Travel : Cheap Eats, Street foods and Local Dishes

All travel enthusiasts visit places to experience new things. Other than  sightseeing, and meeting new people and immersing myself into a new culture, traveling gave me opportunities to taste the country's local food.

Part of travel expenses is for the meals, and if I am traveling with a tight budget, I usually take advantage of the cheap places to eat and the ready-to-eat foods in the street. If I have extra budget, I am not hesitant to add extra amount if I want to try a high-end meal.

I am not an adventurous eater until I started going out and see places. Introducing new flavors to my taste buds somehow broaden my horizon with food.  

Below are the cheap and not so cheap food I tried in some of my travels.

1.  Momo from Nepal 

These bite-sized dumplings with vegetable or meat fillings are served steamed or fried. This is available in almost all restaurants in the land of the Himalayas. Our group remembered ordering momo three times when we were in Kathmandu. All food prices in Nepal are budget-friendly and so is this dumpling.

2. Oman's camel meat
Few local restaurants in Oman served camel meat. This tender-cooked adobo-style camel meat is a winner to my taste buds. A Yemeni restaurant in Aqur, in the Wilayat of Shinas has one of the best cooked camel meat in the sultanate.

3.  Basel's local chocolates and sausage

Switzerland is famous for chocolates, but chocolates, with no popular brands, sold in bazaars also had desirable and addictive tastes. Prices of food are also comparatively lower than that of the food sold in mall stalls.  I tried a uniquely designed chocolate in a local bazaar in Basel for 2 Switzerland francs. Its two thumbs up for their local sausage too.

4. Thailand's Congee and Milk Tea

This congee at a stall in Magic Food Point for 60 Baht is not bad at all. This food court at the first floor of BKK airport has a variety of meals for affordable prices (ranging from 30 to 100 Baht). I learned  this place by accident while waiting for the airport rail link to open on my way to Phaya Thai station.

5. Gudeg of Yogyakarta

This jackfruit cooked like adobo is a popular food in Yogyakarta Indonesia. For my blog on this dish, you may click this link : Gudeg : A Popular Food in Yogyakarta 

6. Osaka's Octopus Takoyaki

Where else to try this octopus ball-shaped snacks but from where it originated. Me and my friend Michelle had a taste of Osaka's authentic takoyaki while strolling the streets of Dotonbori.

7.  Taiwan's milk teas

Taiwan milk teas are famous not only where it originated but almost everywhere. My friend Michelle and I had tried seven different milk teas during our Taiwan visit. Canned milk teas from convenience store also taste good. A night visit to Shillin night market in Taipei is where we had tasted most of the country's milk teas.

8.  Sutlaci of Trabzon, Turkey

Other than Turkish delights, this famous dessert is a must-try if visiting the Hamsikoy village in Trabzon, Turkey. This creamy rice pudding topped with nuts is best served with tea.

9.  Tagine of Marakkesh

This popular stew (chicken or beef) is best served with couscous. Me and my friends had one of the best lunch trying a delicious beef tagine in TajinDarna restaurant in Marrakesh while overlooking the busy medina.