Dishes You Have To Try Once, by Travelzoo Deal Experts
From the southern coast of England to Japan’s Pacific shores, here are Travelzoo’s top picks for sampling some of the world’s most iconic dishes.
Catch of the day on Mersea Island, Essex
For top-quality British seafood, you can’t go wrong with The Company Shed, a rough-and-ready shack at 129 Coast Road on the estuary island of Mersea in Essex. It doesn’t take bookings and you might have to wait up to an hour for your food, but it’s "as famous among serious eaters as any Ivy or Ritz", says Tom Parker Bowles in the Daily Mail. The menu is short, simple and deals solely in seafood -- highlights include native Colchester oysters by the half dozen and plump scallops cooked with bacon. Diners must come prepared with their own bread to accompany their meal.
The Premier’s baguette in Paris
Not so much a dish as a mainstay of French cuisine, the humble baguette is "one of the most potent symbols of French culture", according to The Guardian. Every year, the best bakers in Paris compete in the prestigious Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris. Each loaf is marked on crust, dough, appearance, smell and taste, and the winner is rewarded with a 4,000€ prize and a 1-year contract to supply the President’s household. Admire the craftsmanship of 2015 winner, Djibril Bodain, at Grenier à Pain on 38 rue des Abbesses in Montmartre. The bakery is less than five minutes’ walk from Abbesses metro station.
Dining dangerously in Tokyo
Fugu (main picture), Japan’s infamous pufferfish dish, is not for the faint of heart. This poisonous fish has few edible parts and the toxins can be deadly, so its preparation is highly regulated and fugu chefs in Tokyo must renew their license every year. Try this Japanese delicacy at Usukifugu Yamadaya, a 3-Michelin-star restaurant on 4-11-14 Nishi-Azabu in the basement of a residential block in the Minato district. The tasting menu is a "rare treat", according to Time Out, and the near-translucent fugu sashimi is its highlight. Eat at the counter to watch the chefs at work.
The secret Catalan history of chocolate milk
Everyone’s heard of Nesquik, but did you know about its precursor: Cacaolat, invented by a Catalan named Joan Viader Roger? His chocolaty drink remains popular in Spain today and his descendants still run Granja M Viader, a traditional milk bar at 6 Carrer d’en Xucla, just off La Rambla in the centre of Barcelona. It is recommended by Albert Adria, of El Bulli fame, who says it’s a "classic place" that "represents the history of a city" (Where Chefs Eat) -- high praise indeed from a celebrated chef. The café also serves unctuous hot chocolate and crisp churros (doughnut sticks).
Become a true Berliner
You haven’t truly experienced Berlin until you’ve tasted currywurst, the fried pork sausage snack topped with spiced ketchup that’s become almost the culinary emblem of the city -- there’s even a museum dedicated to the dish at Schützenstraße 70, near Checkpoint Charlie. Berliners each have their own local, but Konnopke’s is one of the longest-standing establishments. This "famous sausage kitchen" (Lonely Planet) on Schönhauser Allee 44a has been going since the 30s and is one of the most popular in the city. Expect queues.