#and those countries are also the homes of the cultures that eat the spiciest foods

[longlivetv]

In so many parts of the world, the hottest temperatures are accompanied by the spiciest of foods

Meanwhile I come from people who think black pepper is spicy and am dying eating buffalo sauce on a hot day

[purplesurveys]

1180

The last time you washed your hair, did you use conditioner? Yeah, I’m pretty paranoid and always feel the need to use conditioner because of a bad rebonding job from like a decade ago that stiffened up my hair as soon as it would get wet. It lasted for around a year, so I formed the habit of always using conditioner every time I shower. I don’t think I’ve ever used just shampoo since then.

Do you prefer light or dark jeans?  Dark, but I suppose it would be nice to start experimenting with lighter shades as well.

When you listen to music, do you generally sing along, or just listen?  It depends if I know the lyrics or I’m feeling the song at the moment. Obviously with my new obsession with BTS I can’t really sing along to entire songs, but I do sing the few English lyrics they have per song, hahaha.

Do you have any of your exes as friends on Facebook?  Yeah but she’s been muted for like half a year already, as is the rest of her family. I do have plans to unfriend her entirely; I’m just not sure when I would push through with it, and I already gave Angela permission to log onto my account one of these days to be the one to do the unfriending.

Who was your first love? Do you ever miss that person?  Gabie. I miss the friendship sometimes; I don’t think I’ll have a friendship as deep and connected as the one we had, so I will always feel sorry about how that went to waste. But I don’t really think about our relationship anymore as I’m pretty good at blocking off certain memories, so I don’t miss her in that sense.

How many cars are parked at your house right now?  Two.

Do you have any Italian ancestry?  I highly doubt so. If anything there’s probably a tiny drop Spanish blood in there but that’s the most European I’ll ever get.

Do you prefer water to be ice cold or at room temperature?  Like, drinking water? Ice cold, always. I hate warm water.

Has anyone ever told you you’re a control freak?  Not to my face, but I know I’m one so I’m sure other people have said that about me at least behind my back.

Do you know anyone who has gone missing? If so, were they ever found?  Yes, my friend Mik and one of my aunts. They were both found eventually.

What was the spiciest thing you’ve ever eaten?  Eating ghost pepper instant noodles was a pain I would never want to go through again...I threw that shit out after my first forkful, lmao.

Do you need to talk to someone?  No, not in particular. In a more general sense I do wanna start gaining more friends though, so I’ve been meaning to expand my circle by creating a new Twitter account just for my BTS dump. In other words, I am a 23 year old with a stan Twitter HAHAHAHA

Is something confusing you at the moment?  No, I’m good.

When was the last time you had a real deep chat?  Maybe my conversation with Andi a couple of nights back. We were talking about a tricky situation with their ex-friend who turned out to be a real dick when they came out to him a year ago, and they just wanted to get my perspective on how I would handle it.

Who did you last see on webcam?  The PR manager for one of our clients, who we all despise because he doesn’t know how to do his job. Thankfully he’s resigning soon so we’re all just waiting for him to leave and finally meet a much more competent replacement.

What’s your best friend’s pet’s name(s)?  Angela has two dogs, Hailey and Kennedy. Andi had Apollo, who I wanted to meet so badly but sadly he passed away a week ago at 15.

Have you ever taken a picture while laying in the grass?  There are photos of me sitting on grass, but not lying in it. I would imagine that would feel very prickly and uncomfortable.

Who’s your favorite Disney character? Baymax or Flynn Rider.

Have you ever deliberately tried to get someone drunk?  I’ve made my friends chug drinks or down shots and it’s happened vice versa, but it was always in good fun and we never made each other harassed from it. It’s just your typical college rambunctiousness, and if anyone felt uncomfortable or iffy then we didn’t hesitate to move on.

When was the last time you used a pay phone and who were you calling?  I’ve only ever seen those in my first school, when I was in kindergarten. I never got to use it and they also took them out not long after.

Do you like being kissed on the neck?  Yessssssssss

Have you ever had sex with someone you weren’t dating (but had feelings for) in the hopes that they would ask you out later?  Nope. I don’t think I would have sex with anyone I wasn’t dating.

What’s the most you would be willing to spend on a good bra?  Probably a couple thousand bucks if I thought I looked good in it.

Do you have any of your teachers’ personal cell phone numbers saved in your contacts list?  I don’t think so. I never tried getting close with any of them, and I always tried to stay hidden as much as possible. I was just in class to get good grades and pass.

Do you ever stalk peoples’ personal blogs, even if you don’t know them very well?  I never really scroll through people’s Tumblrs anymore. That was more of a thing I did in like 2013, but these days going through my dashboard is enough.

What’s one thing about today’s generation that you just can’t stand?  Some social media trends done for clout make me revolted, especially when it has anything to do with wasting food. I also hate when they do extreme pranks that I know I wouldn’t find funny if I were ever the victim, like tossing someone’s phone into the ocean.

Be honest: how do you feel about abortion?  Pro-choice. 

Is there anyone you currently want to reach out to?  I would love to catch up with Katreen at some point, but I know we’re at different points in our lives now and it would probably never happen.

What is your favorite piece of art you own?  I commissioned my sister to make an artwork of the 2D1N cast, and she did a great job making it! I haven’t gotten to use it or promote it yet, but I will soon. It’s really well-done.

What’s the one thing you apologized for this month?  Replying late.

My favorite color is ______?  Pastel pink.

I wish I had _____?  Longer weekends.

What did you buy today? Nothing – I’d call that a success lmao, I’ve been spending money as if I had a million fucking bucks over the last week. I did have some packages arrive today though: my own copy of 2 Cool 4 Skool (my first physical BTS album!!!!!!); the official poster from their album BE; the Ivy Park sneakers I ordered earlier this month, and an Ivy Park bucket hat Bea had apparently gotten for me as a birthday present.

What has challenged your morals?  Vices.

What made you pick up the last book you started reading?  I had to read it in preparation for a one-on-one session with my employer’s CEO.

What about your life concerns you the most? Whether a stable future is in the cards for me.

What do you find particularly offensive? Would you say you’re easy or difficult to offend?  Probably Filipino-American comedians or influencers who use stereotyping of Filipino accents and habits as a punchline; they do more harm to the culture than good. I can tell you not one Filipino who lives in the Philippines actually finds those funny, and Bretman Rock is probably the only personality who’s able to flaunt the culture in an entertaining and hilarious yet classy way.

When it comes to being offended, I guess it depends on the context. My humor can get pretty dark and low-blowy, but I would have a problem with someone who I know has genuinely problematic views.

What was the last series you finished watching? Do you have any plans to begin another?  I think it may had still been Start-Up from last December. I’m not too big on Korean dramas since I find one episode waaaaaaayyyyyyy too long. I don’t think I’ll be starting on anything soon, Korean or otherwise.

What is one way in which you are different from a year ago? What is one way in which you are still the same?  I’m single now, for the first time in technically six years. I also think I’m doing better and happier, breakup notwithstanding. OH and I love wasabi now, hahah. As for what’s unchanged, I still like taking surveys and I’m still stuck at home, though the latter’s not really in my control anymore.

If you could learn about anything without the stress of grades or cost, what kind of classes would you take?  I’d just go back to UP for the free tuition. We also have the widest range of programs out of any university in the country, so it’s a damn good deal.

Name a song you’ve listened to today?  Fly To My Room - BTS

When you were younger, did you have a swing set or a playhouse in your backyard?  We didn’t; but one of our relatives that we’d regularly visit did have a playground that I’d use all the time. It’s still there, just very unmaintained since no one uses it anymore.

Is your mall nice?  Which one? We have five different malls nearby lol. Mall culture here is on another level.

Do you have a Sonic near you? If so, what’s your favorite drink from there?  No. I’m not so sure what they serve there, either. I’m guessing milkshakes?

Will you be voting in the presidential elections next time around?  I’ll always exercise my right to vote.

How do you feel about chocolate-covered strawberries?  I hate strawberries and I hate fruits, so even if you coat that shit in Nutella and cookie butter and chocolate syrup I still wouldn’t touch it.

Did you ever stop having feelings for someone and then started having those feelings again for them? No.

Do you hate the last guy you had a thing with?  I’ve never had a thing with guys.

To whom did you last give the finger?  I haven’t had to do that in a while.

What was the last musical instrument played in your presence?  My sister’s keyboard.

Do you like sprinkles on your ice cream?  Not particularly. They make things look cute, but they never taste like anything tbh so I never saw the point in paying extra just to have them on my desserts.

Honestly, have you ever crashed a party before?  Nah. I cringe thinking about that.

Do you know how to do the moon walk?  I don’t.

Has anybody ever told you that you have a good singing voice?  Never gotten that specific compliment before because I know I don’t have one.

Onion rings or french fries?  Onion rings.

Has anybody ever described you as a heart breaker? No.

Has anybody ever told you that you talk too fast?  I don’t think so, but I know I have the tendency to do so occasionally, especially while I’m presenting a deck. Once I notice it I make an effort to pace myself.

Who is the best cook that you know?  My dad and both my grandmas all deserve that title.

Which meal throughout the day do you skip the most?  I literally never have lunch ever.

What’s the largest amount that you can juggle at one time?  I can’t juggle.

What was your favorite thing to go on at the playground as a kid?  Sandboxes, since I liked the texture; the sandboxes in school were also often empty, which worked well for my introvert self. I find that it’s carried over to today, since I still enjoy touching things like slime and kinetic sand.

Do you know how much you weighed at birth? How much?  I think 5 or 6 lbs, I’m not exactly sure but it’s definitely somewhere in that small range.

Which aspect of your daily routine takes the most time? What do you do?  Work, for sure. I work a normal 9–6 so that’s already 8 hours out of my day, but I also OT a lot after hours, and I work throughout my lunch break as well so that technically makes it 9 hours. I also like getting up earlier and starting some work before my shift so that I would have less tasks on my plate for the day.

Do you enjoy buying gifts for others, or could you do without this?  I LOVE getting people gifts. Food is especially my love language, and I always get food delivery for my friends, family, and my team at work.

What is one thing you are expected to do, if anything?  I mean, I have work deadlines tomorrow so there’s that.

How do you tend to view driving? Monotonous or entertaining?  I love driving. I don’t think I ever complained about having to do it. It’s calming and relaxing when I’m doing it alone or with a partner; and it can be entertaining with the right set of people.

Do you enjoy talking about music with others? Not always. If I don’t listen to the artist then I can find the conversation quite boring, like if my friends would get into a full-blown discussion about Taylor Swift.

Is acting something you enjoy?  No. It wouldn’t even be something I’d be interested in doing.

When do you feel most accomplished?  Finishing a work day with no tasks left behind.

Do you think Manwich is amazing or completely gross?  Idk what that is.

How many best friends do you have?  Two.

Are you a smoker, drinker, pothead or none of the above?  I drink sometimes. I also kinda smoke, I guess.

If you have your ears pierced, when did you get them pierced?  My mom had them pierced when I was a month old.

Do you own any exercise machines?  My mom has this rowing equipment thingy. I don’t have any of my own, though.

On Facebook, do you have people listed as your siblings who aren’t really your siblings?  No.

Have you ever drawn or painted a self-portrait?  I remember having to draw one as a school assignment, but I’m pretty sure I half-assed that because I couldn’t care less for art class back then.

Who was your last voicemail from?  We don’t have voicemails.

Have you ever been falsely accused of something serious?  I don’t think so. That’s the sort of situation that would stick out in my memory if ever.

Did you ever set up a lemonade stand when you were a kid?  No, not a thing here.

When was the last time you spoke to someone in a different language?  Around an hour ago when I went downstairs and chatted with my sister briefly.

Have you ever received an anonymous gift?  Nope.

Have you ever camped out somewhere for an event the next day?  Nope but I definitely still wouldn’t be opposed to doing that haha.

When were you the saddest in your life? 2016 was fucking miserable. < I’d have to agree. 2017 was also awful.

Do you know anyone, personally, who is in an abusive relationship? Are you?  I used to know one but she got out of it. In a sense, I suppose I also was in one.

If you have siblings, have they moved out or do they still live with you?  Well they’re younger, so they definitely still live here, with our parents. I’m the first one expected to move out, but I’m taking my time.

Have you ever gotten searched by the cops?  No.

Do you like fried rice?  Of course. I like any kind of rice.

What was the last thing you drank?  Water.

[joeyshurtleff]

My Best Travel Recommendations

This is part 3 of a series: Two Years In

My 9 Favorite Cities to Visit So Far

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a beautiful and vibrant European city. The layout of the city is very special, with its canals, small stone streets, and slender houses. There’s lots for a tourist to do - a boat ride in the aforementioned canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, a tour of the famous Red Light District, and even a lazy afternoon at one of the famous “coffee shops”. Although Dutch cuisine isn’t my favorite, we still found plenty of delicious food… the cocktails and small-bites at Tales and Spirits are fantastic, the traditional Indonesian Rijsttafel is a great experience, you’re never far away from some pickled herring, and there’s enough international cuisine to satisfy most palettes.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a prototypical southeast Asian city, with all the skyscrapers, traffic, affordability, and general vibrance that’s characteristic of the region, but without much of the dirtiness and dilapidation that is found in many other southeast Asian capitals. Bangkok has enough temples to keep most tourists busy for a few days, and there are quite a few day trips one can take after that, including Ayuttaha, which is the former capital of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s so much incredible food in Bangkok, from world-famous street food to world-class and (relatively) affordable fine dining. The fine-dining highlight is Gaggan, a “progressive Indian” restaurant which was voted the best restaurant in Asia for four years in a row; other fine-dining standouts include Nahm (probably the spiciest fine-dining in the world) and Issaya Siamese Club. Fine-dining aside, Thai food is a favorite of mine; it’s easy to eat healthily and everything is exceptionally flavorful.

Barcelona

Barcelona is an understandably proud city in the understandably proud Catalonia region. It is a walkable city with pleasant year-round weather and beautiful architecture. This architecture is highlighted by the Gothic Quarter and by the many masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi, the centerpiece of which is La Sagrada Familia, arguably the most beautiful church in the world. If exploring the city isn’t enough, Montserrat, a mountain-top monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Mediterranean coast wine region are both a short drive away. Barcelona also has an exceptional food scene. There are gourmet tapas bars all over the city, serving well-prepared dishes with premium ingredients alongside delicious local wines, at a bargain price. Fine-dining in Barcelona is second-to-none, with many world-class restaurants run by alumni of Ferran Adria’s groundbreaking restaurant El Bulli, including two world-class restaurants started by Ferran’s brother Albert Adria.

Hanoi

Hanoi’s old quarter is one of the most charming old-city areas anywhere, and a welcome respite from the rest of the hyper-urbanized chaos of most Southeast Asian cities. Although there are tourist streets and tourist traps, its relatively easy to steer clear and have a more authentic experience. I recommend starting each day with a bowl or two of street-side pho, while seated on a tiny plastic stool of course, and, at night, I recommend taking a food tour to sample the delicious morsels that hide in Hanoi’s back alleys. While visiting Hanoi, one must set aside one night to stay on a boat on Ha Long Bay, one of the most beautiful places on earth.

London

London is truly a city that has something for everyone. History, monuments, and museums abound, and when you find yourself in need of a break, pop into a local pub (an independent one, not one of the tourist pubs owned by a pub chain) or find a classic establishment for high tea. London has an excellent mid-range dining scene that covers just about every culinary genre, a strong high-end dining scene starring The Ledbury and The Clove Club, and one of the two best cocktail scenes anywhere, comparable to only New York.

Mexico City

Forget any preconceived notions you might have about Mexico City and find time for a visit. Most of the city’s many interesting neighborhoods are as safe as anywhere back home, and the city is easy to explore by foot or by Uber. As you would expect, the food is delicious, plentiful, and inexpensive. There’s also a world-class fine dining scene, highlighted by Pujol, a perennial contender for top restaurant in Latin America and home to a 1500+ day-old mole, presented simply with a newer mole and fresh tortillas.

Moscow

Moscow is a fascinating city, historic and chaotic at every turn. The architecture, unlike that of Saint Petersburg, is straight out the Soviet era, with gargantuan monolithic architectural delights aplenty. Despite what you may think you know about Russian food, the food in Moscow is truly excellent, highlighted by borscht (don’t knock it until you try it in Russia!) and pelmeni. Make sure to catch a performance at the Bolshoi, preferably a four-hour masterpiece of tragic and conflicted romance as is the classic Russian style. Just make sure to leave plenty of time for the truly awful traffic, or, better yet, travel via the luxurious metro system, in which many of the stations are museum-esque monuments to the working people.

Mumbai

Mumbai is the London of Southern Asia - all of the fun and frenzy of India in a western- and business-friendly package. Take a street-food tour or two to safely sample culinary delights from across the country, and/or just visit Swati Snacks for delicious street-style bites in a comfortable and modern casual dining setting. Visit the Elaphanta Caves, a World Heritage Site, as an easy day-trip. Consider splurging by staying at The Taj Palace Hotel, an iconic hotel just steps away from the Gateway of India arch monument.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a hyper-modern jewel of the developed Asian world, a densely populated, meticulously orchestrated tribute to the power of organization, punctuality, and a culture of excellence. Explore the sprawling labyrinthian Shinjuku station by following its underground corridors every which way, sampling from its many food courts, and poking your head into one of the many connected shopping centers, which are quite different from those you’re used to back home. Make sure to check out the basements of the shopping centers to sample even more delicious food. And, by whatever means necessary, make sure to try Japanese soft serve ice cream (probably my favorite dessert anywhere), and make sure to try it at a handful of places to make sure you find some of the really good stuff.

Honorable Mention: Berlin, Buenos Aires, Bucharest, Florence, Hong Kong, Kyiv

My 5 Favorite Countries To Visit So Far

Iceland

The land of fire and ice has become a hot spot for tourism, and it’s easy to understand why. The otherworldly beauty of Iceland’s landscapes is nothing short of breathtaking, and one can expect to cross into a new world of landscape and texture every hour on the ring road. Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, and second city, Akureyri, are both charming Scandinavian cities, littered with cute (and expensive) restaurants and bars.

Italy

Italy has a diversity of world-class tourist destinations, each with exceptional and affordable food and wine. Rome is like a living museum, Florence has a wealth of sights and museums, the Emilio-Romania region (Bologna, Parma, Modena) has some of the best food in Italy, Tuscany has Italy’s most famous red wine, Milan is a modern european metropolis with one of the most famous paintings in the world (The Last Supper), Venice is a beautiful if overly touristic town, the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como are charming, and we haven’t even visited Cinque Terre or the Prosecco region yet. Like all of Western Europe, getting around is a breeze thanks to the rail system.

Russia

For us as western tourists, Eastern Europe has been a very interesting place to visit - some parts familiar and some parts new, with a rich and ever-evolving history deeply intertwined with the West’s. Russia is the heart of Eastern Europe, and hosts two world-class cities that each tell parts of the Eastern European story. Saint Petersburg is a beautifully classical European city that, to some extent, serves as a reminder of the conditions that led to the Soviet era. Moscow, on the other hand, has the feeling of a Soviet and post-Soviet city, and is itself beautiful in a very different way. We’re excited to visit Siberia next year to see what the rest of Russia has to offer.

Spain

Spain has so many places to visit, so much great food and wine, and an abundance of fun and unique festivals. Madrid and Barcelona are world-class cities, San Sebastian is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend hopping from Michelin-caliber tapas bar to tapas bar, and, although we haven’t yet visited, Seville and Granada are rumored to be lovely as well.

Thailand

Thailand has a world-class capital (Bangkok), a world-class second-city (Chiang Mai), world-class beaches (Ko Lanta, Ko Samui), and world-class cuisine. No wonder it’s the premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

Also worth mentioning: Japan, Mexico

5 Places that Deserve More Visitors

Jordan

Many western tourists don’t consider Jordan due to its proximity to the troubles in the Middle East. Their ignorance can be your gain if you choose to visit since Jordan continues to be a bastion of stability in a turbulent region. The capital Amman is a vibrant Arab capital, with plenty of local restaurants and hookah bars. Jerash is one of the best preserved Roman sights anywhere, Wadi Rum is a special desert landscape which makes for a nice overnight tent stay, and the Dead Sea is an interesting place to go for a quick saline dip. The crown jewel of Jordanian tourism, and one of the most spectacular historical sights anywhere, is Petra, a remarkably well-preserved prehistoric Nabataean city carved out of rock.

Kyiv

A beautiful Eastern European capital reminiscent of Saint Petersburg, Kyiv features beautiful European architecture, Soviet-era monuments, World Heritage historical sites, and a bustling modern atmosphere. If that’s not enough to keep you entertained, make a day trip to Chernobyl and stroll (safely) through the ruins while learning about one of the worst man-made disasters in history. Make sure to try the borscht - it’ll taste so much better than any borscht you’ve had outside of Eastern Europe.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a quiet, charming Southeast Asian town, and a perfect place to rest and relax. The town is a World Heritage Site littered with golden temples and the beautiful Kuang Si Falls is a short drive away. Laotian food is quite unique; sour is a dominant part of the flavor profile, and jeow, a sour chili paste, features prominently. Because of Laos’s colonial history, delicious French wine is found easily and is quite affordable relative to the rest of the region.

Moldova

The smallest of the former Soviet republics, Moldova is a great place to spend a few days drinking world-class wine, eating delicious food, and learning about the tumultuous history of the region. Moldova has the largest wine caves in the world, built during the Soviet era, and has many world-class wineries including Cricova, which produces excellent sparkling wines at Eastern-European prices. Moldova shares much of its cultural history with Romania, and thus the food is delicious, highlighted (in our opinion) by sarmale, cabbage stuffed with spiced ground meat and rice. Take a day trip to Transnistria, a breakaway region that’s de-facto independent with Russian backing, and visit the capital of Transnistria, Tiraspol, and Bender Fortress, a 16th-century Ottoman fortress.

Tunisia

Tunisia is fairly similar to Morocco, with its medinas and culture, but with far less tourism and therefore far fewer scams and far better food. We stayed in Tunis, Tunisia’s capital and biggest city, but I’ve read that Hammamet is great if you’re looking for a beach vacation on the Mediterranean. Take day trips to El Jem, a large well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, and Sidi Bou Said, a beautiful white and blue city like Chefchaouen or others found scattered around the Mediterranean. Make sure to try the couscous (we had it at Dar El Jeld and Dar Belhadj); it has a wonderful level of spice, unlike its Moroccan counterpart. Over seven years since the 2011 uprisings, Tunisia is quite safe. Walking through the Tunis medina at dark was very eerie, since there was almost no one there and not much light either, but was still vastly preferable to navigating the Fes medina at night, where you’re an easy target for teens looking to extract money from tourists for a few, very necessary, navigation tips.

10 Great Restaurants from Around the World

Fäviken (Northern Sweden, $$$$+) - link

Gaggan (Bangkok, $$$$+) - link

Koks (Faroe Islands, $$$$+) - link

Eleven Madison Park (New York City, $$$$+)

Eleven Madison Park is modern New York cuisine as it should be, served in a classic dining room with personable effortless service. Celeriac cooked in a pig’s bladder was our highlight of the meal, cooked in front of us and bursting with flavor.

Relae (Copenhagen, $$$$)

Relae may not have the prestige or ultra-luxurious price tag of its more famous neighbors, Noma and Geranium, but the kitchen masterfully displays the flavors, textures, and seasonal ingredients that have made New Nordic cuisine so influential.

Rose’s Luxury (Washington DC, $$$)

Rose’s Luxury lived up to its tremendous hype. The kitchen masterfully added ultra-flavorful and exotic flavors to New American classics. They don’t take reservations, but it’s definitely worth lining up for an hour before opening to get a table.

Byblos (Miami, $$$)

Byblos is a fun western-fusion spin on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Everything we tried, including the boozy tea service, was spot on.

Dishoom (London, $$)

Dishoom is a trendy Indian restaurant with five locations in London and one in Edinburgh. They service a delicious breakfast with bottomless chai, and an extensive lunch/dinner menu with a fun cocktail list.

Alla Vecchia Bettola (Florence, $$)

Alla Vecchia Bettola is exactly what you want out of a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant. The staff doesn’t speak much English, there’s cheap house wine on the table for bottomless consumption, and, most importantly, the house pasta, penne in tomato vodka cream sauce, is to die for.

Tian Tian Chicken Rice (Singapore, $)

Unfortunately we were unable to try Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, Singapore’s famous Michelin-starred chicken rice hawker stall, but it's hard to imagine it being any better than Tian Tian, another famous stall in Maxwell Food Centre. Despite its white-on-white appearance, the dish is incredibly flavorful, achieving a wonderful harmony between the perfectly-cooked aromatic chicken, the incredibly flavorful steamed rice, and your choice of sauces.

Honorable Mention: Pujol (Mexico City, $$$$), Azurmendi (Basque Country, Spain, $$$$+), Host (Copenhagen, $$$), Tales & Spirits (Amsterdam, $$$), Toyo Eatery (Metro Manila, $$$)

Note: I keep a Google Sheet of our reviews, on a 1-10 scale, of notable restaurants we’ve visited. Feel free to PM me if you’re interested in checking it out.

5 Wine-Producing Destinations that Deserve More Visitors

Loire Valley, France: for a wide range of dry white wines and balanced red wines

Georgia: for dry white and red wines produced using both traditional (the Qvevri fermentation vessel) and modern methods

Greece: for dry white wines, including the funky “retsina” resinated wine

Sicily, Italy: for dry white wines with high minerality

Moldova: for great value on méthode Champenoise wines, dry white and red wines, as well as the largest wine caves in the world

Other Great Stuff from Around the World

I’ve put together a Google Sheet of over 180 things that we’d recommend from around the world: link. I hope this list will be helpful to you and yours when planning your travels!