Introducing Megan McCormick - Been There, Ate That. Various Locales. (Written by Megan McCormick.)

ed and meganMegan & Eddie on the express train to Yumsville.

For the last few years I have done a bit of traveling for a show called Globetrekker. Talk about an eye-opening, mouthwatering experience! Through my “job” and some independent travel, I have visited almost 40 countries. Now, by saying that, I am not trying to brag, no, not me. I simply state the facts in order to help explain how I may have had the pleasure to sample such wonderful delicacies as “Fruit Bat tied with Yellow Ribbon” in Micronesia and “Cobra Heart with Rice Wine Chaser” in Vietnam. My friend Eddie has an even more adventurous palate and no one is paying him to do it! Mad respect to you, Eddie!

That said, my eyes have been opened, my palate broadened and, here, on Deep End Dining, I am going to dish it! Tune in for all the gory glory about the things I have eaten on the road. The good, the bad and sometimes, the very ugly.

Speaking of on the road:

Best Roadside Food: Camel Kebab, Somewhere in southern Oman.

If you ever find yourself in Oman and you are down south visiting the beaches and perhaps Job’s tomb, please stop by one of the roadside stalls. There is nothing quite like a camel kebab. It comes served with pita and all the customary salad and sauces. The real beauty of it is in saying camel kebab three times quickly while chewing (and chewing and chewing and chewing).

Actual Best Roadside Food: TIE! Laos and France

Laos: There is nothing like a 25 cent bowl of gorgeous noodle soup first thing in the morning. In Laos it’s called foe and it isn’t just for breakfast anymore! I enjoyed this soup at least once a day. And I do mean enjoyed. It’s basic thin rice noodles, sometimes some meat (beef, chicken or even water buffalo), and usually comes with a salad and some coriander and bean sprouts on the side. For me it’s all about the spice. I remember one particular bowl in a place near Louang Namtha in the north. The owner of the establishment serenaded us with Elvis tunes. At least I think that’s what he was singing.

France: Believe it or not one of the best meals I had in France (keep in mind I eat on a budget most of the time) was at a routier which is a French truck stop. It was a bargain. A four-course meal made from fresh local produce, meats and cheeses complete with all the wine you can drink (brilliant! Especially since they are serving people who drive for a living! Gotta love the French.) All for around eight bucks! There was one long table in the middle of the place and we hobnobbed with some of the friendliest truckers that side of the Atlantic. I’m not sure where in France this one was, somewhere between Spain and England, but I am sure there are others. Look for the café with the most abandoned lorries and you have probably found a good one.

The Ugliest Food: Well this auspicious distinction goes to none other than the famous grasscutter a.k.a. jungle rat of Ghana. Not a cute critter but, man, it is good eatin’. Shave him, boil him and serve him in a broth with some fu fu (cassava that is thick and smooth kind of like mochi in Japan) and voila! I thought about trying this with a New York City rat once, but luckily I sobered up.

(Written by Megan McCormick. Megan is also the host for television's Globe Trekker.)

Comments

Anonymous said…
Megan McCormick! Wow, I've survived a year of bad food in the Netherlands (Dutch food can be great, but not in Utrecht) by eating vicariously with you in Vietnam, etc, etc. You never did say whether you liked that chicken porridge you had outside a nightclub in Jakarta. Can't wait to read more about your adventures!
Anonymous said…
Tasty african rat? Years of studying the Yoruba and Ewe languages has led to many third year converstion courses in which the teacher would ask us "What food do you like" and the proper answer was always "I like to eat rat." It turns out that we are talking about cane rats, a gopher like rodent that likes to eat sugar cane. Never tasted it, although if you ever visit Transylvania, you might get lucky and be served stuffed nutria.
Anonymous said…
You are like the girl I always wanted

:-)

kisses, you are a great profesional
Anonymous said…
I loved watching Globetrekker [and when it was known as LonelyPlanet too]. Remember the scene when you were in Taiwan I think, and you tried the snake wine.
Anonymous said…
need more posts, Megan! I love the weird dim sum posts - this is a really great but SLOW blog. But you must be eating something really radical and not telling us about them! Get on the keyboard!
hcfoo said…
Hi Megan! I love to watch your show. I think by far your best show on Globe Trekker was the one travelling to India. Hope to see more of you in the future. And take care of yourself coz u are always sick.
Anonymous said…
Hi Megan, when I stumbled on your blog I thought you looked familiar - and now I know why! I admire your work and wish you more adventures down the road. And yes, eating in Vietnam rocks!
Anonymous said…
megan i have thought you were very pretty since last night when i saw you do that show on india. wow.
Anonymous said…
Hi Megan,
I am Parth. I am from India but right now in Chicago studying masters of public health. I completed my medical graduation in India. Well what to say, I admire you, I am a great fan of yours and I love you very much. You are the best host on Globe Trekker and Bazaar. I wanted to send you a greeting card and a letter. Please e mail me your home address on this e mail drparthmehta@yahoo.com
I have watched each and every episode of globe trekker hosted by you. I loved the episode when you visited the three gorges and yang tse river in china. Please reply. Love you. Take care.
Anonymous said…
Hello. I just wanted to give a quick greeting and tell you I enjoyed reading your material.
Anonymous said…
Hi Megan!
Thanks for the great quality of your show. It is always a collection of very good reports, lovely pictures and excellent humour. Now, if you have enjoyed some French food in a routier, do not hesitate to come to my town, Marseilles, where you will peacefully sit down opposite the Vieux Port and certainly adore our local bouillabaisse. The best!
Anonymous said…
So, Megan...I'll tell you what- forget all of these sycophants who SAY they "love" you or that they're your "number one fan." I actually AM your number one fan. Seriously. When you were filming at the sacred rat temple in India that one time, I snuck up behind you dressed as a Hindu monk. You didn't notice, but I clipped a lock of your hair and I still have it. How's that for being your "number one fan," eh? In fact, I have it right here- it's in an air-tight vial, which is inside of a larger glass curio cabinet placed on top of my desk in my apartment. I stare at it every day. So, what do ya say, wanna have dinner with me at Aureole sometime...
Anonymous said…
Megan, please marry me!! I love you.
flomoa said…
hi megan,
i'm a french new architect and i invite you to france to discover the real french cooking, i'm sorry for my poor english, but i think i can find a lot of place and several meat and foot you can't imagine. I live in marseille, and i can make you the best bouillabaisse of your life
congratulation for your daughter and best continuation
if you want to join me Flomoa@hotmail.com
Anonymous said…
I love watching you on Pilot Guides. When I watch you having all that fun, all over the world, it makes me feel like I'm having fun! Your interactions with people makes me laugh. Keep up the fantastic work!!
Ode said…
Megan~

First your show captured my interest...then you captured my heart. I'm lost in wanderlust, following your spirit across this globe. Be well...be free...
Anonymous said…
HI Megan,

I am Krish From "KERALA" INDIA.Have u heard Abt KATHAKALI .come to "GODS OWN COUNTRY".

I am a great fan of yours

I like your Smile And Sense of Humor.krish_n6@yahoo.co.in
Anonymous said…
do u really ever read these commments i really dont think so its been a wile since i was tryin to contact u jst to hear more about the places u travelled but dint get any replies,on television ur always friendly is in real life 2,let c mail me at clifton_nike@yahoo.com letc if megan really can be friendly im waitin......
Anonymous said…
She is an amazing gal. I have seen her eat things that would make a dog blush.
She is my hero!
Anonymous said…
I loved watching Globe trekker and when it was known as lonely planet too! Remembering all the great places you have taken us viewers. I been saving my first two published novels for you give me a buzz some time ill give them to you.

Jack
Anonymous said…
Megan,
it is a great show, but you are definately the only reason I watch the show. bless your beautiful smile and voice!
fan from NYC