Your foodie bucket list starts here.
Food is more than just sustenance. Every dish tells a story about different cultures, histories, and identities, and there’s nothing more exciting (and delicious) than trying new flavors from around the world.
1.
Vietnam: Bun Cha and Bánh Xèo
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“When people think of Vietnamese food, they assume pho and banh mi. Of course, these are staples, but you should also try bun cha, caramelized pork meatballs, when in Hanoi.”
“It’s a savory, crispy rice pancake stuffed with pork, prawns, green onion and bean sprouts. It’s best served hot from a street stall. A big plate of bánh xèo served with lettuce and fresh herbs will cost you less than 50 cents.”
—carenseal
2.
China: Jianbing
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“You can find this dish at many street food stalls in Beijing. It’s a very thin crepe with your choice of delicious fillings. It’s folded into a pocket shape that you can hold and eat as you walk, so it’s great for a meal on the go.”
—fayealroy1234
4.
Japan: Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki and Ramen
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“There are so many amazing Japanese dishes, but my favorite is Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Unlike the Osaka style (which is like an omelette) this kind of okonomiyaki is a thin layer of pancake, cabbage and bean sprouts, soba noodles, and an egg, all topped with a special sauce and mayo. It’s to die for.”
—notsosane1991
“I’m not talking about the American word for two minute noodles. I’m talking authentic Japanese made-from-scratch ramen, with broth that takes all day to make, a boiled egg, perfectly cooked chashu pork, and fresh egg noodles. It’s incredible.”
5.
Argentina: Empanadas
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“Try our empanadas, which are filled with ground beef, carmelized onions, green olives, hard boiled eggs and raisins, and seasoned with cumin. Yum!”
6.
Portugal: Pastéis de Nata and Bacalhau
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“If you visit Portugal you should try both pastéis de nata (a sweet custard-filled pastry made best by the famous bakery Pastéis de Belém) and pastel de bacalhau (deep fried cod fritters).”
7.
East Africa: Chipsi Mayai
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“It’s a popular street food — an omelette made of French fries, eggs and spices. Pair it with spicy sugarcane juice.”
8.
Italy: Neapolitan Pizza
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“The original Italian Neapolitan pizza. Your taste buds will explode in pleasure.”
9.
Colombia: Chocolate Santafereño
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“It’s our version of hot chocolate, and I know you’re probably thinking, “what’s so special about plain old hot chocolate?” Our hot chocolate has a richer concentration of cacao. The result is a beverage that is less cloyingly sweet and more rich and flavorful, with a deep aroma that both sweet and nutty. Also, we put cheese in our hot chocolate. We use soft, fresh, unsalted cheese (also known as farmer’s cheese or white cheese) that has a chewy texture like unsalted mozzarella. Drop a few pieces in your hot chocolate and fish them out once they’re soft.”
10.
Germany: Käsespätzle and Döner Kebab
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“I love käsespätzle with speck and röstzwiebeln, which translates to egg noodles with cheese, bacon and crispy fried onions.”
“I recommend trying Doner Kebab, which is extra delicious if you’re having it after a night of drinking.”
11.
Mexico: Birria and Mole
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“It’s like beef stew but with a little twist. You can eat it as tacos.”
“All moles are different, but they’re always good. Yucatan is was my favorite because it’s spicier than it is sweet with a big dose of poblano flavor.”
12.
Romania: Sarmale
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“They’re heavenly boiled cabbage rolls filled with minced meat that are served with sour cream.”
14.
Singapore: Kaya Toast and Chicken Rice
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“It’s toast that’s warm and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and it’s served with butter and soft-boiled eggs. There’s nothing else like it.”
“Chicken rice is a staple everywhere. You can choose either steamed or roasted chicken and it’s served over fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. It’s accompanied by sweet soy sauce and chili-garlic-lime sauce, which makes the whole dish.”
15.
India: Pani Puri and Biryani
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“I would recommend you try every “chaat,” but pani puri tops the list any day. It’s a popular street food: fried puffed dough balls that are hollow and filled with mashed potato or chickpeas, flavored water, and spices.”
“There are at least 15-20 distinct styles of biryani, each with their own unique twist based on the region and the sub-culture.”
16.
Indonesia: Nasi Goreng and Martabak
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“If you visit Indonesia, you should try everything here. The food is simply delicious. Don’t miss nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) and my favorite, martabak. It’s similar to a thick pancake filled with chocolate and crushed peanuts or cheese and condensed milk.”
17.
Philippines: Pancit, Lumpia, and Adobo
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“There are so many great Filipino dishes, but some must-tries are pancit (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat or seafood); lumpia (deep fried spring rolls filled with ground pork and minced vegetables); and adobo (pork or chicken marinated and simmered in soy sauce and garlic).”
19.
USA: Barbecue
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“American BBQ is very regional with different styles and flavors depending on which state you’re in. Texas style brisket gets a lot of love, but Carolina whole hog barbecue is a must try.”
Anyone who comes to American needs to try several different regional barbecue styles including Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, and Carolina.”
20.
England: Fish and Chips and Sunday Roast
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“I haven’t been home to England in nearly two years, and there aren’t many English foods I crave, but I truly miss a proper Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding and a Bakewell tart.”
“For the real experience, you should eat fish and chips straight out of the paper by the sea on a cool day.”
22.
Sweden: Meatballs with Lingonberry Jame
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“I’m not talking about that defrosted stuff you get at IKEA. There’s nothing like homemade Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam. It’s one of the best dishes in the world.”
24.
Serbia: Karađorđeva šnicla
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“It’s a pork steak stuffed with kajmak (a creamy spread similar to clotted cheese ), rolled, breaded, and fried until crispy.”
25.
South Africa: Biltong and Boerewors Roll
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“Biltong is South African jerky — dried beef made with roasted coriander seeds and black pepper. Boerewors roll is a type of beef sausage (like a hot dog) that’s grilled and served on a roll with fried onions and tomato gravy.”
27.
Denmark: Flæskesteg Sandwich
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“It’s what I miss the most about living in Denmark. It’s a hamburger bun topped with roast pork and cracklings and is usually garnished with cabbage, mustard, or remoulade.”
28.
Hong Kong: Egg Waffles
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“I’d say any type of street food is a must-try in Hong Kong, but my favorite are egg waffles.”
29.
Korea: Budae-Jjigae
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“It translates to military stew, and it dates back to the days after the Korean War when there wasn’t much meat available. People made stew with leftover hot dogs, spam, etc… Nowadays, Koreans still make this stew but with a mishmash of fresh ingredients. It’s nostalgic and extremely delicious.”
30.
Spain: Tumbet and Tortilla Española
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“Most people associate Spain with paella, but most don’t know the Majorcan dish called Tumbet. It’s stacked layers of fried eggplant, zucchini, and potato, with bay leaf and tomato sauce on top. It’s absolutely amazing.”
“Tortilla Española might as well be the national dish. It’s an omelette with potatoes that can be found in just about every bar and restaurant across the country.”
31.
The Netherlands: Stroopwafel
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“It’s like a sweet, round waffle stuffed with molten caramel. It tastes especially delicious when you warm it up on a cup of coffee or tea. I think it’s one treat that is impossible to dislike.”
32.
Malaysia: Nasi Lemak and Char Kuay Teow
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“Malaysian food is a melting pot of different cultures. Make sure to try nasi lemak, which is rice cooked in coconut milk with chili, anchovies and nuts. I’d also recommend char kuay teow, stir-fried flat noodles with seafood and Chinese sausages. It tastes best when it’s cooked on a wok.”
Do you have a favorite dish from your home country that every traveler should seek out? Tell us in the comments below!
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