Top 10 Countries with the Best Food
If you're a foodie, then you know that travel and food go hand in hand. One of the best ways to experience a country's culture is through its cuisine, and some countries have a reputation for offering some of the best food in the world. From street food to fine dining, these countries are home to some of the most delicious and diverse cuisines on the planet.
Italian cuisine is known for its simple yet flavorful dishes that celebrate fresh, high-quality ingredients. With its roots dating back to ancient Rome, Italian cuisine has evolved over time, incorporating influences from different regions and cultures. Popular Italian dishes include pasta, pizza, risotto, and various meat and seafood dishes, all prepared with a combination of herbs, spices, and sauces. The country is also famous for its cheeses, including Parmesan, mozzarella, and gorgonzola, as well as its cured meats, such as prosciutto and salami. Italian cuisine emphasizes the importance of regional and seasonal ingredients, with each region having its own specialties and culinary traditions. As time goes on, I keep learning about new and unique, tasty Italian dishes. The cuisine offers an incredible diversity of very delicious dishes. It ranges from light and fresh to rich and hearty, and everything in between.
I have figured out why Italian food is so good: it is not spicy. What you taste are the fresh ingredients, not an overpowering blend of spices. A few spices only serve to accentuate the food. They do not dominate it. Rather, the food itself speaks to you through its texture, freshness, and quality of ingredients.
It seems that most Italian food not only taps into our basic human cravings but also offers a comforting "lunch at grandma's on a Sunday afternoon" feeling. This enhances and reflects the warmth of the Italian culture.
Mexican cuisine is known for its bold and vibrant flavors, featuring a wide range of ingredients such as chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, and corn. It has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years, blending elements of Indigenous, Spanish, and other European cuisines. Some of the most iconic dishes in Mexican cuisine include tacos, tamales, enchiladas, guacamole, and mole sauce. Mexican food also features a variety of meats, including beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, often prepared with spices and herbs such as cumin, coriander, and oregano. The cuisine is also known for its extensive use of fresh herbs and vegetables, including cilantro, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Overall, Mexican cuisine is a celebration of bold and lively flavors that has become a popular culinary choice around the world. Mexican food has everything, from very spicy to sour, sweet, all kinds of edible meat, and a variety of seafood. The desserts are also tasty. The food can be enjoyed in a very fancy restaurant or at a food stall on the street, and it tastes just awesome.
The ingredients are very common now and can be found anywhere on the planet. They can still taste just as they do when eaten in Mexico, obviously if well-prepared. In some countries, you need to explore the streets to truly find the real flavor of the local food. If you eat it outside the country, it's very difficult to capture the same flavor as the original.
French cuisine is renowned as one of the most refined and sophisticated in the world. It is characterized by its emphasis on high-quality ingredients, meticulous preparation techniques, and elegant presentation. French cuisine has a long and illustrious history, dating back to the Middle Ages and evolving over the centuries to become the epitome of haute cuisine. Key elements of French cooking include the use of rich sauces, butter, and cream, as well as fresh herbs and spices, and a wide variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables. Some of the most iconic dishes of French cuisine include coq au vin, bouillabaisse, ratatouille, and escargots. French cuisine has had a significant influence on global cooking, and many of the world's top chefs have trained in French culinary schools or worked in French restaurants. Among the best pastries in the world, France also offers the best sauces, sweets, meats, and fish (from the Atlantic and Mediterranean for the mainland, and many more when including islands).
France also boasts a variety of different regional cuisines. There are diverse flavors coming from other territories, including the Caribbean, Polynesia, French Guiana, and Reunion, among others.
In addition, France offers a great diversity of tastes and flavors in its cuisine. You will also find cuisines from more than 85 other countries, making France the first European country with so many choices. Not to mention, it's the birthplace of modern cuisine, which is now present in countries around the world. The only problem with French food is that it's not as well-known as it should be. People commonly know only about snails, frogs, and mussels, but the French rarely eat these foods and certainly not in the way they are known abroad.
In conclusion, France must be in the top 3. Thanks.
Japanese cuisine is a highly diverse and refined culinary tradition that has evolved over centuries, influenced by a variety of factors such as geography, religion, and culture. The cuisine emphasizes the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients, and is characterized by its delicate flavors, meticulous preparation techniques, and elegant presentation. Some of the key ingredients used in Japanese cuisine include seafood, rice, soy sauce, miso, tofu, and seaweed, while popular cooking methods include grilling, steaming, and simmering. Traditional Japanese dishes include sushi, sashimi, tempura, udon noodles, and ramen, among many others. Japanese cuisine has gained worldwide recognition for its healthfulness, aesthetics, and culinary artistry, and continues to inspire and influence chefs and food enthusiasts around the globe. Japanese food is 100 times better than Mexican food! I am half Japanese, and even the cheapest foods you can get in Japan are better than the "Asian" food they have in America!
If you don't like Japanese food, you have:
1. Never gone to a good Asian restaurant - fake places where they tend to mix Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc., are bad.
2. Never had a Japanese friend from whom you stole snacks because they were AMAZING (and expensive due to shipping rates).
3. Never gone to Japan to try out the food for yourself.
4. All of the above.
Japan is really good at mixing up and creating new foods out of traditional dishes from other countries. For me, Japanese curry is better than traditional Indian curry, and Japanese gyoza and ramen are better than their Chinese counterparts.
Chinese cuisine is an integral part of Chinese culture and one of the world's oldest and most diverse culinary traditions. It encompasses a wide variety of regional styles, ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavors that have evolved over thousands of years. Chinese cuisine is renowned for its balance of flavors, textures, and colors, which are achieved through the skillful use of herbs, spices, sauces, and ingredients such as rice, noodles, seafood, meat, and vegetables. Some of the most famous dishes of Chinese cuisine include Peking duck, kung pao chicken, hot and sour soup, and dim sum. Chinese cuisine has also had a significant influence on the food cultures of neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, as well as on the Chinese diaspora around the world. Chinese food is better than Japanese food. It is just so good. My favorites are the noodle dishes: Chow Mein, Ho Fun, and so on.
The sound of East Asian cuisine served on a hot plate sizzling with cooked, no-nonsense ingredients and spices is amazing. Even bad Chinese food is good Chinese food. The smell is amazing.
Sure, there is stuff like jellyfish and pig intestines and whatever, but so what? French food is full of that stuff. French food should be at the bottom of the list, and China should be bumped up to number 4.
Indian cuisine is characterized by its diverse range of flavors, spices, and cooking techniques that vary from region to region. The cuisine is heavily influenced by religious and cultural traditions, as well as the availability of local ingredients. Indian cuisine is known for its vegetarian dishes, such as dal (lentil soup) and chana masala (spiced chickpeas), as well as meat-based dishes, such as butter chicken and lamb curry. Rice and wheat are staple grains in Indian cuisine and are typically served with a variety of curries, chutneys, and pickles. Spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cardamom are commonly used in Indian cooking, along with herbs like cilantro and mint. Indian sweets and desserts are also popular and include treats such as gulab jamun, rasgulla, and kulfi. Spicy, sweet, tasty - all varieties are available only in India. Pav Bhaji, Punjabi, Dosa, Pani Puri, Idli, Rasgulla... the best vegetarian food is available only in India.
Heart-melting, brain-storming, mouth-watering, totally fulfilling - Indian food is the best in the world.
Being an Indian, commenting in favor of Indian cuisine might sound a little biased. But truly, it isn't when someone really gets a chance to explore Indian food and the diversity in taste, color, and spices it has to offer. India truly is the land of spice, and that doesn't necessarily mean it's hot. Different regions/states in India have so much diversity in cuisine that it is really worth praising. For a true food connoisseur, India should be the heaven to explore and appreciate. Besides Indian food, I truly enjoy and appreciate both Italian and Mexican food as well. So, without going into setting the order among them, my vote goes for all these three countries: India, Italy, and Mexico when it comes to food.
American cuisine is a diverse mix of regional and international dishes, influenced by the country's history of immigration and its vast geography. Traditional American cuisine includes dishes such as hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and apple pie. Southern cuisine is known for its barbecue, grits, and fried catfish, while Tex-Mex cuisine features dishes such as tacos and enchiladas. Other international cuisines that have become popular in the United States include Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisine. Fast food chains such as McDonald's and Subway have also become ubiquitous in American culture. With its many influences and variations, American cuisine is a reflection of the country's diverse population and culinary history. American cuisine is often considered the best by some due to its incredible diversity. The large influx of immigrants from various cultures around the world has created a melting pot of flavors and dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes.
Regional specialties across the country feature unique ingredients and cooking styles, meaning you can find a variety of cuisines within American cuisine itself. This diversity makes it appealing to many people.
American cuisine is known for its willingness to blend different culinary styles, resulting in unique dishes like cheeseburgers, pizza, and hot dogs.
Thai cuisine is known for its bold flavors and aromatic herbs and spices. It is a fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian influences, with each region of Thailand having its own unique specialties. The cuisine is characterized by its use of ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chili peppers, and coconut milk. Some of the most popular dishes include pad Thai (stir-fried noodles), tom yum soup (spicy and sour soup), green curry (coconut milk-based curry), and mango sticky rice (dessert made with sweet glutinous rice and fresh mangoes). Thai cuisine is also known for its emphasis on balancing flavors, such as sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, in each dish. Thai cuisine in Thailand is by far the best cuisine on Earth, let alone the rest of Asia. If you're outside of Thailand or Southeast Asia and want to make authentic Thai dishes, you can forget about it. Outside of the region, you simply cannot get the same, correct, fresh ingredients that are essential for making authentic Thai cuisine.
Unfortunately, most people's experience with Thai cooking is at their local, so-called Thai restaurant outside of Thailand. These establishments use substitute ingredients and make other modifications to traditional dishes. This is either because the authentic recipe is impossible to execute in the country they are in or because they're afraid the local culture won't be able to handle the real thing.
Even the street vendor food - specifically, the kind they cook to order, not the pre-cooked kind sitting in vats - is better than anything I've had in all of Europe and Asia. With the exception of the Somboon restaurants, steer clear of the tourist traps with fancy decor and attractively, well-dressed wait staff. The best places are the ones where the locals frequent. These have no decor or well-dressed wait staff, and the prices are incredibly low.
If you want to enjoy the freshest, tastiest, most distinct, interesting, and diverse array of flavors and aromas your senses will ever experience, then please do yourself a favor and visit the Land of Smiles.
Spanish cuisine is known for its variety of flavors and ingredients, influenced by its diverse regional cultures and geography. Some of the most popular dishes include paella, a rice dish cooked with saffron, seafood, chicken or rabbit, and vegetables, gazpacho, a chilled soup made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and garlic, and tapas, small plates of food that can be enjoyed with drinks. Spanish cuisine also features a variety of cured meats, such as chorizo and Jamón ibérico, as well as cheeses, such as Manchego and Cabrales. The country's love for olive oil is evident in many of its dishes, and wine is a staple beverage that pairs perfectly with Spanish cuisine. Overall, Spanish cuisine is a delightful blend of tradition, innovation, and fresh ingredients that reflect the country's rich history and diverse culinary heritage. Out of the top 10 restaurants in the world, 3 are in Spain. It's the only country with more than one top 10 restaurant! Come on! Also, Spain is full of different tastes - from Andalusia to Barcelona to the Basque Country. Spain has many different faces, all with different cultures and flavors.
Tapas, anyone? Spain has some of the most renowned cheeses, wines, fast foods (like tapas), and gourmet cuisine. And it has some of the best people! The flavors range from sweet to sour to spicy, and they're healthy. From many wine connoisseurs, I have heard that Spanish wine is equal, if not better than, many French wines. If any country deserves the number one spot, it is definitely Spain. Better than English food, at least.
German cuisine is a diverse and hearty blend of regional specialties that have evolved over centuries. Traditional German dishes are often meat-based, with pork, beef, and poultry being the most popular choices. Some classic German dishes include sausages like bratwurst and knackwurst, sauerbraten (marinated beef), schnitzel (breaded cutlets), and roasts served with rich gravies. German cuisine also features a range of potato dishes, such as potato pancakes and potato dumplings, as well as cabbage-based dishes like sauerkraut and red cabbage. Breads, pretzels, and pastries are also staples of German cuisine, with dark breads and buttery pastries like strudel and black forest cake being particularly popular. Beer is a significant part of German culture, with over 1,500 breweries in the country producing a wide range of styles. I was stationed there while in the Army. I never had a bad meal in any gasthaus and always started with the goulash soup. These great meals, washed down with a good German beer, are as good as it gets.
Forget it if you are a calorie counter. The food tastes great because anything fried is cooked in lard and/or cream. No diet soda, no lite beer, no low-calorie crap. These folks know how to eat! I loved being there and always looked forward to eating in their restaurants. And if you go there, Augsburg has the best bakery I have ever shopped at. It's located on the Rathaus Plaza. Thanks, Germany, for a lot of great dining experiences!
The Newcomers
Kazakh cuisine is rich in variety. Meat in Kazakh, also called Besbarmak (which traditionally used to be eaten without a spoon), is a staple.
Other traditional foods include Kuyrdak, Bauyrsak, and wonderful drinks like Kumys, Saumal Koumiss, and Shubat. These are not only delicious but are also beneficial for the body and helpful in treating certain diseases.
All livestock products are ecologically clean, as the animals feed on pastureland with natural grass and fodder.
Your Djibouti food tastes amazing.
English cuisine is characterized by a variety of dishes and ingredients, with a strong emphasis on meats, seafood, vegetables, and dairy products. Traditional English dishes include roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and black pudding. Other popular dishes include pies, such as steak and kidney pie or chicken and mushroom pie, and a range of desserts like apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding, and Eton mess. Many of these dishes have evolved over centuries and are often associated with specific regions of England. The cuisine has also been influenced by the country's historical interactions with other cultures, such as the introduction of tea and spices from India and China. One thing that makes me sad is that people insult English food because, after World War II, we had limited things to cook with, and the food was quite bad at that time. However, nowadays, the food is great.
Another problem is that foods such as egg tarts are thought of as being Portuguese when, in fact, an Englishman named Lord Stow created them. A lot of English foods people think were created overseas. A lot of semi-English/Indian food was created with a mix of both, thanks to a British-born Indian woman. Some of those foods you won't even find in India. The list goes on, but I won't.
South Korean cuisine, also known as "hansik," is characterized by a variety of bold flavors, colors, and textures. It features a wide range of dishes, from spicy stews and soups to savory pancakes and grilled meats. Rice, vegetables, and meat are staples of the Korean diet, and these ingredients are often combined with a variety of fermented and pickled condiments, such as kimchi, to create complex and delicious flavors. Some popular Korean dishes include bibimbap, a mixed rice bowl with vegetables, meat, and a spicy sauce; bulgogi, thinly sliced marinated beef; and samgyetang, a nourishing soup made with chicken, ginseng, and rice. Korean cuisine is also known for its communal dining style, where dishes are shared among diners and eaten with chopsticks and spoons. Korea has so many amazing foods. From spicy food to sweet pastries, Korea has it all. The ingredients put together are unlike any other Asian foods I have tried. There are many spicy foods that Korea has, but you can eat them in a more mild way, which tastes exactly as beautiful.
The pastries in Korea are really different. Their combinations are unique. I have also tasted other, simpler foods, such as Kimbap, which I highly recommend, along with naengmyeon, which is a cold noodle dish. Korean food, in the easiest way to express it, is wonderful to my taste buds.
Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine that is known for its fresh, simple and flavorful dishes. It heavily relies on ingredients such as olive oil, herbs, vegetables, and seafood. The use of lemon juice, feta cheese, and yogurt is also common in Greek cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes include moussaka, a layered casserole with eggplant and minced meat, souvlaki, grilled meat skewers served with pita bread and tzatziki sauce, and spanakopita, a savory spinach and feta cheese pie wrapped in filo pastry. Greeks also enjoy a variety of sweets, such as baklava, a pastry made with phyllo dough and honey syrup, and loukoumades, a type of fried doughnut hole drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Because Greek food is the most delicious food I've ever tried. I've traveled a lot, but the ingredients they use are of the best quality.
Greek food is not only tasty but also of far better quality than that of any other European country. A few examples:
- Bread is not made from frozen dough.
- Honey is 100% natural and comes from bees that are never fed sugar during wintertime.
- Meat is always fresh and never frozen.
- Vegetables and fruits are almost organic because they come from farmers who never produce large amounts of vegetables, meaning they have no reason to use chemicals for faster growth.
This is the reason that anytime you visit a supermarket in Greece, it's impossible to find off-season vegetables and fruits.
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and diverse regional dishes. Fish sauce, herbs, and spices are widely used in Vietnamese cuisine, giving dishes a unique balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Pho, a beef noodle soup, is one of the most well-known dishes of Vietnam and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Other popular dishes include banh mi, a baguette sandwich filled with meats, pickled vegetables, and herbs, and spring rolls, a light and refreshing appetizer filled with pork, shrimp, vegetables, and herbs. Vegetarian and vegan options are also widely available in Vietnamese cuisine, with dishes such as banh xeo, a crispy pancake filled with vegetables and tofu, and com chay, a flavorful vegetarian rice dish. The healthiest food. The least fat and oil, more veggies (raw and fresh), not salty, plenty of dishes with their own sauces. Feel full but not heavy.
Vietnamese food is a combination of tropical cuisine, Chinese influence, and French culture, as Vietnam was a colony under the French for more than 80 years.
For me, Vietnamese food is number one. I believe you'll share my opinion if you try it even once. CNN has announced a list of 40 Vietnamese dishes you should enjoy. They are incredibly delicious.
I hope you'll visit Vietnam and experience them someday. I'm sure you'll agree with me!
Canadian cuisine is a reflection of the country's diverse geography and multicultural population. It draws inspiration from Indigenous, French, and British culinary traditions, as well as influences from immigrant communities such as Chinese, Italian, and Indian. Popular Canadian dishes include poutine, a dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, butter tarts, a sweet pastry filled with a mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs, and maple syrup, which is used to sweeten many dishes and is a staple of Canadian cuisine. Seafood, such as salmon and lobster, is also an important part of Canadian cuisine, as are game meats like venison and caribou. The country's vast natural resources, including fresh produce, wild berries, and game, are often incorporated into dishes, making Canadian cuisine a unique and flavorful representation of the country's cultural and culinary heritage. As a Canadian, I have eaten tons of food from Canada. If you stay long enough, you will see a lot of choices, from poutine to White Spot, and even some delicious chocolate bars.
Maple syrup is a top choice, as well as other maple foods like maple taffy, maple bacon, and honey oats. You can put maple syrup in breakfast foods. Canadian cuisine innovates many old, dull foods to make them more delicious to eat.
Our food is underrated. It's so good, like jeez! Maple syrup is a famous Canadian ingredient that we add to our recipes, like maple cookies or maple bacon. We also have good fast food, like A&W, which is a fast-food burger place mostly found in Canada.
We have tasty French-Canadian food like poutine - tasty fries covered in gravy and cheese! If you like seafood, Nova Scotia has amazing lobster, and Newfoundland has the best Atlantic cod ever. On the West Coast, there are millions of delicious seafood options. In Vancouver, you can eat salmon with maple syrup. On Vancouver Island, there is so much seafood like crab, salmon, prawns, and tuna, and it's all just so fresh! Canada is just so tasty - Alberta beef, West Coast salmon, East Coast lobster, and Quebec poutine!
Swiss cuisine is known for its hearty and filling dishes that reflect the country's mountainous terrain and agricultural heritage. Cheese is a prominent feature in Swiss cuisine, with varieties such as Emmental, Gruyere, and Appenzeller being used in dishes like fondue, raclette, and rosti. Meat dishes are also popular, with veal, beef, and game being commonly used. Sausages, such as cervelat and bratwurst, are also a staple in Swiss cuisine. Other popular dishes include geschnetzeltes (a veal dish with cream sauce), zurcher geschnetzeltes (a veal and mushroom dish), and papet vaudois (a potato and leek dish). Swiss chocolate is world-renowned and is often served as a dessert or snack. Additionally, Switzerland is famous for its high-quality wines, particularly from the regions of Valais and Ticino. I would have to agree. Most people haven't tried many different foods. I would love to say, and be able to vote on, food from every nationality. Each cuisine is so unique and tasty in its own way!
Switzerland has delicious local dishes such as fondue, rösti, raclette, and roast. Even risotto is Swiss. They are also inspired by their neighbors: France, Italy, and Germany. They have great wine as well. Simply delicious.
Swiss food is really better than Italian food. Italian food is just fast food.
Lebanese cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine that is characterized by its use of fresh herbs, spices, vegetables, and fruits. The cuisine is largely influenced by the Levantine region's history and geography and has been shaped by the country's interactions with neighboring cultures. Lebanese cuisine features a diverse range of dishes, including meze, grilled meats, stews, and pastries, with popular ingredients such as lamb, chickpeas, garlic, and olive oil. Some of the most famous Lebanese dishes include tabbouleh, a salad made with parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur wheat, and kibbeh, a dish made from ground meat, bulgur wheat, and spices. Lebanese cuisine is also known for its use of flatbreads such as pita, which are often used to scoop up dips such as hummus and baba ghanoush. Given that it is primarily vegetarian-based with minimal usage of oil, and when needed, olive oil is used, Lebanese cuisine stands out. It also replaces strong spices with natural aromas like sumac, lemon, olives, rose water, nuts, and thyme. Additionally, its large variety keeps you frequenting a Lebanese restaurant more than any other. For these reasons, I would vote Lebanese cuisine to be #1.
Turkish cuisine would be my #2 choice. Why is it after Lebanese? The main reasons are: (1) it contains lots of fats in the meats and grills, (2) it is less rich in meze offerings, and (3) while Turkey has Raki, Lebanon not only has the original Arak but also a great choice of wines.
Turkish cuisine is a fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Central Asian, and Balkan cuisines, reflecting the country's diverse cultural influences. The cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients, herbs, spices, and olive oil. Meat, especially lamb and beef, is a prominent feature of Turkish dishes, as well as grilled vegetables, rice, bulgur, and legumes. Popular dishes include kebabs, stews, mezes, borek (savory pastries), and pilafs. Desserts are also an essential part of Turkish cuisine, with baklava and Turkish delight being among the most famous. Additionally, Turkish tea and coffee are staples of the cuisine and often served as an accompaniment to meals. Okay, this website is BS. Turkish food, in 18th place?! Turkish food is the best food on Earth. It does not even come close. Maybe Pakistani food is as good.
Unfortunately, the only experience most people have had with Turkish food is at the local kebab place with packaged ingredients and non-fresh meat. Go to Turkey and try the food. This stuff will change your life. Long bread, flavorful rice, aromatic, freshly cooked, crispy, soft meat. Best food on the planet.
Think of it this way: the Ottoman Empire controlled all these Mediterranean and Slavic countries and adopted their cuisine. Throughout the years, they improved upon all the food they gained. A small shop selling food in Turkey tastes just as good as any extremely expensive restaurant in countries like the United States or England.
Turkish food is healthy and delicious. Nothing can compare. If you want to go to a country for food, you can't go wrong with Turkey. They understand food better than anyone.
Belgian cuisine is known for its hearty, rustic dishes that showcase the country's love for good food and beer. The cuisine is heavily influenced by French and German traditions, as well as the country's own unique flavors and ingredients. Belgian dishes are often rich and indulgent, with popular dishes including moules-frites (mussels and fries), carbonade flamande (beef stewed in beer), and waterzooi (a creamy soup with chicken or fish). Belgian chocolate is also world-renowned, and the country is famous for its waffles, which can be enjoyed as a sweet or savory dish. Additionally, Belgium is home to over 1,500 types of beer, with a beer culture that is deeply ingrained in the country's culinary traditions. Belgium makes fries like I've never tasted before! Just, wow! They have a lot of similar restaurants like everywhere else in Europe, but the places are usually very clean and the people are friendly. This contrasts with some places I've been in France or the Netherlands.
And Belgian waffles! How can such a small country produce such a genius snack? I also love the chocolate and the "pralines." Think Swiss chocolate is the best? Guess again. It's Belgium!
The chocolate and waffles in Belgium are amazing! Belgium should be way higher on the list because of the French fries (actually, BELGIAN FRIES). It's food that everybody loves! Plus, Belgium has the most brands of beer in the world!
Moroccan cuisine is a blend of Berber, Arabic, and Mediterranean influences, characterized by its rich and aromatic flavors, subtle use of spices, and combination of sweet and savory flavors. The cuisine is known for its use of preserved lemons, olives, and pickled vegetables, as well as a variety of spices such as cumin, ginger, paprika, and saffron. Tajines, slow-cooked stews made with meat, vegetables, and sometimes fruit, are a staple of Moroccan cuisine, as are couscous dishes, grilled meats, and seafood. Mint tea is a popular beverage, often served with traditional pastries like almond-filled briouats or honey-soaked chebakia. Overall, Moroccan cuisine is a reflection of the country's diverse cultural and historical influences, and continues to be celebrated around the world for its unique and delicious flavors. I'm a huge foodie! I've been to 24 countries, and after Morocco, it topped my list. Not only are the regional dishes themselves an incredible blend of spices, meats, veggies, and dried fruits, but the produce itself is exceptional. Even something like freshly squeezed orange juice or almonds and dried fruit blew me away with its taste and freshness. Morocco tops my list.
I also love Japanese cuisine and flavors (no, it isn't just sushi), Gallego regional Spanish cuisine (the freshest seafood on earth), and Peruvian flavors, specifically from the Andes.
Portuguese cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and simple yet delicious preparations. Seafood, especially cod, is a staple of Portuguese cuisine, and many dishes are prepared with olive oil, garlic, and onions. Some of the most iconic dishes in Portuguese cuisine include bacalhau (salt cod), grilled sardines, cozido (a hearty meat and vegetable stew), caldo verde (a soup made with kale and potatoes), and pasteis de nata (custard tarts). In addition to traditional dishes, Portuguese cuisine has also been influenced by its former colonies, resulting in a fusion of African, Brazilian, and Asian flavors. Portugal offers the best use of spices in the Western world. Additionally, the salted cod dishes are simply a national treasure. There are thousands of variations, and they all range from good to great.
Then there are the desserts. The Pastel de Belém, Ovos Moles, and many other fresh and complex delicacies will make you salivate just from thinking about them, let alone seeing, smelling, and finally tasting them.
When it comes to wine, it's hard to beat a country where you can buy a bottle of decent wine for just 1 Euro. If you're interested, you can also enjoy a sip of the timeless Port and Madeira. There's a reason Shakespeare would have characters sell their souls to the Devil for just a taste of these nectars, and why the drafting of the U.S. Constitution was celebrated with copious amounts of them!
Peruvian food is really matchless! I think Mexican food has been popular because their neighbors, the Americans, have little or nothing to choose from when it comes to eating. Thus, the most exotic and varied kind of food near them is not the Canadian one, but the Mexican one. This is why they have made it look good through their movies and cartoons, and accordingly, very popular. If they knew what Peruvian food is like, Mexican food would not be in this list, as it is not that good, really.
It's a 500-year fusion of not only Inca and Spanish culinary traditions but also Arab, West African, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, English (and probably more). Peru is a land with one of the world's largest varieties of ingredients. It has a long coast that goes from Ecuador to Chile, deserts, the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, the altiplano... Where you can grow pretty much everything you can think of and already has a lot to offer.
With the Chinese, Thai, Spanish, and French, it's in the TOP 5 FOOD IN THE WORLD.
Laotian cuisine is a unique blend of flavors and influences from neighboring countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and China. The cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables, as well as sticky rice, which is the staple food of Laos. Some of the most popular dishes include laap, a spicy meat salad made with ground or minced meat, herbs, and chili, and tam mak hoong, a spicy green papaya salad. Other popular dishes include khao soi, a coconut-based soup, and mok pa, a steamed fish dish wrapped in banana leaves. Laotian cuisine also features a variety of noodle dishes, such as khao piak sen, a noodle soup with chicken or pork, and khao jee, a baguette sandwich filled with meats, vegetables, and sauces. Overall, Laotian cuisine is known for its bold and flavorful dishes, with a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Great use of limited resources to make some of the freshest and tastiest food around. Adopts elements from Thai, Khmer, and Vietnamese cuisines to create a truly wonderful cuisine.
Cambodian cuisine, also known as Khmer cuisine, is a fusion of Southeast Asian flavors, with influences from Indian, Chinese, and French cooking. The cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh herbs, spices, and aromatic vegetables such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. Rice is a staple in Cambodian cuisine, often served alongside flavorful curries, soups, and stir-fries. The use of fish sauce, prahok (a fermented fish paste), and tamarind give Cambodian dishes a distinct umami flavor. Some popular Cambodian dishes include amok (a steamed fish curry cooked in banana leaves), lok lak (a stir-fry of beef or chicken with vegetables), and bai sach chrouk (grilled pork served with rice and pickled vegetables). Desserts in Cambodian cuisine are typically made with coconut milk and sticky rice, and include dishes such as num ansom (sweet sticky rice with banana and coconut) and kralan (bamboo sticky rice cake). Som lor kor ko is a mix of veggies in soup that makes Khmer food taste very traditional and captures the essence of this country. My favorite is Ah muk Trey. It is hard to find anywhere besides this country. Thumbs up.
Toronto, Leakhena
Just really great food. Most dishes are made with healthy ingredients. They can make vegetables absolutely delicious.
Simple, fresh ingredients, good use of local produce. Not Americanized yet, so delicious.
Personally, I don't understand the idea that "the country that mixes the most sweet, sour, and savory flavors is obviously the best" when it comes to food.
For everyone's information, I've been all around Europe and tried almost all of the most popular foods. I came to the conclusion that Polish food is the best. I also dislike a lot of popular foods, so that should say something about my high standards.
Poland is my number one, with Italy in second. And to every other critic out there who disagrees, try to find a non-Polish food that can beat the top Polish dishes.