There are so many delicious foods from all over the world, and each country has its own unique and diverse flavors and culinary traditions. Whether it’s comfort food like calzones from Italy or the perfect balance of spices in beef pho from Vietnam, every corner of our planet has amazing dishes to offer. Every country’s food provides something different in terms of style, taste, texture, and culture. These 18 dishes are some of the tastiest foods from around the world.
Hamburger Steak
Hailing from Japan, the hamburger steak is made from a juicy ground beef patty mixed with onions, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. This delicious patty is then typically served with a rich, savory brown sauce made from soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup as well as a side of rice, vegetables, or mashed potatoes. This Japanese dish is a combination of two amazing dishes (hamburger and steak), so it must be amazing!
Tostones
Tostones are twice-fried green plantains which are usually seasoned with salt and garlic. The Spruce highlights how “plantains are a staple of the Latin Caribbean diet.” They can be used in many ways and in a variety of dishes, but tostones are one of the tastiest! Tostones are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and they’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or a side dish with a tangy dipping sauce.
Mandazi
Mandazi is a dish that originates from Africa. It consists of sweet, fried donut-like pastries flavored with coconut milk, cardamon, or nutmeg. Mandazi is a delicacy, and it’s extremely tasty, with a golden, crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior. This dish is often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a dessert, typically paired with tea or coffee. If you ever get the chance, definitely give Mandazi a try!
Pesto Chicken Thighs
A popular dish in Spain, pesto chicken thighs had to be included in the best foods from around the world! As the name suggests, this dish is made up of juicy chicken thighs that are marinated in a vibrant, homemade pesto sauce. When they’re baked to perfection, there’s nothing quite like the tender, flavorful meat this dish offers. Pesto chicken thighs are usually served with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to top the meal off.
Maple and Brown Butter Tarts
When it comes to desserts, maple and brown butter tarts from France are some of the tastiest and most decadent! These tarts have a rich, buttery crust and a gooey maple filling, and their flavor is enhanced by the nutty taste of the browned butter. This dish is ideal for dessert lovers who are looking for a sweet, indulgent treat, and it’s a must-have if you’re ever in France.
Bobotie
Bobotie is a traditional South African food staple in many households. It’s the country’s favorite dish and is also widely seen as their national dish. Bobotie is made of spiced minced meat baked with a creamy egg-based topping and is sometimes compared to America’s meatloaf. Uniquely tasty, this dish is infused with various flavors like curry, turmeric, and apricot jam. Babotie is commonly served with yellow rice and sambal.
Chicken Spinach Parmesan Calzones
Calzones are a pillar of Italian cuisine, and chicken spinach parmesan calzones are a particularly tasty choice. Stuffed with a savory mixture of chicken, spinach, and melted parmesan cheese (like the name says), these calzones are full of flavor! The golden, flaky pizza dough the ingredients are wrapped in is also just as delicious as what’s inside. This dish is ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner option.
Nanaimo Bar Cake
The Canadian Nanaimo bar cake is a no-bake dessert with layers of crumbly coconut and graham cracker base, creamy custard, and chocolate ganache. The New York Times says this dessert “for the last seven decades or so has been a steadfast source of comfort to Canadians at weddings and funerals, birthdays and bar mitzvahs.” Known for its indulgent taste, this Canadian classic is perfect for any sweet tooth!
Suspiro Limeno
Suspiro Limeno is an almost custard-like dish from Peru. It’s a luscious dessert that consists of a creamy dulce de leche base made from sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Often topped with a light and fluffy meringue infused with port wine or vanilla, Suspiro Limeno is as rich and luxurious as the name sounds. Typically topped off with a sprinkle of cinnamon, this dessert provides a great balance of sweetness and spice.
Yaki Onigiri
The Japanese dish yaki onigiri is made up of grilled rice balls with crispy outer layers, which are often filled with delicious ingredients like pickled plum, tuna, or salmon. This food is especially nice with a savory miso glaze to add extra flavor. Yaki onigiri can be enjoyed either as a snack or as a tasty addition to a meal, and if you ever come across it, you should definitely give it a go!
Blotkake
Blotkake is a light and airy sponge cake layered with whipped cream or custard and fresh or preserved berries (yum!). It was invented by the Norwegians and literally translates into ‘wet cake’. Usually decorated with more berries and a dusting of powdered sugar, this dessert is a delight for the taste buds! Blotkake is a traditional Norwegian dessert and is a staple that can be found at most celebrations and special occasions.
Beef Pho
Vietnamese beef pho is a dish that consists of an aromatic beef broth infused with spices like star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. It’s typically served with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs, and is often accompanied by bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chili peppers. This combination of spices and a variety of ingredients gives it the rich and complex flavor that makes it one of the best dishes from around the world.
Baklava Rolls
Originating in the Middle East but now popular in many countries, baklava rolls are made from flaky phyllo pastry filled with a mixture of nuts and sweetened with honey syrup. This pastry is rolled and baked to a golden brown, resulting in a crispy, sickly treat. According to National Geographic, “this sweet, layered pastry has spread across the Middle East and beyond, with each country adding its own twist to the recipe.”
Get the recipe: Baklava Pastry Rolls
Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales
The tamale is a staple of Mexican cuisine, and it’s a traditional dish that many Mexicans enjoy, particularly during holidays and celebrations. Chicken salsa verde tamales are an especially tasty option and are made from corn masa dough filled with shredded chicken and tangy salsa verde. They’re wrapped in corn husks and steamed until tender and are commonly served with Mexican rice, refried beans, or guacamole to compliment their flavors.
Kasespatzle (Cheese Spaetzle)
Kasespatzle or cheese spaetzle is a German dish that consists of soft, egg-based noodles mixed with melted cheese and caramelized onions. This warm and comforting dish is baked until it’s deliciously gooey and cheesy, and it’s often served as a main meal or a side dish. The Germans have really perfected comfort food with this dish and it’s a favorite for many people during the cold evenings in Germany.
Chocolate Marshmallow Top Hats
Chocolate marshmallow top hats are always a crowd-pleaser at parties and celebrations in Scotland. These treats have a biscuit base topped with a fluffy marshmallow that’s coated in rich chocolate. They’re the ideal dessert for any special occasion and are a fun and nostalgic treat enjoyed by children and adults alike. If you ever find yourself at a party in Scotland, grab yourself a chocolate marshmallow top hat!
Macaroni Bechamel
Egyptian macaroni bechamel is a layered pasta dish with ground beef, bechamel sauce, and a cheesy topping that’s baked until golden and bubbly. While it might sound similar to lasagna, macaroni bechamel has much more depth of flavor, using spices like allspice and cinnamon, and uses penne pasta instead of lasagna sheets. This is a creamy and satisfying dish that is a popular comfort food in Egyptian households.
Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce
Chicken satay with peanut sauce is a delicious example of Thai food and is one of the country’s favorite dishes. The main part of this dish is the marinated chicken skewers which are grilled and served with a rich and creamy peanut dipping sauce. This is often accompanied by a cucumber salad or sticky rice to complete the meal. The unique and distinct flavors of this food are what make it one of the best in the world.
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