About Me
About FoodieFlashpacker.com and Original Founder Nathan
Nathan Aguilera
Foodie Flashpacker was originally founded by traveler and writer Nathan Aguilera. Years ago, Nathan left his job at an Oklahoma City law firm and embarked on a journey around the world, sharing the meals, markets, and food experiences that helped shape the early identity of this site. He has since moved on to new projects, the site has been sold, and he is no longer involved in running Foodie Flashpacker—but the spirit of his original work still influences the way the blog approaches food-focused travel today.
At the time he first set out, Nathan thought he would only be gone for six months, but the more he travelled, the longer his bucket list became.
He met so many phenomenal people along the way, and it seemed like everyone had a new recommendation: “If you like Spain then you’d LOVE Portugal or “If you thought the diving was good in Thailand, you would love it in the Philippines. Even after years of traveling, his list is somehow longer than when he started.
What is a foodie flashpacker?
“Flashpacker” described how Nathan preferred to travel. Rather than moving around as a typical backpacker staying in hostel dorm rooms, he favored a bit more comfort—private rooms instead of bunks, ride shares instead of haggling for taxis, and eventually a suitcase instead of a backpack—while still keeping a sense of adventure.
“Foodie” captured the main reason he wanted to keep exploring. Nathan liked to choose a central “base camp” and then spend time getting to know the surrounding area, immersing himself in the local culture, meeting people, and seeking out memorable places to eat. Enjoying and exploring the food of an area was never just a bonus; it was an essential part of the experience and became a defining feature of the Foodie Flashpacker approach.
What’s the Foodie Flashpacker’s favorite meal?
This was a question Nathan was asked almost every day, and even with so many chances to decide, it was hard to pick a single answer. While he developed a deep love for Vietnamese food, many of his most memorable plates came from Italy – Bisteca Florentine, wild boar ragu, and a charcuterie platter he talked about long after the meal ended.
As the blog’s name suggests, food was a huge part of why he travelled, but it wasn’t the only draw. Nathan also enjoyed the beaches of Indonesia and the Philippines, the dramatic natural landscapes of Portugal and Iceland, and the vibrant history and culture of places like Istanbul and Myanmar.
Today, Foodie Flashpacker is no longer a personal diary of Nathan’s travels, and he is not involved in the site’s day-to-day content. The blog continues under new ownership, but the core idea he helped create lives on: using food as a lens to experience the world. The current guides, recommendations, and stories build on that foundation while shifting the focus from one traveler’s journey to a broader collection of food and travel experiences from around the globe.
