Eating local dishes abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is eating local dishes abroad like?

• Eating local dishes means experiencing a country's cuisine the way the locals do. From street food to traditional meals and regional specialties.
• Naturally, it is largely about the delicious (or not so delicious) flavors of food, but for many, it is more than that. By trying the local cuisine, you also discover a culture through flavors, ingredients, and customs.
• Eating locally often gives you a better picture of daily life than sightseeing alone.
• What also makes eating dishes from another country different from home is that food is different and strongly connected to culture, and therefore often to rules, expectations, and customs that may be new to you.

For example, you might notice that:

• eating moments and times are different.
• sharing food is normal, or conversely, not.
• table manners differ (eating with hands, slurping, being silent, or talking).
• certain dishes can be culturally or religiously sensitive.

It helps to:

• first observe how others eat.
• be open to new things (but of course also know your own limits).
• treat what is offered with respect.
• ask questions where necessary (e.g., about ingredients).

In practice, you will notice that:

• sometimes you don't know exactly what you are eating, but precisely because of that, you discover more.
• what you eat, and whether you refuse something, can also be interpreted differently. In some cultures, tasting everything is a sign of respect, while elsewhere politeness actually means that you can decline something. Therefore, eating local food abroad requires not only curiosity but also awareness.
• eating is often a social activity where you make contact more easily. 
• you step out of your comfort zone (taste, texture, environment).
• small eating moments often become big memories.

What are the reasons for eating local dishes abroad?

• To better understand a culture through daily habits and traditions: food shows how people live and come together.
• To discover new flavors and experiences: you are open to what you do not yet know. You taste and experience the culture differently through your taste pallet.
• To connect with people and situations: food brings you closer to locals and their way of life. Often people are very proud of their local kitchen, and like to share their ideas and recipes. Food is most of the time a safe and popular topic to discuss.
• To make more conscious choices about what you eat: you think about origin, ingredients, and customs. 
• To try new things with more confidence: you dare to step outside your comfort zone and might even challenge or surprise yourself.

What skills and motivations do you need to eat local dishes abroad?

• Being aware of the surroundings: you recognize cultural differences and adapt your behavior accordingly.
• Flexibility: you can handle unfamiliar flavors, textures, and eating occasions.
• Empathy: you respect customs and traditions surrounding food.
• Courage: you try out new dishes and situations.
• Forming judgments: you make conscious choices about what you do and do not eat.

What are the best countries and locations to eat local dishes abroad?

• Street food and local food culture: Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia.
• Strong culinary traditions: Italy, France, Japan, India.
• Adventurous cuisines: Peru, Morocco, South Korea, Ethiopia.

What are the risks of eating local dishes abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of eating local dishes abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you become ill due to food hygiene, bacteria, or preparation methods your body is not used to.
• that you have difficulty explaining your allergies or dietary requirements, which poses risks to your health.
• that you eat something that does not fit your values ​​or beliefs without realizing it.
• that you feel uncomfortable due to unfamiliar eating habits or social situations.
• that you remain too cautious and consequently miss out on many experiences.
• that costs increase because you often eat out or eat at (expensive) tourist restaurants.
• that you develop gastrointestinal issues due to changes in diet. 
• that you get a distorted view of the local cuisine by only visiting tourist restaurants.

Are you insured while eating local dishes abroad?

• During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.