Bob’s @ Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ****

Ovomaltine Milkshake

Although I believe that globalization has had many positive effects, the homogenization of food culture is not one of them. While some might argue that there is a certain comfort to being able to walk into a McDonald’s anywhere in the world and know exactly what to expect, I’ve always enjoyed exploring dining options that are regionally-specific. Indeed, although it is undeniably convenient to be able to buy typically English products like McVities digestive biscuits in America and even in Singapore, I find myself getting the most excited about discovering foods that are not only geographically specific but also otherwise unobtainable.

While a milkshake is a fairly standard fast food menu offering, adding Ovomaltine chocolate malt powder instead of a standard chocolate flavoring is a stroke of inspiration on the level of Momofuku Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Soft Serve. A most satisfying sweetness combined with the textured crunch of pockets of powder suspended just so; slurpable heaven.

For this experience, I am indebted to Kathy Gray for so generously responding to my post on the travel forum of A Small World with an extensive and unusual set of recommendations.

Details: Rio Sul Shopping Mall, R. Lauro Müller 116, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (+552125423795)