Your shopping bag is empty
10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU JOIN THE CLUB — SIGN UP NOW
QUICK THOUGHTS ON SLOW TRAVEL WITH EDO KOBAYASHI
- TAGS: MINDFUL SERIES
It seems that today we live in between two worlds. There is one that draws us to the futuristic presence of all things fast. Quick information, high-speed entertainment, and a life that begs us to always be on the go. Then there is the other world. The world of slow. The one that calls within us to stop and well, smell the roses. An inherent side of ourselves that seeks to connect with our roots, with nature, and with the simple pleasure of living in the moment.
While things changing fast won’t be changing any time soon, the movement of going slow has also picked up it’s own speed. Nowhere is this more evident than with travel. The rise of travelers who are in search of sustainable, local, and mindful experiences is now being mirrored by changes throughout the industry.
No one knows this better than Edo López, a Mexico City-based restaurateur who employs slow traditions in his high-end eateries. His mindful and authentic approach to Japanese cuisine has made his restaurants like Rokai and Sushi Kyo some of the most coveted reservations in CDMX. We were able to steal a moment of Lopez’s time to get his quick thoughts on slow travel.
IN ONE SENTENCE - WHAT DOES MINDFUL TRAVEL MEAN TO YOU?
It means being able to experience travel, and the world, in a calm and responsible way.
WHAT QUESTION DO YOU ALWAYS ASK WHEN TRAVELLING TO A NEW PLACE?
Where do locals eat?
HOW DOES MINDFULNESS APPLY TO WHAT WE EAT WHEN WE TRAVEL?
The most important thing to be mindful of when travelling is remembering to eat locally. This not only supports the business itself, but the local economy as well.
WHAT'S THE SECRET TO PICKING THE RIGHT RESTAURANT WHEN TRAVELLING?
The world is so small with social media, so if you don't have a local friend that you can ask, I would find a food connoisseur from the area on Instagram and send them a DM. I always enjoy passing on tips so that I know people are supporting the best local places.
“EATING SUDACHI SOBA IN FRONT OF MOUNT FUJI IN JAPAN IS A MOMENT THAT I'LL NEVER FORGET."
HOW DO YOU SAVOR A MOMENT?
I believe that food is culture, and I savor all cultures through food.
HOW DO YOU UNCOVER WHAT'S TRULY LOCAL TO A PLACE?
If you want to know what’s truly local, the best way to do it is simply getting out and talking to the local people.
CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE RESTAURANT THAT'S MINDFUL OF THEIR COMMUNITY?
Criollo, Oaxaca City.
DESCRIBE ONE TRAVEL MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT FULLY PRESENT:
Eating sudachi soba in front of Mount Fuji in Japan is a moment that I’ll never forget.
WHAT WISH DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
After the crisis the world has been through, I think it’s time we live not only for the present but also for the future by encouraging people to travel responsibly.