Every country seems to have their speciality dishes or ones from their culture that have become much-loved for various reasons whether due to their fantastic flavours or due to a story about how they’ve come to represent the country.
You are to be spoiled with various country’s unique (or not-so unique) cuisines and, let me tell you, just about everyone travelling will make an effort to at least sample a most loved country’s dish during their world tours. Each country will have dishes that have developed through many a century, others a concept for today, but they all have some sort of story to them to make us feel connected to the country! Let’s go and see some famous national dishes from countries around the world.
Japan Sushi
Let’s begin in Japan where obviously the famous sushi. It is one of only a handful of eastern cuisine foods that have taken their places in America and have successfully won people over due to their mix of fish and rice. The sushi that existed initially in Japan would not have been so ‘fresh’ to eat but served to preserve the fish, a technique that uses fermentation. There are various kinds of sushi you will be able to buy now including Californian Rolls, Salmon Rolls and other varied Sushi platters.
Thailand Pad Thai
The next Eastern dish will have your taste buds singing; the well-loved Pad Thai! Another ‘rice dish’ like the Sushi, the Pad Thai uses ‘rice noodles’ that are stir fried and include a number of ingredients, of which you can often select whether you want some form of protein included or not. These also contain a mix of veggies and spices like chili and garlic along with other popular ingredients such as fish sauce and tamarind (for a touch of sweet tang), a little radish to enhance sweetness, and a top sprinkling of crushed peanuts. The ‘idea’ of a national dish isn’t that new either, as back in Thailand in the 20th century the prime minister was a person to push the Pad Thai idea for his nation.
The Middle East Biryani
Another Middle East favourite in a large part of the region that is often laden with meats including lamb, chicken or beef and a variety of vegetables. There are few households across the globe that do not enjoy a delicious Biryani with a stew of some description or as a quick, hearty lunch at some stage of the day.
Italy Pizza
As for the Italian nation their national dish is obviously the Pizza. Although originally made from nothing more than a chopped up array of vegetables and dough at the bottom, over the ages it has evolved into what it is today. Like just about every country in the world, this is a must-try that you’ll enjoy anywhere from the states all the way across the globe!
France Coq au Vin
I believe that sampling a country’s local dishes is a fantastic way of knowing their culture better and learning about history – take for example in France where the national dish is known as the ‘Coq au Vin’, where due to its potent flavor you’ll come to love the culture of France due to the rich landscape of wine and food which is so loved by the local French people; there is even a number of wine-based concoctions for you to enjoy.
Spain Paella
In Spain we see quite a variety due to the regional influences with such as the rice and meat, or fish dish, Paella (which is originated from Valencia), which comes complete with a plethora of herbs.
The Americas Tacos and Feijoada
In America itself, a favorite to try are of course Mexican tacos, as due to a huge mix of cultures, these have been popularised and can be enjoyed just about anywhere in the nation. For South America, it comes down to Brazil, and its favourite is black beans and pork in the shape of a ‘Feijoada’.
Africa Injera Tagine and Joll of Rice
Turning towards Africa opens up a completely new chapter to the many types of cuisines which the continent has to offer. From injera flat breads made using ‘sour dough’ and found in Ethiopia to the much longer and slow cook method of using a Tagine which relies on clay pots and seasoned concoction. You will find dishes from Ethiopian injera breads that are flat sponge-like to help scoop up its spicy stew ‘wot’, along with beans which you can flavour with other favourite recipes from Africa such as ‘jollof rice’. Nigerian cuisine and the love of tomato-based sauces makes for a bold flavoured dish. Many countries across the world like to boast of one or more favourite national dishes and in Nigeria this favourite food is certainly ‘Jollof Rice’.
The Middle East Kebabs Tabbouleh and Hummus
If you are looking at the Middle East we are in for some delicious and richly flavourful dishes. From fine restaurants to street corners all over the world, you are able to get the much loved Turkish Kebab and as a tasty appetiser we find the fresh Turkish herb salad of ‘Tabouleh’. The Middle East is also known for ‘Hummus’, the chickpea based spread
which is made with lemon and garlic and commonly served with hummus bread and some tasty vegetables.
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