The Roaming Fork is a new food feature at Rice and Bread Magazine that looks at what some of my favourite bands indulge in during their travels around the world. As a touring musician with Andrew Jackson Jihad and a curious diner myself, I have come across some meals that have opened my eyes to new cuisine, and engaged in cultural traditions that challenge my comfort zone. So I thought it would be fun to see what everyone else eats on the road.
Alex Bhore, drummer for This Will Destroy You
What was the best thing you ate on your last tour?
It was a late-night meal at Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge in Toronto. Poutine and an arugula salad with pear, pecans, balsamic, etc. So simple and so good.
What’s the weirdest or worst thing you felt you had to try, by force or choice, on any tour that you’ve done?
In Malaysia our promoter had us try a fruit called durian. Don’t do it. Trust me. It smells and tastes like rotten garbage. I’m getting slightly nauseated just thinking about it.
What’s the one meal that makes you feel like you’re back home again in Dallas?
When I’m at home, Vietnamese is the type of takeout that I frequent the most, so I’d have to say a good bowl of phở.
Matt Ebert, bassist for Joyce Manor
Joyce Manor has been doing a lot of touring in the past year. What was the weirdest thing you’ve eaten on tour?
I tried haggis for the first time in Scotland last month, which, as it turns out, is delicious and not really weird at all. I had some cold, fermented squid at an izakaya [a Japanese bar] in San Francisco earlier this year that was pretty unique. It had a lot of funk to it, and while it wasn’t something I would actively seek out, it wasn’t bad at all. I used to be a much more adventurous eater, and though I still believe in the importance of trying new foods as much as possible, especially when visiting a foreign country, these days I just wait for the weird stuff to come to me.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten on tour?
Lately, we have been making a point to treat ourselves to a nice meal on our off nights, and as a result I’ve had some really great meals on tour this year. The best meal I think I had all year was at Maurepas Foods in New Orleans. Their food is pretty simple and ingredient-driven, and everything was spot on. We had a big pickle plate, a grilled Arkansas black-apple salad in honey vinaigrette, okra and farro with tamarind and ginger syrup, and gulf shrimp with tempura eggplant and carolina gold rice, just to name a few. It was definitely one of those meals you think about the whole next week.
What’s the one thing that you have to have when you get back home to Los Angeles?
These days, I’m just excited to get home and cook for myself, but I used to always go straight for a gigantic wet burrito or a bowl of ramen: the foods the South Bay is best at!
Ben Gallaty, bassist for Andrew Jackson Jihad
What was the best thing you ate on your last trip to Europe?
Sometimes when you’re in a foreign-speaking country your best bet is to point at something on the menu board, rather than explain what you want. We were in Sweden and the thing I pointed at looked like a double-barrel shotgun with hotdogs coming out the ends. It was great. They heat up the bun, add whatever condiments you want into the vacant tubes and insert the hot dogs. I know, I’m a child.
What’s the weirdest or worst thing you tried on any tour you’ve done, by force or choice?
We were on our first UK trip ever with Kepi Ghoulie and he recommended a traditional English breakfast, which was great! It consists of baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, fried tomato, triangular hash brown patty, eggs, toast and a big sausage. A few days later I thought it would be a good idea to try the traditional Scottish breakfast. It wasn’t! The second weirdest thing I’ve eaten was also in Scotland: deep-fried pizza. It was pretty awesome, but I think it took a year off of my life.
What’s the one meal that makes you feel like you’re back home in Phoenix?
Carne asada chimichanga plate!
Mike Park, founder of Asian Man Records and The Bruce Lee Band
What’s the best thing that you ate on the last tour with The Bruce Lee Band?
I was walking around Tokyo with Jeff and Jon from Bomb the Music Industry and they’re both vegan dudes, and I knew it would be hard to find some good grub for them, but we ran into this vegan ramen house in Shibuya that was mind-blowing good. Just savoury broth and plenty of noodles with tofu and fresh vegetables and free green tea. I love free! This was only 850 yen, or around $9 US, which for Tokyo is extremely affordable.
What’s the weirdest or worst thing you’ve tried on tour?
When we were in Korea, there were tons of street-food vendors. And there was plethora of yummy stuff, but also a ton of weird stuff. There was a lot of places selling bugs. They were grubs, like earthworm/larvae-type creatures, and you can just buy a cup of them and eat them like popcorn. Not bad. Crunchy, salty, and a little bit like chicken, seriously, with a creamy inside. Once you got the image of bugs out of mind, they were quite delicious.
What’s the one meal that makes you feel like you’re back home in San Francisco?
Since I’m Korean and my mom is a master chef, I was reminded of home daily by eating traditional Korean foods. Mostly soups, like Soon Tofu (soft tofu) or Kim Chee Chigae. They are salty and come with a vast array of side dishes, like bean sprouts, spinach, various kimchees and American potato salad, for what reason I have no idea.
1 Comment
Well written Deac. Interesting that these characters have some really interesting things even I can relate to. GPV