If you are fortunate enough to travel around the world, you know you are not only limited to exploring new places and traditions; you also have a chance to try new cuisines. Every country or culture has unique dishes, which are mostly flavorful. Here is a quick roundup of some of the best foods to try from around the world.
1. Khachapuri
Eggs, bread, and cheese are popular foods in nearly every country. In Georgia, the said ingredients are used to make Khachapuri, a boat-shaped bread filled with cheese and runny eggs in the middle. This snack is tasty, flavorful and also doubles as a side dish. Khachapuri can also be found in Russia, but Georgia’s is the best.
2. Goulash
In Hungary, there is a popular meat and vegetable stew called goulash. It can be made from a wide range of meats such as lamb, pork, or beef. It can also include vegetables such as peppers, carrots, potatoes, and onions. What makes this stew unique is the addition of paprika and other Hungarian spices. The locals can add some vinegar and white wine to their goulash to make it even more flavorful.
3. Falafels
Falafels are a world-renowned plant-based dish. As such, you don’t have to be in the streets of Israel, Egypt, and the Middle East to enjoy this tasty delight. Falafels are fava beans or chickpeas that have been fried into small balls. They are often served with hummus or any preferred source.
4. Moussaka
Moussaka is just like lasagna, except that it doesn’t contain pasta. It comprises layers of minced lamb, potato, eggplant, and a bechamel sauce added after the Moussaka comes from the oven. While this nutritious yet flavorful meal is common in Greece, there are also various versions of Moussaka, such as the Papoutsakia. It’s best to try all these variations and pick a favorite.
5. Irish Stew
The Irish stew is a must-try. It comprises of meat, herbs, onions, carrots, and potatoes. Garnished with varying spices for added flavor, this hearty meal is mainly made in large quantities and can be eaten with mashed potatoes or rice.
6. Zagorski Strukli
In Croatia, there is a pastry called zargorski strukli that can be consumed as a dessert, main dish, or even an appetizer. It’s a dough that contains eggs, cheese, salt, and sour cream and can be boiled or baked. Zagorski Strukli goes best with some soup but can be eaten alone as a snack.
7. Nasi Goreng
In Indonesia, their version of fried rice, nasi goreng, is quite tasty. They mix their rice with meat, veggies, eggs, and lots of other seasonings. While Indonesians surprisingly serve Nasi Goreng for breakfast, the meal can also be taken during lunch or dinner, considering how filling it can be.
8. Ragu Alla Bolognese
This Italian favorite is served in many restaurants across the world. According to Italian cuisine, the Ragu Alla Bolognese should be prepared using pork or beef as the primary ingredients. It’s then combined with onions, celery, carrots, white wine, milk and some tomato paste.
Ragu alla Bolognese is usually cooked for a long time to soften and tenderize the meat. Throughout time, the Ragu Alla Bolognese recipe has been modified by chefs. However, the locals still know it as tagliatelle al ragu.
9. Poutine
Although poutine is originally from Quebec, Canada, it has become a popular meal worldwide. It comprises French fries, cheese, and a thin layer of chicken or beef. It’s quite tasty and a must-try for anyone tired of traditional French fries.
10. Peking Duck
When visiting China, Peking ducks should be at the top of your food bucket list (assuming you aren’t a vegetarian). The ducks are marinated in various sauces and placed in the oven to create soft meat with a crispy skin. In some restaurants, Peking Duck is prepared in front of the customers and served in three stages.
11. Guyana Pepperpot
On special occasions and holidays in Guyana, the locals prepare a tasty stew called Pepperpot. It combines meat, cassava root sauce, hot peppers, and cinnamon. The stew is served with plantains, sweet potatoes, boiled vegetables, and some bread.
12. Kabuli Pulao
The Kabuli Pulao, sometimes called the Palaw, is an Afghanistan food prepared using basmati rice, carrots, raisins, and plenty of other ingredients. Once ready, the Kabuli Pulao is quite colorful and has a very distinct taste.
13. Bolon De Verde
A popular street food in Ecuador, the Bolon De Verde comprises mashed green plantain balls filled with ground peanuts, chicharron, and cheese. They are fried until they turn crispy.
14. Saltena
At first glance, the Saltena looks like an empanada. However, inside this pastry is a soupy mixture of potatoes, raisins, olives, chicken, or beef. It’s also sometimes made using pork. In Bolivia, where Saltenas are a popular dish, they are sometimes prepared differently.
15. Xiaolongbao
Though hard to pronounce, this Chinese delicacy is worth trying. Xiaolongbao are dumplings that contain either meat or fish. It originated from the Jiangnan region in China but has since spread to most parts of the world; it can be found in any nearby Chinese restaurant.
16. Mandazi
Mandazi is a popular breakfast snack in Kenya and Tanzania. They are triangle-shaped doughs that are fried in oil. There are different ways mandazi is prepared. On the coast of Kenya and Tanzania, they are much smaller and contain ingredients like cinnamon and sugar. In the central parts of Kenya, they are much larger. Besides breakfast, mandazis are popular safari snacks.
17. Pupusas
When walking down the streets of El Salvador, a pupusa is a quick and tasty snack that’s hard to get enough of. It’s a piece of flatbread loaded with beans, chicharron, and some cheese. Pupusas are mainly served with a cabbage salad or tomato salsa.