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Shoyu Sugar

Behind-the-Scenes in Buffalo

Published 3 months agoΒ β€’Β 4 min read

πŸ‘‹ Hi friends,

A couple of weeks ago I shared my Matador Network piece on Buffalo from this summer and I'm still getting caught up on sharing the behind-the-scenes from the trip.

I've got up a new Instagram post today with some of the food highlights, and later I’ll be sharing more about where I stayed, the makers I met, and how Buffalo is marking the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal this week!

With National Sponge Candy Day coming up this Sunday and the Bills off to a winning start, it feels like the perfect moment to shine a light on Buffalo.

πŸ™ I (STILL) need your vote - I'm in 3rd place!

Could you do me a favor? Head over to this Instagram post and comment "Malia" to help my story win the Eurail Stories Contest.​

The story I wrote about my experience nearly 30 years ago backpacking Europe by train is a finalist and I'm currently trailing in third place.
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You can read the 5 finalist stories here, then click below to vote! (If you've already voted, maybe tell a friend too?)

This email may contain affiliate links, which means purchases made through those links earn me a commission, at no extra cost to you. For details, please see my privacy policy. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time from the bottom of the email.

Destination Inspiration

  • If you dream of escaping the noise and chaos in the world today, Conde Nast Traveler has a list of the 50 Quietest Places Around the World.
  • Is cheese the new way to travel? BBC Travel tells us why it may be so!
  • Empty Bowl Hawaii is back next Saturday 9/27 at the convention center. Your event ticket gets you a bowl made by local potters and soups from 15 restaurants! Proceeds benefit Feed The People Hawai'i.
  • I've also updated my annual post about things to do in Winter in Hawaii post for those dreaming of humpback whale watching, big wave surf contests, the state's biggest marathon, or Honolulu City Lights.

Feeling LuckyπŸ€

  • In celebration of National Sponge Candy Day on Sunday September 21st, you can win a pound of sponge candy for a year from Watsons candy and Visit Buffalo Niagra. Enter here by 9/21.
  • Win a trip for 4 to Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood in honor of Jurrasic World Rebirth. Enter by 9/22. Details here.
  • The Maui County Fair is back! Like and comment for a chance to win a 4 pack of tickets to the Maui County Fair. Enter by 9/26. Post is here.
  • How about $100,000 to take a year off? Fat Tire is giving one US resident a chance to live their dream. Enter by 9/30. Details here.
  • The Golden Nugget is giving away a 2-night stay, $250 food & beverage credit and a 1 oz gold bar! Enter by 2/8/26 Details here.

Have a great weekend!

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What's new in the community?

After a few months break, our Savor the Journey Facebook Group is back! πŸ₯³ Get a daily dose of travel and food stories and engage with like-minded travelers. Feel free to ask in the group for foodie recommendations for your upcoming travels!

​See them here →​

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Deal Alert for travelers: eSIMs from Airalo

Curious about using an eSIM to stay connected while traveling abroad? My go-to for most destinations is Airalo. Get $3 to try it out with code MALIA2345.

​Learn More→​

πŸ˜‹

Need to book a food tour in 2026?

Culinary Backstreets has 15% off all their tours through the end of the year with code CBCHEER25. Their tours are limited to 6 people max to really get a personal experience, and they are always so well planned! Read about my experience in Istanbul below.

​Check it out →​

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Hi, I'm Malia Yoshioka

I'm a freelance food and travel writer and online ESL tutor from Hawaii, slowly eating my way around the world and sharing the flavors with you in these weekly updates and on ShoyuSugar.com. Happy you're here! =)
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I hope you enjoy the behind the scenes look at my work as well as specially curated food, travel and language news from around the world.
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Shoyu Sugar

Malia Yoshioka

Malia Yoshioka is a freelance Food & Travel Writer and ESL Tutor from Hawaii. She's slowly eating her way around the world, 43 countries and counting so far! Get behind the scenes news, travel tips and the best food stories from around the web in her weekly Savor the Journey newsletter.

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