Delicious Eats on the Go and IFBC 2017

Delicious Eats on the Go is about enjoying food and making the most of your leisure and business travels. Also a shoutout to #IFBC2017 in Sacramento.

After several years helping out as the story and culture writer for Malaysian Chinese Kitchen, I am heading to the International Food Bloggers Convention 2017 in Sacramento, California in September. I have traveled many times for business but this will be the first time I am doing so for the blog and as a foodie writer. Am I excited? You betcha! Apart from meeting other like-minded people, I am looking forward to some of the food and beverage tasting that the organizers and sponsors have lined up for us.

Travel and Food

Speaking of travelling and food, I believe that the two are extremely intertwined. People who do not enjoy food on a journey often complain about the trip as well, and vice versa. Therefore, one of my cardinal rules in planning travel whether for business or pleasure, is to identify some local dish and make that a highlight of the itinerary. It could be as humble as Miso Ramen in Shinjuku or as exalted as Baked King Crab with Salted Egg Sauce in Malaysia.

Must-Have Dishes Around the World

So, if I were to make a small list of my “must-have” dishes around the world, what would they be?

Georgetown, Penang

To start, no visit home to Georgetown would be complete without a jaunt to an Asam Laksa stall at the Pulau Tikus morning market. Getting that hot bowl of noodles with the spicy soup is a big “welcome home” for me. In Kuala Lumpur, Nasi Lemak with “extras” like Beef Rendang and Chicken Curry is the deal maker, whether purchased from a street vendor or at Madam Kwan’s.

Bangkok, Thailand

One of my early discoveries in Bangkok was wonderful Kang Panang Curry. This Thai curry (without coconut milk) is served at a former bungalow near Sukumvit Soi 24. Sadly, the restaurant recently closed and so I will have to look elsewhere for my favorite Thai curry.

Tokyo, Japan

When I am in Tokyo, I make my way like a migrating salmon upstream along the Yamanote JR Line to Nadai Unatoto. This small restaurant is tucked under a railway track just outside of Ueno station’s Shinobazu exit. They serve one of the best Grilled Unagi (freshwater eel) for a fraction of the price one would pay elsewhere in Tokyo.

Rome, Italy

On the other side of the world, when in Rome I do not go just for any Italian food. I discovered Roman Jewish food in the old Jewish quarter. Ristorante Il Pompiere is housed in a 15th century building and serves fantastic Lamb Shank with Artichokes. The lamb and gravy melts in your mouth, and you instantly realize why that lamb is so central to Jewish cuisine.

Speyer, Germany

I still have fond memories of that German restaurant in the cellar of the Rathaus (City Hall) in Speyer. I had delicious Saumagen (a thick local sausage) with their own brew of Weisen beer. Hopefully, by now they have gotten a better English translation for Saumagen in their menu. It sounded more like a biology textbook instead of a culinary delight.

More Delicious Eats on the Go

Wonderful cakes and coffee in Vienna. Great Indian food in London. And I could go on and on but I do need to stop for now. Time for dinner… 🙂

Disclosure: This is one of three blog posts I am writing in exchange for a discounted rate to attend IFBC 2017. All opinions are my own. For full disclaimer, please click here.