When traveling to different places, choosing what and where to eat can be just as important as choosing which attractions to visit. If you are anything like us, experiencing the culinary delights that a place has to offer will be amongst the most memorable of your adventures.
Some foreign delicacies might require a bit of bravery on your behalf, but most are delicious – after all, they’re delicacies for a reason. Whether they sound like your food heaven or hell, we’ve compiled a list of delicacies (we think) you won’t regret trying.
Supplì, Rome
Cousins of the delicious breaded fried balls of risotto that are known as arancini, supplì add cheese fillings to the more traditional ragu filling that arancini are famous for. The taste combinations are seemingly endless and when in Rome, the choice can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, Casa Mia has highlighted five of the best, including a gluten-free option.
Photo Credit: Krista, Flickr
Pickled eggs, UK
Hardboiled eggs that have been left to go cold and marinate in jars of vinegar for around a month are most likely found somewhere behind the bar of a traditional pub, or in a fish and chip shop (arguably another English delicacy).
Before the days of refrigeration, eggs were originally pickled in this way to preserve them. In more recent years, they seem to have fallen out of favor somewhat. From what we can gather, even in their country of origin, they might have been sat on the side for much longer than necessary for pickling purposes.
But we think it’s time to give them another go. After all, they only cost around £1 in pubs and if you hate them, just wash the taste away with another pint.
Photo Credit: bgblogging, Flickr
Haggis, Scotland
A boiled chunk of sheep innards might not sound like the tastiest of treats, but this savory pudding is a favorite amongst the Scots. The meat is minced together with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, salt, and mixed with stock. Haggis was traditionally encased in the sheep’s stomach, although most are now served in an artificial casing instead – suiting the most sensitive of taste buds.
Over the years, there’s been some argument about whether Scotland’s national dish was actually invented by the English. Best see what all the fuss is about, then.
Photo Credit: By Jonathunder (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons
Bluff oysters, New Zealand
Said to be the most flavorsome in the world, Bluff oysters are only available for a short period of the year. So, if you have a trip to New Zealand that coincides with the harvesting season (March until June/July), then it’s definitely worth giving them a go. Some people would plan their entire trip around these delights.
The flavor comes from being grown slowly in the cold, clean waters of Foveaux Strait until they are large, plump and juicy. Locals tend to have them battered and fried, but the Secret Traveller recommends trying Bluff oysters as they come. We say, why not have both?
Xiao long bao, China
As the saying goes, the best things come in small packages. Xiao long bao are delicate little parcels of juicy, spiced pork, which originate in Shanghai – and this is still meant to be the best place to get them.
The buns are steamed in traditional bamboo baskets and are only bite-size, so you’ll probably eat way more than you should. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Photo Credit: Bodhikun via Wikimedia Commons
Find out more about what you’re eating
Where possible, we recommend discovering more about the food you’re tasting. Most people will be more than happy to tell you about the dishes – where they source ingredients, how you could make them at home and so on. Your food journey is a great way of learning more about a place, and it’s bound to be stuff you wouldn’t find out in a typical guide book.
Ever tried any of these delicacies? We’d love to hear about it! Come join the conversation on Facebook.
Thanks to The Secret Traveller for this guest post.