Happy Travel Tuesday! This week is a themed post, with the theme being “movies and travel”. This can be a movie that has inspired you to travel, movie destinations you’ve visited, or even favorite travel movies.
I must admit that while I enjoy movies as much as the next person, I’m not so crazy about any that I have felt the strong desire to hop on the plane and jet off to the destinations featured. There is however, one TV personality that has greatly influenced our travels. At least, in the food department. And that’s right, I’m talking about Anthony Bourdain.
Since I’m having trouble fulfilling the “movies and travel” theme, I thought it would be fun instead to talk about the places we have eaten at all in the name of following Anthony Bourdain’s footsteps. (And you guys also know food is my favorite topic anyway!)
Fuente Alemana (Santiago, Chile)
The lomito sandwich is like the staple food of Santiago. You can literally find it around every corner. It’s basically a sandwich with some kind of meat, tomato, avocado, and a generous spread of mayo. And no, it’s not better than it sounds. Unless you’re eating a monster lomito at Fuente Alemana!
This diner is a landmark in the city, famous for their truly spectacular lomito creations. The sandwiches are made right in front of you with superior quality ingredients and are practically as tall as they are wide. The standard traditional one is made of thinly sliced pork, sauerkraut, tomato sauce, and mayo. It is absolutely delicious.
Sibaritico (Viña del Mar, Chile)
Besides the lomito sandwich, the hot dog completo is another distinctively Chilean creation that can be found literally everywhere. And being Anthony Bourdain, he’s not going to eat just any random one. Of course it has to be the most badass one, and so this took us to the tiny hole-in-the-wall Sibaritico in Viña del Mar, on the coast of Chile.
This hot dog is every bit as epic (and gross) as the picture looks. Stuffed into a humongous bun is a hotdog, sauerkraut, tomato pickle, mashed avocado, and the topper: an inch thick of house-made mayo. You decide if it looks appetizing to you. :P
Puerto del Mercado (Montevideo, Uruguay)
Oh my gosh, come here to experience the ultimate meatopia! Just imagine an entire marketplace filled with stall after stall of the most massive grills you have ever seen, with literally every kind of meat imaginable sizzling on top, “all hissing and spitting and the smell wafting over everything: the glorious, joyous miasma of meatness.”
Estancia del Puerto was the parrilla that Bourdain picked, so of course that was the one we went to too. Eating here is not the cheapest and I feel like the marketplace is a bit touristy nowadays, but there is still no better place in Montevideo to get your meatfest on.
Le Jeu de Quilles (Paris)
D first tried this small bistro on a previous trip to Paris with his brother after seeing it on the show. When he got back and showed me the pictures, I drooled over the decadent perfectly pink pate served on top of crunchy baguette. So when I finally made it to Paris with him a couple of years later, this was the only “fancier” restaurant on our list.
Unfortunately, that pate bowl was no longer offered as its highly seasonal (tiny) menu changes often in accordance with what’s fresh. We did however, still have a delightful meal (tuna steak over fregula pesto pasta for me!). It was a nice change from the baguette sandwiches and nutella crepes that had been the bulk of our Parisian foodie adventures.
Xoi Yen (Hanoi, Vietnam)
This is my favorite Bourdain place ever and the one I frequented the most! Xoi Yen is an extremely locally popular breakfast spot (or any time of the day actually) famous for their sticky rice and pate (don’t scrunch up your nose – this is perfectly acceptable and delicious to eat first thing in the morning!). This become our go-to breakfast place the two weeks we were in Hanoi. My favorite combination was sticky rice with pate and boiled chicken. No joke, but Xoi Yen and bun cha are the two main reasons why I MUST go back to Hanoi someday!
James Kitchen (Taipei, Taiwan)
James Kitchen is a tiny little restaurant serving authentic homestyle Taiwanese dishes. The founder’s concept is to cook the dishes he remembers his mother making as a child. This kind of traditional fare is matched with a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere. I tried a few of the classic dishes, including their famous pork + crab meatball soup and salted pork slices. The food is good, no question, but I have to admit that it didn’t wow me. I felt more satisfied eating at the little roadside eateries at a fraction of the price.
Tai Lei Loi Kei (Macau)
unfortunately, I didn’t get a good picture of it in Macau, so here’s a picture from the one in Kuala Lumpur!
As soon as I saw Bourdain gobbling up this pork chop sandwich, I knew I had to try it as well! It’s so ridiculously simple: a juicy fried pork chop (yep, with the bone and all!) sandwiched in between a soft toasted bun. This is a Macanese invention and many think of Tai Lei Loi Kei, established in 1968, as the original creators.
I admit that we didn’t go to the original location in town, but rather the branch in the Venetian casino… because ummm… that was where we spent literally all day. But it was still deliciously greasy just the way I expected it to be. And I was also thrilled to find a branch in Kuala Lumpur and have had it a few times already!
The entire city of Lyon, France
Lyon has the distinct privilege of being the only place we’ve ever visited strictly because of the Bourdain episode. As soon as watched it, we knew we wanted to visit and experience its rich culinary history. And so we traveled to Lyon to taste its cheeses and charcuterie and bouchon fare.
Strangely, once we got to Lyon, we didn’t end up eating at any of the places Bourdain ate at (probably because most of them were expensive). But it didn’t really matter. All the food in Lyon is seriously amazing. This city, known as France’s gastronomical capital, has churned out some of the most famous chefs in history, and the art of making delicious food still trickles down today into every corner. We had the most delectable month. Gimme some of that baguette and charcuterie right now!
Have you sought out any Bourdain places on your travels? Are you a fan of his shows?
And P.S. I’m on A Compass Rose this week talking about my top 10 favorite destinations in two years of travel!
Happy Travel Tuesday! This week’s theme is “movies and travel” so free feel to link up any posts relating to the theme! But if you don’t have one, don’t worry, you can still totally join the party. :)
In other news, this will be my last week of being a Travel Tuesday co-host. It has been really fun and I’ve loved getting to know you guys more and discovering new blogs! I hope we can keep the friendship going even after I’m no longer co-host! xx
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YES YES YES! I adore Bourdain. i love his travel style and his witty remarks. Have you read any of his books? I definitely recommend them!! Bourdain went to a place in Bali and got some suckling pig that looked amazing. i sought out that same place when I was in Bali and I was not disappointed. My little fan girl self was half expecting to see Bourdain sitting at the table next to me like a regular.. haha.
Suckling pig!! I’ve never had one but have always wanted to try…. though I haven’t yet because it makes me feel kind of sad for the pig to have to die when they’re only babies :(. Haha I think I would have a heart attack if I ever went somewhere and Bourdain walked up and sat down at the next table!
Oh this is so fun! I am such a sucker for watching Bourdain’s shows on Netflix. I love watching them for places I’ve visited/lived and seeing if we’ve crossed any food paths. And man, it looks like you have done a ton! I think that’s totally awesome! Do you have a favorite?
I do the same too… watching the places I’ve been to see if I happened to go where he went (and also to see what what I missed out on, haha). My favorite is definitely Xoi Yen (sticky rice and pate) in Hanoi. We ate there probably like 10 times!
I love Bourdain, but I try to limit my exposure before I drop all obligations and take off. Also, I hear what you’re saying about Lyon. I visited it once when I lived in France (it was only about an hour away from the city I lived in) and had a HUGE problem controlling myself when I passed different restaurants. I was there during the Festival of Lights, so the food stands lining the streets didn’t exactly help hahah.
Seriously… isn’t the food in Lyon all so amazing?? I don’t think I had one single bad meal there. I loved just going to all the little shops and assembling my own baguette, cheese, and charcuterie platter. The Festival of Lights sounds like a beautiful time to be there!
The mussels and fries lunch meal combination I had still haunts my dreams, hahaha. Festival of Lights was amazing, but I could’ve done without the crowds :)
Hah… give me the meatopia in Uruguay, and I couldn’t care less about the others. I recently seen someone visit Montevideo and got depressed that they don’t have KFC (fried chicken) there, I guess now I know why. They just prefer to barbeque everything huh!
You know, I like Bourdain and his shows, but after watching his episodes on Malaysia where 90% of his picks are those that us locals say DON’T GO, I kind of… just watch his shows for the entertainment values. :/
Really!! I was actually thinking of watching his KL episode and hitting up the places he went there. Interesting that those are all places that locals don’t really recommend! I may do it anyway. :P
And yep, definitely don’t need a KFC in Uruguay when it’s like the land of surplus cows and so there’s nothing to do except to grill them. :P
Unfortunately we haven’t stumbled over Bourdain yet, but the food looks awesome on your post. Did you eat that all yourself?! #TravelTuesday
I always like to look at what places Bourdain has eaten at because he usually gets local guides to show him to get the best of local food. Yep, I’ve eaten everything featured here, but don’t worry, I always had a dining partner to share with me. :)
Oh em GEE!!! I want to eat everything you posted!
(Mostly) everything was good! Can’t say I like all that mayo on top of those Chilean hot dogs though. :P
Wow. Everything looks incredible. We LOVE Bourdain. I especially enjoy Parts Unknown and his narrative approach!
Yes! I like his show because of all his witty remarks and one-liners. And he does a good job of introducing the history of a place!
I shouldn’t read your posts right before dinner, your photos made me feel so hungry!!!
Though it has been nice to remember the incredible food I ate in South America, and it’s funny to see that we went to the same places! I loved Fuente Alemana in Santiago and Mercado del Puerto in Montevideo :)
Did you go the same places because of Bourdain too? ;) Oh man, I forgot how much I loved Fuente Alemana! My own pictures from there are making me drool lol!
Actually… I never heard about Anthony Bourdain before your post (seems like I should checked it!). I went to both these places under the recommendation of local friends :)
Haha how funny! I guess it’s good to be reaffirmed that these are indeed local’s favorite places!
Ahhh I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain (and Andrew Zimmeran)! My husband and I visited Rue Mouffetard in Paris (a street in Paris lined with restaurants, cafes and open markets) watching an episode of No Reservations when Bourdain visited Paris. No better combination like food and travel :)
I completely agree Setarra! I definitely travel for food ;). That area you described in Paris sounds really cool. I’ll have to check it out if I ever make it back there, because generally I was just not impressed with the food in Paris!
Such a fun post, Anna! And great food photography, as always :) It’s so fun to see Chile featured, that really is one huge sandwich, the Chileans know how to make the best sandwiches!!
I never would have guessed that Chileans would be so into their sandwiches and hot dogs! I looooove the avocado they put on there, but I’m not so crazy about the mayo. And whenever we said just “un poco” mayo, they never understand and still slather it on, haha!
“Un poco” mayo doesn’t exist …. hahah Here, if there is mayo on the sandwich, there is MAYO on the sandwich! :P
You had me at foodtopia :) So many mouth-watering and interesting dishes! I love the idea of following a particular food heroes recommendations in lots of cities. Sure makes for some yum experiences!
Yeah! Especially since I’m not all that good at finding locally famous places. So it’s fun to follow him to where he went to eat. I have rarely been disappointed!
Oh my! I cannot even express in words what this post has done to me. I want to travel more often and find these delicious places to eat! I am not a fan of Bourdain (sorry if I break your heart) but watch his shows because my husband likes him. I remember the Chile episode. I think I would have my hot dog without the mayo. I am more into Andrew Zimmern and Adam Richman. I have been to spots shown in their shows all over Los Angeles. I have been to spots featured in Bourdain shows too because he finds these local gems (I have to give him credit for that).
Oh that’s so cool! Next time I’m back in LA, you’ll have to tell me where these local gems are (or better yet, we should met up and stuff our faces together!). I don’t think I’ve seen any of the Los Angeles episodes from any of these guys.
Everything looks SO GOOD! I had that pork chop bun in Macau in the Venetian too but it definitely didn’t look as tasty as the one you had in Kuala Lumpur!
I know, right! My picture from the one in the Venetian looked so unappetizing haha. But the one in KL looks consistently good!
Hi Anna,
I do love Bourdain’s shows ;)
And….give me a lomito! The robust-ness of the sandwich works for me, with all the fixins and what not. Everything looks delish and I also enjoy the nature of your story telling. So fun to see and experience these spots from a foodie perspective. I also dig finding these foodie hot spots because they are always in colorful, off the beaten path spots too.
Thanks Anna!
Ryan
Hi Ryan! Oh god the lomito was so good… every time I look at the picture, I drool a little inside… I forgot how much I loved it. And I agree! One of my favorite things about travel is searching for these local foodie spots. I’ll take a good meal over an attraction site any day! Thanks for the comment! :)
Omg, why are you doing this to me?!!! Love this!
Hehe it wouldn’t be my blog if I didn’t have a food post every so often to make you drool!
Haha, exactly!
It’s funny, I’ve been to France a few times and whilst the patisseries always wow me, I’ve always been a bit ambivalent about the savoury food, perhaps because I don’t eat beef, don’t love pate and don’t like meat done any less than medium so I think French cuisine is often wasted on me….but then I see your plate of food in Lyon and it makes me want to look up flights there right this minute :)
I was never a huge fan of French cuisine either, but oh man, I love French charcuterie, cheeses, and baguettes! I think I could seriously happily eat that combination everyday for forever! Lyon is definitely a foodie destination because there’s not too much there in terms of sightseeing. It does have a lot of patisserie shops with incredible pastries, so I think you will always be able to find something there to suit your fancy!
Aaaaammmmmaaaaazzzziiiiiing!!! :D I think you worked the theme in just fine! :D I’ve marked that restaurant in Paris to try next month while I’m there – really looking forward to a new fun place to eat in Paris! You’re absolutely right about Lyon; EVERYTHING is good there! It’s been super fun co-hosting with you, and I’m a permanent fan of your blog!
Thanks so much Swags! I’m so glad I discovered your blog through TT co-hosting too!!
Oooh if you do go to that restaurant in Paris, let me know how it is! It’s a little on the pricier side (my dish was like 24euro… which is a lot more than I’m usually willing to pay for food!), but it’s a nice change. :)
In my mind, 24 euros is a lot for a dish, too, but then I’ll shell out 30 euros on delivery sushi…so I can manage 24 for a dish like this one! :D I’ll let you know for sure!
HAHA! Okay yeah, then you’ve got no excuse. ;)
Loving that the first three recommendations are in South America!!! Also.. I literally live 1 block from Fuente Alemana and have passed it 100 times and always think about going in … but never have! Now I know … I MUST! And sad I hadn’t seen your Viña rec sooner …. but I’m sure I’ll be back! I actually haven’t tried a completo yet …. The idea of a hotdog doused in mayo just doesn’t call to me (As you read in my Santiago, So far post) .. But when I find myself back in Viña, I’ll be sure to try that one :D Drooling…. drooooolling … droooolinggg …
YES!!! Go go Fuente Alemana!! That’s so funny that you live right next to it. It’s so good! I also had the lomito italiano there and that one is delicious too. But seriously… they just do not understand “un poco” mayo! I didn’t eat any of the regular fast food lomitos either because they look gross to me. But I was willing to try Bourdain’s huge one. Try to tell them no mayo if you go, haha!
Ooh, I loved reading Kitchen Confidential, I think Anthony Bourdain is pretty cool. I’ve never seen any of his shows though, and now I think I should! I definitely travel with my stomach too (which can be a little bit of a problem as I’m coeliac!), so this approach to travel really appeals to me. That huge hotdog…not so much. Whyyyyy so much mayo. Why.
I know…. Chileans really love their mayo! Like, I literally don’t know how someone can eat that much mayo in one sitting! I really should read Kitchen Confidential!