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Cooking, Recipe and Food Blog

How to Avoid Food Sickness When Traveling Abroad

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Traveling can be fun and exciting particularly when you get the opportunity to savor dishes you don’t normally eat at home. Your trip can be a unique gastronomic experience for you and your family.

Restaurants and small dining places abound in many places and sometimes, you don’t even have to spend much to be able to taste delectable local cuisine. In Thailand, for instance, visitors in the capital Bangkok can eat as much as they can at a fairly small price at the sidewalk stalls along that serve authentic and exotic Thai dishes. The same can be experienced in Hong Kong where tourists can enjoy noodles and other Chinese food on the street.

Bangkok - Venice of the East tourism destinations

Unfortunately, not everyone can easily take on new food despite their cravings. Some people’s digestive system can be very sensitive that it won’t allow them to taste all kinds of dishes including the exotic ones which can result in food sickness or worse, food poisoning. This condition can occur when you travel to developing countries where proper health regulations are not observed in dining places. It can definitely ruin your trip the reason why it’s best to be prepared all the time and know your limitations. [Read more…]

On the Streets: Singaporean Street Food

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If there is one country that can rival Thai street food in terms of popularity and taste, it’s Singapore. This neighboring country in the Southeast is known for Hawker stalls.

image by sekordua

One of the most notable things about Singapore cuisine is the variety in it. Being the melting pot of 5 cultures means it’s also the convergence of 5 unique cuisines. Everywhere you look, you’ll find Malay, Thai, Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern food. You’ll never have a problem satisfying your tastebuds.

Hawker stalls are small food stalls found in hawker centers everywhere in Singapore. For first-timer, don’t fret. With the stringent hygiene standards implemented in every food stall, you don’t have to worry that eating a plate of hawker food would put you down for the day.

image by Steve Nagata

Dining in hawker centers is very informal. There is central seating which is in a first come first served basis. But if the place is crowded, don’t hesitate to sit across from a stranger. Just ask politely and settle yourself down for a good meal.

Because there are so many hawker stalls and centers, prices are very affordable. With the high cost of living in Singapore, food is one thing you don’t have to splurge on. Singapore is known for its Hainanese chicken and this dish is best served in hawker stalls. Be adventurous and try any and all food that looks appealing. Don’t miss out on the great desserts as well. You’d be surprised at how many different tastes and experiences you’ll find in Singapore.

image by petrr

On the Streets: Thai Street Food

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If you really want to get a taste of a country’s culture, it’s a must to try their local cuisine. And, it doesn’t get more local than a nation’s street food. Street food is cooked by the people for the people. Vendors aren’t trained chefs or culinary geniuses, but they know what the locals want and how a national dish is supposed to taste like.

Thailand is famous for its street food. Nearly all dishes that are associated with this country can be bought in sidewalks, from street vendors and are cooked right in front of you. Many tourists are afraid of getting food poisoning from eating street food. Don’t let this fear stop you from sampling these treats! Just be sure to bring your own water and watch out for suspicious seafood.

image by Greg

Pad Thai is a famous Thai noodle dish. It’s also a very common treat found in every street corner. It’s basically just fried noodles with shrimp and tofu, yet no self-respecting Thai restaurant would be without it on their menu. For the best Pad Thai, scour the streets of Bangkok and you’re surely going to come across 10 places to buy one. Don’t be hesitant to try the Som Tam, shredded papaya salad with a spicy twist. Khao kha moo, stewed pork leg on rice, is a simple and filling dish that can rival Pork Satay as a great dinner or lunch dish. For dessert, sample some tua dum saku biak (black beans and tapioca balls) or the super sweet sakay chuem (breadfruit in syrup).

One other great thing about street food is that they are budget friendly! Not only do you get to immerse yourself in Thai culture, you can do so without burning a hole through your wallet. So enjoy and indulge in all that Thai street food has to offer.