45 DAYS / 45 DISHES / 45 COUNTRIES
At the start of November 2012, reviewing posts from October and realizing that I had eaten dishes attributable to 14 different countries without even trying, I challenged myself to eat 30 dishes from 30 countries over the course of 30 consecutive days. Eating at restaurants and cooking myself, I completed the project. I kept it going for another 15 days, another 15 dishes, another 15 countries.
The 3-letter abbreviations for the countries are the official designations in the United Nations system.
- Cameroon (3.301 CMR Puff-Puff & Beans)
- Uzbekistan (3.302 UZB Plov)
- Philippines (3.303 PHL Bacolad-Style Inasal Chicken)
- Vietnam (3.304 VNM Spicy Brisket Pho)
- Hungary (3.305 HUN Beef Goulash)
- India (3.306 IND Non-Vegetarian Lunch Set A)
- Spain (3.307 Authentic ESP Seafood Paella)
- Paraguay (3.308 Assorted PRY Empanadas)
- Cambodia (3.309 KHM Nom Chienn)
- England (3.310 GBR Fish & Chips)
- South Africa (3.311 ZAF Meat Platter)
- Indonesia (3.12 IDN Mee Goreng)
- Pakistan (3.313 PAK Bohri-Style Broast Chicken)
- Singapore (3.314 SGP Black Pepper King Crab)
- Mongolia (3.315 MNG Khuushuur)
- Austrian (3.316 AUT Alt-Wiener Suppenhuhn)
- Republic of Korea (3.317 KOR Janchi Guksu)
- Greece (3.318 GRC Chicken Souvlaki)
- Japan (3.319 JPN Satsumaage)
- Turkey (3.320 TUR Lamb Doner Kebab Wrap)
- Thailand (3.321 THA Phak Boong Fai Daeng)
- Australia (3.322 AUS Vegemite Toast)
- Peru (3.323 PER Cebiche Mixto)
- Italy (3.324 ITA Pasta Fresca alla Ragù)
- Sri Lanka (3.325 LAK Devilled Chicken)
- Bulgaria (3.326 BGR Yogurt)
- Norway (3.327 NOR Smørbrød with Moose Sausage & Aioli)
- Mexico (3.328 MEX Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos)
- Morocco (3.329 MAR Chicken Sandwich)
- Sweden (3.330 SWE Kåldolmar)
- United States of America (3.331 USA New York Strip)
- Malaysia (3.332 MYS Cucur Udang)
- Czech Republic (3.333 CZE Pub Praha Special)
- United Arab Emirates (3.334 ARE Bamiya)
- Russia (3.335 RUS Lamb Pelmeni)
- China (3.336 CHN Lo Mein Noodle Soup with Shrimp Wontons)
- Lebanon (3.337 LBN Manouche Kafta)
- France (3.338 FRA Suprêmes de Volaille à Blanc avec Asperges)
- Nepal (3.339 NPL Mutton Set)
- Switzerland (3.340 CHE Baguette Sandwich with Emmental Cheese & Pork Pastrami)
- Egypt (3.341 EGY Ta’amiya)
- Germany (3.342 DEU Bauernsuppe)
- Iran (3.343 IRN Dal-Adas Curry)
- Brazil (3.344 BRA Churrasco)
- Ireland (3.345 IRL Stew)
In the end, I regret that I was unable to include 2 countries, Canada and Kazakhstan, that were represented by restaurants in the city – maybe next time. Also North Korea, which didn’t even occur to me.
Sources: 30 in some sort of commercial setting – 8 restaurants were completely empty of other customers during my visit except for me or my party – 15 by me.
My favorite restaurant items were the Lebanese lamb sandwich and the Thai morning glory stir-fry, while my favorite home-cooked item was the Swedish cabbage rolls.
Overall, it was a great experience. I encountered a lot of restaurants and national cuisines that I may never have otherwise. I discovered, much to my pleasant surprise, that such a wide variety could be had with relatively easy access in Korea. But I spent a lot of money in doing so. And maintaining the streak for 45 consecutive days did constitute a major pain in the ass at times. Still, I’m glad that I did it.
(See also BOOZE)
(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)
(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)