Travel Book Review: Stories on the Road - Books That Blend Food and Travel
- Food Blogger Journey
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
By Dirk Ebener - November 11, 2025
Books and travel have always shaped my perspective, but I’ve come to see their true magic when they meet at the table, where food becomes the thread weaving together journeys and stories. Even before I set foot abroad, tales of meals stirred my imagination. Now, I believe the soul of travel is found in the way food transforms unknown places into unforgettable memories.
Food became the compass guiding my adventures. From the aroma of fresh bread in a German bakery to the golden glow of paella in Spain and the lively sizzle of noodles in Singapore, each bite forged an instant bond with a place—often more powerfully than any landmark. Through reading, I could savor these flavors again and again, reminding me that true travel is measured not in miles, but in perspectives gained and meals shared.
This realization turned my reading into a passport for the imagination. The best travel writers do more than chart destinations—they dish out experiences through flavors, voices, and the pulse of movement. That’s why I’m drawn to books that treat travel as an open invitation. They call you to pull up a chair, break bread with a stranger, and taste a world that stretches far beyond your own.
In this blog, I want to share two such books. Craig Taylor’s Londoners showcases a city through its residents, many of whom share how food shapes their lives in London. Matthew Kepnes’ "Ten Years a Nomad" explores a decade on the road, where hostel kitchens and street food create a sense of community.
Each of these books serves up more than a story. They offer lessons for travelers, food lovers, and anyone who senses that meals and journeys are inextricably linked. Together, they remind us that every plate is a passport to belonging, listening, and moving forward. Let’s look at how these themes unfold, starting with Londoners by Craig Taylor.
Review 1: Londoners by Craig Taylor
Craig Taylor’s Londoners isn’t a typical travel guide. You won’t find glossy photos of Big Ben or lists of Michelin-starred restaurants. Instead, Taylor shares hundreds of voices from Londoners: immigrants, street vendors, bus drivers, bankers, actors, and more. What makes this book stand out for food and travel lovers is the frequent appearance of meals, markets, and pubs in these stories.
A key theme is how food defines one's sense of belonging. An immigrant misses the flavors of home. Yet comfort comes from the multicultural stalls of Brixton Market. A lifelong Londoner reminisces about the disappearing pie and mash shops, now replaced by coffee chains. A taxi driver calls eating curry on Brick Lane both a ritual and a survival.
Each story forms a mosaic of a city where food is identity, adaptation, and memory.
Reading Londoners, or listening on Audible, while in the city adds depth. Rather than just admiring Borough Market stalls, I listened differently—wondering about each vendor’s story. Why sell cheese? Where did they grow up? How does their food connect them to London’s larger story?
Taylor also captures the less romantic side of London’s food scene. Rising costs push traditional cafés out. A young professional says finding "authentic" food feels like a scavenger hunt due to commercialization. These realities ground the city beyond glossy brochures.
Actionable Advice:
When visiting London, approach market vendors and politely ask where their recipes originate or which traditional foods remind them of home. Write down any migration or family stories they share, and use this information to connect with the culture beyond just tasting the food.
Deliberately try both traditional British dishes, like fish and chips or Sunday roasts, and international options such as Ethiopian stews, Turkish kebabs, and Indian curries. Look up local recommendations in advance and make a list of diverse spots you want to try to ensure a balanced experience of London's food scene.
Visit one or two historic food spots, such as pie and mash shops, and ensure you check their opening hours beforehand. While there, start a conversation with owners or staff by asking about the shop’s history and which dishes have been most popular over time. Take brief notes to remember the cultural insights you gain about London’s working-class traditions.
For food travelers, Londoners is essential because it reminds us that a city is alive through its people. Meals are not just plates—they’re stories. By listening, we taste more deeply. In a different yet equally compelling way, "Ten Years a Nomad" by Matthew Kepnes explores the connection between food, travel, and belonging through the lens of a constant wanderer.
Review 2: Ten Years a Nomad by Matthew Kepnes
Matthew Kepnes, known as “Nomadic Matt,” built a career encouraging travel. In Ten Years a Nomad, he turns inward, writing not as a guidebook author but as a memoirist reflecting on a decade on the road. For food and travel enthusiasts, moments where meals and community intersect are abundant.
Kepnes describes life by experiences, often centered on food. He writes about hostel kitchens where strangers bond over boxed pasta, bowls of pho on Hanoi’s streets, and empanadas in South America that helped him pause and connect.
Kepnes’ honesty sets the book apart. He admits long-term travel isn’t always glamorous—meals are sometimes repetitive, and loneliness can linger. Yet those meals often lead to friendships. A cheap beer in Bangkok or a falafel wrap in Tel Aviv sparked conversations and laughter that lingered long after the food was consumed.
For those dreaming of extended travel, Ten Years a Nomad, also available on Audible, offers practical advice. Kepnes warns against rushing. Skipping meals to collect passport stamps misses the essence of travel. Instead, he advocates for slow travel—staying long enough to find a favorite café, build meaningful relationships, and truly experience local traditions.
Actionable Advice:
While traveling long-term, create a weekly food plan that alternates between eating affordable street food and treating yourself to one sit-down restaurant meal per week. Before each special meal, research local specialties and choose something unique to the region. Use these occasions to make new memories and deepen your travel experience.
At hostels or during group meals, introduce yourself to other travelers and ask about their favorite local dishes or where they have had memorable meals in the area. Use a notebook or your phone to jot down recommendations you receive for future reference.
Carry a small journal or set up a dedicated notes section on your phone for food. After each meal, quickly record what you ate, where you ate it, and who joined you. Briefly write your thoughts on the flavors and atmosphere so you can easily revisit those memories later.
Ultimately, Kepnes demonstrates that food is as much about belonging as it is about nourishment. For a nomad, every bowl of noodles, every slice of bread, is a reminder that we can find home wherever we sit down to eat.
Final Thoughts: Turning Pages Into Plates
Londoners and Ten Years a Nomad together reveal that the true heartbeat of travel pulses through food. Whether a city speaks through its people, a life is mapped by movement, or flavors journey down winding roads, these books prove that places become unforgettable through the meals we share and the stories we savor along the way.
From sipping tea in London to slurping noodles in Vietnam or unwrapping tacos from a bustling Austin food truck, every bite writes a new chapter in our personal travel story. These books invite us to listen with curiosity, roam with intention, and relish every flavorful moment.
So on your next trip, pack one of these books. Read while enjoying local food, and let the words inspire you to explore not only the destination but also your place at the table. Because true travel is about more than distance covered—it's about sharing food, stories, and meaning wherever you go.
Dirk Ebener is the founder and creator behind the Food Blogger Journey website, drawing on over 40 years of international travel across more than 60 countries. His global adventures have deepened his understanding of regional cuisines, local customs, and the powerful connection between food and culture. From bustling street markets in Asia to quiet vineyard dinners in Europe, Dirk captures authentic culinary experiences through immersive storytelling. Through Food Blogger Journey, he invites readers to explore the world one dish at a time.
© 2025 Food Blogger Journey. All rights reserved. The experiences, opinions, and photos this blog shares are based on personal travel and culinary exploration. Reproduction or distribution of content without written permission is prohibited.
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