I love to travel. I love to eat. And I love to encounter new things. During my travels, I have always wanted to find new locations - whether a new hidden photo spot or a hidden gem - like a restaurant or café off the beaten path. A new language or a dark alley doesn’t stop me. In a new restaurant, it is my intention to try something completely new, something that I hadn’t have before. Before trying a new dish or drink, I take a bunch of pictures for my review, during trying the new encounter I constantly compare the taste with things that I had before. And after my new experience, I - of course - put the “new” location and dish on my Google Maps review list. Finding new spots isn’t easy but it became some kind of obsession that I want to share with the community.
Here are my top 3 encounters of 2019:
#3 Project Chaiwalla, Dubai - SMASHMOSA The Desi (Sweet Potato)
The taste of their Samosas with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, mint, yogurt, and Indian crackers is just mind-blowing. It’s sweet and savory, soft and crunchy at the same time. Project Chaiwalla is located in the very cool, urban “Al Serkal Avenue” area. To me, the area with its small restaurants and café’s is one of the coolest spots in Dubai.
#2 Pasta Davini, Frankfurt / Germany - Spaghetti Carbonara
At Pasta Davini you always need a reservation - don’t try to call or email them - they won’t reply. You need to go there in person and make a reservation. They are known for their Spaghetti Carbonara. They serve the best Carbonara - at least - in Frankfurt. They use the best ingredients - from pasta to ham and eggs. If you order a portion for at least three persons they will prepare the meal at your table. Pasta Davini doesn’t have a menu, you don’t see any prices, but they make sure that you’ll get the best quality. For one portion Carbonara, they charge 15 Euros. After eating traditional Carbonara at Pasta Davini, you won’t order Carbonara anywhere else in the world. 
#1 Choryang Milmyeon, Busan / South-Korea - Giant Dumplings
Choryang Milmyeon is a traditional Korean restaurant near the central train station of Busan. Their menu is only in Korean. I have ordered the Giant Dumplings (six pieces) - and they are really huge. However, don’t worry about the size - trust me, you’ll eat all six dumblings. They are really juicy and the taste of the inside - a pork-vegetable-mix - is just so well balanced and delicious. To me - it was one of the best tastes I’ve ever had before. I had dumblings before. But not such fantastic tastings creations. Those dumblings in a smaller size - this is something you would expect in a Michelin Star restaurant.
