One of the best parts of world travel is experiencing the culture of a new and wonderful country. While enjoying the diverse landscape and traditional entertainment of a new place is exciting, our favorite aspect of traveling to a new country is the food. Each region of the world has its own unique cuisine, and it can be overwhelming to decide which dishes to try when you have limited time. We have compiled a list of 25 dishes from around the world that we think should be on your culinary bucket list.
Australia: Barramundi
This traditional Australia dish consists of a local fish called Barrmundi (from the Aboriginal word for “large-scaled river fish”). The fish is most commonly pan-fried or seared with the skin on, and then served with herbed oil
Austria: Tafelspitz
For this “national dish of Austria” sirloin beef is aged, and then boiled with root vegetables and spices. The meat is then served with roasted potatoes, apples, and horseradish.
Belgium: Moules-frites
This delicious Belgian favorite consists of North Sea mussels served with fries. Most commonly, the mussels are cooked in white wine, butter, shallots and parsley.
Brazil: Feijoada
This dish consists of black beans cooked with pig’s ears and trotters. Feijoada is served with a mixture of fried kale, bacon, rice, and farofa.
Canada: Tourtière
This Canadian meat pie is usually filled with minced pork, veal, beef, or wild game. While portions of Canada eat this dish year round, it is a traditional part of Quebec’s Christmas celebrations.
China: Xiao Long Bao
Don’t leave China without trying these delicious soup dumplings filled with ground pork!
Egypt: Hamam Mahshi
Many travelers may be too timid to eat pidgeon, but when grill properly and stuffed with cracked wheat, Hamam Mahshi is a local delicacy.
England: Fish and Chips
Fish and chips are a famous English combination for good reason. Traditionally cod or haddock is breaded and fried and served with fries and lemon wedges.
France: Blanquette de Veau
This classic veal dish is a French favorite. The veal is cooked in a cream sauce with butter and carrots creating a luscious, rich dish.
Germany: Rouladen
This delicious German dinner is made by wrapping thin slices of beef around bacon, onion and pickles, and slowly braising the meat. You are likely to find this dish served with red cabbage and spaetzle.
Greece: Mousakka
Get your comfort food fix with this tasty dish where you will find layers of eggplant, meat, tomato, potato, cream sauce and cheese.
Italy: Ossobuco alla Milanese
Ossobuco alla Milanese starts with slowing cooking a bone-in veal shank in a white wine and vegetable stock until it is so tender it falls apart. This amazing dish is so worth the wait!
India: Tandoori Chicken
This Indian dish is famous around the world, but nothing beats traditional Tandoori chicken. The chicken is marinated in yoghurt and Indian spices and then cooked in a traditional tandoor.
Japan: Shabu Shabu
Shabu shabu is as much of a food experience as it is a dish. Servers bring an array of meats and vegetables to the table along with a pot of boiling broth. Diners then quickly cook the thin cut foods in the broth at the table before eating.
Mexico: Pozole
This ancient dish is likely slightly different than its centuries old origin. Today, hominy corn, herbs and spices, and a choice of protein stew for hours. Once cooked, the chef adds lettuce radish, onion, lime and chilies to the dish before serving.
Morocco: Kefta Tagine
One of many popular tagine dishes in Morocco, kefta tagine is made of minced beef or lamb mixed with garlic, coriander, parsley, and cinnamon. This mixture is rolled into balls and cooked in a sauce made of tomato and onion. Finally, eggs are cracked into the sauce, and they are allowed to cook before the dish is served.
The Philippines: Chicken Adobo
The delicious flavor of this dish comes from the way the chicken is marinated. Typically the marinade consists of soya sauce, vinegar, and a variety of spices.
South Africa: Bobotie
This quintessential South African dish is ground meat, fruit, and spices which are then topped with a savory custard and bay leaves before baking.
South Korea: Bibimbap
Various vegetables, meat, and fried egg are mixed with red pepper paste and sesame oil. These ingredients are then mixed with rice and served in a hot stone pot.
Spain: Paella
While there are many variations of this traditional Spanish dish, all Paella features seafood, rice, vegetables, and saffron.
Sweden: Kanelbulle
Perhaps Sweden’s favorite food, these delicious cinnamon rolls are sweet bread with the flavors of cardamom, saffron and vanilla.
Switzerland: Rosti, Valaisanne-style
Rosti is an iconic Swiss dish consisting of thinly grated potatoes that are pan-fried until crisp and golden. For some, rosti is a hearty breakfast, for others a delicious comfort food.
Thailand: Pad Thai
This famous dish is made from thin rice noodles stir-fried with egg, shrimp, and tofu in a fish sauce.
United States: Cheeseburger
Most restaurant menus in the US feature some kind of cheeseburger, ranging from a simple beef patty topped with cheese to more elaborate versions featuring rare and delicious toppings.
Vietnam: Pho
People all over the world now know and love Pho, but traditional Vietnamese Pho is the best of the best. The salty broth houses rice noodles, herbs, meat, and vegetables.
So which of these delicious dishes have you already crossed off your culinary bucket list? Which are you looking forward to crossing off next? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
