Ten Questions That Define Our Food Blogger Journey
- Food Blogger Journey
- Sep 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 25
By Dirk Ebener - September 7, 2025
Food has always been more than just a meal to me. It’s the heartbeat of my travels, the lens through which I experience cultures, and the bridge to people worldwide. Over the past 40 years and in 60 countries, my fondest memories center around meals and their makers.
I might forget the details of a conference room, where I once spent a week working, but I will never forget the steaming bowl of authentic Vietnamese pho I had in a restaurant in Singapore, or the afternoon I sat in a home in Istanbul, sipping mint tea while my hosts shared stories in a language I barely understood but somehow felt deeply connected to.
These moments, when food became the common language, sparked the creation of Food Blogger Journey.
When people ask why I started Food Blogger Journey, I explain it was to share the stories behind food and travel—the traditions, people, and history. Travel is defined by its flavors as much as its sights. Over time, Food Blogger Journey became more than a blog.
It became a place to encourage others to try new foods, be curious, and view every meal as an opportunity to connect with people.
Naturally, one of the most common questions I get is how many countries I have visited. The answer is over 60, but the number itself isn’t what matters most. Each country has taught me something different through its food. Argentina showed me how grilling meat is not just about cooking, but about spending time together. Japan showed me how much care and patience go into making sushi, where even the rice takes years to perfect. Mexico taught me that some of the best meals are eaten while standing at a street stall, tacos in hand, lime juice dripping onto the ground. And Germany, my home, reminded me that comfort can be found in the simplest traditions—fresh bread from the oven, sausages with mustard, and the happiness of sharing both with family.
Each destination adds another chapter to the story I’m telling, and every dish becomes part of the journey.
When people ask what the best food destination in the world is, I always smile. How could I choose just one? Italy always amazes with its old traditions, where pasta and wine are more than just food—they are a way of life. Japan’s food feels like art, where even a simple bowl of ramen is made with great care. Tunisia fills your senses with spices that have traveled along old trade routes for centuries. Mexico is full of life, with its vibrant street food, and India shines with its variety, where every state and city has its own unique culinary offerings.
The truth is, the “best” food destination is often the one you are standing in at that moment, willing to say yes to something new.
People also ask if I focus more on food or travel. To me, they go together: food gives travel meaning, and travel enhances the experience of food. A bowl of pho, for instance, tells a story of history and daily life, while a glass of whisky in Scotland carries with it the place, its production story, and generations of skill.
You cannot fully understand a place without tasting it, and you cannot fully appreciate a dish without knowing the land and people behind it.
Of course, many people wonder how I can afford to travel so often. The answer is balance. I travel for work, try to spend money wisely, and save where I can, so I can allocate more funds to things that matter most. I usually eat street food, stay in small hotels or guesthouses, and use public transportation, such as buses or trains. This keeps costs low and lets me experience daily life in each place. However, I also save up for special experiences, such as a fancy meal in Barcelona, a food tour in Tuscany, or a whisky tasting in Scotland. These moments may be more expensive, but they become stories I remember forever.
Travel, after all, is not about how much you spend—it’s about how wisely you choose to spend it.
Another question I get is whether I eat everything I am offered. The short answer is yes—I try to, because food is often the truest way people show kindness. Saying yes shows respect to the culture that welcomes you. Being open has led me to some surprising culinary experiences: plant-based dishes in the Amazon, duck at an important business meeting in Beijing, and special foods that have pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Not every bite becomes a personal favorite, but each one adds depth to my understanding of the dish. It’s about stepping outside comfort zones and embracing what a culture shares with you.
When I am asked about my most memorable meal, my mind always goes to Tunisia. I was invited into a family’s home during a wedding celebration. We sat on the floor, sharing couscous from a communal dish while laughter and music filled the room. I didn’t speak the local language, but I tried to communicate with my 6 years of high school French, yet I understood everything that mattered. That meal was not just food—it was belonging.
It taught me that the most meaningful meals do not happen in fine dining restaurants but in homes where generosity is the main ingredient.
Many readers want to know how they can plan their own food-focused journeys, and my advice is always to start with curiosity. Research local specialties before you go. Build your itinerary around them—not just the landmarks, but the flavors. Visit local spice and food markets, where you will see what locals actually buy and eat. Ask the locals where they go for dinner. You will rarely be steered wrong. And if you have time, ask the restaurant owners about their favorite foods and how they prepare them. You might end up in the kitchen chopping food.
These experiences provide a hands-on understanding of traditions that no restaurant menu could ever fully convey.
For first-time food travelers, my advice is even simpler: be open, curious, and brave. Some of the best meals of my life were enjoyed at plastic chairs beside smoky grills. Learn a few words in the local language—especially food-related ones. It will open doors, bring smiles, and sometimes even earn you a secret tip on what to order. And do not judge too quickly. Do not walk past street stalls because they look and smell unfamiliar.
The flavors that seem strange at first often become the most memorable.
As I think about what’s next for Food Blogger Journey, I want to share my travels more directly. I will always love writing and taking notes, but I am thinking about creating food adventures where travelers and food lovers can join me in person. I picture drinking warm wine at Germany’s Christmas markets, tasting wine in Tuscany’s hills, or walking through busy food streets in Bangkok—not just reading about it, but doing it together. The future is about making these stories into real experiences, where we make memories together.
In the end, Food Blogger Journey is about much more than food. It’s about discovery, connection, and the stories that meals carry with them. Every dish has a history, every trip deepens understanding, and every shared meal creates a memory worth holding on to.
These ten questions and comments may have started as curiosities, but they have come to define my philosophy of travel and food: to stay curious, to respect culture, and to believe that food is the most powerful way we have to connect with one another.
Dirk Ebener is the founder and creator behind the Food Blogger Journey website, drawing on over 40 years of international travel across more than 60 countries. His global adventures have deepened his understanding of regional cuisines, local customs, and the powerful connection between food and culture. From bustling street markets in Asia to quiet vineyard dinners in Europe, Dirk captures authentic culinary experiences through immersive storytelling. Through Food Blogger Journey, he invites readers to explore the world one dish at a time.
© 2025 Food Blogger Journey. All rights reserved. The experiences, opinions, and photos this blog shares are based on personal travel and culinary exploration. Reproduction or distribution of content without written permission is prohibited.
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