By Dirk Ebener - November 7, 2025 Downtown Heidelberg, with an amazing view of the Heidelberg Castle Traveling has always been my way of connecting with the world—through flavors, history, and the rhythm of daily life in new places. I still remember my first time setting foot in Heidelberg. The cobblestone streets seemed to whisper stories, the Neckar River shimmered like liquid silver under the bridge, and the scent of freshly baked pretzels lured me from one corner to the n

By Dirk Ebener - October 26, 2025 Torii Gates are traditional Japanese gates at the entrance of Shinto shrines that mark the transition from the mundane to the sacred. “Japan calls to me like a memory I’ve never lived — a place where every flavor tells a story, every street whispers history, and every tradition feels sacred. Traveling there isn’t just about food; it’s about tasting centuries of culture in a single bite. I hope to lose myself in its markets, temples, and kitch

By Dirk Ebener - October 14, 2025 The waterfront in Shanghai is called The Bund (Waitan) , the famous promenade along the west bank of the Huangpu River Traveling across China for work has given me the opportunity to explore its diverse regional cuisines, each offering unique flavors and cultural insights. By balancing business responsibilities with intentional culinary exploration, I’ve discovered that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people and places

By Dirk Ebener - October 13, 2025 Local Japanese street food at a night market in Tokyo, Japan. A woman is grilling yakitori pork and chicken at a street food vendor market at a Japanese Winter Festival. Traveling, for me, is a feast for the senses — a journey where every aroma, sound, and taste tells a story. The heartbeat of a destination often lies in its kitchens and street stalls, where history and hospitality meet over simmering pots and sizzling pans. From the first si

here are certain cities that don’t just welcome you—they pull you into their story. The City of Nürnberg (Nuremberg in English), nestled in the heart of Bavaria, is one of those rare places where history, food, and atmosphere seem to coexist in harmony. I remember arriving at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) on a crisp autumn afternoon, suitcase in one hand and an appetite in the other. The air smelled faintly of roasted nuts from street vendors, the distant sound of a c

By Dirk Ebener - September 13, 2025 Wandering the streets in Valetta, Malta, reveal unique historical details like masonry initials For...

By Dirk Ebener - September 2, 2025 Open Air Spice Market in Tunisia “Every meal shared is more than food—it’s a passport to stories,...

Personal Introduction: A Love Letter to Italy's Sauces It started with a forkful of spaghetti on a quiet piazza in Lido de Jesolo, the sauce still steaming and clinging lovingly to each strand of pasta. I remember it vividly — the rich, slow-simmered tang of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. That was my first authentic marinara in Italy, and it changed the way I understood food. Over the years, I've returned to Italy time and again, lured not just by the romance of its hills and

There is something deeply comforting about Sauerbraten that makes it one of my favorite dishes, especially during the winter months. The first time I tasted it, I was visiting a small family-run restaurant tucked away in the hills of southern Germany. Snowflakes were gently falling outside, and inside, the rich aroma of slow-braised beef and tangy spices filled the warm dining room. It was love at first bite. The tender meat, the flavorful gravy, the soft dumplings, and cabba