​​Santiago, Chile | The Real Deal on Food, Fun & Safety​​

🥢 ​​Chinese Food Quest (Santiago Edition)​​ ​​1. Shu Xiang ​​Claim:​​ "Best Chinese in Santiago" ​​Reality:​​ Meh Sichuan dishes (tasted like instant sauce packs). ​​But!​​ ✓ Solid service ✓ Owner gives ​​better USD-CLP rates than airport​​ (wild, right?) ​​Next Try:​​ Their seafood hotpot. ​​2. Sushilu BBQ & Stew​​ ​​The Hunt:​​ Google maps fail—led to a sushi joint. Actual spot? ​​Unmarked across the street.​​ ​​Vibe:​​ Slow service + icy boss, but ​​worth it​​ for the ​​authentic dongbei flavors​​. ​​3. Wan Chai ​​Skip:​​ Mediocre dim sum ​​Order:​​ ​​Braised brisket hor fun​​ (saucy, umami, hug-in-a-bowl). ​​4. Far East Restaurant ​​Plot Twist:​​ Promised "real Chinese chefs" at their other branch… but found ​​foreign cooks​​ again. Sigh. ​​🍸 Nightcap Spot:​​ ​​Luna Bar (17F)​​ – ​​City views + cocktails​​ = perfect for "we survived Santiago" toasts. ​​🍣 Hidden Gem:​​ ​​ELJ Apo Nes (Mall Costanera 6F)​​ – ​​Quick, tasty Japanese​​ in a mall?! Yes. 🏙 ​​Santiago Sightseeing: Brutal Honesty​​ ​​"Citywalked" in ½ day:​​ Plaza de Armas, cathedral… ​​felt like Euro reruns​​ (but with more ​​phone-snatchers​​). ​​National Museum:​​ Closed (of course). ​​Local Warning:​​ "​​Daily robberies​​—cars, phones, you name it." (Made LA’s smashed windows seem tame.) ​​Where to Stay?​​ ​​Newer districts = safer.​​ 🌿 ​​The Real Santiago Escape? Nature.​​ After ​​repetitive downtown streets​​, we bailed for: ​​Day Trips:​​ Andes hikes, Valparaíso’s colors, or ​​wine valleys​​ (better than dodging thieves). ​​Final Take:​​ Santiago’s ​​food has highs/lows​​, and the city’s grit is real. ​​Adventure? Go south. Safety? Stay alert.​​ #ChileTravel #SantiagoEats #DigitalNomadLife #TravelTruths