No jokes, I have literally visited 10 different countries in Europe and have had the amazing opportunity to eat to my heart's content. Why have I been travelling around Europe? Well, I have been on an exchange program through my school and have been studying in England for the past 4 months. Although England is famous for not exactly having the greatest cuisine, I would love to introduce some of my favourite places. BUT, today I want to briefly introduce some of the foods that really stood out throughout my travels in Europe so the post for England will come at a later time.
The countries I have visited include the following: Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Scotland, and of course England.
Sneak peak:
Unfortunately, my camera decided to break down in the middle of my trip so I actually lost a lot of my pictures. Please bear with me as I attempt to describe these amazing snacks and foods. I guarantee that my descriptions probably will not be able to fully explain to you these sensations.
Top 5 Memorable Foods
1. Langos (Hungary)
Langos is essentially a deep fried flat bread - already sounds deliciously fattening right? It is a famous street food generally found in the markets. There is a large variety from the simple garlic butter and cheese to one filled with vegetables, meat, and Hungarian sauce.
2. Ribs (Vienna, Austria)
A friend of mine introduced me to a restaurant called Ribs of Vienna located in Vienna, Austria. They have a large variety of sauces for the ribs that you can experiment with. The service was amazing, our waiter was extremely friendly and very helpful in choosing the menu. My friend and I ended up getting 3 different types of sauces each (Spareribs mixed on the menu). As this was several months ago, I can't recall which ones I got, but I can guarantee that you will not be unhappy with experimenting. If in doubt, ask the waiter for recommendations - they're usually very helpful and won't let you down =D
On a side note, the ribs are quite big and I remember that I couldn't finish all of it. Our waiter even suggested that we share a menu, but we decided we wanted to experiment different sauces. For more information about the restaurant here is the official site: Ribs of Vienna Official Site
The atmosphere was also very nice. It is underground and I believe it used to be an old winery.
3. Cornish Pasty (England)
The pasty is said to have been invented by the farmers of England in the olden days. Farmers were too busy to have a proper meal so they decided to stuff a piece of pastry with meat and potatoes and such. It still remains a popular on-the-go menu in England and can be found in major train stations and just about anywhere, really. It also comes in a wide variety (my favourite by far has to be the steak & ale). I must admit it's not sensational but it's something that you randomly crave for once in a while - especially if you stay in England for a long period of time. It was for me at least =P
4. Baguettes and butter croissants (France)
Honestly, there is a reason why these two pastries represent France. Although I visited only one pastry shop, they were delicious. I also did not get a chance to line up in front of the pastry shop in the morning to have fresh baguette, but I have heard that it is delicious when it is fresh.
5. Pizza (Italy)
Again, there is a reason why Italy is famous for its pizza. If you visit any pizzeria (Pizzerias are where they bake the pizza over an open fire), you will not be left disappointed. However, I felt that, of the places I visited, Venice, Florence, and Naples had the best pizza. I must admit, Pisa was somewhat of a disappointment - not much to see and not the best food. This may be because I was in the touristy area.
Again, there is a reason why Italy is famous for its pizza. If you visit any pizzeria (Pizzerias are where they bake the pizza over an open fire), you will not be left disappointed. However, I felt that, of the places I visited, Venice, Florence, and Naples had the best pizza. I must admit, Pisa was somewhat of a disappointment - not much to see and not the best food. This may be because I was in the touristy area.
One thing I have learned throughout my trip is that local restaurants that are hidden in the smaller streets are the most delicious places. Places that have already become famous among tourists seem to have declined in value and increased in price. The best tip I can give to travelers is don't be afraid to explore with local foods and local restaurants.
