For many people, one of the best parts of traveling the world is trying new local food. It’s all about the flavors and street food and the fun cultural experience.
But what if you are picky?
What if you don’t like spicy food?
What if you’ve never tried Thai food before?
Can you still travel?
Absolutely! When I started traveling, I had never eaten rice or eggs before. I had never tried Thai food or Indian food or Chinese food or Mexican food or… I was the pickiest eater you have ever encountered. However, I have been traveling the world successfully for five years and we continue to count. This is how I did it.
Grocery stores are your friend
If you find the local food too intimidating, head to the nearest 7 Eleven or equivalent supermarket. Even if you don’t recognize the brands, you will be able to find simple foods that you know you will be able to eat. I’ve always been able to find Pringles in every grocery store I’ve visited while traveling, making it a great backup option.
In grocery stores, you can also find food to cook dinners in the kitchens of the hostels. Pasta is always a good option if you are struggling with local food, such as bread for sandwiches and vegetables for a salad.
Street food is not as bad as it seems
I was terrified of street food when I first started traveling, but once I mustered the courage to try them, a whole new world opened up for me.
Street food is wonderful because it is cheap, delicious, and extremely safe. In fact, after five years of travel, the only time I’ve had food poisoning has been when I was eating at restaurants – I’ve never had street food that makes me sick!
Remember to find a busy position; That way, you have the guarantee that the food is safe and there will be a high turnover. Start with something basic: curly potatoes on a stick, fried meat on a stick, or grilled squid. Once you’ve conquered the easier dishes, you can do something a little tougher.
Try new things but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t like them
Traveling is about new experiences, and eating local food is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to something unusual.
The best way to do this is to go out to eat with some friends that you have made at the hostel. Order something that you are comfortable eating, and then ask if you can try some of their dishes. Just take a small bite and see how you like the flavors. It was doing this that introduced me to new dishes and helped me overcome my fear of trying new foods.
What if you don’t like the food? Absolutely nothing! You tried something and you didn’t like it. There is nothing wrong with that.
Research where to eat ahead of time
Before eating out, take a look online at some restaurant options and check the menu to see if there’s anything you’ll be eating. You won’t have to worry about being faced with a menu full of items you don’t eat, and you’ll know from reviews that food is safe. The last thing you need is to get sick while traveling.
Try to find a staple in each country
Let’s face it: it’s a bit of a shame to be picky when you travel. For many people, it means that you are a bad traveler, because you are not exposing yourself to the local culture.
To try to mitigate that embarrassment, try to find a local dish in each country that you can eat, even if it’s something simple like fried chicken rice. Once you’ve done this, you can avoid any embarrassing questions about your eating habits, and you can silence the haters.
