Travel adventures must include trying the local cuisine. Whether you research the most traditional fares beforehand or belly up to the first food stall you see, keep in mind some of the best and worst foods on offer around the world.
Stick With Local Favorites
Don’t travel to Iceland, then order burritos and salsa. Instead, have the free-range Icelandic lamb with root vegetables and a fruit-infused polenta. If you absolutely must have some Chinese food while visiting Spain, you might as well find a well-known chain Chinese restaurant. Will it be the best culinary experience you can find in the city? Absolutely NOT! Will it taste the way you expect? The odds are in your favor.
The Reliable Döner Kebab
This savory delight originally hails from Turkey. But you can trust all across Europe, a meal of vertically roasted döner kebab will be tasty. The Greek gyro is a close cousin of the döner. Gyros are usually lamb or chicken on thin pita bread. The döner is almost always made with beef or lamb and served on a thicker flatbread known as dürüm.
Pickled Herring or Mackerel
Small, oily fermented fish are a staple across a surprising number of cuisines from Scandinavia, Eastern Slavic, Ukrainian, Russian, and Jewish. It seems everyone else hates this dish. If you don’t like strong fish and/or vinegar, this is not a dish for you.
Spicy Satisfaction
If you’re outside of Mexico or the U.S., Mexican dishes will likely be a letdown (ketchup instead of salsa, anyone?) Still, kick up the spice to satisfy your tastebuds; simply look toward Southeast Asian cuisines to turn up the flavor.
The intricate blends of spices used in dishes from India and Thailand are sure to please and are easily available in mild to extra-hot versions! Many Indian and Thai dishes are rice-based, featuring meat and some vegetables, making them a nutritious choice, too.
Mexican Meals
So now we know to take a hard pass on Mexican dishes in European or Asian countries. Similarly, when in Mexico, stick with fresh, traditional, authentic dishes. Visitors who opt for a pizza or pasta dish can count on one thing… disappointment.
Deep Fried Haggis
This traditional Scottish dish is not for the faint of heart (or sensitive stomach). Haggis is absolutely a slice of local flavor. The ingredient list is enough to send most people running for the hills. Haggis is made of calf or sheep organs, including the heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oats and tied up in a handy bag for cooking. The bag is usually made of the animal’s stomach.
Fish Fry
Most countries you visit will have some version of a fried fish dish. It’s familiar enough to be a safe menu choice, and you still get to experience how other cultures prepare the dish.
Mix Up Your Meats
Roasted Iguana in Honduras is popular, and visitors to the Central American country report it’s delicious, satisfying, and inexpensive. In the “tastes like chicken” category, winners include bison, kangaroo, alligator, horse, and bear. If creepy crawlies are your speed, you may want to try authentically prepared jellyfish, escargot, python, or tarantula, depending on where your adventures take you.
Family Fare
America is a pretty young country compared with, well, most all the rest of the world. Treat your tastebuds while traveling by opting for family-owned restaurants. Some have been in operation for many generations over hundreds of years, so you know they’re doing something very right.
Mayonnaise
People tend to have strong opinions and loyalty when it comes to mayonnaise. Or they want nothing to do with the creamy condiment. In the U.S., the debate usually centers around Hellmans vs. Duke. Many travelers will tell you if you skip Kewpie mayonnaise, you’re missing out. The American versions of mayonnaise are most popular across most of Europe.
The Western European Passion For Pasta
Italy and France are well known for rich, delicious dishes based on a pasta base. Belgium and Sweden also boast impressive pasta dishes well worth a try. These options are a good starting point for less adventurous eaters. Most everyone will delight in a meal of fettuccini alfredo or Swedish meatballs.
Apple Pie
There are many versions of apple pie around the world. Find apple strudel, tarte, veja or torta and you can enjoy a taste of home with some foreign flare!
What’s the best food recommendation you ever received from a local?
You can flex every tastebud you have with a ramen full of unusual ingredients in Japan or keep calm and carry on with fish and chips in the U.K.
Food is directly tied to a country's past, present, and future, so immerse yourself in the most appetizing adventures on offer.
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