Unforgettable Food Discoveries From My Travels
One of my favorite parts of traveling is discovering new foods. Whether it’s something prepared in a street-side kitchen, a traditional dish I’ve never heard of, or an unexpectedly amazing meal at a small restaurant, food is one of the best ways to experience another culture.
For this list, I wanted to do something a little different. I’m not necessarily interested in listing the most famous dishes from every country. I love Vietnamese pho and vermicelli noodles, for example, but those dishes are already incredibly popular and available in restaurants around the world.
Instead, I’ve tried to put together a diverse collection of foods, drinks, restaurants, and culinary experiences that genuinely stood out to me. Some are regional specialties, others are unusual variations of familiar foods, and a few are things I happened to discover by chance.
This isn’t a ranking, and I’m certainly not claiming these are the best foods in the world. They’re simply some of the most memorable things I’ve eaten throughout my travels.
Let’s dig in!
Charbroiled Oysters & Raw Oysters
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant & Acme Oyster House — New Orleans, USA
New Orleans is arguably my favorite food city in the world, right up there with Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand. The city’s culinary culture is rooted in mouthwatering flavor, and its oysters are a perfect example.
Oysters in New Orleans traditionally come from the Gulf of Mexico and can be eaten raw or charbroiled.
At Drago’s, the charbroiled oysters are served hot on the half shell, grilled over high heat with a rich, garlicky butter sauce, topped with Parmesan and Romano cheeses and often a sprinkle of parsley. They’re savory, buttery, and absolutely delicious.
Raw oysters, on the other hand, are a completely different experience. At Acme Oyster House, they’re served cold, usually with lemon and other accompaniments. They’re briny, salty, and have that unmistakable taste of the sea.
Raw oysters aren’t for everybody, but I love them!
Moo Nam Tok & Neua Yang Nam Tok
Northeastern Thailand (Isaan)
Nam Tok is a delicious, tangy Thai meat salad traditionally associated with northeastern Thailand. It’s typically prepared with grilled beef or pork, lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, chili flakes, shallots, and fresh herbs.
The combination of acidity, spice, herbs, and smoky grilled meat is phenomenal.
It’s traditionally enjoyed with sticky rice and fresh vegetables or lettuce, and I strongly recommend eating it with all the components together. It must be consumed like this to be fully appreciated! The way I learned to eat it was with my hands. You take a piece lettuce in your hand, use it to grab some sticky rice and meat with all the spices and herbs coring it and put it in your mouth as a conconction.
My first encounter with this dish was in an alleyway in Bangkok, at a makeshift kitchen behind a lady’s house. What a memorable experience!
I’ve tried Nam Tok internationally, but it’s just not the same. Some restaurants replace the mint with cilantro or don’t quite capture the same combination of chili flakes, toasted rice, and fresh ingredients.
When it’s prepared properly in Thailand, it’s something special.
Fresh Pomegranate Juice
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
You can find freshly squeezed pomegranate juice from street vendors in Phu Quoc, and I would officially rank it as my favorite juice in the world.
Unfortunately, it’s also the only place I’ve personally found it freshly squeezed from ripe pomegranates.
Before this experience, I had never tasted pomegranate juice quite like it. I was honestly shocked by how good it was.
One of the real joys of traveling for me is eating tropical fruits when they’re fresh and ripe. There’s something special about tasting fruit or freshly pressed juice prepared right in front of you, rather than drinking something bottled or processed.
This one really stuck with me.
Pan Amasado con Pebre
Chile
During my time volunteering in Elqui Valley, I didn’t spend much time exploring Chilean cuisine, but one combination I absolutely loved was homemade pan amasado with pebre.
Pan amasado is a traditional Chilean hand-kneaded bread, typically baked until golden on the outside while remaining soft and tender inside.
Pebre is a Chilean condiment commonly made with ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, cilantro, chili peppers, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. It’s somewhat comparable to pico de gallo, although the preparation and texture vary.
And personally, I think it’s better than pico de gallo!
Chilean bread deserves more international recognition. I’ve even heard French people praise it, which says a lot considering how seriously the French take their bread and pastries.
The combination of warm bread and fresh pebre is a perfect snack or comfort food, especially if you love bread as much as I do.
Tapioca Sandwich — “Amor”
Tapiocaria da Sandra — Itacaré, Brazil
Brazil has some wonderful regional foods that don’t always receive the international attention they deserve.
One of them is tapioca, a popular Brazilian preparation made from hydrated cassava starch. When heated in a pan, the starch comes together into a soft, slightly chewy flatbread that can be folded around sweet or savory fillings.
At Tapiocaria da Sandra in Itacaré, I discovered a combination called Amor.
It’s filled with shredded carne asada, fried sweet plantains, and mozzarella cheese. The combination just bursts in your mouth. I would have never thought mozerella and plantains could work together, but having gotten accustomed to Brazilian cuisine, I knew it was gonna be delicious.
You get the savory richness of the beef, the sweetness of the plantains, and the melted cheese holding everything together inside the soft tapioca.
It’s the kind of dish that sounds simple but becomes memorable because the ingredients complement each other so well. And in a place like Itacaré, where the tropical atmosphere is already so enjoyable, finding a little food spot like this makes the experience even better.
Tacos in Mexico City
Café Tacobar — Mexico City, Mexico
Eating tacos in Mexico City is peak gastronomy.
Mexico City, the home of Lucha Libre, is famous for its extraordinary food scene, both classic and modern. The sheer variety of tacos alone is enough to keep someone exploring for weeks.
One place that stood out to me was Café Tacobar, a cozy little restaurant where the quality and preparation of the tortillas added another dimension to the experience.
The tortillas themselves had a wonderful texture and flavor, and the meat was superb. I can’t remember exactly which tacos I ordered, but if I did, I would have made sure to tell you!
What I remember most is how thoughtfully everything was prepared. Sometimes a familiar dish becomes extraordinary simply because every component is done exceptionally well.
Fusilli all’Arrabbiata
Italy — A Childhood Favorite
Not every memorable dish on this list was discovered during my travels. Fusilli all’arrabbiata is one of my favorite Italian pasta dishes, and it’s something I grew up eating.
Arrabbiata is a spicy tomato-based sauce traditionally associated with Rome, generally prepared with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and dried red chili peppers.
The name arrabbiata means “angry” in Italian, referring to the heat of the chili.
My grandmother used to prepare this dish when I was growing up, along with plenty of other Italian food influenced by recipes passed down through my family.
I love spicy food, and this has always been one of my favorite pasta dishes. The combination of perfectly cooked pasta and a simple, fiery tomato sauce is hard to beat.
A funny story is: I found an great Italian restaurant near Ometepe Island that served this exact dish. The owner and chef was from Italy and it turns there is a tight knit community of Italian expats and entrepreneurs that opened up restaurants or food establishments in Nicaragua.
Buñuelos Rellenos de Chocolate
Colombia
Traditional Colombian buñuelos are round, fried balls of dough made with cheese and starch. They’re lightly crisp on the outside and soft inside, with a subtle savory flavor. Most of them that you’ll encounter don’t have a filling.
But if you happen to find buñuelos rellenos de chocolate, give them a try.
The chocolate-filled version is ridiculously good, especially when freshly prepared.
When they’re still warm or hot, the contrast between the lightly crisp exterior, soft dough, and rich chocolate filling is incredible. This is one of those snacks where freshness really matters. If you find a vendor making them fresh, don’t pass up the opportunity.
Discovering local snacks like these was one of my favorite parts of traveling through Colombia, a country with an incredible variety of regional experiences.
Tum Tang Kao Poad
Thailand
Thailand has an incredible variety of salads, and this is another one worth seeking out.
Tum Tang Kao Poad is a refreshing, spicy salad combining cucumber and sweet corn, generally prepared in the style of Thai tam salads. Depending on the vendor, the dressing can include lime juice, chili, fish sauce, garlic, and other ingredients that create that wonderful balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.
The cucumber adds freshness and crunch, while the corn brings a little natural sweetness.
It’s a great example of something I love about Thai food: the seemless fusion of sugar, tang, and spice.
Chicago Dog & Blue Demon Dog
Devil Dawgs — Chicago, USA
I’m convinced Chicago has the best signature hot dog in the world, and I’ll gladly argue about it.
A traditional Chicago-style hot dog comes with yellow mustard, chopped onions, bright green relish, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt, all served on a poppy seed bun.
And absolutely no ketchup.
One of my favorite places to get one is Devil Dawgs, which serves an excellent traditional Chicago Dog. But there’s another item I love just as much: the Blue Demon Dog.
Unlike the classic Chicago Dog, the Blue Demon features a spicy beef sausage topped with Devil sauce, onions, sauerkraut, a pickle, and spicy mustard. It’s a completely different flavor combination, with more heat and tanginess.
Chef’s Special Omelet
Camellia Grill — New Orleans, USA
My second selection from New Orleans is what I consider the best omelet in the world.
The Chef’s Special Omelet at Camellia Grill is a classic diner experience, and what really makes it special is the chili topping.
It’s hearty, savory, and perfect for any carnivore or protein fiend.
During my first visit, my friend and I were trying to decide what to order. Our waiter confidently told us to get the Chef’s Special Omelet, assuring us that we wouldn’t regret it.
We took his advice.
We did not regret it.
To this day, we still talk about that omelet!
Red Bean Sesame Balls
Northern Vietnam
One of my favorite sweet snacks from Vietnam is the red bean sesame ball.
These treats are typically made with glutinous rice flour, filled with sweetened red bean paste, coated in sesame seeds, and fried until golden.
The outside develops a lightly crisp texture, while the inside remains wonderfully chewy.
The red bean filling provides a mellow sweetness that isn’t overwhelming, and the toasted sesame seeds add a slightly nutty flavor.
I love the contrast between the crisp exterior, chewy dough, and soft filling. If you encounter them freshly fried in northern Vietnam, they’re definitely worth trying.
Street Food at Pai’s Night Market
Pai, Thailand
Pai is unquestionably home to one of my favorite night markets for street food on the planet.
The variety is remarkable, with everything from traditional Thai dishes to international foods, snacks, sweets, and freshly prepared drinks.
One of the best things about Pai is how easy it is to spend an evening wandering through the market, trying different foods without having any particular meal planned.
I stayed in Pai much longer than I expected, and the night market was one of the major reasons. It’s one of those places where eating becomes part of the evening’s entertainment. I also loved exploring Pai by scooter, especially the surrounding countryside and mountain scenery.
Lamb Souvlaki
MIX Greek Restaurant — Hoi An, Vietnam
Having never traveled to Greece, you might wonder why I’m including a Greek restaurant in Vietnam on this list.
Well, because it’s amazing.
MIX is a Greek restaurant in Hoi An, and the owner is Greek. The menu has a variety of traditional Greek dishes, but I took a particular liking to the lamb souvlaki.
Souvlaki is a Greek specialty consisting of grilled pieces of meat, commonly served with accompaniments such as pita bread, vegetables, and sauces.
The meat was flavorful, the preparation was excellent, and the whole meal was incredibly satisfying.
I stayed in Hoi An for almost a week and ended up eating it about three times.
And honestly, Vietnam just does cooking very well in general.
Smoothie Bowls
Betty Bowls — Medellín, Colombia
The freshness of the fruits and vegetables at Betty Bowls deserves HIGH recognition. I tried several smoothie bowls, along with the feta avocado toast, coconut lemonade frappé, and cold brew.
Everything was beautifully prepared, fresh, and locally sourced, some of it on a daily basis.
I happened to be staying at a hostel right next door, which gave me plenty of opportunities to try different things on the menu. Smoothie bowls have become popular in many countries, but the quality can vary tremendously. The freshness of the ingredients makes all the difference.
Betty Bowls consistently delivered. Highly recommended. They don’t miss! If you’re ever in Medellín, one of my favorite cities, you have to check out Betty Bowls.
Donuts From District Donuts Sliders Brew
District Donuts Sliders Brew — New Orleans, USA
As you can probably tell by now, New Orleans is an amazing food city.
At District Donuts, the selection of donuts changes regularly, which means you never know exactly what you’ll find. But if you ever get the opportunity to try their coconut cream donut, take advantage!
It is the best donut I’ve ever eaten, and I stand by that statement. I can’t guarantee it’s still available, given how frequently the selection changes, but the quality of the donuts at this bakery is exceptional.
Even if the coconut cream isn’t on the menu, it’s worth checking out what they’re making. New Orleans has a way of turning even something as perfect as a good donut into something even warmer and richer.
Thai Halal Breakfast in Krabi
Krabi, Thailand
Southern Thailand has a significant Muslim population, and the influence of Muslim culinary traditions is especially noticeable in provinces such as Krabi.
This makes the region a great place to discover halal Thai food, including some excellent breakfast options.
One of the simplest and most satisfying things to try is roti, a thin, pan-fried flatbread commonly found at street stalls. Depending on how it’s prepared, it can be served with egg, savory accompaniments, or sweet toppings such as condensed milk.
Egg roti is particularly good for breakfast.
You can also find dishes such as mataba, a stuffed roti influenced by Muslim culinary traditions, along with rice dishes, curries, and other savory breakfast options.
During my time in Krabi, I developed a huge appreciation for the inexpensive breakfast food available from local vendors.
Some of the best Thai food I’ve ever eaten was there.
And while the breakfasts were a highlight, the food in general was excellent.
Breakfast Sandwich With Bacon Marmalade
Azai Praia Lovers Via Primavera — Medellín, Colombia
I stumbled across this restaurant in Medellín while walking around, and the breakfast sandwich was so surprisingly flavorful that I couldn’t believe it.
It comes on a bagel with egg, turkey, Gouda cheese, green sauce, spinach, and vegan mayo.
But there’s an optional extra that takes the sandwich to another level: bacon marmalade.
YOU MUST ADD IT.
The combination of savory ingredients and the sweet, rich bacon marmalade makes this sandwich something else.
Sometimes the most memorable meals aren’t traditional local dishes. They’re just unexpectedly great things you discover while exploring a city.
Final Thoughts
One thing I’ve learned from traveling is that memorable food doesn’t always have to be expensive, famous, or particularly complicated.
Sometimes it’s a dish you’ve never heard of, something prepared by a street vendor, or a familiar food made exceptionally well.
I also love how food travels between cultures. You can find incredible Greek food in Vietnam, Italian food in Nicaragua, and creative versions of traditional dishes in places you might never expect.
There are countless foods I could have included here, but I wanted this list to reflect a variety of countries, flavors, and experiences rather than simply repeat the dishes everybody already knows.
And the best part? I’m still discovering new favorites.
