10 Most Underrated Food Destinations According to Chefs
We’ve had a whole year to fantasize about all the places we want to go when it’s possible again, and especially about everything we want to eat there. There was already a list of the most delicious dishes you can find in certain places, but of course there are also destinations (with great food) that may not immediately be top of mind when you’re planning a food trip. But according to a number of chefs from around the world, these lesser-known destinations should definitely be on your bucket list:
Many chefs have travelled the world themselves in search of inspiration and kindred spirits, making them a fantastic source of knowledge and tips! So we definitely want to visit these cities too, and then spend the entire day dragging ourselves from one meal to the next…
Singapore
Chef Emily Yuen lived in Singapore for three years before moving to New York, and says she has never eaten as well anywhere else. In her view, it’s the melting pot of all of Asia, and of course you can’t go there without eating yourself silly at the famous hawker stalls in the many food halls.
Modena
Modena, recommended by London chef James Cochran, may be known as the place to go for balsamic vinegar, but it is also home to Massimo Bottura’s world-famous restaurant Osteria Francescana** for good reason. (By the way, this is how you make Massimo’s pesto!). You’re also not far from Parma and Bologna, so when it comes to cheese and pasta, you’re completely spoiled for choice.
Seattle
Due to the pandemic, Erick Williams, a restaurant owner and chef in Chicago, names a destination closer to home: Seattle (in Washington state). He feels that the food scene there doesn’t get enough recognition, so he is happy to champion it, praising its “phenomenal talent for preparing local, wild ingredients”.
Taizhou
If you’re visiting eastern China, Hong Kong chef May Chow says you shouldn’t miss the city of Taizhou. She describes the city as offering an incredible range of unique fish and seafood, rustic countryside food, fresh mochi, beautiful patisserie, all nestled in a stunning mountain landscape. She certainly knows how to sell it—we want to go!
Kep
According to Montreal-based chef Chanty Yen, colourful Kep in Cambodia is the most underrated food destination in the world. With street-food stalls along the white sandy beaches, every kind of fish you could imagine, local Kampot chillies, fresh coconut water, and beautifully decaying old French colonial architecture in town, it’s a dream of a place, according to Yen.
Montreal
Although it isn’t immediately mentioned in the same breath as famous food cities such as New York, Tokyo and Mexico City, Montreal is truly a fantastic place to visit if you love exceptionally good food and drink, according to chefs. With a strong emphasis on quality and execution, as well as accessibility (for everyone), this is a city where both fine-dining enthusiasts and fans of cosy bistros will be pleasantly surprised.
Verona
If you want to look beyond Rome, Florence and Venice, and you can now tick Modena off your list too, there’s always Verona. Feel like Romeo or Juliet, but above all visit the many fantastic trattorias, aperitivo and wine bars, or treat yourself to luxurious classic menus; according to Tim Siadatan, who runs the excellent Italian restaurants Trullo and Padella in London, you can do it all here.
Mendoza
Let’s hop over to South America and visit the wine region of Mendoza in Argentina. Argentinian chef Agustin Balbi naturally praises it for its excellent wines, but he says the food is fantastic too. Nothing beats a huge open-fire asado (open-fire grill), eating Patagonia lamb straight from the grill while looking at the snow-capped Andes with a glass of Malbec in your hand. Sign us up!
Seville
Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias readily admits that he is biased, because he was born there… but the tapas here really are the very best! Fantastic fresh Spanish produce, and because it’s so affordable, you can try everything. Bacalao (salted cod) and white prawns are classics, but one thing you absolutely must not miss is the local jamón. Look for ham from free-range pigs for an unrivalled tender texture and complex flavour profile.
Odisha
Odisha is a state in India, and according to chef Saransh Goila, far too few people visiting the country know that they shouldn’t miss this destination if they are true foodies. Visit the cities of Bhubaneswar and Puri for their incredible gastronomy—for example, the Jagannath Temple, where food is cooked on more than 700 stoves. Incredible!
Also read:
- Pack your bags (and bring a light wallet): these are the cheapest Michelin meals in the world
- Why Jamón Ibérico de Bellota is the most delicious ham in the world
- Hit by coronavirus: Chinatowns around the world are suffering enormously from the pandemic
Source: Timeout
