Ben Groundwater
Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist and author with more than 20 years' experience. He specialises in food and wine – writing about it, as well as consuming it. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater
Opinion
USA
I don’t care who leads a country when I travel, but the US is different
Unlike most tourism destinations, this leadership change matters. Because the US is not a normal country, and Donald Trump is not a normal leader.
- by Ben Groundwater
Latest
One of France’s most famous foods isn’t actually French (or is it?)
We know that at least the crescent shape of the croissant isn’t original to French bakers.
- by Ben Groundwater
Opinion
Japan
Is Japan a perfect society? No, despite what Western tourists might think
We’ve all heard of tourists moving through the world with rose-coloured glasses but a recent viral post about Japan is ridiculous.
- by Ben Groundwater
Opinion
India
My first Indian train journey was life-changing
Your life can change on a train. And I’m not talking about the romanticised ‘Before Sunrise’ version, where you meet a gorgeous European backpacker.
- by Ben Groundwater
There’s a good reason this Chinese dumpling is now everywhere
Xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, have joined a long list of dishes that once seemed unusual in Australia, yet now form part of mainstream dining.
- by Ben Groundwater
The world’s 10 biggest city rivalries (and how we are the winners)
Sydney versus Melbourne? Our two largest cities are close friends compared with the feuds we see in other countries.
- by Ben Groundwater
Opinion
Food and wine
Is any meal worth queuing more than an hour for? Yes, these ones
Some places are simply not worth the wait (hello, In-N-Out Burger and Cinnabon), but there are others where queuing for an hour or more is time well spent.
- by Ben Groundwater
One of the world’s greatest sauces is something you may not have heard of
This simple marinade may be little more than a component rather than an entire dish, yet it’s one of the true greats.
- by Ben Groundwater
Opinion
Tips & advice
I thought business class was an outrageous waste of money. This converted me
Caviar, privacy doors… Business class these days isn’t just pretty good, it’s incredibly good. It’s also more accessible than you may realise.
- by Ben Groundwater
‘Short eats’: One country’s unique, tasty culture of snack foods
Sri Lanka’s concept of “short eats” is savoury snacking at any time of the day, designed to get you through to whichever meal is next.
- by Ben Groundwater
Thank COVID for making one aspect of travelling in Japan much easier
Until recently Japan was still a very much cash-only society, where even restaurant bills of hundreds of dollars would have to be settled with cold, hard currency.
- by Ben Groundwater
Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/by/ben-groundwater-hveu0