Global Gastronomy
Do you ever stop to think about how lucky we are to have an entire culinary world at our fingertips? Just open up a delivery app and see all the options you can choose from. While some cuisines are world-renowned, others are full of hidden gems, just waiting to be stumbled upon.
1. Afghan
Afghan food takes influence from Indian, Soviet, and Persian cuisine, making it unique among Central Asian cuisine. Afghan dishes, such as their national dish of Kabuli Palaw, focus on flavorful rice and tender meats. As a bonus, Afghan food relies on aromatic, warming spices rather than nose-running, five-alarm-chili spices.
2. Iranian
Once the center of the Persian Empire, Iran's place along the Silk Road made it a literal melting pot of cuisines. In addition to familiar dishes such as falafel and kebabs, Iranian food incorporates the bright colors of pomegranates, saffron, and oranges. Their national dish is a crunchy fried rice called tahdig, which is carmelized on the top and creamy in the middle.
3. Georgian
Nestled at the confluence of Europe and Asia, Georgia is already renowned as a wine lover's paradise, but its food deserves a little hype too! Georgian food is hearty and comforting, a testament to the country's hospitality. Two of their biggest dishes are khinkali, twisted meat-filled dumplings, and khachapuri, a bread boat filled with cheese.
Athithan Vignakaran on Unsplash
4. Nigerian
As Africa's largest country by population, one would think that Nigerian food has broken through to the mainstream. Nigerian food is rich, smoky, and seriously spicy—we mean it, if you regularly brag about your spice tolerance, you have to try Nigerian food. Stand-out dishes include iconic Jollof rice, and fufu, a soft, stretchy ball of cassava dipped into hearty soups.
5. Indonesian
The world's largest archipelago, Indonesian cuisine varies greatly across the country, from Polynesian-inspired meals in the east, to Middle Eastern influences in Sumatra. Like many other hot countries, Indonesian cuisine incorporates a ton of spice to help regulate body temperature through sweating. If you try just one dish, go for satay, which is skewered meat served in a peanut sauce.
6. Peruvian
While Peruvian food has begun to catch on, it isn't nearly as popular as Argentine or Brazilian cuisines. Peruvian food is fresh and filling, with iconic dishes such as ceviche and quinoa coming from humble origins. Lomo saltado is a beef stir fry inspired by Chinese immigration; served with both rice and fries, this dish is the perfect blend of cultures.
7. Ecuadorian
Ecuador has a dish for every flavor palate, thanks, in part, to its drastic chances in altitudes. Ecuadorian food combines Spanish, Inca, and Amazonian cuisines for dishes that are familiar, yet exciting. One dish to try is encebollado, an onion and fish stew most popular along the coast as a hangover cure.
Ministerio de Turismo Ecuador from Ecuador on Wikimedia
8. Senegalese
Bordering the Atlantic ocean, Senegalese cooking relies heavily on fish in addition to chicken, lamb, and grains. Due to Senegal's time as a French colony, their desserts are often rich and sweet, combining French extravagance with Senegalese methods. Their national dish is thieboudienne, a one-pot stew of fish, broken rice, and tomato sauce.
9. Burmese
Due to half a century of military rule (which only recently ended), the cuisine of Myanmar is tragically under-discussed. Burmese food is sour, salty, and spicy, favoring mango, pork, and tea. Speaking of tea, Myanmar is one of the few countries where tea is both drunk and consumed in pickled form: lahpet, which is a common condiment.
10. Uzbek
Uzbekistan is a noodle lover's paradise, even moreso for mutton fans. Uzbek cuisine varies heavily by season, focusing on noodles and preservatives in the bitter cold, and melon and nuts at the height of summer. They are most known for palov, a variation on pilaf that's an important part of any Uzbek wedding.
Now that we've gone over some underrated cultural cuisines, let's look at some that are known around the world.
1. Japanese
From sushi to ramen, Japanese cuisine is, without a doubt one of the most popular international cuisines. Favoring fresh ingredients, aesthetic presentation, and culinary precision, Japanese food looks as good as it tastes. While Japan's cuisine goes far beyond sushi, we have it to thank for making raw fish accessible to the West.
2. Tex-Mex
When most people think of Mexican cuisine—unless they're in a border state—chances are that they're thinking of Tex-Mex food. Originating from Tejano and ranching culture, Tex-Mex cuisines place heavy emphasis on cheese, meat, and chili peppers. Tex-Mex cuisine may seem ubiquitous in North America, but a jaunt across the pond shows how lucky we are.
3. Italian
For many people, even those who don't come from Italian backgrounds, Italian food is the epitome of comfort food. Just thinking about their pasta dishes alone is enough to make your mouth water, and that's without even factoring in pizza or risotto. Sometimes the simplest ingredients can result in the best dishes.
4. French
Popularized in the states by Julia Child, French cooking is widely seen as the epitome of elegance. Even the most simple of French dishes are given a level of prestige thanks to their (largely unpronounceable) names and focus on presentation. It's no wonder that French cooking is a shorthand for sophistication.
amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
5. Chinese
China is a huge country with a ton of ethnic diversity, and they've been on the forefront of street food and restaurant culture since the 7th century. Many of the iconic dishes Westerners enjoy blend simplified Cantonese dishes with American innovation. Beyond that, hot pot. mooncakes, and baozi are widely beloved.
6. Indian
Like China, India has a lot of people, a lot of cultures, and a lot of different cuisines. Dishes like biryani, butter chicken, and dosa are great introductory dishes to the varied tapestry of Indian cuisine. Due to a large Hindu population, Indian cuisine is also one of the most accessible cuisines for vegans and vegetarians!
7. Thai
Aromatic Thai food blends sweet, sour, salty, and especially spicy flavors together. Many Thai dishes require only minimal preparation, but they are far from simple. Thai cuisine juggles seemingly clashing flavors and results in a smooth finish.
8. Greek
You can't really go wrong with Greek food: spanakopita, moussaka, dolma, and souvlaki are widely-loved for a reason. Greek cuisine was founded on the ancient triad of olive oil, wheat, and wine, using simple ingredients to great effect. In addition to ever-present olive oil, Greek cuisine employs more herbs and spices than other Mediterranean cuisines, such as cumin, fennel, and mint.
9. Korean
Due to the recent boom of Korean cultural appreciation in the West, dishes like bulgogi, bibimbap and, of course, K-BBQ are everywhere. Korean culture emphasizes fermentation, marination, and a multitude of side dishes. A possible reason why Korean food is so popular is that it provides lots of room of customization.
10. Spanish
Spanish cuisine is a unique beast because it's possible that the serving style is better known than the dishes themselves. For an example, look no further than tapas: simple bar food that evolved into fine cuisine. Is it giving the Spanish too much credit if we say that popularized small-plate dining?
