The World is Filled With Delicious Cuisines
Eating the cuisine of other countries is like travelling the world without buying a plane ticket. From Italy's authentic pasta to the bold spices of Thailand, global cuisine is exciting, innovative, and a thrill to experience. To tantalize your taste buds, here are 20 of the most popular cuisines eaten around the world.
1. Chinese Cuisine
Dating back roughly 3,000 years, Chinese cuisine is one of the oldest in the world. It's heavily regionalized, so be sure to experience the spice and heat of Sichuan, the aromatic power of Cantonese cuisine, and the bold flavors of Shanghai. Chinese cuisine is famous for its balance of flavors and textural contrasts.
2. Italian Cuisine
What sets Italian cuisine apart is its reliance on fresh and simple ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, basil, and oregano. From pizza and lasagna to risotto and bolognese, a multitude of Italian dishes are beloved worldwide, and cities like Naples and Sicily are a dream for foodies.
3. Japanese Cuisine
Japanese cuisine puts seasonality at the forefront, and while some admire its simplicity, many of their dishes offer complex flavor combinations. Something as simple as sashimi can be a work of art. Japanese cuisine is synonymous with sushi, but don't forget about teppanyaki and popular desserts made with mochi or matcha.
4. French Cuisine
Elegance and impeccable technique define French cooking. The culinary standards of classically trained French chefs elevate every dish. French cuisine emphasizes wine, crusty breads, velvety sauces, and some of the finest cheeses in the world.
5. Thai Cuisine
Thai cuisine balances salty, sweet, sour, and spicy in every bite. Partly inspired by Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian flavors, Thai cuisine includes delicious staples like noodles, rice, chili, lime, and lemongrass, to name a few. The dishes that include coconut-based curries are especially delightful.
6. Mexican Cuisine
Mexican cuisine is an ancient cuisine rooted in Aztec and Mayan culinary traditions, but it eventually incorporated Spanish influences. Some of its dishes, like tacos and tamales, are beloved globally. This cuisine is also famous for its use of bright colors and big flavors.
7. Greek Cuisine
Greek cuisine emphasizes fresh produce, a liberal use of olive oil, seafood, and aromatic herbs. Eating Greek food is like diving into a flavorful ocean made of feta cheese, olives, lemon, and oregano. Souvlaki and moussaka are two Greek dishes that are served all over the world.
8. Spanish Cuisine
Spanish cuisine embodies its history, pulling inspiration from Mediterranean and Moorish culinary traditions. Its most iconic dishes include paella, which originated in Valencia, tapas from Andalusia, and a plethora of stews from Castile. Pairing any of these dishes with a Spanish red makes for a memorable and hearty meal.
9. Turkish Cuisine
Turkish cooking might not have the reach and popularity of Italian or Chinese cuisines, but its richness and impactful flavors have helped it gain a global following. Fans of eggplant, lamb, yogurt, and fresh herbs have gravitated to Turkish cuisine, and its popularity can also be traced to its amazing assortment of street foods.
10. Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is such a delight that it's easy to see why it's eaten all over the world. Its French and Andalusian influences elevate it to the level of awe-inspiring. Slow-cooked stews called tagines and a host of warming spices are the staples of Moroccan cooking that make it unforgettable.
11. Ethiopian Cuisine
Growing in popularity over the last few decades, Ethiopian cuisine is distinct and rich in flavor. Spiced stews served with injera, a spongy bread often used as a utensil, can be found in restaurants across the globe.
12. Korean Cuisine
Korean cuisine has many unique characteristics, but what sets it apart is how it uses fermentation so expertly. From kimchi to gochujang, Korean cuisine bursts with intense flavor combinations. Of course, there's also Korean barbecue, which adds a dash of fun to any meal.
13. Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine is eaten in most countries around the world and for good reason. It's lighter than other Asian cuisines, but doesn't skimp on taste or umami. Delectable dishes encompass French influences and are typically garnished with fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint.
14. Argentine Cuisine
Argentine chefs are known for their masterful cooking of beef. Still, who can resist an empanada, which is a stuffed pastry, and often paired with chimichurri? Chimichurri is the sauce of choice for many Argentinian dishes because it's just that good.
15. Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine's worldwide popularity can be traced to its diverse roots. Dishes feature flavors from Latin America, Spain, Africa, and parts of Asia. Ceviche, which is fresh fish cured in citrus, is their most popular dish. Foodies should have Lima, Peru, at the top of their list.
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16. Iranian Cuisine
Iranian, or Persian, cuisine has had a consistent presence on the global culinary scene thanks to its stews, kebabs, and use of aromatic herbs. This cuisine's ability to balance proteins with fruits and nuts makes it a far more eclectic cuisine than some give it credit for.
17. Russian Cuisine
When you think of popular global cuisines, Russia might not come to mind. That said, its hearty dishes have long been popular in many parts of the world. A hot bowl of borscht or paper-thin blinis are delicacies, and there are hints of cuisines from Central Asia and other parts of Eastern Europe woven throughout Russian recipes.
18. Hungarian Cuisine
A cuisine that highlights sour cream and paprika was bound to be eaten around the world. Pastries like chimney cakes often get most of the attention, but Hungarian cuisine feature a stunning array of mains like goulash.
19. British Cuisine
British cuisine sometimes takes its lumps for its misconceived lack of flavor and color. British food, however, offers a diverse flavor palette because of its colonial trade and immigration. There's fish and chips, roasts, and scones for afternoon tea.
20. Polish Cuisine
Stab a fork into a kielbasa and tell us that Polish cuisine doesn't belong on this list. Even the toughest foodies love a pierogi or a heaping bowl of bigos. Popular ingredients in Polish cuisine include cabbage, potatoes, and beets.
