Destinations

A Chef’s Favorite City to Food Shop

James Beard Award–winning Kwame Onwuachi on the flavors of Mumbai, the food shopping in Tokyo, and his favorite Amharic word.

MOST READ TRAVEL

Guides

Must-Visit Tokyo Neighborhoods

Excellent areas to find Michelin-starred dining, art and design, and everything in...

Guides

Sublime Stays in Japan's Capital City

Navigating the art of Japanese hospitality among the finest hotels and ryokans in...

Guides

A Manhattanite’s Guide to Dining in New York City

Raised around the city's tables, our editor shares her most beloved spots to eat...

Highly subjective takes on life’s most interesting experiences.


What was your most surreal travel experience?

My most surreal travel experience was Mumbai, India. The city was electric, full of life and amazing food. I couldn’t believe the endless amount of flavor combinations that were so new to me.


Where’s the best food shopping in the world?

The best place for shopping in the world had to be Tokyo. From the fish markets to the unbelievable produce to the most pristine butcher shops.


Favorite word or phrase in a language not your own?

Gorsha. It means “mouthful” in Amharic. It’s an act of feeding someone directly from your hand in Ethiopia and it is one of the most endearing acts you can do to someone.

MOST READ TRAVEL

Guides

The Best Street Food in Mexico City

Hole-in-the-wall favorites spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night.

Guides

Must-Visit Tokyo Neighborhoods

Excellent areas to find Michelin-starred dining, art and design, and everything in...

Stays

Where to Stay on the Left Bank and an Exquisite Ryokan in Japan

Plus, Italy, Boston, and a few stops out west. These are the hotels our editors...


Advertisement

AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD MEMBER ACCESS

Global Dining Access by Resy

Unlock access to unique experiences and sought-after restaurants across the globe, when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile. Terms apply. Learn more here, and visit resy.com or the Resy iOS app to get started.

Explore More

Our Contributors

Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard award—winning chef, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir “Notes from a Young Black Chef,” which is being turned into a feature film by A24. He has been named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, Esquire Magazine’s 2019 Chef of the Year, and is a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. He’s also been featured on the Time100 Next list, and has been called “the most important chef in America” by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mike McQuade Illustrator

Mike McQuade is an illustrator and artist living and working in Richmond, Virginia. His clients include the New York Times, the New Yorker, Criterion Collection, Nike, Apple, HarperCollins, Penguin Books, Pentagram, NPR, and the Atlantic. His work focuses largely on finding concepts through collage, and always aims for unexpected outcomes.

Newsletter

Let’s Keep in Touch

Subscribe to our newsletter

You’re no longer on our newsletter list, but you can resubscribe anytime.