A wonderful world: Food, markets & cities

Pig's head & other bits sold in Central Market, Downtown Los Angeles

One of my passions in life is to eat! I love cooking at home as well as dining out. My favourite cuisines: Japanese (not just sushi), Chinese (esp. Szechuan food), Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Moroccan and French. I am not a big fan of fusion or over-complicated cooking (unless it is done by a masterchef!). I believe fresh produce/ high quality ingredients are key to an excellent meal. When the produce is fresh, do as little as possible to retain its original flavours, esp. with seafood. Simplicity is the answer and the Japanese are experts in this area.

I love going to food markets when I visit foreign cities because it shows how important food is in their cultures or lives. I love the smell, colours and buzz, I also love how the market vendors arrange their displays, their work can almost be considered an art of its own. Besides, market food stalls usually serve fresh, delicious and inexpensive food, so they are great places to grab quick bites too.

If you want to understand the culture and people of a country, skip the sightseeing, just go to the markets and absorb the atmosphere, watch the sellers and shoppers interact, it's so fascinating! Supermarkets thrive in the U.S. and U.K. because people are too lazy! The popularity of farmers markets in recent years has proved that people are finally changing their eating habits. Why do we buy unripe fruits and vegetables flown all the way from Kenya or India when we can buy fresh local produce at the markets?! It doesn't make sense. Let's all start supporting our local food markets instead of the large chained supermarkets!!