Enjoy Globally Blog How To Eat Like A Local When Traveling

When you happen to be traveling abroad (or even to a city within your own country), it can be a bit intimidating to try out new cuisines. But let me tell you one thing. You're traveling for a particular reason and often, you want to soak in some local culture and see how natives stick to their traditions. Some of you will get homesick and long for the typical food you'd eat back at home. And this applies for many from Western countries, especially Americans (please don't settle for less and find yourself eating a burger or pizza). Trust me, if you really want to make the most of your trip, food is a great way to experience the dining etiquette and customs of the local culture. Not only will you find these foods delicious (have an open-mind please!), you'll most likely crave for these dishes when you return home and find out that it is rather difficult to find!So here are some of the pointers to eating like a local when you are traveling.Do your research ahead of time. Many sites/mobile apps such as Yelp, OpenRice (for much of Asia) & Foursquare are great to use when looking for places where the locals eat at. Make a list of the top food joints you'd like to visit before you leave. This will help you be a little more organized so you're not scrambling around and settling for a less than desired meal.Ask locals! If you're riding in the cab, more than often the driver will be happy to give recommendations on where he or she would go. If you happen to ask your hotel concierge, ask them where they would personally go with friends for a meal instead of a "popular place amongst tourist."Use your eyes when you're in an area that's packed with people. Take a look at the crowd and the menu. If everything looks a bit too touristy and the menu is primarily in English, chances are it's mainly targeted toward tourists.Street food and hawker stalls are a good way to soak in some local cuisine (especially in places all over Asia or Latin America).Opt to stay at a local neighborhood instead of a hotel in a touristy part of town. Airbnb is a great site to use for this! Not only will you get more of a local experience but can find more everyday restaurants that locals dine at!Travel out of the city center and into a culturally rich neighborhood! Many times, these places are just minutes away (can be just a few train stations away) and full of delicious goodness you won't find in the middle of town.We are sure many of you have your own lists on how to get down like a local when you're jet-setting all around the globe. We'd love to hear your food stories and favorite travel destinations for food. Happy Travels,Roger MaEnjoy Globally