There are so many countries around the world to visit and explore, and that just means there are plenty of cuisines and national dishes to try too. If you're a foodie looking to travel across the world just by taste, you definitely can't leave out any of these amazing national dishes. How many of these 40 national dishes have you tried before?
1. Paella (Spain)
Originating from Valencia, Paella is a vibrant Spanish dish made with a variety of rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood, cooked and served in a large shallow pan.
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2. Sushi (Japan)
Sushi is a well-known Japanese creation comprising vinegared rice paired with various ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits.
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3. Poutine (Canada)
A comfort food hailing from Quebec, poutine consists of fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in a rich, brown gravy.
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4. Tacos (Mexico)
Tacos are a staple of Mexican cuisine, featuring soft or crispy corn tortillas filled with meats, vegetables, fresh salsas, and cheese.
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5. Feijoada (Brazil)
This hearty stew is Brazil's national dish, made with black beans, sausages, pork, and beef, slowly cooked to perfection.
6. Ratatouille (France)
Ratatouille is a French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating from Nice, and is full of zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers.
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7. Bibimbap (South Korea)
Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables), gochujang (chili pepper paste), soy sauce, or doenjang (a fermented soybean paste).
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8. Pizza Margherita (Italy)
Pizza Margherita is a simple yet flavorful Italian pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil.
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9. Pad Thai (Thailand)
Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly served as street food in Thailand as well as at most restaurants, it's made with shrimp, peanuts, scrambled egg, and bean sprouts.
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10. Borscht (Ukraine)
Borscht is a sour soup common in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine, with its main ingredient being beetroot, which gives it a strong red color.
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11. Tagine (Morocco)
A Moroccan Berber dish named after the earthenware pot it is cooked in, tagine is a succulent stew made of spiced meat and vegetables.
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12. Masala Dosa (India)
Masala dosa is a popular South Indian dish which consists of a thin, crispy rice and lentil crepe filled with a spicy mixture of mashed potatoes.
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13. Ackee and Saltfish (Jamaica)
Jamaica's national dish is ackee and saltfish, a savory dish made from the local ackee fruit, salt cod, onions, and various spices.
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14. Haggis (Scotland)
Haggis is a savory pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver, and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, traditionally encased in the animal's stomach.
Anonymous on Wikimedia Commons
15. Bobotie (South Africa)
Bobotie is a South African dish consisting of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping, often containing raisins or sultanas which add a sweet note.
Olga Ernst on Wikimedia Commons
16. Wiener Schnitzel (Austria)
Wiener Schnitzel is Austria's national dish, a breaded and pan-fried veal cutlet that is crispy and golden brown.
Burkhard Mücke on Wikimedia Commons
17. Ceviche (Peru)
Ceviche is a Peruvian seafood dish cured in fresh citrus juices, typically lemon or lime, and spiced with ají peppers or chili peppers.
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18. Goulash (Hungary)
Goulash is a Hungarian soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices, known for its deep red color and hearty flavor.
Valeva1010 on Wikimedia Commons
19. Moussaka (Greece)
A traditional Greek dish, moussaka is an oven-baked layer casserole dish made with eggplant, potato, and ground meat, topped with a béchamel sauce.
Key West Wedding Photography on Wikimedia Commons
20. Pierogi (Poland)
Pierogi are filled dumplings of Central and Eastern European origin made by wrapping unleavened dough around a savory or sweet filling and cooking in boiling water.
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21. Rendang (Indonesia)
Rendang is a West Sumatran dry curry deeply spiced with ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, garlic, and chilies, traditionally served at ceremonial occasions to honor guests.
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22. Baklava (Turkey)
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup or honey. It is a culinary heritage in Ottoman cuisine.
Photo by Syed F Hashemi on Unsplash
23. Fufu and Egusi Soup (Nigeria)
Fufu is a staple food across West Africa. In Nigeria, it is often made from cassava and served with egusi soup, which is made from melon seeds and bitter leaf.
daSupremo on Wikimedia Commons
24. Kangaroo Meat (Australia)
Kangaroo meat is a high-protein, low-fat meat rich in omega-3s. It's commonly found in Australia and can be prepared as steaks, burgers, or sausages.
25. Pavlova (New Zealand)
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It's a popular dish in New Zealand and Australia, with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, usually topped with fruit and whipped cream.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
26. Nasi Lemak (Malaysia)
Nasi Lemak is a Malay fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, considered the national dish, it is traditionally served with fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, and cucumber.
27. Bunny Chow (South Africa)
Bunny Chow is a South African fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, originating from the Durban Indian community.
28. Irish Stew (Ireland)
Irish stew is a traditional stew made from lamb, or mutton, potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsley. It originated in Ireland but has become popular worldwide.
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29. Kibbeh (Lebanon)
Kibbeh is Lebanon's national dish, a mixture of finely ground lean beef or lamb, bulgur wheat, and spices, which can be fried, baked, or eaten raw.
30. Pho (Vietnam)
Pho is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, typically made with beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga).
Photo by Hong Anh Duong on Unsplash
31. Dhal Bhat (Nepal)
Dhal Bhat is the traditional meal of Nepal, consisting of steamed rice and a cooked lentil soup called dhal. It's often served with vegetable curries, achar and sometimes Chutney.
Photo by Mario Raj on Unsplash
32. Asado (Argentina)
Asado is a term used for a range of barbecue techniques and the social event of having or attending a barbecue in Argentina, where beef along with other meats are cooked on a grill, or open fire.
Photo by José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash
33. Peking Duck (China)
Peking Duck is a famed dish from Beijing, enjoying a world reputation, and considered as one of China’s national dishes. It is prized for its thin, crispy skin.
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34. Ghormeh Sabzi (Iran)
Ghormeh Sabzi is an Iranian herb stew. It is a popular dish in Iran and neighboring Azerbaijan, made of sautéed herbs, kidney beans, and lamb.
Edsel Little on Wikimedia Commons
35. Moules-frites (Belgium)
Moules-frites is a classic Belgian dish which simply means "mussels with fries". It consists of fresh mussels cooked in a broth of white wine and garlic, served with a side of crispy fries.
LittleGun on Wikimedia Commons
36. Couscous (North Africa)
Couscous is a Maghrebi dish of small steamed balls of crushed durum wheat semolina, usually served with a stew spooned on top. It is a staple food throughout the North African cuisines of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, and Libya.
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
37. Tom Yum Goong (Thailand)
Tom Yum Goong is a hot and sour Thai soup usually cooked with shrimp. The dish is a blend of bold, enticing flavors, including lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed red chili peppers.
Photo by Streets of Food on Unsplash
38. Doro Wat (Ethiopia)
Doro Wat is an Ethiopian chicken stew known for its heat and depth of flavor, made with chicken, Ethiopian berbere spice, and niter kibbeh, a seasoned clarified butter.
stu_spivack on Wikimedia Commons
39. Mofongo (Puerto Rico)
Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish with fried green plantains as its main ingredient. Plantains are picked green and mashed with salt, garlic, broth, and olive oil in a wooden pilón, a mortar and pestle.
The Eloquent Peasant on Wikimedia Commons
40. Chili Crab (Singapore)
Chili Crab is a seafood dish originating from Singapore. Mud crabs are commonly used and are stir-fried in a semi-thick, sweet and savory tomato and chili based sauce.
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