Travelogue of the American South — New Orleans Food Edition 🍤

The food in New Orleans is as distinctive as the South itself — with Cajun cuisine taking the spotlight. In casual seafood spots, authentic Cajun flavors are everywhere. The seafood is fresher than New York’s, yet surprisingly affordable — so good that I ate it two days in a row and even took some back to the hotel for late-night cravings! In the French Quarter, the choices are endless — you really can’t go wrong. 🦞 HOT N CAJUN 📍 901 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70112 The city balances down-to-earth street eats with upscale French dining. Oysters are shucked right before you, served with an array of sauces. Just before dipping, I remembered the French short story "My Uncle Jules" — where the ladies savored oysters with such delight. I tried one plain, straight from the shell. Fresh? Absolutely. But my inland-grown palate still prefers them with a dash of sauce 😅. Maybe my taste buds haven’t fully evolved to appreciate the pure oceanic flavor like those 19th-century Europeans! 🍮 The dessert here was a lovely surprise — carrot pudding that tasted almost like Chinese date cake, warm and soft, paired with ice cream… a solid 💯! 🐟 Peche Seafood Grill 📍 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 When night falls, the French Quarter glows with neon lights. Step into any music bar, order a beer, and let live jazz fill the cozy space. At first listen, jazz feels casual, almost whimsical — but if you lean in, you sense the rhythm, the mood… hints of longing, resilience, optimism, and a kind of joyful acceptance. And of course — the must-eat in New Orleans — the legendary Cafe Du Monde ☕️🍩. Their beignets are sprinkled with what looks like a "deadly" amount of powdered sugar, yet somehow it works — not too sweet, with a texture between fried dough and sugary pastry. The French Quarter location is the busiest (cash only 💵), but there’s an ATM nearby, or you can buy vouchers in the gift shop next door. Their merch is super cute too — don’t miss the souvenir store! 🍩 Cafe Du Monde 📍 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 #NewOrleans #NOLAFood #AmericanSouth #TravelDiary 🌆🎺🍛