Around the World in 80 Dishes- A Culinary Adventure Like No Other

How would it feel if you got an opportunity to traverse the iconic route taken by the famous Phileas Fogg and Passepartout in Around the World in 80 Days? Thrilling, right? You bet! That’s just what celebrity chef Manu Feildel has attempted to do with his signature culinary adventure Around the World in 80 Dishes. It’s actually one of the most path-breaking travel exploits in recent years and that’s what we seek to profile here.

What’s the Original Story?

Whether you’ve read the iconic novel by Jules Verne or watched the movie starring several popular actors including Jackie Chan (2004), you must be familiar with Around the World in 80 Days. Phileas Fogg and Passepartout actually took up a wager and challenge where they followed a route from London to Paris, Turin, Brindsi, and Suez, before venturing to Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, and Yokohama. From here, they moved to San Francisco and then to New York before coming to Queenstown, Liverpool, and finally London.

Around the World in 80 Dishes- What’s It About?

Around the World in 80 Dishes is a fascinating story actually! Celebrity chef Manu Feildel was deeply inspired by the novel and the fascinating story behind it. He has now taken this concept to an entirely different plane from a culinary perspective. He has long dreamt of traversing the path that Phileas Fogg and Passepartout followed and thus chalked out a route from London to Dubai, India, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States, before returning to London in 30 days and that too on a budget of AUS$20,000.

The interesting thing is that within this time period, Manu Feildel cannot take money from someone or any free travel perks, but he may cook meals, busk, or wash dishes to pay his way through! He has reportedly taken up this new assignment after being challenged by his agent. The journey is also in real-time minus any green rooms, business-class airfares, and so on, with a view towards exploring the unique food and cultures in various countries. The show is available to watch on multiple platforms including Apple TV, National Geographic, and TVNZ+, to name a few.

Episode-Wise Overview

The episodes cover the following:

• Episode 1- Starting from London and going to Dorset before learning to make gin there

• Episode 2- Visiting Dubai and exploring the city’s local Emirati food before cooking a VIP lunch

• Episode 3- Touching down in India, exploring Mumbai and then Kolkata, while learning to cook Indian food

• Episode 4- Landing in Hong Kong and preparing street food to earn his way, while tasting spicy beans, seafood, and chicken feet.

• Episode 5- Arrival in Japan, where the chef visits Tokyo and learns more about varied culinary styles and cultures.

• Episode 6- After arriving in the USA, he checks out West Coast cuisine and authentic Mexican delights.

About Manu Feildel

Manu Feildel is a French-Australian celebrity chef and restaurateur who is also an award-winning dancer, television personality, and food connoisseur. He has been seen in shows like MasterChef Australia and My France with Manu, while previously running Manu, a restaurant at L’Etoile in Sydney. He has a restaurant named Bistro Red Lion By Manu along with the Culinary Co kitchenware product range. He shot to fame after becoming a judge on the My Kitchen Rules cooking show and also for launching The Sauce by Manu, his own lineup of sauces.

Our Top Dish Recommendations

Around the World in 80 Dishes is undoubtedly a must-watch if you love travel and want to experience the romanticism and thrill of the original novel and movie. It will give you a unique perspective into food and culture across the globe and who knows, it could even become an in-demand travel route for an innovative food-oriented vacation for serious connoisseurs.

Now that we’re talking about culinary adventures, it’s only fair that we recommend a few top dishes from each of these countries that you simply must try! Remember that every country has a huge and diverse lineup of dishes and hence it was hard to pick a few!

UK:

1. Fish & Chips- Undoubtedly the numero uno dish of the country, it’s a melt-in-the-mouth experience with the crispy chips to match!

2. Bangers & Mash- Another authentic and local dish, it’s basically mashed potatoes with sausages, peas, and fried onions and comes with onion gravy on the side.

3. Sunday Roast- This one’s a tradition on Sundays, comprising roasted meat and potatoes, along with accompaniments like Yorkshire pudding for company.

UAE:

1. Harees- Also known as Harisa or Boko Boko, this dish combines cracked/boiled bulgur or wheat with meat and is basically a form of porridge here.

2. Shawarma- Arguably the most-popular Middle-Eastern delicacy around, this is basically roasted meat cut into thin slices and stacked with accompaniments in an inverted cone.

3. Machboos- A lot like Biryani, but very different at the same time, this is a spiced rice preparation with unique Emirati flavors. It uses meat (chicken, lamb, fish) with rice and local spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and so on. Dried lemon is also used for the meal.

India:

1. Biryani- One of India’s most famous dishes, it uses long-grain Basmati rice with marinated meat and a unique concoction of spices for an amazing taste. The fragrance of the dish is something to be believed.

2. Butter Chicken- This Indian dish is a special North Indian curry that uses chicken with spiced tomatoes and butter sauce. The rich texture is the highlight of this dish.

3. Dosa- Dosas are savory crepes which are thin and made with a fermented batter of rice and ground black gram. They are served piping hot, mostly with sambar and chutney. Available almost everywhere in India, they are a popular snack and breakfast item.

Hong Kong:

1. Dim Sum- This is a tradition in Hong Kong, and draws its roots from Chinese cuisine, particularly the Cantonese style. Digging into these fluffy marvels is an experience in itself.

2. Char Siu- Char Siu dumplings are essentially Cantonese-style barbecued pork originating from Guangdong and usually eaten with rice. They are widely available throughout Hong Kong.

3. Claypot Rice- Claypot rice is a unique Hong Kong preparation which is slow-cooked over a traditional stove and comes with a smoky and delightful flavor.

Japan:

1. Ramen- Who doesn’t love Ramen? It’s a delicious noodle dish with a tasty broth that includes vegetables, eggs, and pork or other meat.

2. Sushi- Probably the most famous Japanese preparation, it comprises raw fish served with vinegared rice and is recognized across the world.

3. Yakitori- This dish comprises grilled chicken skewers with sauce or salt seasonings for a nice touch.

USA:

1. Hot Dogs- One of the most recognizable American dishes, hot dogs are dishes comprising steamed, grilled, or boiled sausages which are served in a partially-slit bun.

2. Cheese and Macaroni- This is a dish that contains cheese sauce and macaroni pasta and is hugely popular throughout the USA.

3. Fried Chicken- Unique American-style fried chicken has its roots in the South and basically comprises chicken pieces with seasoned batter or flour that are pan/deep/pressure/air-fried. The crispy crust is the key highlight of this preparation.

Concluding Notes

So, now that you’ve got a list of some top local recommendations from the countries on the route, it’s time to watch Around the World in 80 Dishes pronto. And if you’re planning a holiday to any of these destinations (or multiple) anytime soon, don’t forget to book your flights and accommodation in advance! Food tourism can be quite engaging as you’ll find out!