Tasting local cuisine while traveling: why it's the best choice

BLIVALE Blog 29 January 2024

When we travel to a foreign country, it's common to look for food that reminds us of home or places that serve familiar cuisine. But what if we miss the opportunity to discover the authentic and traditional cuisine of the place we are visiting?

In this article, we will explore the reasons why tasting local cuisine while traveling is the best choice.

We will discover how traditional dishes can reveal a nation's culture and history, and how the culinary experience can enrich our journey in surprising ways. If you're passionate about travel and food, read on to find out why you should always opt for local cuisine when abroad.

We conclude the article by providing an example of breakfast times in the various continents and what the main foods are.

The importance of local cuisine when traveling

When traveling, the main goal is to immerse yourself in the culture and atmosphere of a new place. And what better way to do this than to taste the traditional cuisine of the country you are visiting?

Local cuisine offers an authentic experience that can be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Each dish tells a story, revealing unique ingredients, techniques and flavors that are rooted in the cultural tradition of the place.

Cuisine as a cultural expression

Cooking is often considered one of the most accessible and universal art forms. Each country has its own culinary specialties that reflect its history, cultural influences and local resources. Tasting local cuisine while traveling allows us to come into contact with an important part of a country's culture and better understand its people. Every bite brings us closer to the history and traditions of a nation, opening us up to a more intimate and profound perspective.

Exploring new flavors and ingredients

Tasting local cuisine offers us the opportunity to discover new flavors and ingredients that we may never have tried before.

Each region has its own culinary peculiarities, such as exotic spices, aromatic herbs or typical local products. Experimenting with these culinary innovations can be an exciting adventure for the palate and allows us to discover a world of tastes completely different from what we are used to.

Support the local economy

In addition to being a tasty choice, opting for local cuisine when traveling is also a way to support the economy of the country we are visiting.

Eating at local restaurants, purchasing products from local markets and trying regional culinary specialties directly contributes to the economic growth of local communities. Furthermore, this promotes the sustainable development of tourism, allowing local people to thrive through their culinary activities.

Create unforgettable memories

There's no doubt that the most memorable moments of our travels are often linked to the food we tasted.

Local cuisine becomes an integral part of our travel experience and creates unforgettable memories. We will remember the exotic dish we ate on a Caribbean beach or the home-cooked meal shared with a local family in a remote village. These culinary moments become precious treasures that we will carry with us for a lifetime.

Meal times table by continent

Zone	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Main foods
Middle East	Between 6:00 and 8:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 7pm and 9pm	Yogurt, fruit, honey, bread, cheese, eggs, hummus, falafel
Europe	Between 7:00 and 9:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 7pm and 9pm	Coffee, milk, biscuits, bread, jam, yogurt, fruit, eggs, bacon, cheese
North America	Between 6:00 and 8:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 6pm and 8pm	Coffee, milk, cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, cheese
Latin America	Between 6:00 and 8:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 7pm and 9pm	Coffee, milk, fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, tortillas, tacos, burritos
Asia	Between 6:00 and 8:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 6pm and 8pm	Rice, noodles, soups, vegetables, tofu, fish, meat
Africa	Between 6:00 and 8:00	Between 12:00 and 14:00	Between 6pm and 8pm	Beans, rice, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs

This table is a generalization, as times and foods may vary depending on the country or region.

For example, in many tourist cities there are places open 24 hours a day.

In many tourist places breakfast is served until 10.30am.

For example:

in Italy breakfast is often richer than in other European countries, and can also include sweet products such as biscuits, brioches or croissants
in Japan, breakfast is often savory and may include rice, soup, fish or meat.

Here are some specific examples of foods consumed during various meals in some areas of the world:

Middle East: yogurt with honey and nuts, falafel, hummus, kebab
Europe: croissants, bread with jam, eggs, bacon, cheese, pasta, meat or fish
North America: cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, cheese, hamburgers, pizza
Latin America: tortillas, tacos, burritos, eggs rancheros, roast beef
Asia: rice, noodles, miso soup, sushi, tempura, pad thai
Africa: beans, rice, vegetables, grilled meat, fried fish

Tips for tasting local cuisine

Do research before you travel:

find out what are the typical dishes of the country or region you will visit. Make a list of restaurants or food markets you want to try.
Ask locals for recommendations: When you're on site, don't hesitate to ask residents for recommendations on where to eat. They will be happy to share with you their favorite places to enjoy local cuisine.
Experiment with traditional dishes: Try to try traditional dishes and local specialties. Don't be afraid to step out of your culinary comfort zone and be surprised by new flavors.
Explore food markets: Visit local markets to discover fresh ingredients and regional delicacies. You will also be able to watch the locals doing their shopping and get an authentic experience.

Conclusion

Tasting local cuisine while traveling is an experience that goes beyond simple palate satisfaction. It allows us to immerse ourselves in a country's culture, discover new flavors, support the local economy and create unforgettable memories.

When visiting a place abroad, we should always leave room in our adventure to enjoy authentic and traditional cuisine. Only in this way can we have a complete and enriching experience that will leave us with a new understanding of the people and their land. So, in your next destination, remember to leave room for taste and let the food take you on an incredible sensory journey!