Takoyaki at a humble stand by an alley in Osaka, assam laksa at a hole-in-the-wall in Penang, paella at a specialty arroceria in Spain... foodies are always on the prowl for the best dining spots, especially when they’re on vacations. This month, AFC shares with you tips from adventurous food lovers on how to navigate around tourist traps to find the finest local eateries.
Hit the markets
Three years ago, writer Robyn Eckhardt and her photographer husband David Hagerman started tracking their food and travel adventures in their blog, eatingasia.typepad.com. They have eaten their way through China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. And the very first stop they never fail to make at each destination: the market. “Sometimes, that means getting up early, but hey, if you get up by 6 a.m., you can easily fit four meals in one day!” says Eckhardt. “In Southeast Asia, you’ll find great stuff to eat at markets–full meals and snacks that you might not otherwise come across.” The market can also clue you in on indigenous fish, produce, and spices unique to the country.
Ask the locals
Malaysian food blogger Meena Periasamy (awhiffoflemongrass.com) advocates getting in touch with a local for dining recommendations. “Being Malaysians, we’re a friendly lot, and we may even offer to join you for a meal or two to share our culture and heritage.” So, instead of consulting with a hotel concierge (who might be working on commissions), consider striking up a conversation with the doorman, the taxi driver, the commuter, or perhaps the drink seller at the market.
According to Eckhardt, it helps to be specific and to do some research on local dishes ahead of time. “For instance, if you’re in Vietnam and you ask where to find good pho, that doesn’t get much reaction, but if you ask about a more obscure but just as delicious dish, say, the noodle dish my quang, all of a sudden you gain validity in local eyes–‘Oh! You know my quang?’–and you’re more likely to get truly local recommendations.”
Scour the Internet
The Internet is a great resource for those who are uncomfortable approaching random strangers on the street. “I recommend reading blogs as they normally give unbiased accounts of the bloggers’ experience when dining at restaurants,” says Periasamy. “Don’t stick to just one blog; read several to get different opinions as taste buds are different.”
And bloggers aren’t the only ones who are enthusiastic about spreading the word of new food finds. Popular restaurant review sites include Chowhound.com and Yelp.com.
Dr. Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.sg recently created a forum as an outlet for readers who are interested in sharing their own favourite restaurants. He suggests visitors write into forums to ask for advice. “In fact, that is what one tourist from New York did and one of our forummers even offered to take him on a food tour!” says Tay.
Newspapers/Magazines
Hui Leng, a food blogger who has lived in Northern California, Taiwan, and Singapore, says she depends a lot on local magazines when she travels. English-language newspapers and magazines, such as The Bangkok Post, Jakarta Post, New Straits Times, and Time Out (Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, etc.), feature culinary reviews in food columns or sections. Unlike travel guides, these publications’ target audience is the city’s discerning residents and not necessarily tourists.
Spread out
In Eckhardt’s experience, places that are filled mostly with tourists invariably tailor their dishes to cater to what they imagine the tourist palate wants. That’s why it’s important to go beyond attractions, hotels, and shopping centres. Periasamy agrees. “I suggest that a visitor have an open mind to new experiences and stay away from mainstream food outlets located in malls. Be willing to venture out,” she adds. The easiest, most visual way to find good places to eat is to follow the lead of the masses. “If the restaurant is crowded with locals, you know you’ll have a better chance of finding good food there!” says Periasamy. “It’s only a general guide, of course, but one that I try to adhere to.”
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