Taste of place
A taste of place
Behind every dish is a city’s history and manners: why sushi was Edo’s fast food, which old shop first served Peking duck, whether the Margherita pizza story is fact or legend. 47 signature dishes, each with its origin, how to eat it and local etiquette, plus “what to eat nearby” for 249 sights and festivals, with must-tries, where to eat, dining etiquette and typical prices.
South Asia
South Asia travel guide →
Sri Lankan rice and curry
A plate of rice with several curries made from fish, meat, vegetables, lentils and fruit.
Agra petha
A translucent sweet at the foot of the Taj Mahal, with a widely told but doubtful legend.
Indian thali
One round platter holding all six tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy.
Nepali momo
Steamed dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, whose name may come from northwest China's 'momo'.
What to eat near the sights15 places
- Galle FortMust-try: Seafood curry / grilled fish, Fish Ambul Thiyal, Hoppers
- Temple of the Tooth, KandyMust-try: Rice & Curry, Kottu Roti, Hoppers
- Sigiriya (Lion Rock)Must-try: Rice and curry, Hoppers, String Hoppers
- Phewa Lake, PokharaMust-try: Thakali thali, Lake fish, Momo
- LumbiniMust-try: Dal Bhat, Momo, Terai thali
- Boudhanath StupaMust-try: Tibetan momo, Thukpa, Thenthuk (hand-pulled noodle soup)
- Kathmandu Durbar SquareMust-try: Momo, Dal bhat thali, Newari platter
- Kerala BackwatersMust-try: Sadya feast, Karimeen (pearl spot fish), Appam with stew
- Mysore PalaceMust-try: Mysore masala dosa, Bisibele Bath, Mysore Pak
- Khajuraho templesMust-try: Central Indian thali, Tandoori meat / chicken, Bundelkhandi regional food
- Humayun's Tomb, DelhiMust-try: Mughlai kebabs / biryani, Chole Bhature, Butter chicken
- Golden Temple, AmritsarMust-try: Free communal kitchen (langar), Amritsari kulcha, Amritsari fish
- Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal, JaipurMust-try: Rajasthani thali, Laal Maas, Pyaaz Kachori
- The Ganges at VaranasiMust-try: Kachori sabzi breakfast, Lassi, Banarasi Paan
- Taj MahalMust-try: Petha, Mughlai pilaf / biryani, Roast chicken / tandoori