The food of a country is one of the most memorable aspects of travelling. Though food is a basic human need, it is also the best way to express a community’s culture and traditions. Most tourists from all over the world are attracted to food as it is a part of traditional representation. Traditional food and cuisine may be an excellent tourist attraction in every travel destination because food serves as both entertainment and cultural activity. Cuisines play an essential role in defining a country’s culture – be it trying the food of the local street market, being entertained by a local family in their home, or dining out at a high-end restaurant; here’s a list of must-eat foods from around the world.
- Masala Dosa, Butter paneer masala, Butter Chicken – India
Masala Dosa – rice and black gram are ground together in a fine, smooth batter with a dash of salt and fermented. Dosas are traditionally served hot with chutney and, more recently, sambar.
Butter paneer, also known as paneer butter masala, is a rich and creamy curry made with paneer, spices, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and butter. The curry is cooked in butter which gives the dish its characteristic buttery flavour.
Butter chicken, also known as Murgh makhani in India, is a curry made with chicken and a spiced tomato and butter (Makhan) sauce. Its sauce is well-known for its creamy texture. In addition, the cream sometimes gives the curry sauce a silky smooth, rich texture.
- Tom yum, Som tam – Thailand
Tom yum is a Thai soup that is hot and sour and is typically made with shrimp. Tom yum originated in Thailand. The words “tom yam” are a combination of two Thai words. Tom is the process of boiling, whereas yam ‘mixed.’
Som Tam is a fiery spicy papaya salad that will set your taste buds ablaze! It has a wide variety of flavours and a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty! It’s both healthy and delicious!
- Chicken Rice, Chili Crab – Singapore
One of Singapore’s national dishes, chicken rice, excels due to its simplicity: poached chicken on white rice, served with soy sauce and a chilli garlic dip. The recipe and techniques for making chicken rice were brought to Singapore by Hainanese and Cantonese cultures.
Chilli crab is a Southeast Asian seafood dish. It is widely recognized as both Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine. Mud crabs are frequently used and stir-fried in a semi-thick, sweet, and savoury tomato-and-chilli-based sauce.
- Buncha, Pho – Vietnam
Bun cha is a grilled pork and noodle dish that is thought to have originated in Hanoi, Vietnam. Bun cha is a dish that has grilled fatty pork served over white rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. Seasoned pork patties are served with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs in a broth.
Pho is a popular dish in Vietnam, served in homes, street stalls, and restaurants throughout the country. Pho is regarded as Vietnam’s national dish. Pho is a Vietnamese soup that is typically made with bone-beef broth, Banh pho noodles, and thinly sliced beef, and it is commonly served with bean sprouts and other fresh herbs on the side. Unlike Japanese ramen, which is wheat noodles, pho is made with rice noodles.
- Sushi, Ramen – Japan
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of prepared sticky rice, usually with some sugar and salt, preceded by a variety of ingredients such as raw seafood and vegetables. Sushi styles and presentation vary a lot, but one main ingredient is “sushi rice,” also known as shari or sumeshi.
Ramen is a Japanese soup noodle. It is made up of wheat noodles served in a broth made of meat or fish, flavoured with miso (soy sauce), and topped with sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions. Among all the ramen, Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki and Ramen are the most flavorful.
- Budae-jjigae, Kimchi – South Korea
Budae-jjigae, also known as spicy sausage stew, is a type of Korean stew made with ham, sausage, Spam, baked beans, kimchi, instant noodles, and gochujang (red chilli paste).
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables like napa cabbage and Korean radish. Seasonings such as gochugaru, spring onions, garlic, ginger, jeotgal, and others, are used. Kimchi can also be found in soups and stews.
- Momo, Dal-bhat-tarkari – Nepal
Momo is a type of dumpling that is popular in Nepalese and Tibetan cuisines. Momo is a meat or vegetable-filled dumpling made of all-purpose flour. The dish, inspired by Tibetan dumplings, is a popular Nepali street food.
Dal-Bhat-Tarkari – Nepal’s Famous Staple Food Dal Bhat, the staple food of every Nepali household, is primarily rice served with lentil soup and vegetable curry or chicken (or meat). This is the most popular meal among Nepalese people because it is nutritious and wholesome.
- Nasi Goreng, Murtabak – Indonesia
Nasi goreng is a Southeast Asian fried rice dish that is typically prepared with meat and vegetables. The dark brown colour of the rice from the Indonesian sweet soy sauce is a distinguishing feature of Nasi Goreng. It’s thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce, with a syrup-like consistency. Don’t run for the hills thinking it’s a difficult-to-find ingredient.
Murtabak is a type of stuffed pancake or pan-fried bread popular in the Arabian Peninsula and Southeast Asia. The name and ingredients can vary, depending on where you are.
- Meat Pie – Australia
This traditional Australian pie has a shortcrust base and a rich beef mince gravy. A meat pie is a hand-sized pie in Australia and New Zealand that contains diced or minced meat and gravy, sometimes with onion, mushrooms, or cheese, and is commonly consumed as a takeaway food snack. This version of the traditional meat pie is regarded as iconic.
- BBQ – USA
The cuisine of the United States is a mash-up of exotic spices, cooking methods, and traditions from its diverse population. However, American-style barbecue is a trademark of the United States. Tender cuts of meat are smoked and served with sauces ranging from sweet and spicy to tart and tangy.
- Fish and chips – England
Fish and chips is a popular dish originated in England that consists of crispy battered fried fish served with chips. The two components-fish and chips were introduced from different cultures but it is unknown who invented the culinary fusion.
- Fajitas, Tacos – Mexico
A fajita is any sheared grilled meat with sheared peppers and onions consumed on a bread or maize tortilla. Fajitas with chicken, beef, or shrimp are some of the simplest dishes in Mexican cuisine. You can serve them as tacos or on a serving plate alongside salsa, limes, and tortillas.
Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish made up of small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. After that, the tortilla is folded around the filling and eaten by hand. Mexican tacos are filled with flavorful, marinated meats such as flank steak or skirt steak.
- Pasta carbonara – Italy
Carbonara is a Rome-style pasta dish made with eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. Typically, the cheese is Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a combination of the two. The carbonara is made with bacon, eggs, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, pepper, and spaghetti (or another long pasta). The silky carbonara sauce is made by tossing beaten eggs with hot pasta and a little fat from pancetta or bacon.
