Being able to travel is a privilege, but it’s also great fun and you should be able to get the most out of your trip as possible.
While going to all the typical tourist destinations (and even the not-so-typical ones) sounds pretty good, an important part of travel is experiencing the culture of a country, of which food is a huge part. We celebrate, commiserate and form bonds over meals. You can learn a lot about a culture through the food you’re served and learn new things about yourself when you try new dishes you’ve never heard of before.
While escargot in Paris, pasta in Italy or tacos in Mexico are all great and important to experience, we asked around to find the lesser-known dishes you absolutely have to try when you go to these countries.
AFRICA
Benin
Saya had this amazing street food comprising fish, rice and cheese. “It was this super spicy and delicious rice thing with bits of onion and fresh fish. Street-food style, heaped on a plate and typical former-French-colony-style, they served it with a few pieces of fried cheese (halloumi, maybe?). DELICIOUS!”
Ghana
This Twitter user couldn’t get enough of the goat soup she had in Ghana.
I had and spicy ?? goat soup in Ghana a few months ago, don’t if it’s popular with tourists. I asked for seconds, couldn’t get enough of it! ?? pic.twitter.com/cK58J8RtGh
— Kananelo ???? ???? ???? (@kaysexwale) August 20, 2019
Try some fish and jollof rice!
So, what I realised is that Jollof Rice and Tilapia fish is not tourist food. It’s a staple for most Ghanaians and other West Africans. TBH I still didn’t eat the head, but next time I’ll try it. pic.twitter.com/jiKyuZN0YE
— Wanderlust Lulu (@wanderlust_lulu) August 20, 2019
Kenya
Try deep-fried tilapia and ugali stew with chapatis, says @sassyparodia.
Morocco
Nicole says to try the meat you find at highway stops, where they have the best grills. “Perfectly flavoured, chargrilled on [an] open fire. Soft, soft meat.”Raadhiya says amlou – an almond paste made with argan oil and honey then spread on semolina pancakes – is really delicious.
Senegal
A traditional meal – Marang says they “ate till we POPPED!”
I was treated to am amazing Senegalese meal last month when I was there – star dishes were Tiebu djenne & veg (brown bowl in the middle), a mouth watering traditional fish dish, prawns, coconut rice and some other yumminess…. pic.twitter.com/eAzcwfywAN
— marang setshwaelo (@marangdream) August 20, 2019
Tanzania
An omelette with chips might sound pretty weird, but Phumlani swears it’s amazing!
It’s a weird cuisine but it definitely slaps, it’s all I eat when I am that side. It’s actually called Chipsi Mayai pic.twitter.com/7PILdX77yo
— Phumlani ?????????? (@phumlani_prep) August 20, 2019
Zambia
Goat stew and nshima, says @sassyparodia. She also has some great advice when it comes to trying foods in foreign countries: “I realise the more I stick to traditional food, the less likely I am to feel ill halfway through my trips.”Lebo travelled to Zambia recently and had an amazing spread, including fish and chicken.
This is what we had in Zambia ???? last month????: Nshima
Tilapia (Fish)
Village Chicken
Delele (Okra)
Fresh Kapenta
Kalembula (sweet potato leaves) ???????? My personal favorite has to be Kalembula (sweet potato leaves) #Zambia #ZambianFood #foodie pic.twitter.com/tnK9mCIpQy— Lebo Tshabalala (@MissL_S) August 20, 2019
ASIA
Cambodia
We’re not sure what this one is called (even an exhaustive google search failed us), but Courtney suggests this dessert while in Cambodia: “They make a dessert with fried bananas and passion fruit, [it] also has whiskey and honey. Honestly there is no reason for fruit to be so decadent.”
China
“I had dan dan noodles in Xinjiang, China. My understanding is that it’s a traditional dish of the Uighur people. It was delicious,” says Crystal.Ever had snake soup? @labellagorda says it’s amazing, and that you should also try spicy fried tofu tossed with dried chillies. Revanidhi lived in China for a while and has many, many favourite dishes from that time.
India
Kate Wilson, editor-in-chief of Woolworths TASTE magazine, chooses masala dosa for breakfast, with sambar for dipping. Though well-known, the South Indian dish can often be overlooked and it definitely shouldn’t be, especially when paired with sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew made with tamarind broth) for dipping.
Japan
Leila says you should definitely try onigiri: “The best local snack/lunch,” she says. You can find them at convenience stores.Chanelle says she loved the crème brûlée in a crêpe she had while she was in the country.
Nepal
Kobus swears by these momos he had in Kathmandu.
Had the best Momos in a small Tibetan restaurant in Kathmandu called Yangling. The dish on the right is covered and fried in a sticky chilly sauce with fresh chillies on top. I often dream back to this dish. pic.twitter.com/MSFGOIHvNq
— Kobus Dippenaar (@dippies23) August 20, 2019
South Korea @sadnapss says: “Sujebi in South Korea – hand-torn dough cooked through a fish bone broth with kelp and miscellaneous vegetables.”
Chanelle spoke of a delicious raw prawn, garlic, radish and rice bowl. She also suggests: “Noodles in an iced soup. Called naengmyeon (cold noodles) served with boiled egg, radish, cucumber and sometimes grilled beef.
South Korea
Literally my favourite thing in the world. ”SingaporePandan cake, kaya toast, salted duck egg chips and murtabak, suggests Rasheeda.
Thailand
Kerri suggests khao soi – a creamy and spicy curry noodle dish with crunchy noodles on top usually served in the north of Thailand.
Vietnam
Looking for a snack that only the locals know about? @womxnfreed says, “I had sea snails. Tiny, small little snacks boiled in spices; the locals carried them in little bags. I stopped and asked a group of ladies where I could buy it. They said it’s not for sale, it’s a local snack, so they let me have some and it was so delicious.”Also try bánh xèo – fried egg pancakes with fresh veg, sprouts and pork inside. “You need to go to a local joint to get the best, but it’s so damn good,” says Courtney.
EUROPE
Croatia
Nicole suggests grilled calamari from the Dalmatian coast with lemon and garlic.
France
Nicole suggests eating at a bouchon (a type of restaurant in Lyon that serves traditional Lyonnaise food), where she had quenelles in creamy lobster sauce. Melissa says: “In Paris I had pheasant pithiviers with a Périgueux sauce. And, as a starter, a mushroom ravioli in ‘delicate broth’ that was so delectable that I still dream about it.” Lizzy says the best beef tartare she’s ever had in her life was when she was in Paris.
Pam says that she had the most amazing lamb shank in Paris: “The most epic lamb shank with potatoes and vegetables from a small bistro in Marais, Paris. The bistro was so small; I can’t remember the name, nor where exactly it was, because I was totally lost and found the place on a fluke.”
Jean says she found food heaven in France, but hasn’t been able to recreate it since: “There’s a dish called baeckeoffe in France (from the Alsace region, near the German border). I first tasted it in 2004 and I have not been able to find it outside of France or authentically recreate it myself.”
“It’s the definition of ambrosia for me. It’s the mightiest and tastiest of casseroles. The flavours of beef (or mutton or pork), sliced potatoes and onions, leeks, carrots, thyme and garlic is transformed by the fact that it’s been marinated overnight in a regional white wine. Juniper berries are then added and it’s cooked in a pot that’s been sealed with bread dough. The first time I tasted it, I was in Paris and it was made by a home cook from the Alsace region. I went back every night, for three days straight. It still is the cosiest, heartiest and most comforting food I’ve ever tasted.”
Georgia
Bread served with raw egg doesn’t sound all that appetising, right? Well, apparently we’re all wrong.
For breakfast, try khachapuri. Bread stuffed with cheese and served with raw egg(See pic attached). Or Lobiani (bread stuffed with spicy beans). The beans taste like the ones we use in samp and beans in SA. pic.twitter.com/mKivWKgmYS
— Oh Lovely (@Marang_Beauty) August 20, 2019
Greece
Clara suggests: “Fresh feta crumbed and deep-fried in sesame-seed crust and topped with honey and lavender flowers. Best starter in the world.”
Romy still dreams of the Skopelos cheese pie she had on its eponymous island. “It doesn’t look like much,” she says, “but it’s INSANITY!”
Italy
The country might be known for its amazing pizza and pasta, but its seafood isn’t to be scoffed at.
Also, in Genoa, Italy eat the seafood. They do fried anchovies that are the most amazing. Their calamari is amazing. And generally it’s just put all together and is a delicious mess pic.twitter.com/KHjQimDr4W
— Courtney (@courtstanbury) August 20, 2019
Portugal
Apparently if you’ve got a hangover in Porto, then this is the best food you could possibly ask for.
One of the best things ever… Francesinha! Had it in Porto. Made with bread, wet-cured ham/sausage, chipolata, steak, and covered with melted cheese and a hot thick tomato and beer sauce. pic.twitter.com/XiBcRbeZjL
— Jasco (@thisisjassi) August 20, 2019
“Traditional octopus salad in Portugal – potato slices, herbs, vegetable purée and then octopus on top with a butter sauce. To die for,” says Clara.
Spain
Not all your meals have to be super sophisticated when overseas. Pearl says a veggie sandwich she had in Spain was the best thing she’s ever eaten: “There was lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, green peppers, onions, spices atop the egg – perhaps rosemary and basil, [too] and it did not seem like a whole egg, just half a half cooked egg, but it brought it all together.” “Aubergine fried in tempura batter with an aïoli and crispy jamón ‘dip’,” says Tara. “Incredible.”
North and South America
Brazil
“The fried tilapia on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro was [amazing] and, of course, you wash it down with a frosty caipirinha,” says Nadia.
The fried tilapia on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro was ???? and, of course, you wash it down with a frosty caipirhinia ?? pic.twitter.com/PoyRRo3845
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) August 20, 2019
Dominican Republic
Rasheeda suggests trying fried plantains with mashed potato, pickled onions and a fried egg.
Mexico
Xhanxatha says: “I had a hearty chicken soup in Costa Maya, Mexico. It looked watery and had some leaves floating, but the taste was out of this world.”
Peru
Jason wasn’t aware that he was actually eating beef heart for days, but says it was really delicious.
Anticucho from Peru. Chopped up beef heart, beautifully marinated, grilled and served on a skewer on the side of the road. Didn’t know I was eating heart for a few days before I found out ?? pic.twitter.com/4DUgYaMKbc
— #ZumaMustFall (@ComradeJason) August 20, 2019
Middle East
Turkey
“Beyti kebap in Turkey,” suggests Courtney. “The best one I ate was in Fethiye and I had to physically restrain myself from licking the plate clean.”
Courtney also suggests munti: “It’s kinda like ravioli with a yoghurt sauce on it. Rather have it on the side, I wanted to cry ‘cause I was so full and couldn’t finish it.”
Amalia says you have to get kunefe in Turkey: “People always go for the Turkish delights and baklava, but kunefe is my absolute favourite thing in the world,” she says. “It’s made of kataifi pastry and cheese, with a sweet syrup on top. My favourite dessert of all time.” “
Yesil erik (green Turkish plums), filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium,” says @marang_beauty. “They taste like green Granny Smith apples, and Turks usually eat the plums with salt.” There’s also tavuk gögsü, a “stiff, milky pudding that contains shredded chicken breast.”
The UAE
Dubai
Sphelele was against nuts in food (he doesn’t even like peanut butter), until he tried Arabic spiced rice with toasted nuts in Dubai.
I’ve always been against nuts coming anywhere near food, but the Arabic spiced rice with toasted nuts changed my mind in Dubai pic.twitter.com/yVgMDWUDMy
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) August 20, 2019