This is certainly food for thought.
A recent one Reddit discussion highlighted how trips abroad can permanently change a traveler’s diet, with comments revealing foreign dishes they had on their travels that they now can’t stop eating.
‘Coffeewalnut05’ kicked off the discussion by asking: ‘What’s a food you fell in love with on your travels and now eat regularly?’
A smorgasbord of responses followed, with users highlighting addictive dishes they had tried in New York State, SingaporeBrazil and the Balkans.
And don’t worry, Franceone of your staples also makes the cut. Read on if you fancy more…
açaí, Brazil
Acai, pronounced ‘ah-sug-ee’, are small purple berries that grow on palm trees in South America. They are often served in smoothie bowls and according to some travelers, a taste of acai will definitely make you ‘ah-sigh’ for more.
Coffeewalnut05′ writes: ‘For me it’s acai from my time in Brazil. The classic acai ice cream with granola and banana is a favorite, but I prefer acai in its more “pure” form than a pulp/puree, so I still sometimes order it to have at home.
‘Unfortunately, in my country it’s not common to find acai sold like this in stores, and acai bowls are only a thing in specific places like London and some coastal areas.’
‘Coffeewalnut05’ says they are ordering acai pulp to enjoy at home after tasting it in Brazil
‘Lorlei’ agreed, adding: ‘So glad to see acai mentioned! I miss being abroad every day to be honest.’
Baguette and butter, France
France’s baguettes are so good Gained Unesco status. And many travelers can’t get enough of baguettes.
‘Itsthekumar’ says they love ‘baguettes and French butter’.
User ‘Sain197’ likes the ‘baguette, cheese and cheap red wine for dinner’ combo when in Paris, and ‘Pwlife’ said they ‘make baguettes almost every weekend’ after a trip to France.
Cinnamon Dusted Orange Slices, Morocco
According to several travelers, Morocco’s cinnamon-dusted oranges are unpeelable.
‘Brown_burrito’ writes: ‘This is so good! The cinnamon sugar elevates it. And if you want to make it extra special, you can get a crème brulee torch and glaze the cinnamon sugar. It will make them even better!’
‘Timbomcchoi’ says: ‘Oh wow, I forgot about this, thanks!’
Onigiri, Japan
‘Kikicataku’ buy onigiri every time they visit a Japanese market
Onigiri are Japanese rice balls, often filled with fillings such as salmon, and wrapped in seaweed.
‘Melonpan78’ says: ‘Discovered them in Japan, make them myself at least once a week. I usually put spicy chicken or salmon mayo inside.’
‘Kikicataku’ says: ‘The same! Every time I go to the Japanese market near me, I get a pickled plum onigiri and tuna mayo!’
Pasteis de nata, Portugal
Although the world is home to thousands of tasty desserts, there are nata quite like a portuguese custard tart.
‘Ehs5’ says: ‘After my first trip to Lisbon in 2017, I crave them all the time. However, properly made is not easy to obtain here in Norway.’
‘Janet–snakehole–’ says: ‘That’s what I came here to say too! It’s now my dessert to bake at home.’
And ‘Get-Me-Hennimore’ says: ‘I’ve only had the ones from Lidl in the UK. Which is really nice, but I don’t think anywhere near the right one?’
Buffalo wings, USA
One traveler “fell in love with buffalo wings” during a trip to Buffalo in New York State
A taste of buffalo wings started a lifelong relationship for one traveler, ‘Rude-Illustrator-884’, who says: ‘This is going to sound crazy, but buffalo wings. I grew up in the Middle East and never had them.
“We stopped in Buffalo, New York on a trip from NYC to Niagara Falls and we got some wings from there because my parents wanted me to try them since we were in Buffalo. I fell in love with buffalo wings.’
‘Toomuchsauce68’ adds: ‘When my grandmother came to visit us in the US from Vietnam, buffalo wings became her favorite thing too.’
Tomatoes, Europe
Sometimes it’s the simple ingredients that are downright delicious.
‘Cakeit-tillyoumakeit’ says: ‘For the first 24 years of my life I hated tomatoes, but then I went to Italy and fell in love with Caprese salads and bruschetta and now I love tomatoes. My family couldn’t believe it when I got home and started eating tomatoes.’
‘Taace1ila’ says: ‘The same! I hated tomatoes until I ate a traditional Greek salad in Greece. Now I feast on farmers’ market tomatoes in the summer.’
Pandan cake, Singapore
One user fell for the grassy flavor of tropical plant pandan while in Singapore and now makes pandan cakes (file photo above)
The grassy scent of tropical plant pandan is a winner for some commenters, with user ‘An Ander-storie’ answering the question with ‘pandan cake!’
They continue: ‘I bought four bottles of extract the last time I was in Singapore. I’m moving into a new flat at the end of the month, and I’ve decided (pandankoek) is the first thing I’ll bake to celebrate.’
‘Marcybq’ adds: ‘Anything pandan flavored when I can find it, which is rare. Had a lot of it in SE Asia and can’t get enough of that soft grassy scent.’
Haggis is made from sheep’s heart, liver, stomach and lungs, with the latter ingredient being illegal to import into the US since 1971.
US user ‘Far-link-7533’ tried it in London and was quoted as saying: ‘I tried it for the first time in London and it was amazing. Not what I expected in the least and if I could get it in the States I would.’
Bread with tomato, Spain
Simple but tasty, Spain’s pan con tomate, toasted bread topped with tomatoes, is a real winner for some travelers.
‘Educational-Unit3746’ says they make it with their own sourdough and tomatoes from their garden.
‘Outside-Limit-3084’ says: ‘Second it! I add a little chilli oil and eat it twice a week.’
Ajvar, Balkans
Balkan favorite Ajvar is the ‘ultimate spice’, according to one traveller
Ajvar is a red pepper paste popular in the Balkans and according to some Reddit users ‘perfect’.
‘Schnitzalbrain’ writes: ‘Absolutely love the stuff. It’s like a roasted pepper and vegetable sauce and it just hits perfectly. I usually get a spicy one and eat it with scrambled eggs.’
‘Gratusin’ says: ‘My wife is Slovenian, so half of our garden seems to go into making ajvar. We can and do eat it all year round. It is the ultimate spice. I make a spicy version with New Mexico chilies and it’s perfect.’
Spaghetti carbonara, Italy
On the other hand, two travelers said that Italy’s carbonara was so good that they couldn’t eat it again outside the country.
‘Nzhawkster1’ says: ‘I recently had spaghetti carbonara while on holiday in Italy and it was so good I will never have it again unless I’m in Italy because nothing else will come close.’
‘AndyVale’ adds: ‘The guanciale (salt-cured pork cheek) was the big difference for me. Pancetta or sliced bacon just doesn’t crisp up on the outside and melt on the inside like it does.’
