Suche
Mein Konto
Rostock chef on a taste expedition: 80 days through Asia!
Luisa Wendt travels through Asia for 80 days to explore new cooking techniques and present her experiences in Rostock.
Rostock chef on a taste expedition: 80 days through Asia!
Luisa Wendt has an exciting culinary journey ahead of her! The finalist of the ZDF cooking show “Küchenschlacht” and vice-amateur chef of the year 2025 set out to travel through nine Asian countries in 80 days. After starting her trip shortly after Christmas, she is heading to Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan and South Korea. Your goal? To integrate new tastes, cooking techniques and aromas into your northern German cuisine. The Nordkurier reports that…
The first stop takes Luisa to Bến Tre, famous for its coconut plantations and lively markets. Here she encounters a special form of trade in which live animals are sold, which are often only slaughtered upon purchase. Such experiences are formative and will certainly be incorporated into her planned travel cookbook, which will not only offer recipes but also cultural insights.
Insight into Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its versatility and originality. It is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine and also has elements of Thai, Khmer and Indian cuisine, particularly in southern Vietnam. Dishes Luisa has tried in her cooking classes, such as Gỏi bò bắp chuối (banana blossom salad) and Bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake), showcase this unique fusion. In addition, fish and meat are relatively minor in the mass diet, which means that the varied use of rice, rice noodles and fresh vegetables is particularly effective. Wikipedia explains that...
Another highlight of Vietnamese food culture is the variety of spring rolls, which vary regionally and seasonally. They are often served raw, fried or fried, a pleasure that Luisa is sure to delve into. The popular Vietnamese noodle soups, especially Phở, which usually consist of beef broth and rice noodles, are often part of the morning dinner.
Culinary experiences and plans
In Bến Tre and beyond, Luisa plans to visit many more local markets, private households and traditional restaurants to experience authentic kitchen moments. Stations planned include the floating markets of Cần Thơ, the lively street food scene in Hà Nội and the exquisite imperial cuisine in Huế. There are also exciting culinary experiences in Cambodia and Thailand, such as the famous rampage in Phnom Penh or the diverse street food offerings in Bangkok. Cookbook world shows that... There are many Vietnamese cookbooks with great recipes waiting for those interested in this cuisine.
Luisa and her fiancé Felix live with host families and actively take part in cooking classes to get to know the local traditions and techniques. Luisa would later like to host a dinner in Rostock about her experiences, where she will share her newfound knowledge and culinary delights. A special highlight was her birthday, when she tried snake schnapps, which is popular in Vietnam and has certain medicinal significance there.
With all these impressions and experiences in her luggage, Luisa will certainly compile many of her recipes into a travel cookbook that will offer suggestions for both culinary beginners and experienced chefs. A real feast for the eyes and palate that we can already look forward to! Who knows, maybe there will soon be one or two opportunities to experience Vietnamese delights directly in Rostock.