Globetrotters are increasingly planning overseas trips around edible itineraries. Sofia Levin is on a mission to encourage people to #EatCuriously both at home and on holiday, with every meal an opportunity to learn more about other cultures.
As a food and travel journalist, I experience a different kind of FOMO – the fear of missing food. However, it’s not trendy, celebrity-chef-owned restaurants or the most Instagrammable cafes that entice me, but rather those that transport you to another country while you’re still on home soil, providing opportunities to eat – and consequently learn – something new. Travel opens minds, but in a multi-cultural city like Melbourne, you don’t have to jump on a plane to feel the thrill of exploration.
Perhaps I became jaded by the onslaught of smashed avocado, or perhaps I started to lament writing listicles. Nevertheless, over the last few years, instead of revisiting favorite restaurants or defaulting to ‘what’s hot’, I’ve delved deeper. I sought dining experiences that offered the biggest thrill. The common thread? Being out of my comfort zone. I shared this journey on my Instagram and noticed others felt similarly, prompting me to create the hashtag #EatCuriously to inspire people to explore beyond their culinary comfort zones, promoting a greater understanding of other cultures, as well as ourselves.
#EatCuriously at home
The more I explore globally, the more inspiration I find at home. I constantly look for dishes I’ve tried during my travels. After a recent trip to Turkey, I discovered the kebab joint near my house offers lahmacun (a round, thin dough base with spiced minced meat), while I had previously only noticed the word ‘pide’. If you’re not traveling soon, consider these three ways to explore global flavors at home:
- Regional Exploration: Rather than opting for a well-known cuisine like Thai, why not go regional? Search for ‘Thailand food regions’ and discover local dishes. For example, Isaan cuisine is native to northeastern Thailand, known for its sticky grilled pork neck dish, kor moo yang.
- Expand Your Palette: Instead of familiar cuisines, try something less common. You might enjoy a Ukrainian or Mongolian meal for a change.
- International Grocers: Start your #EatCuriously journey by visiting an international grocer. Bring home snacks—perhaps a packet of uniquely flavored crisps—and host a taste test with friends.
#EatCuriously when travelling
When traveling, I embrace the philosophy, ‘When in Rome, eat as the Romans eat’. This can involve savoring a simple cacio e pepe or indulging in trippa alla Romana, which is cow stomach simmered with tomato, garlic, parsley, and mint. Moreover, the internet can be an invaluable resource for discovering traditional dishes in your travel destination, so make a list of what you’d like to sample. Trusted review sites or blogs can point you to local favorites, but always remember to take reviews with a grain of salt.
Locals or tour leaders might presume that you prefer Western-style meals, so it’s essential to communicate your culinary curiosity. Reassure them that while you can find hamburgers anywhere, authentic dishes like tavuk göğsü (a Turkish rice pudding-like dessert made from chicken) can only be found in their country. It’s important to note that eating curiously doesn’t have to mean tackling something you perceive as challenging, such as offal. Rather, it’s about embracing the experience of trying something new.
DO
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Your research. The deeper your knowledge of a cuisine, the richer your experience will be.
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If the local language isn’t English, compile a list of food terms on your phone, much like basic greetings.
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Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s probably best to avoid it.
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Seek lines of locals; if children are eating street food, your stomach is likely to be safe.
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Carry Imodium and antibiotics, just in case.
DON’T
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Consume food or drinks made with unsafe water.
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Avoid the bain-marie; some of the best meals have come from stainless steel containers.
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Bring prejudices. Just because you see unrefrigerated food doesn’t mean it’s unsafe; it’s likely cooked fresh daily.
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Disregard visible sanitary issues.
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Ignore different table etiquette.
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Fear stepping outside your culinary comfort zone.
Top Melbourne picks to #EatCuriously at
In recent months, I’ve enjoyed savoring the distinct spices of Somali cuisine compared to Ethiopian; excellent places are #SomaliEats and New Somali Kitchen in Flemington. Nearby, Hem 27 specializes in regional Vietnamese noodle soups that go well beyond pho. Additionally, in Braybrook, you can find the food truck Shreeji – The Taste of Kutch, offering regional dishes from the Kutch district in Gujarat. My winter comfort food is the herbal and earthy bak kut teh, widely cherished in Malaysia and Singapore, crafted with tea, garlic, star anise, and shiitake from Aunty Franklee.
Whenever I crave Indonesia, I visit Salero Kito, a casual nasi padang restaurant offering delectable dishes like beef rendang and fried cow lung. Another central gem is EJ Fine Food, where you can delight in $6 rou jia mo, a Chinese bao burger from northwest China’s Shaanxi province, alongside zha jiang mian, known as China’s take on spaghetti bolognese. Not-to-be-missed is the not-so-secret car park noodle shop, Soi 38, transforming into a vibrant Thai barbecue spot at night, dubbed Nana Moojum, featuring entertaining DIY grill sets, while I particularly love the grilled pork intestines.
My culinary adventure is ongoing, as I look forward to enjoying traditional Filipino cuisine and tasting a Turkish dish called İşkembe çorbası (tripe soup). Unfortunately, during my visit to Istanbul, the shop had closed early. However, I found it available right here in Coburg once I returned home.
I don’t subscribe to the notion of eating just to live when a simple meal can bring immense joy. While we all must eat, savoring each other’s cuisine is the easiest way to learn about and embrace different cultures. The contents of your plate narrate stories about your surroundings, from the climate and fertility of the land to regional religious practices and traditions. Though people believe I possess extensive food knowledge, my curiosity, paired with a thirst for discovery, makes me a passionate eater. Eating curiously means following your instincts towards that enticing aroma instead of allowing it to fade away. It’s dismissing a dinner reservation to partake in a spontaneous meal at someone’s home. Most importantly, it’s prioritizing open-mindedness over mere nourishment. I am genuinely convinced that if we approach every meal as an opportunity to learn from each other, the world will become a better place. That’s why I #EatCuriously, and I hope you will join me!
