Food is the ultimate storyteller
Food has a persistent memory
Every culture has its own rules, rituals, traditions, or even taboos about food. While the taste of certain local dishes are familiar enough to someone who may have prepared or eaten a similar dish in another country, there is still something inherently different about the food that is prepared based on local recipes. Recipes may change from time to time but there are certain local flavours that have been passed down from generation to generation that transcend culture.
Food gives great comfort
Comfort food is like a warm comfortable blanket hugging you during a raining morning. Not surprisingly, foods we often call as our own ‘comfort food' may not be all that delicious (especially to other people). Maybe the texture just isn't there or the taste may leave a bit to be desired. But all that is beside the point: comfort food is what it remind us of - all those warm and fond memories of chowing down on a bowl of noodle during the middle of the night.
Food makes for great memories
A good meal makes for highlight of a memorable trip. Our brains often use food as 'bookmarks' for certain experiences. You might be hard pressed to come up with some details of your trip to a small seaside village but the taste of grilled seafood can do wonders in jogging your memory. Everything can come rushing back - the sunset stretching out forever on the horizon, the warm summer breeze, and the friendly smile by the locals.
Food is a journey in itself
Usually, we think of trips and journeys as strictly geographical - getting from Point A to Point B. But food can also take you on a journey. Best of all, the journey all takes place on the table. In a way, having fusion food - recipes from one culture recreated, reassembled, and celebrated in another culture - is the ultimate trip. You get a journey within a journey.