15 Must-Try Dishes from Around the World Every Food Lover Should Experience

Food is the best way to experience different cultures. Every country has dishes that you should try at least once in your life. From India’s biryani and Japan’s sushi to Italy’s pasta, these famous dishes are loved all over the world. In this blog, we share the must-try dishes from around the world that every food lover should taste.

Here is a list of 15 must-try dishes from around the world.

Top Must-Try Dishes From Around the World

Sushi, Japan

Prepared with various ingredients, including seafood, vegetables, occasionally fruits, and vinegared rice. However, the dish’s overall flavor is acidic due to the vinegared rice. The ideal accompaniments to sushi are wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce, and Daikon radish is a typical garnish for this dish. A sushi’s flavor is determined by the kind of fish used. While octopus-flavored sushi typically has a strong flavor, tuna, eel, and salmon tend to have a milder flavor. It tops our list of must-try dishes.

Taste Profile:
The perfect balance of vinegared rice, fresh seafood, and subtle condiments like wasabi and soy sauce creates a delicate yet flavorful bite.

Key Ingredients:

• Sushi rice (seasoned with rice vinegar)
• Fresh fish (salmon, tuna, eel)
• Seaweed (nori)
• Garnishes: pickled ginger, wasabi

Where to Try:
Tsukiji Market in Tokyo or any authentic Japanese sushi bar for the ultimate experience.

Tom yam goong, Thailand

Tom yam goong combines sour and hot Thai soup made with shrimp and a tonne of nutritious herbs and spices. Examples include galangal, lemongrass, lime, kaffir leaves, and red chili peppers. The soup experiments with a variety of flavors. Sour, salty, sweet, and spicy. Cream and coconut milk are sprinkled on top of the soup to enhance its flavor. In all of Thailand, people love this dish.

Taste Profile:
A fiery broth packed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, and chili creates a spicy-sour kick balanced by a hint of sweetness.

Key Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Lemongrass, galangal
• Kaffir lime leaves
• Chili, fish sauce
• Coconut milk (optional for creaminess)

Where to Try:
Bangkok’s street markets are the best place to taste authentic Tom Yum Goong.

Peking Duck, China

Beijing is a destination for the dish Peking duck. Specially bred ducks are slain after 60 days, seasoned, and then roasted in sealed ovens for this cuisine. As a result, the flesh has a thin texture and crisp skin. In front of the diners, the dish is divided into three pieces. Cucumbers, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce are included in the dish. Pancakes are served after the sugar and garlic sauce. The remainder of the duck is also given with broth. After finishing the meal, this is the only method you would want your duck because the flavor is so delightful. Peking Duck undoubtedly comes on the list of must-try dishes.

Taste Profile:
Crispy skin, succulent duck meat, and sweet-salty sauces make every bite luxurious.

Key Ingredients:

• Duck (air-dried and roasted)
• Hoisin or sweet bean sauce
• Pancakes
• Scallions and cucumber

Where to Try:
Quanjude Restaurant in Beijing is world-famous for authentic Peking Duck.

Ped Thai, Thailand

Ped Thai is a stir-fried rice dish served with noodles, a standard street meal in Thailand. Noodles are stir-fried with eggs, tofu, and other nutritious ingredients in this recipe. The unusual concoction of sauces—tamarind pulp, dried shrimp, and fish sauce—topped with garlic and red chili pepper enhances the flavor of the food on the plate. Along with the entrée, roasted peanuts and lime wedges are provided. Radishes, bean sprouts, and other vegetables are offered as extra ingredients on the side. In addition, there is a vegetarian variation of ped Thai that uses soy sauce rather than fish sauce and excludes meat.

Taste Profile:
Sweet, tangy, and savory all at once, this stir-fried noodle dish is a harmonious blend of flavors.

Key Ingredients:

• Rice noodles
• Tamarind sauce
• Eggs, tofu
• Fish sauce (or soy for vegetarian)
• Crushed peanuts

Where to Try:
Visit Bangkok’s Khao San Road for the best street-style Pad Thai.

Jerk Chicken, Jamaica

The most popular dish in the world, jerk chicken, is one of Jamaica’s most well-known. The cook’s unique blend of herbs and spices, which may include garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and always pimento, is first dry rubbed onto the bird.

Taste Profile:
Smoky, spicy, and aromatic, thanks to Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken marinated in jerk spice mix (thyme, allspice, chili)
• Grilled over pimento wood for authentic flavor

Where to Try:
Local food stalls in Kingston, Jamaica.

Lasagna, Italy

Due to its resurgence, Italy’s lasagna replaces pizza on the list of “the world’s top cuisine dishes.” Although one of the oldest pasta, it has only recently gained popularity. The ingredients, which include meats, pasta, vegetables, tomato sauce, and an abundance of cheese, sound delicious. People of all ages enjoy lasagne, the plural form of lasagna, and it is the perfect dish for any celebration or special occasion. Lasagna has to be there on our list of must-try dishes.

Taste Profile:
Layers of pasta, meat sauce, béchamel, and cheese baked into a hearty masterpiece.

Key Ingredients:

• Pasta sheets
• Tomato sauce with ground meat
• Ricotta or mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan topping

Where to Try:
Authentic Italian trattorias in Bologna, Italy.

Tacos al Pastor, Mexico

Inspired by Lebanese immigrants who brought shawarma to Mexico, Tacos al Pastor became a Mexican classic. Tacos are the one word that best describes Mexico. Some people believe that if you visit Mexico and don’t eat way too many tacos.

Taste Profile:
Juicy marinated pork with pineapple for a smoky-sweet contrast.

Key Ingredients:

• Pork marinated in adobo and spices
• Pineapple slices
• Corn tortillas

Where to Try:
Mexico City’s taquerias.

Kimchi, Korea

A typical side dish in Korea, kimchi is made from fermented vegetables like cabbage and Korean radishes and is seasoned with ingredients like garlic, chili powder, scallions, and ginger. Most Korean restaurants offer a wide variety of starter Kimchis, practically for free, that are made with various ingredients.

Taste Profile:
Tangy, spicy, umami-rich with a satisfying crunch.

Key Ingredients:

• Napa cabbage
• Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• Garlic, ginger
• Salted seafood (for fermentation)

Where to Try:
Every Korean household—and try kimchi jjigae (stew) for extra flavor.

Alberta Beef, Canada

One of the most well-known foods produced in Alberta, Canada‘s northernmost province, is beef, and Alberta beef is one of the must-try dishes in the world.

Taste Profile:
Rich, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Key Cuts:

• Ribeye
• Striploin
• Tenderloin

Where to Try:
Steakhouses in Calgary or Edmonton.

Fried Chicken, USA

As the name suggests, Fried chicken is a dish made of deep-fried chicken pieces with a crisp exterior and juicy interior. Then, herbs and spices are used to season the chicken better if it’s hotter. This food is very famous in the United States.

Taste Profile:
Crispy golden crust with juicy, tender meat.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces
• Seasoned flour
• Buttermilk brine

Where to Try:
Southern USA—Louisiana or Kentucky.

Philly Cheesesteak, Philadelphia

One of America’s top culinary destinations in Philadelphia. The Philly cheesesteak is among the most well-known delicacies from Philadelphia. Locals will all agree that it is known as the cheesesteak, but they will disagree on where to find the best one.

Taste Profile:
Thinly sliced beef, melted cheese, and sautéed onions on a soft roll—pure indulgence.

Best Spot:
Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s in Philly.

Dosa, India

Dosa is the best dish to represent how much India offers to world cuisine. It is a pancake prepared from a fermented rice batter, and the dish’s main ingredients resemble crepes, which are black gram and rice. It is one of the must-try dishes in India.

Taste Profile:
Crisp, slightly tangy pancake served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Key Ingredients:

• Rice and black gram batter
• Ghee for cooking

Where to Try:
Tamil Nadu or Karnataka in South India.

Crêpes, Paris

Perhaps the most well-known dish from Paris is the crêpe, which is delicious! You can also find more varieties in traditional crêperies, which are typically served with cider. Nowadays, crêperies are available all around Paris, and they are always an excellent and affordable option for eating out with friends.

Taste Profile:
Soft and thin, perfect with sweet or savory fillings.

Popular Variations:

• Nutella crêpe
• Ham and cheese galette

Where to Try:
Parisian crêperies.

Hamburger, Germany

This widely consumed dish in Germany comprises one or more cooked beef or other ground meat patties nestled inside slices of bread or buns. After that, it is either grilled, smoked, or pan-fried.

Taste Profile:
Juicy beef patty with toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sauces.

Modern Twist:
Veggie and vegan burgers for health-conscious foodies.

French Fries, Canada

If you have French fry lovers in the house, you need to try this Canadian dish. Poutine is a dish that combines cheese curds and French fries with traditional brown chicken gravy.

Taste Profile:
Crispy fries smothered in hot gravy and squeaky cheese curds.

Where to Try:
Montreal’s poutine joints.

Conclusion

Food is more than just sustenance; it’s a cultural experience that connects us to different traditions and regions of the world. From the aromatic Biryani of India to the flavorful Sushi of Japan, every dish tells a story of heritage and culinary art. Exploring these must-try dishes not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers a glimpse into the soul of each country.

So, the next time you travel or plan a food adventure, make sure to include these iconic dishes on your list. Taste the world one plate at a time and create memories that are as flavorful as the food you savor.

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