publish at specified times!), my thought process of late has been about staying healthy on the road. When I think about traveling, I think about immersing myself in another culture, and that means tasting the local cuisine. Apparently insects are a common item found at street stands, and I’m determined to try a little bit of everything to get the whole experience! (Note that I say this while I’m still in my comfy peanut buttered home. Perhaps when faced with a plate of fried snacks with eyes and antennae I’ll feel differently).
I actively work to stay healthy while traveling by walking as much as possible and eating nutritiously when I can. At the same time, I think it’s important not to deprive ourselves from the local cuisine by strictly eating only healthy items. Anything fried isn’t good for you, but experiencing it all once is, for me, one of the most important parts about traveling! When I went to Italy I made a list beforehand of all the different foods that I wanted to eat while I was there. I had gelati and calzones and creamy pastas with bacon: it was delicious, I was happy, and I got the full experience. I didn’t eat like that every single day, but I indulged and made sure I didn’t miss out.
So I’m interested to know what kind of food you eat when you’re traveling in a place where they eat a different cuisine than you’re used to. If you’re not a traveler, then it’s time for speculation! How far would you go? Do you take a stockpile of nutrition bars wherever you go? Do you veer towards fast food joints for a little memory of home? Do you let health go by the wayside in an attempt to try absolutely everything, or do you work toward a balance of experience and health? Answer the poll and elaborate in the comments!
[polldaddy poll=1564359]
Hi Sagan,
Safe travels to you, and enjoy this experience – very cool all around!
So the food. I’m all for trying some new dishes, and to experience the the local culture has to offer. I see this as part of the experience, and while we may not like everything we try – just in trying local dishes makes the culture we’re visiting more ‘real’. However, some things might put be over the top, and I’d pass in favor of the local fast food shop (if there were one). So how’s that – I’d try the local food, but might want a backup available in case it was something I just couldn’t stomach…
When I travel it’s often all about the food and I try to eat as much of the local delights as my gut will allow. Enjoy Cambodia, I spent some time around Angkor Wat a few years ago and highly recommend it. Can’t wait to hear your travel tales.
Hope you’re having an awesome time in Cambodia!
I like to try a few new things, and like to eat at local places. (Would never go to McD’s!). But I tend to order dishes that have mostly familiar ingredients. I’m too squeamish to try anything too weird.
The weird food is one of my favorite parts about travelling! I’m all about trying the new stuff. I’ll even ditch my vegetarianism to try a new cuisine. I just like to have the whole experience of a culture & I feel like I can’t do that if I don’t eat their food! Plus I usually like everything:)
(I’m a coffee cultist, all right, but I drink my coffee pure–black and strong, but not quite espresso. The coffee-adulterators just have more to talk about, so you hear them more.)
My food allergies have a major effect on travel eating, of course. It’s hard enough getting an accurate account of what’s in restaurant food in your own language! I do like to try new food, but I do so very cautiously.
Being a former whipped foam coffee cult member, I still get my once a week fix on Saturday. I look forward to that like a salivating 5 year old in front of a candy shop waiting for the shop to open. I know that if I do not rein in the impulse, I would be at Starbucks every morning.
When I travel to foreign countries (and from my experience in getting food posioning in every one of them), I pack granola bars and Pepto. I love to try out new food, hence the food posioning from eating from vendors at street corners.
I never tried making a list of the food I like to eat, but that is a good idea. When my husband and I go on our honeymoon at the end of the year, I think I would like to do that beforehand.
I’m a little on the cautious side, but would probably try some of the local cuisine. I’d draw the line at bugs, though.
Have a safe trip and enjoy yourself!
I like trying new things, but I’d say there are lines that I will not cross. I see no reason why I should eat horse meat or bugs. I barely manage to eat the meats that are common in our culture.
Local fruits, veggies, nuts, baked goods, grains and so on – those I’d be quite happy to try.
I tried horse meat in Italy and it was DEE-licious. I will try anything.
Thank for the fun poll Sagan! I experience places through their food and often try as many local specialties as I can. I particularly enjoy going to markets and picking up random ingredients!!
I hope you get to taste tons of exotic and new flavours durign your stay. Come back with the tales 🙂
Bring on the food photography! Would love to see images of the street food 🙂 I’m a little too cautious when it comes to my meal choices, especially seeing as it’s often surprising how yuck something seems and then turns out tasting great. Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy!
Word from Sagan’s dad is she arrived safe and sound in Phnom Penh. She is exactly 12 hours “ahead” of Winnipeg (Canada) time (the centre of the universe, or at least the North American Continent). I predict she’ll be chowing down those roasted snails and crunchy crickets within 24 hors of getting her bearings (which means of course that her dad will be trying those Cambodian delicacies as well….he won’t want to look like a “chicken” next to his “baby girl”. Not this anon-y-mum…I will stick to Cambodian beer, than you very much.
Ive traveled a LOT and eaten some weird weird (to me :)) foods.
The one thing I wont do it drink the water/unbottled stuff which I fear could make me sick (hello AMEOBA I got in Central America!) but beyond THAT Ill do anything 🙂
Thanks, anony-mom, for letting us know Sagan made it safe and sound!
(and I’m with you – I’d probably stick to the beer, too! :))
Lance- a backup is a good idea, especially if your body isn’t used to the local cuisine.
Berni- I’m going to Ankor Wat this weekend! Very excited for it.
Crabby- eating local is so tasty!
Charlotte- ME TOO!
Mary Anne- giggling about the coffee. And it’s probably a VERY good idea that you’re cautious.
Asithi- I really want to try the snails here, but they’re sitting out in the hot sun all day, so it’s likely a bad idea. But… how often do we get a chance to eat snails? (as I get poisoned ;))
Bag Lady- I think I’d rather eat the bugs than have them live in my kitchen. Unfortunately we’ve got ants in ours!
JavaChick- I am ALL OVER the baked goods 😀
Maggie & Marta- you are brave souls!
Spring Girl- I forgot about photos until I was half-finished dinner tonight. Oops. Will try to remember more in the future 🙂
Anony-mum- *waves* care to join me for some snails in a couple weeks?
MizFit- I hear ya- I’ve been strictly instructed to only use the water here to wash stuff with and for brushing teeth, and I’m absolutely adhering to that.
I’ve found that, even though unusual, most foods in other cultures are quite healthy! As long as it’s within my dietary limits, I’ll try it!
Have Fun! Save travels!
I love traveling…it’s all about immersing yourself!!
I love trying the local food and to me one of the best things about going somewhere like France is being able to wander round the local market buying fantastic fruit, veg and cheeses, and asking them how to cook some of the fish etc cuts (and then trying to understand the answer!). Also in New Zealand, where the local cafes are all totally excellent and they make seriously healthy and delicious foods. I agree about trying even the things that aren’t so healthy but I wouldn’t try fast food when in America, however typical it is! When in Singapore we once ordered from a restaurant menu with no translation at all, and most of it was delicious but a couple of things were very hard to figure out how to eat, let alone what they were! And I stopped ordering in France without translating after accidentally ordering quail once :-(.
Hope you’re enjoying all those eyes and bony bits Sagan – I guess anything seems weird to a culture that’s different.
Regional food at home is also well worth trying out to get to know your own country better. There are some gorgeous Cornish foods for instance (apart from pasties!) and a lot of great Scottish recipies.
i work at starbucks and definitely see our “cult” members, so to speak. i enjoy many of the tasty items starbucks has to offer … but i’m more addicted to the pastries rather than the drinks. i’m more likely than not to just order some (unsweetened) iced tea than coffee. unless it’s pumpkin spice season …
as for the poll, i can’t decide between trying a bite or sticking to familiar stuff. i tend to stick to familiar foods, but lately have been willing to try at least a bite of something else. often when traveling i’ll order something somewhat familiar and steal bites from the people i’m traveling with. so, if they order something i end up liking, i can get it next time!
when i went to the czech republic a few years ago, though, i learned the word for chicken (and figured out shrimp when i was there) to make things easier. i also enjoy finding restaurants with pictures of the food on the menu, too. helps a ton.
i haven’t traveled since i’ve become more of a “foodie” (although I hesitate to use that term!), but this is so exciting!! I’d try the local stuff, as long as I knew what it was… 🙂 More adventurous than i was in my youth, but i still want to know what i’m eating! you’ll have to share some of the “local” fare with us!
Dr. J- I’ve found the same thing- part of the reason why I’m so eager to try it all, I think!
Rupal- yes indeed 😀
Liz- SO true about the fast food. And great point about the regional food at home; I live in a really multicultural city so there’s always opportunity to try a variety of dishes.
T- pictures are VERY useful. Taking along a phrase book certainly helps too.
ttfn300- on the plane I had this “seafood salad”- there were all kinds of tentacles and rubbery bits in it. So I agree with what you said about wanting to know what you’re eating; I have no idea what was actually in that “salad” hehe.
I’m so picky and there’s so many foods I don’t like. I might be willing to try anything off the menu at a vegetarian restaurant, but I usually don’t like meat, sour cream, mustard. When I was last in Mexico, I wouldn’t eat the shrimp with eyes and tentacles, wouldn’t do better with bugs.
BTW, in my very own neighborhood, there’s a place that has eyeball tacos (also brain, stomach lining, and many other things I can’t read). I won’t be eating eye tacos.
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As long as it isn’t a seafood dish, I can be a pretty adventurous eater. If it’s seafood, all bets are off as I don’t care for fish or shellfish even under normal circumstances. I’m not the most adventurous eater in my everyday life, but I think that I would be missing a big part of the experience if I didn’t sample some of the local fare.
Julie- eyeball tacos?! Wow. Now THAT’S unusual!
Cathy- I think you’re right about missing out on the experience if we don’t sample at least sometimes 🙂
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