The Menu

China’s far southwestern province of Yunnan is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the country’s finest wine producers, though its winemaking history goes back more than a hundred years. Monocle’s Tom Webb visited the recently opened Songtsam Cizhong Lodge, where the region’s viticulture began, to find out how its history is being preserved and shared with the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re very much in spring mode this week for an episode dedicated to a specific slice of the colour wheel: green. We meet author and food writer Samuel Goldsmith to discuss his new title, ‘The Frozen Peas Cookbook’. Then: we trace the growing popularity of matcha around the world with Twiggy Yeung. Plus: we crown our ‘verde’ Wine of the Month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The southern French city of Aix-en-Provence is swamped by tourists in the summer, and is visited by art enthusiasts year-round thanks to its connection to Cezanne. But what about food lovers? With the help of local food guide Thomas Garcin, our correspondent Michael Booth takes us to the spots that you won’t want to miss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We island-hop in the Caribbean with author Keshia Sakarah to learn all about her new book, ‘Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History’, and the specificity of the region’s cuisine. Also in the programme: Hannah Lucinda Smith is in Damascus to taste some of the city’s renowned shawarma. Plus: Monocle’s Mae-Li Evans meets Jenny Lau to get ‘An A-Z of Chinese Food: (Recipes Not Included)’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Manila’s Chinatown, Binondo, a chaotic enclave of the city that’s as renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage as its delicious food. Hanna Pham takes us on a tour to try out the best Chinese-Filipino fare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into the world of dairy – the creamiest, most delicious of food groups. First, we look into the revived popularity of cow’s milk, then Emma Nelson visits France’s first museum dedicated to cheese. Plus: Aarti Betigeri samples Australian butter brand Pepe Saya. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff takes us on a tour of Helsinki’s Töölö neighbourhood, home to traditional neighbourhood bistros frequented by local families, as well as new eateries, where ambitious young chefs seek to leave their mark on the city’s vibrant dining scene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re starting off in South London with Rex De Guzman, the founder of Filipino barbecue spot Turo Turo. Also in the programme: Monocle contributor Lucy Hyslop heads to Burdock & Co in Vancouver to find out how the team are transforming their produce’s bioelectric charge into a dinner soundtrack. Plus: Monocle sub-editor and in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, picks her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re northbound to the arctic city of Tromsø in Norway. Here, Monocle’s Oslo correspondent, Lars Bevanger, takes us on a culinary journey which, despite its snow and far-flung location, offers up a selection of international eateries as well as traditional fare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Richard Hart, one of the world’s most celebrated bakers, to find out about the true joy of making the perfect loaf. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff sits down with pioneer of New Nordic cuisine, Peeter Pihel, in Tallinn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Madrid to wander through one of the Spanish capital’s most delectable open secrets. Hidden in the plain sight of the city centre, the Mostenses Municipal Market has been overlooked by local authorities for years. But this has created a ripe opportunity for diaspora communities from Asia and Latin America to eagerly snap up once-ailing stalls. Mixing entrepreneurial flair with a melting pot of exotic ingredients, the market is now a sizzling array of mini-eateries featuring flavours from Peru, Ecuador and China. Our man in Madrid, Liam Aldous, introduces us to the gastronomic fusion known as “Chifa”, a heady mix that has turned the surrounding area into Europe’s first, albeit unofficial, “Chifa Town”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to restaurateur Amy Poon about the legacy of her parents’ iconic Chinese eatery, Poon’s Wontoneria, in London. Also on the programme: we head to Finland to investigate how increasing global prices are affecting the nation’s claim to drinking the most cups of coffee per capita. Plus: Chloé Lake speaks to wine expert Sunny Hodge about his new book encouraging us to look at wine from a more scientific angle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re staying local today and heading to London’s charming South Kensington. From quaint coffee shops, steaming bowls of pho and vibrant farmers’ markets, this corner of west London provides some of the city’s best culinary offerings. Monocle’s Hassan Anderson takes us on a tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We journey down the banks of the Danube to get a taste of Eastern European cuisine with Romanian food writer Irina Georgescu. Plus: Paige Reynolds heads to Leydi, a new Turkish opening in London and Maisie Ringer explores the revival of absinthe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. This offbeat metropolis on the Aegean coast has a rich gastronomic identity thanks to its diverse history at the crossroads of east and west. In 2021, its culinary prowess was recognised by Unesco as a “City of Gastronomy” within its Creative Cities Network. Join Monocle’s Claudia Jacob on a tour of this colourful and compact city that’s sure to slake your appetite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re appreciating the effects that time has on some of our favourite dishes and ingredients. We sit down with Ryan Walker, head of fermentation at zero-waste restaurant Silo, in London. Then: Angelica Jopson leaves things to simmer and explores the timeless appeal of soup. Plus: our in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, picks her well-aged wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Sydney, one of the world’s most multicultural hubs. The Harbour City’s diversity is reflected in its vibrant selection of global restaurants, cafes and bars. Here, Monocle contributor Adam Hancock takes us to Little Portugal in Sydney’s Inner West to learn more about its Portuguese diaspora and their delicious cuisine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Diana Militski, the founder of Kinkally, a restaurant in London championing a modern approach to Georgian cuisine. Then: Michael Booth is at Europe’s biggest food-supplier trade fair in Lyon to get a preview of the industry this year. Plus: we head to Sweden to hear about chef Daniel Berlin’s Scandinavian comeback. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re hitting the slopes of the Dolomites and the small hamlet of Alagna Valsesia at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif. Although Monocle’s Lars Bevanger keeps returning here to ski, what’s equally tempting is the region’s delicious wine and cuisine. Here, he takes us on a tour of the Alpine town. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to the man whose passion for cooking with fire has been fuelling one of the world’s best restaurants – Burnt Ends in Singapore. Also on the programme: we trace the journey of Hong Kong noodles to London and speak to the Croatian author translating literature into enticing recipes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.