u/Charming_Donkey1867

I recently visited Milan and, of course, tried risotto alla Milanese. It was good, not life-changing, but definitely worth trying.
I also realised that an uncooked risotto mix makes a pretty cool souvenir. At Eataly, I found more presentable gift-style versions for around €4.50, although only flavours like truffle, artichoke and mushroom were available (didn’t find original). Carrefour had cheaper ~2€, simpler-looking options, including pumpkin and mushroom.
It’s practical, local and easy to bring home.
What interesting food souvenir would you recommend from Milan?

I’m currently researching what to eat on my upcoming trip to Beijing, especially traditional breakfasts.
I made this little checklist of the Beijing breakfast foods I’m planning to try, so I can tick them off during the trip. But I’m sure there are still many things I’ve missed - especially dishes that are less famous online but popular with locals.
What else should I add? Are there any Beijing breakfast foods, drinks, combinations, or specific versions that I absolutely shouldn’t miss?
I’d also love recommendations for good places to try them, especially traditional local spots rather than trendy cafés.
Thanks from a curious foodie trying to do the research before arriving 😄

I spent a day in Bergamo and made it a mission to try some local specialties. Absolutely no regrets.

First up was casoncelli, and I honestly understand why it’s the city’s signature dish. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the filling was rich and flavorful, and everything came together beautifully with butter, cheese, and crispy caramelized sage. The sage added an amazing texture and aroma that really completed the dish. It ended up being one of my favorite pasta dishes from the trip.

For dessert, I tried Polenta e Osei. I almost skipped it because everyone describes it as very sweet, and I’m generally not a dessert person. I’m really glad I didn’t. Yes, it’s sweet, but the texture completely changes the experience. The light sponge and soft chocolate mousse make it feel incredibly airy, so the sweetness never becomes overwhelming. I think I would have genuinely regretted leaving Bergamo without trying it.

I also had Torta Trentina, which reminded me a bit of a brownie, but lighter and with a more natural chocolate flavor. It wasn’t overly sweet either, and I actually enjoyed it more than I expected.
Overall, Bergamo turned out to be a surprisingly good food destination. If you’re spending a day there, I’d definitely recommend trying all three.

What other Bergamo dishes does anyone recommend trying?