When it comes to finding the best foods per country, the locals know what’s best. With their advice, we compiled a list of tips for anyone seeking their next culinary adventure.
Pierogi in Poland
According to Polish locals, you’ve got to get your hands on these mouth-watering morsels of dough and filling. Pierogies are the heart and soul of Polish food.
The Polish national dish can be stuffed with mashed potatoes, quark or farmer cheese, cabbage, sauerkraut, and meat. You can even serve pierogi for dessert.
These hybrid bundles of joy taste great with cottage cheese and berries, making for soft pillows of joy no matter how you choose to eat them.
Biltong in South Africa
As dried meat, Biltong sounds a lot like beef jerky. But differences in production, treatment, and herbs give this South African snack an entirely different taste profile.
Created by the indigenous people of South Africa, this beef is treated with vinegar, salt, and spices like cilantro. Then it’s cut into thick, chewy strips.
The meat hangs on hooks to be air-dried for up to a week. It has a meaty, smoky kick that doesn’t skimp on the flavor.
Tadek in Iran
Tadek, which is also called “Tahdig,” is gaining popularity. It appeared on Queer Eye and Iranian chef Samin Nosrat’s Netflix series, Salt Fat Acid Heat.
Tahdig translates as “the bottom of the pot” in Persian. And all of the dishes’ yummy flavors do rest near the bottom of the pot.
It’s a communal dish with saffron, potatoes, and turmeric. This Persian treat is so good that other countries create their own versions of the recipe.
Nurungji in Korea
Also known as scorched rice or crispy rice, Nurungji is a rice lover’s dream come true. Its name gives you a pretty good idea about what nurungji is.
If you’ve been longing to turn your leftovers into something besides fried rice, nurungji is the sticky, crispy, nutty, and chewy alternative. And it’s delicious.
People can eat it as a complete meal or a snack. You can even add hot water to turn it into juk, or rice porridge.
Bread in France
When it comes to the best foods per country, some regional cuisines are more obvious than others. We’re not surprised that bread is considered France’s best.
Just thinking about France conjures thoughts of buttery croissants. And don’t get us started on the freshly made baguettes and a myriad of other delicious breads.
It’s no surprise that the French locals pride themselves on their yeasty delights. France offers a slew of warm, crunchy dough puffs, bound to make your mouth water.
Mole Poblano in Mexico
This rich, dark, and chocolatey dish is usually reserved for special occasions. So get ready to try it during birthday parties, weddings, and other momentous celebrations.
Made with a variety of peppers, spices, plantain, and of course chocolate, mole poblano is a velvety sauce that can accompany chicken, duck, and quail.
Hailing from the colonial mountain city of Puebla, this Mexican dish contains over 20 ingredients. This careful combination gives this dish a sophisticated flavor punch.
BBQ in the United States
Every region in America has its own style of BBQ. Southern-style BBQ, characterized by smoky meats and grill marks might be one of the most well-known American cuisines.
However, states like California use a Native American style to prep their barbecued dishes by burying food in pits to cook. It’s more delicious than it sounds.
Moreover, Hawaiin BBQ adopted the cooking customs of the indigenous Polynesian peoples. Really, BBQ dishes can be as diverse as you want them to be.
Karađorđeva Šnicla in Serbia
This Balkan deep-fried delight is made for meat and cheese lovers. Created in 1956, karađorđeva šnicla was named after the Serbian Prince, Karadjorjde Petrovic.
Also known as “Maiden’s Dream,” this dish typically contains rolled veal or pork. This is usually stuffed with kajmak (similar to clotted cream) and bacon.
Then the karađorđeva šnicla must be breaded and fried. Often served with roasted potatoes and tartar sauce, the heavy dish isn’t good for those with weak stomachs.
Sarmale in Moldova and Romania
Sarmales are tiny morsels of pork and rice, rolled up in pickled cabbage leaves. People in both Moldova and Romania enjoy these sour and salty parcels.
But each nation puts its own twist on the dish. Served with sour cream in Romania, this tiny snack can be bolstered into a tummy-filling meal.
In Moldova, though, people eat their sarmale with tomato sauce. Honestly, the descriptions of both ways of serving this dish are making our stomachs growl.
Fairy Bread in Australia
Australia boasts a range of interesting snacks. In spite of Vegemite and barbecued kangaroo, though, fairy bread takes the cake for yummiest Australian food according to locals.
Made with pillowy slices of white bread, thin layers of butter, and layers of sprinkles, fairy bread is the ultimate salty-sweet snack. And really, what could be better?
Often served at birthdays and celebrations, this is one of the easiest dessert snacks ever. And it’s one that will pay off with squeals of joy.
Schweinebraten in Germany
If you find yourself in Germany and in need of a hearty meal, you can’t do better than an artfully prepared Schweinebraten. At least according to locals.
It’s a Bavarian-style dish, but this juicy roast pork is pretty classic. People often eat it with braised and served with cabbage, sauerkraut, dumplings, and beer.
Chefs preparing this dish typically cook the skin of the pork belly until it’s crispy, leaving the fatty meat underneath juicy, sumptuous, and ready to be devoured.
Nasi Lemak in Malaysia
As national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak is simple, fragrant, and gratifying. In the search for the best foods per country, nasi lemak is local Malaysians’ choice.
Nasi lemak is a fragrant rice dish. The rice is cooked in coconut milk and sweetened with pandan leaf, a tropical plant often used to flavor desserts.
Served with sambal, fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, and cucumber, nasi lemak combines fresh produce and salty notes. Although the recipe is simple, the flavors are robust.
Butter Chicken in India
Butter chicken seems like it would be a basic dish. But this favorite curry meal, also known as makhan murg, is much more than that.
Many Indian dishes taste rich, creamy, and intensely spicy. Butter chicken is not an exception. It can also be decidedly mild to suit multiple people’s palettes.
Prepared in a buttery, curry base with heavy cream, the chicken is silky and rich. Plus, it pairs perfectly with piping hot jasmine rice. Yes, please!
Poutine in Canada
When searching for the best foods per country, poutine is the overwhelming favorite for the nation of Canada. You can’t find a better use for French fries.
It originated in the Canadian province of Quebec in the late 1950s. And even though poutine only has a few ingredients, it’s incredibly rich and complex.
Cheese and thick brown gravy top the perfectly sliced poutine fries. The dish is every French fry-lover’s fantasy. Thank you, French Canadians, for giving us this dish!
Koshari in Egypt
This dish is the epitome of Egyptian comfort food. This stunning blend of spaghetti, rice, macaroni, and lentils is topped with just about everything.
It has spicy tomato sauce and garlic vinegar and garnishings like chickpeas and crispy fried onions. From our point of view, you can’t do much better.
A multicultural dish that originates from the country’s 19th-century economic boom, koshari gives you all of your favorite foods in one bowl. Yum.
Pork Sisig in the Philippines
A combination of soft and crunchy parts of pork, this Filipino dish is not just a medley of textures. It contains an array of flavors, too.
Calamansi (Filipino lime), onions, and chili peppers season this dish. Sisig, which translates to “snack on something sour,” is a mix of pig head and chicken livers.
In fact, this meat combo is so good that there’s an annual Sisig Festival called Sadsaran Qng Angeles. It happens annually in December in Angeles City.
Otoro Nigiri Sushi in Japan
Traveling to Japan to continue our search for the best foods per country, otoro nigiri sushi is a traditional Japanese type of nigiri. And we love it.
The simple dish consists of hand-pressed sushi rice topped with slices of fatty cuts of tuna. Traditionally, it should be eaten in a single bite. No problem!
It’s usually accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, or pickled ginger (gari) on the side. So next time you’re in Japan, keep a lookout for this favorite dish.
Dongpo Rou in China
All we need to know is that it melts in your mouth. Oily, juicy, and fatty, dongpo rou might just make you book a flight to China.
This thick-cut pork is pan-fried and then cooked again in wine that soaks through everything. And this favorite Chinese dish has a rich history, too.
Su Dong Po created it in the 11th century. If you find a restaurant specializing in this succulent Chinese sensation, don’t walk, run to order it!
Amatriciana in Italy
According to locals and regular visitors to Italy, the cuisine there is highly localized. What’s best in Rome is different from what’s best in Venice.
But one thing that most people can agree on is that you should try to get your hands on some amatriciana. This pasta dish is true Italian.
Amatriciana is a pasta dish with a sauce that’s slightly spicy. It has deep and complex flavors thanks to the featured ingredient: Italian salt-cured pork jowl.
Pad Krapow in Thailand
This classic Thai dish, also known as Phat Kaphrao and Pad Kra Pao, is as authentic as it gets and a local favorite. And it looks absolutely delicious.
You can also find this stir-fried meal going by the name “Desperate Menu.” Why? We’re not sure. But we do know we’re desperate to try it.
Pad krapow consists of stir-fried beef with holy basil, served with a portion of fragrant jasmine rice. Don’t forget the MSG when preparing this dish.
Tirokafteri in Greece
When in Greece, it’s hard to go wrong with local dishes. You can find a local classic, souvlaki, being sold by street vendors across the nation.
But a lesser-known local dish that’s a hidden gem in Greek cuisine is tirokafteri. This creamy feta cheese dip is simple and understated but mouth-wateringly addictive.
Tirokafteri is typically served with warm pita bread, making it the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack. But be careful, you won’t want to stop eating it!
Saksuka in Turkey
If you’re interested in Turkish culture, chances are you’ve heard of or had Saksuka. But this authentic Turkish dish is best enjoyed in the country itself.
Saksuka is just one of many vegetable dishes in Turkish cuisine known as zeytinyagli yemegi, or foods served in olive oil. Saksuka is one that really shines.
Delicious cubes of silky eggplant are typically simmered with tomatoes, chilis, garlic, zucchinis, and other vegetables. This dish is the ultimate in Turkish comfort food.
Paella in Spain
Paella is another dish that you’re probably at least a little bit familiar with. When many people think of Spanish cuisine, they think of paella.
And it turns out there’s a lot of truth behind the hype. Even locals recommend getting your hands on some paella before you board your return flight.
This dish is made of chicken or seafood simmered in broth with tomatoes, rice, and beans. And it dates back to the 18th century.
Fish and Chips in the UK
You can find fish and chips in the United States and many other countries, but for the real thing, you’ll need to travel to the UK.
Actually, fish and chips as a dish can be traced back to the 15th century in Portugal. But the United Kingdom really made it its own.
This dish consists of battered fish, usually cod or haddock, served alongside thick, steak-cut fries. Don’t forget the lemon, malt vinegar, and tartar sauce on the side!
Spice Bag in Ireland
This locally recommended dish is actually a fast food delicacy. If you want to get a true sense of what locals are eating in Ireland, this is it.
A spice bag is an Irish fast food dish that’s inspired by Chinese cuisine. You can find it at many Chinese takeaway restaurants on the island.
This dish is essentially a bag of fries with salt and chillis. Throw in salty, spicy chicken and a medley of fried vegetables. Bon appetit!
Meat Pie in New Zealand
There really isn’t a more technical name for this dish other than “meat pie.” If you’re in New Zealand for any period of time, you’ll likely have one.
This isn’t the type of pie many of us are used to. Instead, this is a pie filled with ground or chopped meat, onions, and spices.
If you want an authentic New Zealand meat pie, you’ll need to find one that uses lamb, not beef. In New Zealand, sheep outnumber people 5:1.
Feijoada in Brazil
Feijoada is hands down the most popular dish in Brazil, and you can find it almost everywhere in this large country. And don’t let its simplicity fool you.
This dish might consist largely of black beans, but it’s spiced up with many local ingredients. Some of those include slow-cooked offal, like ears and trotters.
If that doesn’t sound appetizing, you can find feijoada that simply uses pork cuts instead. But if you want traditional, you’ll have to brave the offal.
Nasi Uduk in Indonesia
Similar to nasi lemak in Malaysia, nasi uduk is a fragrant rice dish with coconut. This Indonesian take is slightly different, though, making it truly unique.
Unlike nasi lemak, nasi uduk is usually served with fried chicken, onion, nutty crackers, tempeh, and eggs. You can find the dish everywhere across Jakarta.
Uduk is so popular in Indonesia that you can even find it on the menu at McDonald’s restaurants in the nation. We’ll take one to go!
Jollof Rice in Nigeria
Jollof rice is a popular dish in West Africa, including Nigeria. It’s a rice dish with different types of toppings, cooked with tomatoes and seasoned with chilis.
You can find many variations on jollof rice, but they have the main ingredients of tomato paste, rice, onions, and chilis. Each region has its own take.
Nigeria is in somewhat of a Jollof rice war with its neighbor country, Ghana. The “Jollof Wars” started in 2010 and continue to this day.
Finding the Best Food in Every Country
Finding the best dish in any country you visit is no easy task. But knowing what locals like to eat can help you on that quest.
Even if you’re not big into traveling, knowing what the locals in each country eat can help you understand their culture. Food is important!
So which one of these national favorite dishes are you dying to try? We can’t wait to get our hands on some authentic Canadian poutine.