If you’re a foodie, earmark these museums for a taste of culinary history and traditions
Unlike typical museums with sprawling galleries filled with art and artefacts from across the ages, culinary museums offer in-depth peeks on single subjects, ranging from potatoes to cup noodles. Satiate your culinary curiosity by making a pilgrimage on behalf of your favourite food or drink.
Guinness Storehouse (Dublin, Ireland)
The home of the famous Irish dry stout, the Guinness Storehouse is a seven-storey museum that’s worth visiting even if you’re not a fan of the bitter black stuff! A former working brewery whose incredible 9,000-year lease was signed for by Arthur Guinness himself, the Guinness Storehouse offers an interactive experience that takes you from grain to glass and other interesting snippets such as vintage advertising posters. As every tour ticket comes with a pint of Guinness (or the non-alcoholic version for teetotallers and kids) at the Gravity Bar, you can sip on arguably Ireland’s most famous export and enjoy the panoramic views of its capital.
For more information, visit www. guinness-storehouse.com
Idaho Potato Museum (Idaho, USA)
Idaho is best known for its potatoes – it is one of the world’s largest producers of russet potatoes, renowned for its taste and versatility. The museum showcases how the starchy tuber made its way to North America, as well as traditional farming methods and artefacts such as the world’s largest potato chip. Of course, don’t leave without a meal at the Potato Station Cafe, where you can savour potatoes cooked in wonderfully different ways.
For more information, visit www.idahopotatomuseum.com
Cup Noodles Museum (Osaka, Japan)
Momofuku Ando changed the way the world ate when he invented the world’s first instant noodles in Japan. Today, you can revisit that historical moment at the Cup Noodles Museum, where you can immerse yourself in all things cup noodles, from a hands-on experience in making your own instant noodles to marvelling at the many varieties of instant noodles available. Cap your visit by slurping down some limited-edition instant ramen at Tasting Room.
For more information, visit www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en
Spam Museum (Minnesota, USA) 
No, this is not a museum dedicated to unwanted emails, but the processed meat that is celebrated around the world. The free museum spans seven galleries with exhibits such as Spam’s advertising, and its role in keeping American soldiers fed during the Second World War. It also has a play area for kids!
For more information, visit https://www.spam.com/museum
Museum Kimchikan (Seoul, South Korea) 
Currently enjoying its place in the spotlight as both a health food and a tasty ingredient, Museum Kimchikan is dedicated to the Korean staple and the art of making it, the process of which is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Visitors can learn about the history of the fermented vegetable, taste the many different varieties, and even have a look at lactic acid bacteria, the key component of kimchi’s fermentation.
For more information, visit www.kimchikan.com
