Tasty Trails Travel Pod

Namaste and welcome back to Tasty Trails Travel Pod! 🌏✨In this episode, we’re heading to Northern India with returning guest Sahana Kulur—travel writer, architect, and passionate vegetarian foodie. After exploring Southern Indian cuisine in her last visit, Sahana is back to guide us through the rich, diverse, and flavor-packed world of Northern Indian food.We dive deep into the vibrant street food culture of Varanasi—one of the oldest living cities in the world. From crispy kachori sabzi and tangy chaats to creamy lassi and the iconic winter delicacy malaiyyo, this episode is a feast for your ears (and will definitely leave you craving Indian food).Along the way, we explore:The key differences between Northern and Southern Indian cuisineHow history, religion, and geography shape food cultureMust-try dishes in Varanasi (and what to skip)Street food tips to stay safe while eating like a localThe fascinating contrasts that make Varanasi so unique⚠️ Fair warning: You will want Indian food after this episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share with a fellow food lover.Happy listening—and happy eating! 🍛Connect with Sahana: ⁠⁠https://vacaywork.com/⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠sahana@vacaywork.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠MY INDIA TRAVEL RECS: Coming Friday! 🎥 Don’t forget to check out the YouTube vlog from this trip dropping Friday!

This week, we’re heading back to Southern India with a replay of one of my favorite conversations—just as I’m about to land in India for the very first time (!!).In this episode, I’m joined by Sahana, a passionate travel blogger and food enthusiast from India. Sahana shares her deep connection to Indian cuisine, discussing how her family's love for food has shaped her appreciation for both home-cooked meals and the rich, diverse flavors of Indian street food. We dive into why some travelers find Indian cuisine overwhelming—covering spice levels, unique ingredients like cardamom and cinnamon, and cultural aspects such as eating with hands. Sahana gives us essential tips for finding authentic Indian food and how to avoid the dreaded Delhi belly! We also talk about traditional meals, how festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi are celebrated with elaborate dishes, and the intricate process of making beloved South Indian foods like dosa and chutney. If you're curious about what to eat in India, especially in Southern India, or looking for travel tips for India, this episode will satisfy your appetite for knowledge on Indian food and culture!Connect with Sahana: ⁠https://vacaywork.com/⁠Email: ⁠sahana@vacaywork.com⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Pinterest⁠

Is Chicago pizza really all about deep dish? Not exactly.In this episode of Tasty Trails Travel Pod, we explore the real story behind Chicago pizza culture, from the famous deep dish pizza tourists know to the tavern-style thin crust locals actually grew up eating.We talk about:🍕 The history of Chicago-style deep dish pizza🍕 What tavern-style pizza is — and why Chicagoans love it🏙️ How neighborhoods shaped Chicago’s food scene🧀 Why pizza in Chicago is more than food — it’s identityIf you’re interested in Chicago food, pizza history, and travel through cuisine, this episode will change the way you think about one of America’s most famous food cities.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more🌍 More food and travel stories on Tasty Trails Travel PodConnect with Jon and join a tour! - Website: https://www.chicagopizzatours.com/- Instagram: @chicagopizzatours https://www.instagram.com/chicagopizzatours/

It’s been one month since I moved to Kazakhstan, and in this episode I’m sharing what life in Almaty has really been like so far. I start with a broad overview of Kazakhstan — the ninth largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia — before diving into the personal side of relocating here. From a chaotic travel day and an unexpected overnight in Istanbul, to apartment hunting, navigating bureaucracy, adjusting to a ten-hour time difference, and beginning boxing lessons entirely in Russian, this episode captures the reality of settling into a new country. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/AmdPShISk24📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram ⁠@tastytralstravelpod⁠ and ⁠@tastytrailstravel⁠ for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 

What should you really eat in New York City beyond pizza and bagels?In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Goodfriend, founder of Ultimate Food Tours NYC, to explore the incredible diversity of New York food culture. From regional Chinese cuisine in Chinatown NYC to Central Asian markets in Brighton Beach Brooklyn, we talk about how food tells the story of immigration, neighborhoods, and identity in the city.You’ll learn:🍜 How to find authentic food in NYC neighborhoods🥟 The difference between tourist spots and local favorites🗺️ Underrated food neighborhoods in New York 🍔 Viral foods in NYC that are actually worth the hype🚇 The NUMBER ONE TIP when visiting New York - and it's not what you think! Whether you’re planning a trip or just love learning about food, travel, and culture, this NYC food guide will give you a deeper, more meaningful way to experience the city.Connect with Scott and take a tour: Instragram:  @ultimatefoodtours  https://www.instagram.com/ultimatefoodtours/ Website: https://ultimatefoodtours.com/ Resources: ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/actionNational Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/ Minnesota Resources: https://linktr.ee/MutualAidMN50501 Hang out with me on Instagram: FOOD: @tastytrailstravelpod / tastytrailstravelpod TRAVEL: @tasty.trails.travel / tasty.trails.travel

This week the episode is a vlog, and it's up on Youtube, all about my trip to Finland!! Check it out here This was my first real vacation in two years—no work, no laptop, just pure adventure—and I couldn’t have picked a better place than Finland 🇫🇮❄️In this episode of Tasty Trails Travel, I’m sharing my winter journey through Helsinki, Lapland, and beyond, including:An overnight train to Rovaniemi (aka Santa Claus’ hometown 🎅)Visiting Santa Claus Village and crossing the Arctic CircleAn icebreaker cruise where we walked and swam in frozen seas 🧊Seeing the Northern Lights (just a little!)Ethically run reindeer sleigh ridesStaying in a glass igloo hotel for my birthday ✨Finnish saunas, great food, and lots of hot drinksA winter day trip to Tallinn, EstoniaEnding the trip back in Helsinki with amazing meals and city wandering-Dog sledding with the fastest, happiest pups ever 🐕❄️I also talk about traveling in low season, researching ethical animal tourism, and why this trip meant so much to me after a long stretch without a real break.If you love winter travel, slow travel, cozy vibes, or just living vicariously through cold-weather adventures—this one’s for you.

In this episode, we travel to Australia to explore Native Australian bush foods and the deep cultural knowledge behind them with Auntie Dale Chapman — Aboriginal chef, educator, and founder of My Dilly Bag.With more than 25 years at the heart of Australia’s bush food movement, Auntie Dale shares how Indigenous food knowledge has been passed down for over 65,000 years through storytelling, seasonality, and deep connection to Country. We talk about powerful native ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattleseed, bush tomatoes, and bunya nuts, how food acts as medicine, and why sustainability and respect for land are central to Aboriginal foodways.This conversation goes far beyond recipes — it’s about culture, wellness, education, and honoring the world’s oldest continuous living food traditions.Connect with Auntie Dale: - mydillybag.com.au- Instagram: @my.dillybag- Facebook: My Dilly Bag

What does food science actually mean — and how does it shape what we eat, how food tastes, and even how humans evolved?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist with a PhD, author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered, and the creator of an upcoming documentary on flavor chemistry called The Flavor Matrix. Together, we explore the science behind flavor, fermentation, and umami — and how culture, psychology, and sustainability are deeply intertwined with what ends up on our plates.We talk about:What food science really is (and what it isn’t)How flavor is created at scalePlant-based meats and the future of foodFermentation, umami, and why taste is culturally learnedIndigenous food knowledge and lost food traditionsWhy cooking may be one of the most important reasons humans evolvedThis episode is a deep, curious conversation about food as culture, science, and survival — and why paying attention to what we eat matters more than ever.- Watch the trailer for The Flavor Matrix: https://vimeo.com/1114030763- Visit the website - Check out 150 Food Science Questions Answered

I’ve officially said chau to Argentina — after five incredible years of living there. 🇦🇷Whenever I leave a place that’s meant a lot to me, I write a “10 Things I Hate About You”-style love letter. It’s part poetry, part therapy, and all nostalgia. I'm sharing all the different poems I've written about the places that have meant something to me - culminating in Argentina!! I wrote and recorded this a few years back, but everything still holds true today - except multiply my emotions by a billion. @TastyTrailsTravelPod and tasty.trails.travel on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel 

A little late… but worth the wait. 🦃✨This special Thanksgiving episode is all about gratitude—from Argentina to the people and places that shape our lives.After moving out of Argentina after five years, I’m reflecting on the community, food, friendships, and experiences that changed me forever. And I asked YOU what you’re grateful for this year.Tune in for a joyful, heartfelt collection of voice notes from listeners around the world sharing the big and small things that made 2025 meaningful.Happy Thanksgiving & happy holidays, friends. ❤️🦃🌎Food, travel, community, connection—it’s all here.

I’m back, baby — Season 2 is officially here! 🎙️It feels so good to have the mic out again after taking a little break to travel (and, honestly, to breathe). To ease back in, I’m picking up right where we left off with Travel Disasters: Part 2 — because let’s be real, the travel chaos never truly ends.In this episode, I’m talking about all the fun stuff we love to hate: bedbugs, stolen passports, scams, and lost valuables — plus how to avoid them, deal with them, and keep your sanity (and sense of humor) when things go sideways on the road.This one’s for anyone who’s ever been bitten, scammed, or left wondering why they didn’t just stay home — but knows deep down that even the disasters make the best stories.✈️ Here’s what I cover:Bedbugs and other “small pleasures” 😬Pickpockets, stolen passports, and what to do nextClassic travel scams (and how not to fall for them)The realities of staying calm when it all hits the fanHow to find the bright side — because there is oneSo grab your headphones and let’s kick off Season 2 with some painfully relatable (and surprisingly useful) travel tales.****Don't forget to send your voice notes in for the Thanksgiving episode coming up in two weeks!! -Last year's episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pgp2RBPgeeFlwC22hSTZg?si=8d8f7817b8fb4d54-Send a DM on Instagram: @tastytrailstravelpod: https://www.instagram.com/tastytrailstravelpod/-Email a voice note: tastytrailstravelpod@gmail.com

Ever had your luggage disappear? Dealt with food poisoning abroad? Missed a flight by minutes? You’re not alone. In this repurposed episode from Diary of a Digital Nomad, I am sharing real-life travel mishaps, what I learned, and my best tips for staying sane when things don’t go according to plan.Learn:How to avoid lost luggage (and what to pack in your carry-on)What to do if you get sick abroadHow to prep for — and recover from — missed flightsTravel health advice, packing hacks, and why travel insurance is your best friendThis is Part 1 of our Travel Disasters series — tune in next week for more real talk and smart solutions to common traveler struggles.Perfect for: digital nomads, solo travelers, backpackers, frequent flyers, and anyone planning their next trip!👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes with travel tips, cultural insights, and stories from the road.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or prepping for your first flight, this episode is your airport survival kit. I'm throwing it back to one of my most-loved episodes from Diary of a Digital Nomad, filled with 14 tips to make airport travel smoother, saner, and (dare I say?) enjoyable. From security line etiquette to the magic of airport lounges, I cover it all—frustrations, funny moments, and lessons learned the hard way.If you’ve ever sprinted to a gate, cursed the TSA line, or rolled your eyes at a gate hog, this one’s for you.✈️ Got a travel story or airport pet peeve? DM me @tastytrailstravelpod or reply below—I’d love to hear it.🎧 Listen in and make your next airport experience a little more human.Love exploring the world through food? Let’s take your next trip to the next level!🌍 Plan Your Dream Trip: Need expert travel advice? Skip the endless research—book a consult call and get a personalized itinerary tailored to your foodie adventures! 📩 Get Exclusive Food & Travel Tips: Sign up for my newsletter!  📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more! 

🎉 Happy Independence Day, Argentina! To celebrate, we’re serving up a second helping of one of our most beloved episodes — a vibrant, flavorful conversation with Pato from Las Chicas de La Tres, the heart and soul of the Mercado Central in Buenos Aires.If you’ve ever wondered what Argentine food culture really feels like — from empanadas and tortillas to local love, loyalty, and a dash of street food stardom — this is the episode for you. We chat about the power of food to bring people together, how their tiny kitchen feeds a rotating crowd of loyal locals and international visitors, and what it’s like to run a restaurant as a couple and business partners.This episode is entirely in Spanish, so if you're a Spanish speaker or learning the language, dive in! And if you’ve seen them on Netflix’s Street Food: Latin America, you know this isn’t just food — it’s pure heart.🎧 Listen, laugh, and maybe even plan your next meal (or trip) around their unforgettable story.🎉 ¡Feliz Día de la Independencia, Argentina! Para festejar, les traigo una segunda porción de uno de los episodios más queridos: una charla llena de sabor y emoción con Pato de Las Chicas de La Tres, el alma del Mercado Central en Buenos Aires.Hablamos de lo que significa la comida argentina como espacio de encuentro, del día a día en su cocina vertiginosa, de sus fieles clientes (algunos con platos fuera de menú personalizados), y de cómo fue aparecer en Street Food Latinoamérica de Netflix. También exploramos cómo equilibran ser pareja y socias, la magia de las empanadas, y los sueños que tienen para el futuro.Este episodio está completamente en español, así que si hablás el idioma o lo estás aprendiendo, ¡no te lo pierdas! Y si ya las viste en Netflix, sabés que su historia va mucho más allá de la comida: es puro corazón.🎧 Escuchalo, compartilo y quizás te inspires para tu próxima comida... o tu próximo viaje.

Shout out to anyone who gets the reference in the Title ;)Originally aired on Diary of a Digital Nomad, this throwback episode is landing just in time for the 4th of July—because honestly, it feels more important than ever to talk about what “home” means.In this episode, I share 7 reflections I’ve had about the United States since living and traveling abroad. Some are light, some are a little heavy, and some might hit especially hard right now—like why it’s okay to feel conflicted about patriotism, how work culture affects our lives, and what I’ve learned from seeing how other countries do things differently.I also talk about the distinction between a country and its government—and why I still believe there’s a lot worth loving, celebrating, and fighting for.Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or just questioning what independence even means this year, you’re not alone. Let this be a space to reflect, feel, and maybe even find a little hope.💬 QOTD: What do you love about your country—and what have you learned from others? Share your answer on Spotify or DM me on Instagram @tastytrailstravelpod🎧 Bonus food episodes from the U.S.:Ep. 12 – USAEp. 34 & 35 – Gullah Geechee Food & CultureEp. 36 – ThanksgivingEp. 51 – Lakota TraditionsEp. 52 – Food SovereigntyEp. 53 – New York BagelsLove exploring the world through food? Let’s take your next trip to the next level!🌍 Plan Your Dream Trip: Need expert travel advice? Skip the endless research—book a consult call and get a personalized itinerary tailored to your foodie adventures! 📩 Get Exclusive Food & Travel Tips: Sign up for my newsletter!  📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more!

This week, I’m bringing back a favorite episode — a rich and delicious conversation with Sahar about Persian food, culture, and what life in Iran is really like beyond what most people ever get to see.We talk about everything from sour stews and rice bellies to tahdig, kebabs, Nowruz traditions, and Sahar’s experience growing up in Tehran. You’ll learn about the incredible diversity across Iran’s regions — and yes, we even touch on controversial dishes involving sheep’s heads and yogurt drinks.Sahar is warm, hilarious, and generous in sharing what Persian food means to her — and I walked away hungry and more connected to a place I knew very little about.Whether this is your first time hearing the episode or you're tuning in again, I hope it leaves you curious, comforted, and craving saffron rice.📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more! 

In this week’s solo shorty, we’re going global and nostalgic. I’m ranking my favorite Italian cheeses, reminiscing on iconic snacks from the 1990s, and sharing a few surprising nuggets of food etiquette from around the world — including why you should never break your spaghetti in Italy, when it's okay to slurp your noodles, and how eating with a spoon can actually change your life.It’s a little nerdy, a little nostalgic, and very, very food-loving.🎧 Listen in — and don’t forget to head to YouTube or Spotify video to catch all the visuals!💬 Got a cheese opinion, ’90s snack memory, or etiquette tip to share? Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram — I want to hear from you!#ItalianCheese #90sSnacks #FoodEtiquette #FoodPodcast #TravelThroughFood #TastyTrailsTravelPod #Burrata #GlobalFoodCulture🎥 Watch now to learn, laugh, and maybe get a little hungry.👇 Tell me in the comments: What’s your favorite cheese? Which ’90s snack lives rent-free in your memory?

Ready for a light and fun episode all about food takes? In this solo shorty episode, I’m diving into some of my most opinionated lists — and I want to hear yours too!We’re talking:🥔 My favorite ways to eat potatoes (and the one potato dish I really can’t stand)🍟 The ultimate french fry shape ranking (you might be surprised)🍝 My top pasta shapes — and the one pasta I truly dislike🥩 The meat dishes I still miss after 9 years of being vegetarian This is a safe space for strong food opinions — whether you’re #TeamStinkyCheese, a spaghetti lover (or hater), or have hot takes on hash browns.👉 Listen in and then head over to Instagram or Spotify comments and tell me YOUR food faves and controversial picks. Let’s nerd out on food together!#FoodPodcast #PotatoLover #FrenchFriesRanking #PastaShapes #VegetarianPodcast #FoodOpinions #FunFoodEpisode #TastyTrailsTravelPodLove exploring the world through food? Let’s take your next trip to the next level!🌍 Plan Your Dream Trip: Need expert travel advice? Skip the endless research—book a consult call and get a personalized itinerary tailored to your foodie adventures! 📩 Get Exclusive Food & Travel Tips: Sign up for my newsletter!  📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more! 

This week, we’re heading to Gothenburg, Sweden to sit down with Michelin-starred chef Håkan Thörnström — a culinary storyteller with decades of experience turning local, seasonal ingredients into unforgettable meals.Håkan shares how growing up with a garden, a coastline full of seafood, and the scent of his grandmother’s baking shaped his lifelong relationship with food. We talk about his passion for ingredient-driven cooking, why he prefers partnering with foragers and small producers over big suppliers, and what makes Nordic cuisine so distinct — clean flavors, seasonal simplicity, and deep respect for nature.He walks us through iconic Swedish traditions like the smörgåsbord and Midsummer celebrations, tells us why Swedish pancakes are rarely found in restaurants, and shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to cook for the Nobel Prize dinner — twice. We even talk about coffee culture, cinnamon buns, and his unexpectedly strong opinions about licorice.Whether you’re planning a trip to Sweden, love Nordic flavors, or just want to hear a down-to-earth chef talk about food as a way of life, this episode is packed with warmth, insight, and inspiration.🎧 Full video also available on YouTube — just search Tasty Trails Travel and hit subscribe.Connect with Håkan at his restaurants Love exploring the world through food? Let’s take your next trip to the next level!🌍 Plan Your Dream Trip: Need expert travel advice? Skip the endless research—book a consult call and get a personalized itinerary tailored to your foodie adventures! 📩 Get Exclusive Food & Travel Tips: Sign up for my newsletter!  📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more!

What if a meal could change how you see an entire continent?In this episode, I sit down with Omar, a home cook from Zanzibar, Tanzania, now living in Buenos Aires, where he runs a beloved Swahili food experience from his home. His dishes — rich with coconut, cassava leaves, mango soup, and warm spices — blend East African, Arab, Indian, and colonial influences into something truly special.We talk about:Why ugali is a cornerstone of East African cookingThe bold, sour magic of green mango soupCooking as cultural storytelling — and a bridge between worldsStreet food, snacks, and childhood memories from ZanzibarHow Omar uses his restaurant to challenge narrow narratives about AfricaWhether you’re curious about Tanzanian food, inspired by cultural fusion, or just love a good story shared over a soulful dish, this episode will warm your heart and wake up your appetite.🎧 Listen now — and don’t forget, you can also watch the full episode on YouTube at Tasty Trails Travel Pod.📍 Visiting Buenos Aires? Look up Omar’s pop-up experience: it’s more than a meal — it’s a conversation.Connect with Omar- Instagram: @Afrikasana_swahili - Email: afrikasana@yahoo.com.ar - Afrika Sana Restaurant Love exploring the world through food? Let’s take your next trip to the next level!🌍 Plan Your Dream Trip: Need expert travel advice? Skip the endless research—book a consult call and get a personalized itinerary tailored to your foodie adventures! 📩 Get Exclusive Food & Travel Tips: Sign up for my newsletter!  📸 Follow the Journey: Join me on Instagram @tastytralstravelpod and @tastytrailstravel for behind-the-scenes stories, foodie finds, and cultural deep dives 🎧 More Episodes & Travel Inspiration: Visit my website for more!