Stop shaming people who order fast food abroad

View this email in your browser Hi everyone, Trying new food is one of the main joys of travel. It's a way to experience new cultures, learn about traditional flavors, and, most importantly, connect with people. Yet trying new food can also be exhausting. Eben Diskin makes the case that it's perfectly fine to indulge in familiar food when traveling abroad — even if that familiar food is fast food. Because while that KFC chicken bucket in China won't make the cut for your travel blog, it will put you in a better headspace to enjoy your trip. Elsewhere in the world, Matt Meltzer went to Sacramento, which was formally known as the "City of Trees" but has successfully transformed itself into "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital." We also spoke to locals and travel experts to learn why you should never tip at restaurants in Japan. Lastly, if you're looking for a cheese fix, you should look to the United States, as an American cheese won one of the top cheese awards for the first time ever. Eat what you want today and every day, Nickolaus Hines, food and drink editor FOOD + DRINK Stop shaming people who order fast food abroad Whenever we dare to consider deviating from the local food in a country known for its culinary tradition, we hear this friend's voice in our head: "What's wrong with you, dude? You can get Subway anywhere — you're in Italy!" Yeah, point taken, but the obligation to eat the most local and traditional foods every single meal just because "you're in Italy" can become more of a burden than a genuinely delightful experience. FAST FOOD ABROAD LATEST ARTICLES FOOD + DRINK Sacramento is the food and wine destination you didn't know you were missing FOOD + DRINK Why you should never tip in Japan NEWS For the first time ever, an American cheese wins top cheese award FOOD + DRINK Why Portland, Maine, is the ultimate fall food getaway FOOD + DRINK Common sushi mistakes Americans make, according to David Chang MATADOR CITY GUIDE TRIP PLANNING Where to eat in Kiev Kiev does not live on borscht alone. Ukraine saw plenty of stereotypical and corny restaurants pop up in the 1990s, and the early 2000s were the years of chain pizzerias. Now, a new generation of eateries is popping up. Some are mono cafes that tweak one dish to perfection; others play with international flavors and reinvent old recipes. And then there are the brunch spots that cater to the young and hip crowd, as well as restaurants serving cuisines from parts of the world that are largely underrepresented in the restaurant scene in the West. One major bonus is that, while average-to-pricey by Kiev standards, many of the top restaurants offer quality food at a lower price than you'd find in Western Europe or the US. In other words, Kiev's food scene can surprise you. Below are some of the most interesting (and delicious) restaurants in Kiev's popular neighborhoods, whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. EXPLORE KIEV FOOD ADVENTURE Operation Skate Tijuana When GRLSWIRL, a female skate community, brings 100 skateboards to migrant refugee children in Tijuana, the harsh reality pauses for a little while and kids get to be kids again. WATCH THE FILM FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE Copyright © 2019 Matador Network, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Matador Network PO Box 7775 #40021 San Francisco, CA 94120 Add us to your address book Need to change something? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from our newsletter. We'll be here when you need us!