Traveling for food sounds like the ultimate dream
Here are some comments of a friend of mine he experienced through his travels:
Wandering through markets, pointing at menus, tasting authentic dishes. But sometimes, the dream collides headfirst with reality… and reality looks a lot like a waiter struggling to balance an entire roasted pig you accidentally ordered.
Culinary missteps are part of the travel experience, and in hindsight, they make the best stories. Here are a few of my friends greatest (and most edible) failures abroad.
The Pig That Wasn’t a “Slice” – Spain
I thought I was ordering a neat little slice of pork, something you might balance on a plate with a side salad. The waiter smiled, nodded, and twenty minutes later proudly wheeled out… an entire pig. Trotters, ears, snout, and all. The table next to me broke into applause, while I sat frozen, wondering how to politely ask if anyone nearby wanted to share.
Soup by the Gallon – China
All I wanted was a small, warming bowl of soup. What I got was a cauldron-sized hotpot large enough to feed an entire wedding party. The restaurant staff even brought an extra chair—for the soup. By the time I fished out the last noodle, I was sweating, dizzy, and halfway convinced I had absorbed the spirit of Sichuan peppers into my bloodstream.
The Fondue Fiasco – Switzerland
Being Swiss, I should know the golden fondue rule: it’s meant for sharing. Instead, I arrogantly ordered a whole pot for myself. The waiter raised his eyebrow so high it almost scraped the chalet beams, but said nothing. Halfway through, I realized that drowning in cheese is less of a fairy tale and more of a slow, sticky defeat. I surrendered, beaten by Gruyère. Maybe next time I try Raclette instead of Fondue! (see here about the Canton of Gruyere) 
All the Pastas – Italy
In Rome, I tried to order “some pasta.” My Italian grammar failed me, and apparently, I had just asked for all the pastas. The waiter took me literally. Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana—dish after dish piled onto the table. By the end, I wasn’t sure if I was eating or participating in a gladiatorial pasta contest. At least it was a delicious way to go.
Sweet but Not Sweet – Japan
I once spotted what looked like a tray of chocolate truffles. I bit in eagerly, expecting cocoa heaven. Instead, I got a ball of red bean paste rolled in bitter matcha powder. My polite traveler smile quickly melted into a choke-laugh that sent green dust flying across the table. Lesson learned: never assume dessert is what it looks like in Japan.
The Moral of the Menu
Food fails are inevitable when you travel. But they’re also the best souvenirs—the kind you can retell around the dinner table long after your trip is over. After all, Instagram-worthy meals are nice… but it’s the story of how you ended up with a farm animal on your plate that people remember.
