samanthachong's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Nanaimo Bar
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Nanaimo Bar

From postwar dessert to sweet slice of Canadian identity.
Gastro Obscura
Espresso Coffee Soda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Espresso Coffee Soda

A dark soda with a dark history.
Gastro Obscura
Taiyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Taiyaki

This pancake pays tribute to one of Japan's favorite fish.
Gastro Obscura
Ramune
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Ramune

The Japanese soda still comes in a marble-stoppered bottle from the 19th century.
Gastro Obscura
Okonomiyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Okonomiyaki

A wartime rice scarcity made this versatile pancake a Japanese staple.
Gastro Obscura
Chicha Morada
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Chicha Morada

Peru's purple drink made from purple corn.
Gastro Obscura
Butterfly Pea Flower
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Butterfly Pea Flower

With a squeeze of lemon, this plant can turn any drink into a color-changing mood ring.
Gastro Obscura
Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork
Gastro Obscura
Story

Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork

The hot dog chain’s charming “bi-dent” picks up potatoes with ease.
Gastro Obscura
Chopped Cheese
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Chopped Cheese

This staple sandwich of Brooklyn delis has become a symbol of gentrification.
Gastro Obscura
Egg Waffles
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Egg Waffles

These portable pancake sheets have a crispy, hollow side and a sweet, doughy side.
Gastro Obscura
Szechuan Button
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Szechuan Button

This herb gives cocktails another kind of buzz.
Gastro Obscura
Brooklyn Blackout Cake
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Brooklyn Blackout Cake

A cake as dark as a city hiding from enemy bombers.
Gastro Obscura
Jiānbǐng
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Jiānbǐng

Every morning, Chinese vendors sling savory, crispy crepes to lines of patient fans.
Gastro Obscura
Grass Jelly
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Grass Jelly

Once a treatment for heat stroke, the herbal gel now flavors desserts.
Gastro Obscura
Lapis Legit
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Lapis Legit

This Dutch-Indonesian cake contains up to 30 layers.
Gastro Obscura
Pimientos de Padrón
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Pimientos de Padrón

Eating these unpredictable tapas is a game of spicy-pepper roulette.
Gastro Obscura
Bird's Nest Soup
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Bird's Nest Soup

It's expensive, it's gelatinous, it's made from swiftlet spit.
Gastro Obscura
Lithuanian Spit Cake
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Lithuanian Spit Cake

This dessert is roasted over a fire and looks like a tree.
Gastro Obscura
Maggi Seasoning
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Maggi Seasoning

This condiment proves that what the world considers delicious is (nearly) universal.
Gastro Obscura
Ice Cream Fork
Gastro Obscura
Story

Ice Cream Fork

A relic from the era of highly specialized cutlery.
Gastro Obscura
Makgeolli
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Makgeolli

South Korea's oldest alcoholic beverage is making a comeback.
Gastro Obscura
Takoyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Takoyaki

Osaka's most famous dish is an octopus-stuffed fried dough ball.
Gastro Obscura
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Gastro Obscura
Story

Japanese Tea Ceremony

A ritual that showcases the beauty of the present moment.
Gastro Obscura
Salsagheti
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Salsagheti

This Mexican candy reimagines a spaghetti dinner with spicy-sour gummy noodles and tamarind sauce.
Gastro Obscura