Hotpot @ Ma Zheng Xing Restaurant
Ma Zheng Xing Restaurant in Chongqing is widely regarded as the first hotpot restaurant in China. A beloved destination for both locals and tourists, it offers a quintessential taste of classic Chongqing hotpot. The restaurant is renowned for its signature dish—hotpot—where a bubbling pot of broth is placed at the center of the table, and diners cook various fresh ingredients right in the pot. Chongqing hotpot is especially famous for its bold, spicy, and numbing flavors, typically infused with generous amounts of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers. For anyone looking to experience the authentic hotpot culture of Chongqing, Ma Zheng Xing is a must-visit.

Disco Fries @ Tick Tock Diner
The Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, New Jersey, has been a beloved 24/7 institution since it first opened its doors in 1948. It rose to prominence in the 1970s thanks to its iconic disco fries—a crave-worthy late-night staple deeply intertwined with the era’s vibrant club scene. These indulgent fries are piled high, golden and crispy, smothered in gooey mozzarella, and drenched in rich, velvety brown turkey gravy. Originally a midnight favorite, disco fries soon earned their place on daytime and even breakfast menus throughout the ’80s and ’90s. The original version remains a gloriously over-the-top comfort food classic—messy in all the best ways.

Cubes of Bread @ Sei Kee Cafe
Located in a small square at the entrance of Taipa Village, Sei Kee Cafe is a popular spot known for its homemade milk tea and claypot brewed coffee, which they've been preparing using the original recipe since 1965. This simple and affordable local eatery serves snacks from early morning until late afternoon. Aside from the drinks, Sei Kee Cafe's signature dishes include their 'cubes' of bread, grilled over charcoal to impart a smoky flavor, served with condensed milk, peanut butter, and a sprinkle of crunchy biscuit bits.

Deep-Fried Pork Chop Buns @ Sing Lei Cha Chaan Teng
Just a block from Largo do Senado, the charming Sing Lei is renowned as one of the top spots for Cha Chaan Teng in Central Macau, especially for its famous Deep-Fried Pork Chop Buns, Cantonese French toast - served with a slab of butter and condensed milk, milk tea, and yuan yang (half coffee, half tea). This beloved neighborhood hangout is also perfect for people-watching at any time of day. Open daily from 07:30 for breakfast until 22:00 for late dinners, it’s the ideal place to soak in the local atmosphere.

Tapas @ Ventorrillo El Chato
I totally respect Shawn’s commitment to facts over fiction. For that reason, I will not even mention the ridiculous story that Tapas might have been invented by Fernando the VII in 1780 with his fantastically named pal “Brother Manzanilla” at the legendary Ventorillo del Chato near Cadiz. Nope. Not a word about it.

Muromachi Sunaba Akasaka @ Muromachi Sunaba Akasaka
A Tokyo spot for old people, foodie historians and movie buffs: This is Muromachi Sunaba Akasaka where the 1985 Ramen film Tampopo was filmed (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) - I had the honor of sitting in the very seat where the old man defied warnings and ate mochi - the infamous gluten choking substance - and was saved by having the elastic knob vacuumed out of his throat. It is an allegory about food and life being worth the associated risks - it was your grandparent's favorite foreign film. The mix of ancient and modern in this photo is priceless.

Late Night Ramen @ Hashigo Ginza Hon-ten
Tantanmen (Dan Dan) ramen and gyozas until 5am! Noodles are thin, soft and soak up in shoyu broth. Toppings feature steamed chicken, braised or fried pork while condiments include pickled mustard, sesame paste and chili oil.

Early Morning Ramen @ E-Chan Shokudou
This is the premiere Tonkotsu ramen you can get from 6:30 am. Made with a creamy pork bone broth with tender slices of pork belly, marinated soft-boiled egg, and fresh green onions.

Spicy Ramen @ Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbō Kanda Honten
Shinshu miso is fermented in wooden barrels and then mixed with cheese, peanut paste, and fish sauce. Soup is a blend of pork and chicken bones, several vegetables, herbs, spices, and six kinds of red peppers. Heat and numbing levels can be customized.

Abura Soupless Ramen @ Ramen Benten
This unusual soupless ramen features gorgeous noodles sitting in a pool of aromatic oils in a shoyu tare base, with menma (Bamboo Shoots) nori and green onions. Toss the noodles in the oils and enjoy