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The Food Traveler's Handbook
The Food Traveler's Handbook provides a compelling argument for why it is important to use food as a lens through which you see the world. Using this handbook as a guide, you will learn how to eat safely in developing countries, source cheap but delicious streetside meals and discover how to make food a tool for understanding a new place and connecting to its local culture.
- GenresTravelFoodNonfiction
132 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2012
5 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Ettenberg
2 books35 followersJodi Ettenberg was born in Montreal and has been eating her way around the world since April 2008. She is the author of the recently published Food Traveler’s Handbook. She is also the founder of Legal Nomads, which chronicles worldwide travel and food adventures, and is a contributing editor for Longreads. Prior to founding Legal Nomads, Jodi worked for five years as a corporate lawyer in New York City. She frequently speaks about social media strategy, food and travel, and curation. She gets the shakes when she goes too long without eating sticky rice.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 16, 2012
Instead of a review of my own book (poor form, no? ;) I thought I'd use this space to explain a bit of why I decided to write it. I grew up in a household that was not focused on food, and it was during my travels that I learned about foods from far-flung places and how they changed over the course of a country's history. Regions had a distinct way of cooking and spicing, and a geographic food footprint to call their own.
Discovering food by eating it abroad went far beyond the international restaurants I sampled growing up in Montreal and later while working in New York. As I traveled, my journey shifted perceptibly from a focus on places and people, to a focus on those places and people through their food. As I continued to look at the anthropology of what we eat (and why we eat it), the idea of a food book took form. I received emails from worried travelers who wanted to eat at street stalls but feared becoming ill. Many of them were readers of my blog and others were suggested by friends to reach out and ask about food and travel. At the same time, I found myself encouraging others who did not focus on food to use eating as a guide, a way of understanding a new place.
And so, the book was born. It's both a love story to food and how it is an ideal lens to learn about a new place but also a "how to" guide on finding cheap food around the world, tips for picking a street stall that won't get you sick and things you might want to take with you from home.
I hope you enjoy!
Discovering food by eating it abroad went far beyond the international restaurants I sampled growing up in Montreal and later while working in New York. As I traveled, my journey shifted perceptibly from a focus on places and people, to a focus on those places and people through their food. As I continued to look at the anthropology of what we eat (and why we eat it), the idea of a food book took form. I received emails from worried travelers who wanted to eat at street stalls but feared becoming ill. Many of them were readers of my blog and others were suggested by friends to reach out and ask about food and travel. At the same time, I found myself encouraging others who did not focus on food to use eating as a guide, a way of understanding a new place.
And so, the book was born. It's both a love story to food and how it is an ideal lens to learn about a new place but also a "how to" guide on finding cheap food around the world, tips for picking a street stall that won't get you sick and things you might want to take with you from home.
I hope you enjoy!
February 10, 2013
Jodi Ettenberg’s Food traveller’s handbook is an evocative and practical distillation of hard lessons and culinary highs experienced over a decade and then some of long-haul adventures. There’s a patina of authenticity flowing through her writing which stems from both the grand scale of this former lawyer’s escapades (if the Canadian Passport Authority had a loyalty programme, Jodi would be flashing double platinum at immigration) and the author’s changing travel persona – from vacationer through round-the-world backpacker and onto location independent “legal nomad”.
Although the meat of the book is, as the title suggests, in the form of a “handbook”, it is the bite-sized chunks of our guide’s personal food memories which are the highlights here – reflective vignettes on the joys of being a global food citizen. Kicking off with “Laos Tapas” on the pavements of Luang Prabang, by the end we’ve eaten our way around the world from Moroccan spices in France to cheesy cornbread in Columbia and food/fashion fusion in Burma.
Jodi’s skill – the literary spice which lifts this above standard food porn – is her expression of how the street food experience, its rituals and the human interactions they demand, allow each serendipitous snack to become a pathway into a better understanding of where you are and the locals you’re meeting. Plus, she’s recruited fellow travel writers to add more great tales and tips from Zambia, India and Mexico.
These are great pieces which ring true – having collected a few passport stamps myself, I’m on the same page of the menu as Jodi as to the importance of diving into local food for the deepest, most satisfying of travel experiences. There IS nothing like the culinary alchemy of how a Singaporean hawker can turn shredded turnip of all things into the vegetarian apex predator that is Popiah; or nothing to compare with wolfing down a heaped plate of spicy dhal bhat and rice halfway up a Himalayan mountain – cooked over an open fire in a stone shack but served with real pride by the dhaba lady.
For me, her insights were where I got most out of my reading, but this is a “handbook” after all and our author’s lawyerly discipline eventually comes to the fore, with informative sections on every possible food-related issue. Whatever travel experience a reader might be considering – from one-week vacay to global epic, there’s a ton of info here – savvy suggestions on making smart food choices to avoid illness as well as a personal take on why allergies and food intolerances didn’t stop the author in her tracks and won’t stop you. Jodi even flags some important ethical choices readers might need to consider. Me? I’d be fine with dog, and am still annoyed that bad timing meant I missed out on a monitor lizard curry in Borneo once, but I’m with the author all the way when it comes to shark fins – that’s a big NO.
The Food traveller’s handbook is a very modern tome – a paperback is available for the dead tree fetishists, but I imagine most of target audience will pick this up via Amazon Kindle and with colour photos and info panels throughout, it’s made for the modern tablet audience. Lengthwise, we’re way past a longform article but not quite in sight of a coffee table book – there’s a lot of stuff here people, and it’s well worth the price of admission.
As to the downsides? Well, like a typical street-food addict, I’m greedy, I’m a glutton, and would have liked to have had even more of the author’s personal travel food stories. Plus, the resources section has a lot of links in it, some of which will date quickly, so this is a book “of its moment” to grab hold of, although I’m sure there will be updated editions in the future.
But, these are trifles. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting a new and foreign culture anytime soon, or know someone who is, then get this book – it’s keenly priced and worth every cent. Buy the book, get outside your culinary comfort zone and expand your mind as well as your waistline…
As well as Goodreads' "buy" links, there’s more information on the book on Jodi’s superb travel blog, Legal Nomads, including a video trailer.
Legal Nomads
This review originally appeared on my personal travel blog
Although the meat of the book is, as the title suggests, in the form of a “handbook”, it is the bite-sized chunks of our guide’s personal food memories which are the highlights here – reflective vignettes on the joys of being a global food citizen. Kicking off with “Laos Tapas” on the pavements of Luang Prabang, by the end we’ve eaten our way around the world from Moroccan spices in France to cheesy cornbread in Columbia and food/fashion fusion in Burma.
Jodi’s skill – the literary spice which lifts this above standard food porn – is her expression of how the street food experience, its rituals and the human interactions they demand, allow each serendipitous snack to become a pathway into a better understanding of where you are and the locals you’re meeting. Plus, she’s recruited fellow travel writers to add more great tales and tips from Zambia, India and Mexico.
These are great pieces which ring true – having collected a few passport stamps myself, I’m on the same page of the menu as Jodi as to the importance of diving into local food for the deepest, most satisfying of travel experiences. There IS nothing like the culinary alchemy of how a Singaporean hawker can turn shredded turnip of all things into the vegetarian apex predator that is Popiah; or nothing to compare with wolfing down a heaped plate of spicy dhal bhat and rice halfway up a Himalayan mountain – cooked over an open fire in a stone shack but served with real pride by the dhaba lady.
For me, her insights were where I got most out of my reading, but this is a “handbook” after all and our author’s lawyerly discipline eventually comes to the fore, with informative sections on every possible food-related issue. Whatever travel experience a reader might be considering – from one-week vacay to global epic, there’s a ton of info here – savvy suggestions on making smart food choices to avoid illness as well as a personal take on why allergies and food intolerances didn’t stop the author in her tracks and won’t stop you. Jodi even flags some important ethical choices readers might need to consider. Me? I’d be fine with dog, and am still annoyed that bad timing meant I missed out on a monitor lizard curry in Borneo once, but I’m with the author all the way when it comes to shark fins – that’s a big NO.
The Food traveller’s handbook is a very modern tome – a paperback is available for the dead tree fetishists, but I imagine most of target audience will pick this up via Amazon Kindle and with colour photos and info panels throughout, it’s made for the modern tablet audience. Lengthwise, we’re way past a longform article but not quite in sight of a coffee table book – there’s a lot of stuff here people, and it’s well worth the price of admission.
As to the downsides? Well, like a typical street-food addict, I’m greedy, I’m a glutton, and would have liked to have had even more of the author’s personal travel food stories. Plus, the resources section has a lot of links in it, some of which will date quickly, so this is a book “of its moment” to grab hold of, although I’m sure there will be updated editions in the future.
But, these are trifles. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting a new and foreign culture anytime soon, or know someone who is, then get this book – it’s keenly priced and worth every cent. Buy the book, get outside your culinary comfort zone and expand your mind as well as your waistline…
As well as Goodreads' "buy" links, there’s more information on the book on Jodi’s superb travel blog, Legal Nomads, including a video trailer.
Legal Nomads
This review originally appeared on my personal travel blog
September 4, 2024
A good reminder for how to approach traveling and eating food on your travels (as a person who got an upset stomach after drinking some iced cold drinks from McDonald’s in Indonesia)
December 5, 2012
This is the review I shared on Amazon.com.
In The Food Traveler's Handbook, Jodi Ettenberg delves into the fine art of experiencing new cultures and connecting with people through food. The book is concisely written, with practical tips on everything from avoiding sickness to navigating food etiquette in different cultures. Jodi writes with equal passion about the flavors, dishes, and people she has encountered through her travels, offering a unique perspective that mades this book not only informative, but truly enjoyable.
Jodi's stories of her travels are the absolute highlight of the book. They make her advice come alive. Just be warned: Jodi's travels - from learning the art of spices from a market vendor in the South of France, to chowing down tacos in Mexico - will have you packing your bags and planning your next trip.
A must-read for those aspiring to be food-focused travelers!
In The Food Traveler's Handbook, Jodi Ettenberg delves into the fine art of experiencing new cultures and connecting with people through food. The book is concisely written, with practical tips on everything from avoiding sickness to navigating food etiquette in different cultures. Jodi writes with equal passion about the flavors, dishes, and people she has encountered through her travels, offering a unique perspective that mades this book not only informative, but truly enjoyable.
Jodi's stories of her travels are the absolute highlight of the book. They make her advice come alive. Just be warned: Jodi's travels - from learning the art of spices from a market vendor in the South of France, to chowing down tacos in Mexico - will have you packing your bags and planning your next trip.
A must-read for those aspiring to be food-focused travelers!
October 17, 2012
The Food Traveler’s Handbook is a guide book on how to find cheap and delicious food safely anywhere in the world. The book is filled with practical advice on eating beyond the tourist restaurants and Jodi relates many of the food travel tips through her own personal experiences on the road. Her personal stories are entertaining and inspiring and it has made me reassess my view on how food and travel relate. I recommend this book for beginners and veteran travellers alike.
Review at: Book Review: The Food Traveler’s Handbook by Jodi Ettenberg.
Review at: Book Review: The Food Traveler’s Handbook by Jodi Ettenberg.
August 26, 2016
This was a gift from a dear friend at a difficult time in my life and traveling vicariously through Jodi's writing and food observations was exactly what I needed. I've read Jodi's blog for years and I've found her approach refreshing and inspiring. The book synthesizes many of her reflections on food and travel in exciting ways. Highly recommended for foodies and wanderers worldwide!
May 24, 2015
This book was not quite what I had expected.
It's only 132 pages and includes lots of photos and quotes so really, there are less than 100 pages of original content.
I had hoped for more personal examples from the author's travels. Instead, I found the book quite dry and the message (eat like a local) quite obvious.
It's only 132 pages and includes lots of photos and quotes so really, there are less than 100 pages of original content.
I had hoped for more personal examples from the author's travels. Instead, I found the book quite dry and the message (eat like a local) quite obvious.
February 5, 2016
I'm a huge fan of Jodi's blog Legal Nomads, so wasn't surprised to love the book. I find that on her blog she really responds to providing advice that her readers want and highlights resources from other sources which her readers may find valuable. This book was no different. It was a mix of advice, great stories, and suggestions of great resources. Look forward to taking this on my next trip!
January 15, 2013
Fun, educational, quick read.
February 16, 2013
interesting book, good tips. however, there's a lot of repetitions, and if you've already read her blog a lot, you know most of the infos she mentions in the book. great list of resources though!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews