Food-centric travel reads

[Ariel Schor]

I've been a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain ever since "Kitchen Confidential" came out, and as a professional cook, I am all but obsessed with food. Through "A Cook's Tour" and "No Reservations" I have definitely been bit by the travel bug, and am now starting to look for destinations for travel.

I want to find books about specific countries or regions with a first person narrative, essentially a log of a journey but mainly food centric. I am mostly interested in South and Central America, Mediterranean Europe, North Africa, India/Sri Lanka and Asia. Any Suggestions?

[tsquare]

Eating India is more about food than travel, but is very informative and interesting.

[prasantrin]

I was at McNalley-Robinson (Grant Park branch) one day, and found a book of travel essays, all of which were written about food. I can't remember the name off-hand, but it was a pretty easy find.

(ETA--how was MSP?)

Edited March 31, 2009 by prasantrin (log)

[Alex]

Check out these books by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid (do an Amazon search on their last names):

Hot Sour Salty Sweet (Southeast Asia)

Mangoes & Curry Leaves (The Subcontinent -- India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc.)

Beyond the Great Wall (outlying regions of China -- Tibet, Mongolia, etc.)

Flatbreads & Flavors (the world)

And speaking of food and travel, if you've never read anything by Calvin Trillin, you should. I recommend starting with Alice, Let's Eat.

[melamed]

Savouring the East

Feast and Stories from Istanbul to Bali-David Burton

1996, its not very new and but its ok (his Felafel recipe calls for boiling the

chickpeas first, don't do that)

[Sartain]

Around the World in 80 Dinners - Bill and Cheryl Jamison - fits the bill. Very enjoyable read.

[anm]

Eating India is more about food than travel, but is very informative and interesting.

Infact it should be "Renamed Eating and thinking of only Bengal" Rest of India is conveniently ignored/sneered at .

My recommendations although may not be travel centric may be

"Shark Fin and Sichuan Pepper"

"Untangling My chopsticks"

"Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China "

Edited April 11, 2010 by anm (log)

[daisy17]

I have to second Fuchsia Dunlop's "Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper." Fantastic read.

[Shalmanese]

The Man who Ate the World by Jay Rayner (Food Critic for the Observer, Top Chef Masters Judge) is a story about his quest to travel the world to find "the perfect meal". Much more about fancy restaurants than street food but a gripping read nonetheless.

Edited April 11, 2010 by Shalmanese (log)