JLowdown's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Leaderboard Highlights
JLowdown's activity rankings
1st
Places visited in Ocaklı Köyü, Turkey
2nd
Places visited in Kobe, Japan
2nd
Places added to Kobe, Japan
3rd
Places visited in Santa Marta, Colombia
5th
Places visited in Red Hook, New York
5th
Places edited in Kobe, Japan
Nattō
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Nattō

These pungent fermented soybeans are coated in probiotic slime.
Gastro Obscura
Umeboshi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Umeboshi

These salted, pickled plums are an ancient Japanese hangover cure.
Gastro Obscura
Omurice
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Omurice

Japanese cooks riff on American diner food with this rice-and-ketchup omelet.
Gastro Obscura
Taiyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Taiyaki

This pancake pays tribute to one of Japan's favorite fish.
Gastro Obscura
Takoyaki
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Takoyaki

Osaka's most famous dish is an octopus-stuffed fried dough ball.
Gastro Obscura
Coffee Jelly
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Coffee Jelly

Leftover coffee plus gelatin equals this vintage dessert.
Gastro Obscura
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Gastro Obscura
Story

Japanese Tea Ceremony

A ritual that showcases the beauty of the present moment.
Gastro Obscura
Bitter Melon
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Bitter Melon

This nightmarish-looking fruit has serious healing potential.
Gastro Obscura
Paan
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Paan

This chewable Indian digestive soothes stomachs, freshens breath, and might give you cancer.
Gastro Obscura
Bhang
Gastro Obscura
Story

Bhang

To celebrate the Holi festival, many Indians raise a glass of cannabis-infused milk.
Gastro Obscura
Makgeolli
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Makgeolli

South Korea's oldest alcoholic beverage is making a comeback.
Gastro Obscura
Beondegi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Beondegi

In South Korean markets, steamed silkworm pupae make a juicy, nutty snack.
Gastro Obscura
Halo-Halo
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Halo-Halo

A sundae with a surprising mix of flavors that reflect Filipino history.
Gastro Obscura
Turkish Coffee
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Turkish Coffee

Locals joke that you should be able to “float a horseshoe” on the thick brew.
Gastro Obscura
Chocolate Santafereño
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Chocolate Santafereño

This steamy concoction features a salty, melted surprise at the bottom of the mug: white cheese.
Gastro Obscura
Irn-Bru
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Irn-Bru

A citrusy cream soda with a hint of rust outsells Coca-Cola in Scotland.
Gastro Obscura
Midas Touch Ale
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Midas Touch Ale

A brewery consulted drinking vessels found in the ancient king’s tomb to recreate a 2,700-year-old elixir.
Gastro Obscura
Heaven and Earth
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Heaven and Earth

This German comfort food unites earthbound potatoes with apples from above.
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
Espresso Coffee Soda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Espresso Coffee Soda

A dark soda with a dark history.
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
Berliner Weisse
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Berliner Weisse

Pink or green syrup turns a historic German ale into a tart, sweet delight.
Gastro Obscura
Kopstootje
Gastro Obscura
Story

Kopstootje

The Dutch drinking ritual begins with a glass of genever and ends with a “little head-butt.”
Gastro Obscura
Gruit Ale
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Gruit Ale

Brewers are replacing hops with sweet, aromatic herbs to resurrect this extinct beer.
Gastro Obscura