Three words: Follow your instincts. If you are like me, when you travel you are probably not wanting to mess up the dining experiences. You only have so many meals to make a choice for, and you usually are overstimulated by all the possibilities. Do I want noodles? But maybe this the best place to get fish? What if it’s the best place to get noodles though? Will I get another chance to choose noodles or fish at my next stop? If you like food and traveling, then you can relate.
So how do you choose? I am far from an expert, but my advice is TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! In 2014 I took my first trip overseas ever. I went by myself and I am in no way bilingual. No one in my family had even ever traveled outside the U.S. before me. Despite all of that, I decided my first international trip ever would be Japan. This was scary for this small Midwestern town boy, but I was determined to be uncomfortable and survive.
I knew very little about real Japanese cuisine outside the typical hibachi style Japanese restaurant or Americanized sushi rolls. However, part of my driving force for this trip was to attempt to experience the everyday Japanese experience rather than the tourist traps. I admit, I was more naive than I realized and far less equipped to prepare such a trip than what I tried to make myself I believe I was. This concoction of bravado and enthusiasm put me on a fine line between stupidity and real adventure. Fortunately I ended up on the side of adventure more than stupidity, and I did this by just trusting my instincts. Perhaps it was sheer luck that I didn’t wind up broke and in over my head at some exotic Japanese back alley night club. That I will never know. What I do know is though is that it landed me at some of my favorite dining experiences I have ever had. While wondering through the alley ways outside the Tsukiji Fish Market I happened to find a line. I was looking for my first real Japanese sushi experience, and I had no way to filter the choices. However, as I came across this line winding through the street something inside me just pulled me in. I get seated, and have the best sushi experience of my life. My instincts actually led me to Daiwa Sushi in Tsukiji. I did not find out until I was home that my instincts led me to one of the more famous sushi restaurants in Tsukiji. I find this pretty remarkable, and maybe it was luck. To me it doesn’t matter, because what does matter to me is that I selected it without even knowing what I was doing. I don’t think it would have even needed to be Daiwa for me to have loved it. It was that I found it, and I loved it. It was authentic. That to me is far more valuable. These same instincts led me to an amazing yakitori setup under the Yamanote Line. Every night I watched this chef intensely and relentless flip and marinade meat over a coal fire. Finally I had to try it. I have no idea what I ate, though I am fairly confident it was pork, nor do I have any idea as to what part of the supposed animal I ate. I do know it was the best grilled dish of my life. All by instincts.
As the years went on, and traveling increased, I stayed the course. By doing this I have learned that it doesn’t have to be on Yelp or the Travel Channel to enjoy. It’s actually more enjoyable when it’s your find. Even the stuff that sucks tastes better when it’s your find. It’s authentic experience and it’s your experience, no one else’s. Take a chance, and see where it finds you. It’s so much better than being disappointed, and a lot more fun as well.
