Fall Break Food!

During my fall break I was fortunate enough to travel to three countries and experience completely different  cultures and foods. From Copenhagen, Denmark to Athens, Greece to Istanbul, Turkey, every country was a gastronomic adventure.

 Although I didn't find any danishes in Denmark, the other pastries were just as wonderful and perfect for a light breakfast. After becoming used to full English breakfasts and full American continental breakfasts, the morning customs of certain countries was definitely a surprise. It may be smart to research what daily meals are like in other countries and when they are as well. Sometimes restaurants will close midday for a siesta or even be open as late as 2am, whatever follows the local custom.

Laks smørrebrød 

 From the hot dog to the smørrebrød, or open faced sandwich, Danish food was light and balanced flavors beautifully.

Octopus with oil and vinegar

 Try to find tiny little mom-and-pop places where the service will be like family and the food will be just like your nonexistent Greek grandmother would make. At this hole in the wall, the owner welcomed us with ouzo on the house and even dessert and coffee after the meal. The food was simple, with traditional Greek flavors really shining through. 

Greek yogurt with honey, bananas, and hazelnuts

 Possibly the most tortuous food picture I took on the trip. Fresh, thick, and creamy Greek yogurt was an eyeopening experience. 

Simet

Street food is also a good way to save money while traveling abroad. Usually filling and cheap, street food like the sesame seed-covered simet above can keep you going throughout the day as you ramble around the city.

Fish sandwich from Galata Bridge

Traveling abroad has revealed to me some of the freshest, delicious food nowhere near a white china plate. For example, the fish in this sandwich was caught off the Galata Bridge ten feet away from rocking boats where men griddled them to a crisp. Bones and all, served with a bit of lime juice and salt, the fish was unbeatable.

 Along the way you're bound to find some interesting interpretations of western food. This soggy pile of dipped hamburgers was featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations so of course I had to try one. Every soggy bite was absolutely delicious, like a soft White Castle burger dipped in taco sauce. Questionable? Yes. Delicious? Even more yes. Sometimes you just won't know what's going on in your food but if you see locals digging in then it may be worth a try. 

But...a little bit of pepto bismol packed away doesn't do any harm.

Börek

Baklava (from a box of 4 to a box of 10 in a matter of hours...)

Prepare to find foods that you'll love so much that your consumption will turn exponential...

Between Athens to Istanbul I am pretty sure I consumed nearly 50 pieces of baklava. Crisp, juicy, nutty...perfectly addictive.

Ayran

...and for things you won't like one bit!

In Istanbul I got to try ayran, an unsweetened yogurt drink that is sometimes salted. While it was definitely good for muting spices, ayran tastes seriously like yogurt. Straight out of the animal yogurt, none of that Yoplait stuff.