Sinfully Delicious - Foreign Foodgasms
This is a series highlighting some of my favorite meals I’ve had around the world. It was originally going to be just one blog post, but I’ve got wayyyy to many meals to limit us in that way. I hope you enjoy and definitely recommend some cuisine and restaurants you’d think I’d like!
Sri Lankan Feast in Tokyo?!
Sri Lanka is yet another place on my bucket list to visit, but what a pleasant surprise it was to be in Tokyo and find Bandara Lanka. Aside from the welcoming and elegant vibe of the restaurant, this meal was so balanced and nourishing. It featured flavorful, perfectly cooked chicken, pumpkin curry (pumpkins are underrated imo…), Sri Lankan red rice, lentil curry, and papadam—all bringing something different to the plate.
I didn’t get a photo, but they also had coconut and saffron desserts that had just the right amount of sweetness. After spending weeks enjoying Japanese cuisine, this was such a lovely way to refresh my palate, experience something completely different, and get a little taste of a country that’s still on my bucket list. Highly recommend if you find yourself in Tokyo. :)
Haitian Cuisine on Flatbush Ave NYC
For our next stop, we’re heading to BunNan on Flatbush Ave. You should know—nothing gives me life like a Haitian meal. The delicious djon djon rice, the way they balance their spices, frying meat until it’s perfectly crispy but never greasy, and how every meal comes with some kind of vegetable, whether it’s a fresh salad or cabbage. I genuinely can’t say anything bad about a Haitian meal I’ve had—whether it’s from a restaurant or someone’s home kitchen.
I’ll also highlight that BunNan gives you filling portions, which I always appreciate. There’s something about being served a generous plate of food that feels like another extension of love from the chef. <3
Mango Sticky Rice in Thailand
Okay, this dish has gotten a lot of popularity, but for good reason—it’s simple but checks all the boxes for me. The soft, natural sweetness of the mango, the coconut flavor, and the glutinous, chewy texture of the rice come together in such harmony. There’s the sweetness, the creaminess, a little crunch from the toasted mung beans, and just a hint of saltiness, all coming together in one bite. I love the ritual of drizzling your own coconut cream over it, adding as much as you like.
I know there are some coconut haters out there, but this dish brings me so much pleasure in its candor.