1. Croque Madame, France
A classic breakfast that you will find in any brasserie, it’s a great way to start your day. If you are tired of croissants and baguettes, a Croque Madame is a kind of fried egg and cheese sandwich, topped with grated cheese. If you eat this without the fried egg, the French call it a Croque Monsieur.
2. Borscht, Russia/Ukrain
This soup originated in Ukraine and is popular throughout Eastern and Central Europe. Borscht has dozens of variations, but beetroot is a core ingredient, as well as stock and sauteed vegetables. Try it both hot and cold.
3. Kimchi, South korea
If you’re keen on fermented vegetables and spicy food, this is the dish for you. The main ingredient of this Korean side dish is Chinese cabbage, which is also flavored with onions, garlic, and red pepper. You’ll find this dish in every Korean household.
4. Pasta Carbonara, Italy
This dish originated in Rome and is pasta cooked with cream sauce, eggs, pancetta (sliced bacon), and olive oil. It is usually served in a round dish and topped with Parmesan cheese. The most critical piece of making Carbonara is that the pasta should be boiled al dente.
5. Souvlaki, Greece
This Greek fast food is cheap and delicious. Made with beef, pork, or chicken (as well as vegetables on occasion), this dish consists of kebabs on wooden skewers. The dish is either served on a plate with various garnishes, bread, or fried potatoes or in a pita sandwich.
6. Schweinshaxe, Germany
This roasted ham hock (“pork knuckle”) is very popular in the Bavaria region. The meat is marinated in flavors – sometimes for up to a week. The meat is crispy on the outside and deliciously tender on the inside, and is typically served with sides such as sauerkraut or braised red cabbage, or roasted potatoes.
7. Kitfo, Ethiopia
Kitfo is a traditional dish found in Ethiopian cuisine. It consists of minced raw beef, marinated in a chili-based spice blend (mitmita) and a clarified butter infused with herbs and spices (niter kibbeh).
8. Fondue, Switzerland
The ultimate communal dish, fondue is a dish of melted cheese served in a pot over heat. People dip bread into the cheese with long-stemmed forks. You may also find variations to the traditional cheese fondue – hot oil instead for a meat fondue, or melted chocolate for a tasty dipping dessert.
9. Bangers and Mash, Great Britain
A traditional dish from the British Isles, this delicious meal of sausages and mashed potatoes – topped with onion gravy – is perfect as a homemade dinner.
10. Pljeskavica, Serbia
Serbia’s national dish is a spiced meat patty, prepared from a mix of beef, pork, and lamb. Served as a main course – usually with onions, milk cream, relish, and a spicy cheese salad, you’ll find this in many fast food stands across the country.
11. Tom Yum, Thailand
This sour-spicy soup is flavored by a broth that includes shrimps, chicken, fish and fragrant herbs and spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and crushed chillis. It has a distinctive taste and has many variations – most include prawns and other seafood.
12. Sushi, Japan
You can’t visit Japan without trying sushi. Rice and seaweed (nori) are the main ingredients that hold basically any ingredient – whether it’s meat, seafood, vegetables, or egg. Sushi is always accompanied by pickled ginger, a fiery horseradish (wasabi), and soy sauce.
13. Feijoada, Brazil
This dish originated in Portugal but can be found in many former Portuguese colonies, including Macau, Mozambique, and Angola. A stew of black beans with mixed beef and pork cuts, seasoned with garlic, onions, and bay leaves, interestingly this dish is traditionally eaten on Saturdays.
14. Meat Pie, Australia
The closest thing to a national dish (besides Vegemite, which is a thick food paste usually spread on toasted bread), meat pies are made with a shortcrust base and contain minced meat. Sometimes meat pies have onion, mushrooms, and other ingredients inside. Whether it’s for lunch or as a snack, meat pies are quintessentially Australian – and don’t forget the tomato sauce.
15. Goi Cuon, Vietnam
This is a kind of spring roll, consisting of prawns, pork, rice noodles, vegetables, and other delicious stuff, wrapped in rice paper. You eat this by dipping it in a hoisin or chili sauce with diced peanuts.
16. Biryani, Pakistan
This mixed dish with rice, meat, vegetables, and various strong spices can be found across the Indian subcontinent. The biryani meat and rice are cooked separately before being served together. Usually, it is the primary dish in a meal.
17. Mansaf, Jordan
The national dish of Jordan is made with rice and meat that is cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt, then served over thin flatbread or rice. It is meant to be eaten communally – and to try this like a local, make sure to eat with your hands.
18. Ceviche, Peru
Ceviche is part of Peru’s “national heritage” and has even had a holiday declared in its honor. It is composed of chunks of raw fish (corvina or cebo – sea bass), marinated in freshly squeezed key lime or bitter orange (naranja agria) juice, with sliced onions, chili peppers, salt, and pepper.
19. Paneer Butter Masala, India
Paneer is a type of fresh cheese common to the Indian subcontinent, and when paired with butter masala (a type of rich tomato gravy), it is the perfect combination of creaminess and spiciness. This dish is served with rice or tandoori roti.
20. Paella, Spain
This Spanish national rice dish is tinted with saffron. It is usually made with a wide variety of chicken and seafood, although variations also include vegetarian options. The name of a dish comes from the Latin word patella, meaning “frying pan”.