Eat āsh

Robert Byron through Persia and Afghanistan in 1933 in search of the origins of Islamic architecture.

Marvel at tiled mosques, desert caravanserais, and poetic hospitality of Iran

Visit Tehran, the capital of Iran. Explore the Golestan Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site with intricate mirror work and royal history), see the Azadi Tower (iconic monument built in 1971 to commemorate the Persian Empire), browse the Grand Bazaar (one of the largest covered markets in the world with traditional crafts and spices), and visit the National Museum of Iran (housing artifacts from ancient civilizations like Persepolis).

Try pho soup, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat

Try miso soup, a traditional Japanese soup made from fermented soybean paste

Try borscht, a traditional Ukraine-originated beetroot soup popular in Eastern Europe.

Eat zurek, a traditional sour rye soup from Poland, often served in a bread bowl.

Try dashi, a fundamental Japanese soup stock made from kombu seaweed and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)