Have you ever thought about eating whale in Iceland? How about shrimp enchiladas in Cuba, or soba noodles in Japan? Pittsburgh startup ViaHero is working hard to sweep you off to foreign lands, and take you on foodie adventures off the beaten path!
ViaHero, based in East Liberty, takes a completely unique approach to travel planning. Each customer is matched with a local in the country they are traveling to. The local designs a completely personalized trip for them, based off of their interests.
Although ViaHero operates internationally, the company loves being based in Pittsburgh. “Our locals have the same hometown pride as Pittsburghers,” says ViaHero cofounder Ben Preston. “They also love their town, and want visitors to have the best experience possible. Also, with WOW Airlines flying direct to Iceland from Pittsburgh, it is cool to see our neighbors using our services.”
ViaHero trip plans include where to go, what to see, and, of course, what to eat! ViaHero is currently running in Iceland Cuba, and Japan. Meet these foodie locals who can help you eat like a local around the world:
Japan
Meet Matt:
“I first came to Japan in 2008 and fell in love with the country… well, actually, I fell in love with the food! Tokyo has more Michelin stars than London and Paris combined, but eating out is inexpensive. From classic soba noodles for a few bucks, to Japanese and American fusion meals, Japan has it all. I settled in Tokyo and eat out everyday, between working on my blog and teaching English.”
What is a dish that best represents Japanese cuisine, and why?
I think Sukiyaki does. What is special about Japanese cuisine is that groups people often order one large dish to share. Sukiyaki is a simple broth put in the middle of the table, and friends cook thinly sliced meat and vegetables together. It’s a highly social, fun type of cuisine.
What is the best way to “happen upon” a great restaurant in Japan?
Head down one of the main streets from a train station, and keep an eye out for interesting alleyways or narrow streets. When you see one, head down and you are bound to come across something rather unique.
What is an example of the foodie advice you would give to a ViaHero customer?
Never be afraid of the language barrier in Japan. Servers are patient and happy to assist, so don’t let your lack of Japanese skills put you off from trying something new!
What is your favorite Japanese dish?
It has to be ramen. Originally from China, the Japanese have taken noodles to a new level. These days there are countless young chefs trying out exciting new flavours, as well as plenty of old school experts who have been perfecting the same recipe for decades, or generations.
No meal in Japan is complete without…?
Miso soup! An essential companion to any Japanese rice dish. It is healthy, and refreshing on a cold winter night.
Matt can be followed on his blog, Super Cheap Japan – the ultimate Japan budget travel guide, great for backpackers, tourists, ex-pats and students.
Cuba
Meet Lianet:
“I’ve been a journalist for seven years. I was born in Camagüey, a city in the center of Cuba and one of the regions with the most culinary tradition of the Island. I love my city and my country for its beauty, and the fighting spirit of its people.
My relationship with food begins as a child, because I come from a family of great cooks. My best memories of childhood are the nights of New Year’s Eve, when we never missed the roasted pork in the rustic way, in the patio over charcoal coals, and turning it in a wooden pick until it turned golden and crisp. In 2014 I began collaborating with the AlaMesa platform, a directory with information of gastronomy throughout Cuba. That greatly expanded my knowledge of the emerging private sector of restaurants throughout the country. When I travel, I always try to eat at some of them. All this knowledge I use to make recommendations to the customers of ViaHero.”
What is a dish that best represents Cuban cuisine, and why?
In my opinion, roast pork is the king of Cuban cuisine. It is not a dish that is eaten every day, but rather the pork is consumed commonly in steak, fricassee (with potatoes and tomato), or with rice. Do not miss the pork roast at celebrations! When someone expresses culinary yearnings, they usually say, “I can’t wait to eat a roast pork.”
Pork does not need seasoning to give it a distinctive flavor. A little lemon juice, garlic and salt are the perfect dressing for this simple dish that Cubans love to the point that they take it with them anywhere they emigrate!
What district would you suggest someone just walk around and find a place to eat?
Old Havana, between the streets Avenue Belgica, Aguiar, Chacón and Peña Pobre, are a lot of excellent private restaurants and with affordable prices like Habana 61 (my favorite in Havana), 5 Esquinas Trattoria, Chacón 162 and Café Espada.
What is an example of the food advice you give to ViaHero customers?
Always try to eat in private restaurants, because they are making things with new concepts of the traditional cuisine, and are one step forward in quality and originality.
What is your favorite Cuban dish?
Shrimp enchilada: This Cuban recipe is an inheritance of the Haitian slaves who were brought to Cuba to work in the sugarcane fields. It’s what’s called a Cuban-Creole recipe. Despite its name, it does not carry chile as one of its ingredients; in the Caribbean, an enchilada refers to a thick stew of tomato, wine and spices, which can be made from fish, lobster, crab, lamb or shrimp.
No meal in Cuba is complete without…?
Rice and beans.
Iceland
Meet Karolina:
“I’m Karolina, I’ve been living in Iceland for 5 years, and I’m a pescatarian. In my opinion Icelandic cuisine is not as stunning as Icelandic nature. Popular restaurants need to be booked in advance and dining out is very, very expensive, even for people who live here. On the menu you can find: whales, puffins, sheep head, horse and lamb, which is very controversial.”
What is a dish that best represents Iceland cuisine, and why?
I would say sheep head, because it makes you frown your brows.
What is the best way to “happen upon” a great restaurant in Iceland?
In Reykjavik I would go to Kaffi Vínyl, as it is the only vegan place in town.
Also, Friðheimar is a restaurant in a greenhouse that only serves homemade dishes from tomatoes (even tomato ice cream). You need to know where the restaurant is, and book way in advance. The drive there is 1 hour from Reykjavik. [Karolina is pictured above eating tomato soup at Friðheimar]
What is an example of the foodie advice you would give to a ViaHero customer?
Don´t be a vegan in Iceland. I am a vegetarian, and it is difficult to dine out. I still eat fish because if I didn’t, I would be served a bag of ruccola everywhere. Even the most famous vegetarian restaurant has chicken wings on their menu.
What is your favorite Icelandic dish?
I like Icelandic fish, especially salmon and arctic char.
No meal in Iceland is complete without…?
Bernaise sósa, or any other souse.
Are you ready to hit the road? Good Food Pittsburgh readers can use the code “GOODFOOD” for a 5% discount on ViaHero locals planning your trip!
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