therealchairman's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Paan
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Paan

This chewable Indian digestive soothes stomachs, freshens breath, and might give you cancer.
Gastro Obscura
Bird's Nest Soup
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Bird's Nest Soup

It's expensive, it's gelatinous, it's made from swiftlet spit.
Gastro Obscura
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Gastro Obscura
Story

Japanese Tea Ceremony

A ritual that showcases the beauty of the present moment.
Gastro Obscura
Dragon's Beard Candy
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Dragon's Beard Candy

The ancient confection consists of wispy sugar-strands that look like dragon whiskers.
Gastro Obscura
Makgeolli
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Makgeolli

South Korea's oldest alcoholic beverage is making a comeback.
Gastro Obscura
Acorn Jelly
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Acorn Jelly

The nut goes from oak tree to savory, sesame-topped side in a matter of days.
Gastro Obscura
Black Chicken Soup
Gastro Obscura
Story

Black Chicken Soup

In Asia, the black-skinned silkie chicken forms the base of a medicinal broth.
Gastro Obscura
Lapis Legit
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Lapis Legit

This Dutch-Indonesian cake contains up to 30 layers.
Gastro Obscura
Grass Jelly
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Grass Jelly

Once a treatment for heat stroke, the herbal gel now flavors desserts.
Gastro Obscura
Jiānbǐng
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Jiānbǐng

Every morning, Chinese vendors sling savory, crispy crepes to lines of patient fans.
Gastro Obscura
Fugu
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Fugu

The toxic pufferfish steals hearts, despite its ability to stop them.
Gastro Obscura
Pineapple Bun
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Pineapple Bun

This sweet treat is so beloved in Hong Kong, it inspired an animated movie.
Gastro Obscura
Nattō
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Nattō

These pungent fermented soybeans are coated in probiotic slime.
Gastro Obscura
Bouncy Meatball Soup
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Bouncy Meatball Soup

This Chaoshan specialty makes it hard to resist playing with your food.
Gastro Obscura
Morkovcha
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Morkovcha

The Soviet-Korean carrot salad is a sweet-and-sour testament to a diaspora's resilience.
Gastro Obscura
Omurice
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Omurice

Japanese cooks riff on American diner food with this rice-and-ketchup omelet.
Gastro Obscura
Pig's Feet and Ginger Stew
Gastro Obscura
Story

Pig's Feet and Ginger Stew

The sweet and sour Cantonese meal restores new mothers after giving birth.
Gastro Obscura
Taiyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Taiyaki

This pancake pays tribute to one of Japan's favorite fish.
Gastro Obscura
Ramune
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Ramune

The Japanese soda still comes in a marble-stoppered bottle from the 19th century.
Gastro Obscura
Stinky Tofu
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Stinky Tofu

Follow your nose through Taipei for this crispy, warm street snack.
Gastro Obscura
Candied Hawthorn
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Candied Hawthorn

To celebrate Chinese New Year, vendors sell skewered, sugar-coated berries.
Gastro Obscura
Black Garlic
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Black Garlic

These inky cloves have aged like a fine wine.
Gastro Obscura
Ema Datshi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Ema Datshi

Chilies and cheese combine in Bhutan's incredibly spicy specialty.
Gastro Obscura
Okonomiyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Okonomiyaki

A wartime rice scarcity made this versatile pancake a Japanese staple.
Gastro Obscura