Food is an experience to be explored and enjoyed.

 

I agree with what Andrew Zimmern has said. Food can connect people and is even more critical when experiencing a different culture. The ethos and culture of a place shine through the cuisine.

When travelling to new destinations, I always love to try the local cuisine. During my visit to Thailand, I tried Miang Kham in a restaurant in Bangkok. 

The name Miang means “ one bite-size wrap”. I had heard great reviews of this dish. The chef told me that this is mainly eaten as an appetizer. When he placed the lotus petals wrapped bite-size appetizer dish on the table, I was eating it in more than one way. The visual appeal was incredible, and before I could eat with my mouth, I had eaten it with my eyes. The carefully planned dish balanced taste, texture and colours. The lotus petals are the focal point of this dish.

Lotus is an incredibly versatile flower. Besides looking beautiful, it is also edible. It has many nutritional benefits and is used for detoxifying and nourishing health. 

I love seafood, so even though the beautifully plated dish with lotus petals was feeding my eyes, I could not resist the urge to eat it.

"The world is getting more connected through technology and travel. Cuisines are evolving. Some people are scared of globalization, but I think people will always take pride in cultural heritage."John Mackey