The Culinary Explorer

I could describe myself as a culinary explorer. For many people, food simply means survival. That is, being able to eat three times a day everyday is all that is needed. They have a point.

I find that everyday habits can tell a good story about people and different cultures, though. Food is part of them. For instance, the ingredients and foods available can tell us about the influence that other cultures may have had in a specific area. This is something we do not find that easily on history books, where they usually talk about deeds, battles, years. But, we do know for a fact that nutrition played an important role in Nelson´s victory centuries ago.

In London, I am enjoying getting to know more about other cuisines, including the British! Groups of people from different nationalities seem to concentrate in some specific areas. For instance, near Manor House, in Green Lanes area, there are many Turkish. Down that road, I believe there are Kurds. In New Malden, Korean, etc. Each area have specific shops and restaurant serving regional cuisines. I loved the Turkish bakery on Green Lanes.

What I just can´t have is insects. I know there are a few places here where they sell edible insects, which many people over the world eat.

What types of cuisines have you tried? Any recommendations? Here are some of the cuisines and restaurants that I have tried so far:

• Vietnamese.
  I simply love their spring rolls. They are so different from the Chinese! I liked this place called Cay Tre in Old Street.
• Portuguese.
  There are so many nice Portuguese/ Brazilian cafés all over the place, eg, the one on Willesden Green High Street.
• Ethiopian.
  I thoroughly recommend Lalibela – genuine, well-cooked food and good service.
• French.
  I love their cheeses and bread. I tried one with work, a very expensive restaurant that I found unsubstantial.
• Australian.
  Kangaroo meat was really tasty! I tried it over time at different places over time where they had it on the menu.
• Scandinavian.
  Off Tottenham Court Road, there is this bar called Nordic. I loved their love for anchovies!
• Dutch.
  I tried it in De Hems pub near China Town. I love kroketten and bitterballen! Any good recommendations?
• German.
  I have mostly tried it in Germany and in the Christmas markets. Nice sausages!
• Thai.
  Their currys are so tasty. I particularly enjoyed the green curry. I liked this small one on Chalk Farm Road, just opposite the market.
• Greek.
  I have tried some in the Baker Street area. I haven´t found yet a Greek that I fully enjoy. I love their moussaka, houmous, etc.
• Polish.
  If you like meat, you´ll enjoy so much! I also like their `pierogi´. Get it in Camden Market, for example. Any recommendations?
• Mexican.
  I believe that most of the Mexican food is `Tex-Mex´, ie, no Mexican at all. People talk great things about Mestizo, near Warren Street on Hampstead Road.
• Venezuelan.
  We went to this `greasy spoon´cafe, Mi cocina es tuya. Food and service were amazing. Try their `tres leches´cake.
  

  Tres leches cake

• Argentinian.
  Oh, lovely meat `empanadas´. Get some in Camden Market.
• Chinese.
  A colleague, very fussy with his food, took us all to the Feng Shui Innin China Town. No regrets.
  

  Aubergines at the Feng Shui Inn

• Irish.
  Colcannon is nice. It´s just mash with veg, but I enjoy simple food.
• Moroccan.
  Nice cous-cous, but I find that variety is not a characteristic of their cusine. I tried a nice one in Soho.
• Lebanese.
  I like these restaurant in Shepherd´s Bush, Abu Zaad, which a Lebanese has recommended to me.
• Jamaican.
  Jerk chicken is really tasty. I have also tried plantain and some other things. I find that I have to be careful, as these foods can be quite filling. The Notting Hill Carnival is the best place to try, altough the Jamaican guy at the Queen´s Crescent market cooks some very decent jerk chicken too.

As for British, I´d say that pub food can be so good. I like their venison sausages quite a bit, and a good Sunday roast or a full English the day after partying hard is glorious! I like St John´s Tavern, in Archway. What about you?

Bon appétit!