Food has gotten to be one of the best parts of traveling. Without the stress of needing to cook, vacations are the perfect time to sit back, relax, and let someone else take the reins when it comes to mealtime. Likewise, being in a new location typically offers a smorgasbord of different options at your fingertips.
Typically, most vacation destinations want to appeal to as many people as they possibly can. Because of this, you will often find that you have an array of different ethnic restaurants to choose from. But with so many options, it can become difficult to decide, especially when you are traveling as a family. Here are 5 of some of the most adventurous, but also the tastiest that will appeal to every member of your family.
1. Halal
While certainly adventurous, halal food is some of the most flavorful and expertly cooked cuisines in the world. Adhering to a very strict way of preparing and cooking the food, non-stunned halal is a delicious option for those who want something they can’t get back home.
Halal offers the opportunity to not only feed your family something different but also to educate them (and yourself!) on a different culture and the process in which they both honor and consume their food. Halal typically consists of a protein and often comes with rice, salad or hummus on the side. Many times, they also have add-ons such as falafel or baklava, as a dessert option. You won’t be sorry you ventured outside of your comfort zone after sampling.
2. Vietnamese
Though potentially harder to find, Vietnamese food is some of cuisines dynamic cuisine you will ever come across. Without being too different from other Asian cuisine, Vietnamese is the perfect way to introduce a potentially picky child to the food of another culture.
Though flavorful, Vietnamese isn’t terribly spicy and the most popular of dishes broth-based a broth based soup that contains noodles and protein. If you have a child afraid to try new things, pho is a great dish due to its similarity to a classic favorite: chicken noodle soup. Another great Vietnamese commodity to try: soda chanh: a lemonade soda with grains of sugar at the bottom of the glass. Yum!
3. Spanish
If your family are seafood lovers, look no further. Spanish cuisine is infamous for their love of incorporating fish and mussels, due to their proximity to the ocean. Paella is one of their most well-known foods: a dish containing shrimp, rice and all sorts of spices. For mom and dad, Spanish food goes great with a variety of wines.
However, if you’re looking for something a little more suited for being on the go, you might want to try a tapas restaurant. Tapas feature several different types of smaller dishes, and what better opportunity to learn to share? Trying a little bit of everything is sometimes the best way to go.
4. Thai
A type of cuisine that can be found in almost every corner of the world, it’s no wonder that Thai food is so popular wherever you turn. With such a large number of dishes to choose from, Thai restaurants are sure to have something for everyone.
If your family is a fan of ordering Chinese takeout back at home, Thai food is a fun alternative. Pad Thai is the classic noodle entree, but they also serve dishes such as fried rice, ginger chicken, and broccoli with beef. Your children can order a familiar dish that may be served in a different way with new spices.
Last Thoughts
Introducing your children to new food can be tricky, but the best way to do so is to make it exciting! Vacations are some of the best times to share as a family, and mealtimes are meant as a communal experience. Have fun exploring new foods together, and maybe you will be inspired to bring some of it to your own kitchen afterwards.
