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Traveloka SG

16 Jul 2015 - 1 min read

4 Ways to Avoid Tourist Traps in Restaurants

Malaysia_Food

Dining in a foreign land can be daunting and disappointing when you find yourself in a tourist trap disguised as a restaurant. Don’t let your taste buds get fooled, here are some tips to help you pick out an authentic eatery:

1. Check the diners out in the restaurant

To check if a restaurant is true to its roots, a great way is to see who the diners are. If there are more foreigners than locals, chances are, the food has been tweaked to suit the taste of foreigners. If you see locals queuing up, go join the queue!

2. Take a look at the menu

It is said that most authentic eateries either don’t have a menu, or the menu is in their local language. Also, take a look and see if there are any items that seem out of place, such as Indian curries in an Italian restaurant, or items that are named after people, such as General Tso’s Chicken that Americans love but are definitely not authentic Chinese cuisine.

3. Research local food blogs

If you have time, do a quick search on the area you’re visiting, and browse local food blogs to get an idea of where to go and what to eat. Don’t just rely on one review though. You can also use apps such as Foursquare to find out what others think about the place.

4. Go where locals go

If all else fails, ask the locals for recommendations. Whether it’s the receptionist at the hotel, the taxi driver picking you up or even a random passerby, getting to know where they go will almost always guarantee you an authentic dining experience!

So what are you waiting for? Book your next gastronomic adventure at www.traveloka.com and let us know if these tips work.

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