“The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach”- whoever quoted this obviously knew what they were talking about. Isn’t that the best part about traveling to nations afar and lands unknown- a vital part of their culture: the cuisine?
Different parts of the world have adapted and nurtured their own cuisine over the centuries. Some are globally available, while some are still limited to their place of origin. Some have been modified and been given new names, others are still heavily regulated by their connoisseurs. Believe it or not, food says as much about the country as its museums & palaces!
Challenge yourself this year to a new bucket list: the foodie’s ultimate bucket list! Whether a food food enthusiast or not, we dare you to continue reading until the end of this list without feeling inspired, scribbling down a few pointers for yourself, and of course, salivating!
1Peka, Croatia
Peka is an explosion of tastes and sensations. The preparation is an art in itself and cannot be hastened. In a skillet with the meat, freshly chopped vegetables are added, along with some olive oil and Mediterranean herbs. Finally, everything is safely covered with a peka lid and let to boil for a few hours in the fireplace.
Best place to try it: Restaurant Orca
Check out the top things to do in Dubrovnik
2Pavlova, New Zealand
The legendary Pavlova cake - a light, delicate, and delicious treat like no other – will have you contemplating New Zealand for your next major trip in no time. Despite the fact that it has been the focal point of a long-running cultural feud between New Zealand and Australia, everyone can agree that this meringue-based cake topped with fresh strawberries or forest fruits is one of those cuisine bucket list items you simply must try.
Best place to try it: Cibo
3Pastel de natas, Portugal
In the form of custard, pastel de Natas are like little morsels of happiness. You will not find a custard tart (pastel de Natas) like this anywhere else on the planet. Fresh, warm, and dusted with sugar, these simple tarts are best served with a mug of hot coffee. The biggest mistake you can make is to order just one of these.
Best place to try it: Manteigaria
Check out the top things to do in Lisbon
4Escargot, France
Escargot is the French word for snail (don’t turn your nose up yet!). Yes, this delicacy is essentially cooked land snails. It is served as a hors d'oeuvre and is accompanied by tantalizing garlic, butter, and herb-flavored sauce that is almost as delightful as France itself. The secret behind great escargot is fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
Best place to try it: L'Escargot
Check out the top things to do in Paris
5Meat pie, Australia
This can't-miss Aussie delicacy is the Australian meat pie or the famous Aussie cuisine icon that inspired the Great Aussie Pie Competition. Puff pastry sheets are cut into little cups and filled with minced meat and a delicious sauce. The pie is then brushed with an egg yolk and placed in the oven to cook until golden. The meat pie is best served with beer and best enjoyed in the company of loved ones.
Best place to try it: Harry's Café de Wheels
Check out the top things to do in Sydney
6Tagine, Marrakesh
Marrakech's marketplaces are a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and fragrances. Take in the colorful pyramids of spices at the marketplaces and sample the artistically poured mint tea in traditional Riads. Then, as the sun begins to set, settle in for a traditional tagine at one of the local restaurants - saffron and lobster is a favorite combination.
Best place to try it: Al Fassia
Check out the top things to do in Marrakesh
7Baklava, Turkey
Turkey has the best baklava ever. Period. Find shops lined with baklava from floor to ceiling on Istanbul's streets with so many different forms, sizes, and flavors to pick from. Baklava is a layered filo pastry delicacy filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. It was one of Ottoman cuisine's most beloved sweet pastries.
Best place to try it: Hafiz Mustafa
Check out the top things to do in Istanbul
8Goulash, Hungary
Goulash is prepared in a variety of ways around the world, but Hungarian goulash is unquestionably the greatest. It is saucy and flavorful, and it should be on your culinary bucket list. Goulash is a meat and vegetable soup or stew seasoned with paprika and other spices. It is a traditional Hungarian dish that is popular throughout Central Europe, as well as other parts of Europe.
Best place to try it: Gettó Gulyás
Check out the top things to do in Budapest
9Poutine, Canada
Poutine is a French fry and cheese curds meal with brown sauce on top. It first appeared in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada, while its origins are unknown and various competing claims to have originated the dish exist. The lunch appears to be a shambles, but it is excellent. Poutine has a distinct flavor that is difficult to describe. It is best described as mashed potatoes with gravy, but with the addition of cheese curds and crispy fries, it is elevated to the next level.
Best place to try it: Poutineville
10Seafood Paella, Spain
After a long day of touring Valencia, reward yourself with a delicious Paella at an authentic restaurant in the city's heart. Paella is one of Spain's most delicious foods, but it must be prepared properly. It will not be the same if the rice is hard. The beauty of paella is that it may be made with a variety of ingredients, such as shellfish, chicken, beef, or even vegetables. However, you haven’t really tasted the best of the dish until you try the seafood paella.
Best place to try it: La Pepica
Check out the top things to do in Barcelona
11Spanakopita, Greece
When it comes to ticking off your Europe bucket list trips, do not forget to include Greece, mostly because the food is incredible. Spanakopita is a flaky puff pastry filled with spinach and cheese that will have you clamoring for seconds and thirds. It is also known as Spanakotiropita when it is made with cheese, usually feta. It is popular in northern Greece. The term spanakopita is also used in southern Greece to refer to cheese-filled variations.
Best place to try it: Peskesi
Check out the top things to do in Athens
12Chilaquiles, Mexico
You will be begging for more of this super-easy Mexican food. It is basically tortilla chips dipped in Verde salsa and topped with cheese. The toppers are determined by the individual. Sunnyside-up eggs or chicken are the most prevalent options. Then, of course, cilantro can be sprinkled on top. Chilaquiles are commonly made with eggs, peppers, cheese, sour cream, onions, chorizo, or cilantro. Beef or chicken can be used for this, with chicken being the most popular choice.
Best place to try it: El Cardenal
Check out the top things to do in Mexico City
13Bilton, South Africa
Biltong is a marinated and seasoned air-dried beef delicacy that is one of South Africa's most well-known delicacies. Not to be mistaken with the smoked American equivalent, beef jerky, biltong can be produced from a variety of meats, including beef, game meats, and ostrich fillets. If you have had beef jerky, this meat delicacy will be quite familiar to you.
Best place to try it: Linga Lapa, Elula Coffee & Cafe
14Poisson cru, Tahiti
When visiting Tahiti, the most common cuisine you will come across is Poisson cru. This raw fish dish includes vegetables, lime, and coconut milk. After a week of consuming it, your life will never be the same. The raw fish is briefly marinated in lemon or lime juice until the surface of the meat becomes opaque in Tongan, Tahitian, and Samoan versions.
Best place to try it: Snack Mahana
15Bouillabaisse, France
Bouillabaisse is a famous Provençal fish stew that originated in Marseille, a port city. The Provençal Occitan word Bolhabaissa, a composite of the two verbs Bolhir and Abaissar, is the source of the French and English word bouillabaisse. Freshly caught fish is boiled in a fish broth which starts with fish bones and is enhanced with leeks, tomatoes, garlic, fragrant olive oil, and herbs like thyme, fennel, and saffron.
Best place to try it: Chez Fonfon
16Currywurst, Germany
The world-famous currywurst is one of those regional dishes that you simply must eat. So, if you are roaming through Berlin's streets and do not know what to eat, remember this: currywurst is always a safe option in Germany. This tasty pork sausage is not only pleasing to the appearance, but it is also tasty. It is best consumed with french fries and a portion of curry-powder ketchup.
Best place to try it: Curry 61
Check out the top things to do in Berlin
17Asado, Argentina
The Asado, or classic Argentinian Barbeque, is a long-standing custom that is deeply steeped in the South American nation's pride and a must-try on your culinary bucket list. That being said, there are a variety of ways to enjoy it, but here are a few suggestions: Enjoy some succulent short ribs that are crispy on the outside but tender on the inside, cooked over a low fire.
Best place to try it: La Cabrera
18Masala dosa, India
Masala dosa is a variation of the famed South Indian dosa, which originated in Karnataka's Tuluva Udupi cuisine. Rice, lentils, potato, fenugreek, ghee, and curry leaves are used to make this dish, which is eaten with chutneys and sambar. It is a thin, crisp crepe or pancake stuffed with a semi-dry curry mixture. Because of the fermentation, it has a somewhat acidic flavor that is savory rather than sweet.
Best place to try it: Hotel Original Vinayaka Mylari
19Som tam, Thailand
Thai papaya salad is known as som tam. Som tam, like most Thai cuisine, teases the taste senses with sweet, spicy, salty, and sour flavors. Som Tam is a Thai dish that may be found in restaurants and street markets across the country. Som tam is a savory dish that varies by area, so make sure to get it in every place you visit. Som tam is a sour sauce with a spicy flavor. If you are serving seafood or poultry with your papaya salad, it can also be used as a dipping sauce.
Best place to try it: Baan Somtum
20Parma ham, Italy
Prosciutto di Parma, or Parma Ham in English, is one of the world's greatest hams. The dry-cured ham is distinguished by its warm pink color and a sliver of creamy fat running down one side when thinly sliced, which is how it is most usually bought and served. The meat is soft and melts in your mouth, and the flavor is unrivaled: savory and sweet with a dash of salt.
Best place to try it: Trattoria Del Tribunale
Check out the top things to do in Rome
21Goi Cuon, Vietnam
Goi cuon, salad roll, summer roll, fresh spring roll, spring roll, and rice paper roll are all typical Vietnamese dishes made with pork, prawns, veggies, bn, and other ingredients wrapped in Vietnamese bánh tráng. Seasonal fresh ingredients are rolled in soaked rice sheets and served with a dipping sauce in gi cun. Artisans often handcraft the paper-thin sheets, which are created from rice flour and/or tapioca flour, salt, and water.
Best place to try it: Ngon Restaurant
22Lechón, Philippines
One of the most popular foods in the Philippines is Lechon, which is derived from a Spanish phrase for roasted suckling pig. The suckling pig is packed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives before being slowly roasted over an open fire on a long bamboo spit. At festivities and festive events such as weddings and Christmas, it is traditionally presented whole on a platter.
Best place to try it: House of Lechon
23Arepas, Venezuela
Arepas are a type of cornbread made from ground corn dough or precooked corn flour that can be used in a variety of ways. It is usually served with a cup of strong coffee and some hot dipping chocolate in Venezuela. Arepas are consumed at any time of day in Venezuela, across the country, and by people of all socioeconomic classes. The golden disks with a crisp, toasted exterior are typically stuffed with a variety of fillings, with seemingly endless permutations.
Best place to try it: Arepa Factory
24Pierogi, Poland
This once-peasant meal has grown into one of Poland's most popular dishes. Every family has their own pierogi filling recipe, and the items that can be utilized are only limited by the chef's inventiveness. Pierogi can be sweet, savory, or spicy, with cheese, onions, ground pork, mushrooms, potatoes, and sauerkraut as the most frequent fillings. Various berries, such as strawberries or blueberries, are typically included in the sweet variations.
Best place to try it: Zapiecek
25Rendang, Indonesia
Rendang is an Indonesian meat dish that developed in West Sumatra among the Minangkabau people. The meal is known for its spiciness and lengthy preparation time. Because the major four ingredients in rendang reflect the Minangkabau culture: meat represents leaders, coconut represents intellectuals, chili represents religious leadership, and other spices represent the rest of society, the dish has a larger symbolic meaning for Indonesians.
Best place to try it: Seribu Rasa
26Chicken Muamba, Gabon
Muamba de galinha, often known as chicken muamba, is a dish cooked with chicken, muamba de dendem (red palm oil sauce), garlic, okra, and gindungo. The dish's flavor comes from palm oil, and the red color comes from lycopene. Fungee, a starchy snack made by boiling and stirring corn or cassava into a porridge, and delicate boiled beans seasoned with palm oil and salt are customarily served alongside the dish.
Best place to try it: Cantinho do Aziz
27B'stilla, Morocco
Pastilla is a stuffed pastry from Morocco, also called as b'stilla or bastilla. The pie's filling is a unique combination of pigeon or chicken meat, eggs, almonds, and cinnamon. It is usually made for special occasions like holidays, weddings, or gatherings. Although it appears to be extremely sweet on the outside, this is the main course dish rather than a dessert, since it is a plat complet, or a dish containing everything - the savory and sweet contrasts working in unison.
Best place to try it: Al Fassia
28Okonomiyaki, Japan
Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese food that is similar to an omelet or a pancake. Eggs, flour, water, grated yam, and shredded cabbage are used to make the batter. Occasionally, other items like fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, or cheese are added to the mix. The batter is then pan-fried, much like a pancake, before being topped with a sauce that resembles thick Worcestershire sauce and served with Japanese mayonnaise, pickled ginger, fish or seaweed flakes.
Best place to try it: Okonomimura
29Moules Frites, Belgium
Moules-Frites is a classic comfort food dish made with mussels with Belgian fries on the side. Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France are all known for this meal. Mayonnaise is the preferred condiment to serve with the dish, as it adds richness to the dish. The dish is thought to have originated in Belgium since Belgians were the first to pair mussels with fries, which were popular throughout the country during the winter months when fish was scarce.
Best place to try it: Chez Léon
30Leipäjuusto, Finland
When you bite into the stiff and chewy body of Leipäjuusto or Juustoleipä, it makes a squeaky sound against your teeth, which is why it is also known as Finnish squeaky cheese. The cheese, which is prepared from cow, goat, or reindeer milk, has a sweet and fresh aroma. It has a mild, salty, and sweet flavor, and its name might be interpreted as "bread cheese" or "cheese bread" because it is lightly toasted during production.
Best place to try it: 2h+k
31Khachapuri, Georgia
The most famous delicacy in Georgia is khachapuri, a basic cheese bread. Melted cheese, eggs, and butter are customarily served on top. There are various forms of khachapuri, and while new cheese varieties such as mozzarella and feta have been added to the dish, traditional Georgian Sulguni or Imeretian cheese remains the most popular addition. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and depending on the baking method and shape, it can be eaten alone or shared.
Best place to try it: Retro