Carolina
I agree with much of what you say (although we are not backpackers), but nuebmr one is not always true. We are culinary travelers so we travel with the intention of eating everything (from food stalls to 3 star Michelin restaurants). We are also lucky enough to live in one of the culinary capitals of Asia. Many of the restaurants/food stalls we have here in Taipei are featured in Lonely Planet and guidebooks around the world, but they are also the places the locals visit. In some parts of Asia, the longer the line, the better guarantee of great food (and that goes for the night markets here as well). While no means is every restaurant in guide books the best, but skipping over a place just because it is mentioned could mean you are missing out on some of the best local gems!
Carolina I agree with much of what you say (although we are not backpackers), but nuebmr one is not always true. We are culinary travelers so we travel with the intention of eating everything (from food stalls to 3 star Michelin restaurants). We are also lucky enough to live in one of the culinary capitals of Asia. Many of the restaurants/food stalls we have here in Taipei are featured in Lonely Planet and guidebooks around the world, but they are also the places the locals visit. In some parts of Asia, the longer the line, the better guarantee of great food (and that goes for the night markets here as well). While no means is every restaurant in guide books the best, but skipping over a place just because it is mentioned could mean you are missing out on some of the best local gems!