Top 10 Countries with the Worst Food
When it comes to food, every country has its hits and misses. But not every cuisine is loved universally, and some have earned a less-than-stellar reputation. Whether it's the ingredients, preparation style, or just plain unfamiliarity to outsiders, certain national dishes leave a lot to be desired.This list highlights the countries people believe have the least appealing food, and it's your chance to weigh in. Is there a place where you tried the local cuisine and just couldn't get into it? Or maybe you've heard enough stories to steer clear of a certain country's dishes altogether? Whatever the reason, now is the time to vote and see if others agree with your opinion.
Traditional British cuisine includes dishes like fish and chips, roast dinners, and pies, but it is often criticized for being bland. Recent years have seen a rise in culinary diversity due to immigration and international influences. I am an American. I have had a lot of British food, and most of it is not good at all. One of your puddings is made with pig's blood and a lot of salt. It is the most disgusting thing that I have ever had to eat.
A lot of your foods are high in fat, just like in the US. Your full English is good, but it contains over 1,000 calories, more than half the recommended calories for an average adult male.
Your cakes and desserts are packed with so much sugar, just like the rest of the world when it comes to that. If our food is worse than yours, then why do you have American fast food restaurants in your country? I love scones with my tea every now and again. Just to let you know, not every American eats fast food. I am one of them. I only eat it once in a while or when I have been shopping all day, and I only eat the chicken sandwiches unless I go to White Castle. Their burgers are made out of beans.
American cuisine is known for fast food like burgers and fries, as well as regional specialties like Southern barbecue and New England clam chowder. It is often criticized for being unhealthy, with high levels of processed ingredients. McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Chick-fil-A, and many other fast food restaurants mostly suck because the food is mostly unhealthy and ravages your body.
My home country has one of the worst foods of all time. I would like to try Italian food for the first time, and maybe Mexican as well. I hope I don't get sick eating what I just said.
British food is much healthier compared to the food in the United States. The food in the US is basically a fast food heaven to some. Fruits and vegetables are at least available to some extent, but I've heard the fruit is even processed.
The food may taste good, but it's overly processed.
Russian cuisine is based on hearty, filling dishes like borscht, dumplings (pelmeni), and buckwheat, with heavy use of sour cream. It is often seen as overly simple and lacking in variety. Like the UK, Russian food is so bland! They don't use any spices in their dishes. The only thing they have that's considered "good" is their sweets, which just end up rotting your teeth. People often complain about how spicy Mexican and Indian food is, but at least those have real flavor and taste! Here, people don't even bother to wash their hands, and food is ridiculously expensive for no reason. Who would want to eat bear, deer, or shark meat? That's just nasty!
Indigirka Salad, a Russian fish salad that originated in Yakutia, the coldest inhabited region in the world, was recently voted the worst dish in the world.
Ukrainian cuisine is centered around simple, hearty foods such as borscht, dumplings (varenyky), and sausages. It is often criticized for being too heavy and reliant on potatoes and cabbage. I live here most of the year and am a total foodie. Ukraine's food is terrible! They don't know how to spice foods. The meat sucks, the chicken is injected, and the beef is like leather with absolutely no marbling. Even the pork taste is garbage. Breakfast meats, forget it. Some egg yolks are even the ugly color of their flag!
Ukrainian and Russian cuisines are the blandest in the former Soviet Union. Only Chicken Kiev and Borscht are tolerable on the Ukrainian side.
So true! They literally eat vodka dishes for breakfast. I just looked it up!
Italian cuisine is famous for pasta, pizza, and regional delicacies like risotto and gelato. Some may critique it for being repetitive, focusing too heavily on similar ingredients. It's not bad, but I think it's overrated and overshadows so many other countries, which deserve more recognition. Just because it's among the most famous and recognized, doesn't make it better than other countries, which are unfortunately usually smaller and less famous than Italy.
In general, I would much prefer to eat foods from all across Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and other parts of Europe.
Italian cuisine is poor, except for always the same pizza and pasta. What else?
In Italy, it's impossible to find a good piece of beef, a good fish (they have always the same 2 or 3 fish from the Mediterranean Sea), they do not know what a lobster or other seafood is, they do not know how to cook rice, turkey, cereals, and a lot more.
Traditional Polish dishes include pierogi, kielbasa, and bigos (hunter's stew), known for being filling and meat-heavy. The cuisine is often viewed as lacking variety, especially in vegetables. Everything is potatoes. The pancakes are made from potatoes, their pasta is made from potatoes, even potato wine and potato candy. The sweetest fruits they have are actually just painted potatoes. If you purchase meat, it is actually potato-fed potatoes. The cars run on potatoes, and they even insulate their houses with potatoes.
Worst food ever. All the Eastern European countries and the United Kingdom have poor quality food. I prefer American, Tex-Mex, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and German cuisine.
Stodgy, tasteless, miserable portions, decomposing cabbage, tripe, frozen fries - what more is there to say?
Norwegian food traditionally features fish, potatoes, and bread, with dishes like lutefisk and rakfisk that can be challenging for outsiders to enjoy. The cuisine focuses on simple, seasonal ingredients. A lot of Nordic food is always perceived as bland. Usually, simply looking at any food in the Nordic region is enough to make British food look amazing in comparison.
Frozen pizza? Can't get any more bland than that!
Nearly everything in the supermarkets, which have no variety between them, comes either wrapped in plastic or in a tin. It is hard to get many food products, and there is a terrible lack of choice. Yet, there are still the highest prices in the world for supermarket and restaurant food. Very German. Lots of pork, potato, bread, potato, bread, pork, and potato without any interesting sauces or dips. Most people eat bread slices with processed ham or cheese and a slice of tomato or cucumber.
Very poor quality fruit and vegetables. They rarely taste of anything. There is no breakfast culture, brunch, or dessert culture to speak of.
The local beers are not very good and extremely expensive, and they are also served in children's glasses. The national dish is "Grandiosa," which is a frozen pizza. Hot dogs are also very popular, along with kebabs and tacos.
Swedish cuisine is known for dishes like meatballs, gravlax, and smorgasbord, with an emphasis on seafood and dairy. Some dishes, like fermented herring, are considered an acquired taste. As a Swede, I can agree that our food sucks. I haven't tried all of it yet, but the combinations disgust me.
For example, porridge made out of rice grains tastes like a foot, and it feels like eating vomit.
The absolute worst food ever. The only reason why Sweden's foods are considered "delicious" is because of all the attention Sweden is receiving. That's it. Norwegian foods taste way better than Swedish foods. Swedish foods are super disgusting.
Really? Norwegian foods are much more delicious than Swedish foods. The foods in Sweden are bland and tasteless. They are not worth buying.
Mexican cuisine features staples like tacos, enchiladas, and mole, with heavy use of beans, corn, and chili peppers. Some dishes can be overly spicy or greasy for some tastes. First of all, don't confuse southern food or Mexican-American food with authentic Mexican food. The first one is OK, but I got tired of it. I am disappointed with the second one, the authentic. I find it insipid and bland, perhaps that's why they soak it with sauces (salsas) and mostly with hot sauce. The idea is to taste the food, not to struggle with spicy peppers/sauce or try your manhood every time you eat. Sorry, my fellow Mexican friends.
Mexican food is unappetizing in appearance, taste, and texture. If all Mexican food places were replaced by Chinese, Japanese, or burger restaurants, the world would be a better place, and happiness would prevail. Instead, we have to endure the consequences of bean-fueled flatulence and spices that smell unpleasant.
Chinese cuisine is vast and varied, with regional specialties such as Sichuan's spicy dishes and Cantonese dim sum. Some traditional foods, like stinky tofu, may be considered unappealing to foreign tastes. Chinese cuisine and recipes are good, but food in China is dirty and contains chemicals. So many people have died from eating in China. One of my friends went to the emergency room and spent two nights in the hospital while visiting China, after having food there. Please beware of the food there.
I am Italian, and I think Chinese food is bad. They say they invented pasta, but this is not true. We Italians invented pasta and pizza, and they are the best food in the world.
We have invented more than 70% of the things in the world. We are the best, and China is the worst.
The Newcomers
Greenlandic cuisine is heavily reliant on seafood and game meats, such as seal, whale, and reindeer, due to the country's Arctic environment. These traditional foods can be unfamiliar and off-putting to outsiders. This country has food that is often bland, repetitive, and unhealthy. Additionally, the food is often difficult to obtain due to issues like poverty and conflict.
Congolese food features cassava, plantains, and local meats, with a heavy reliance on stews. The cuisine may be considered overly basic and repetitive.
Bulgarian cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, yogurt, and grilled meats, with dishes like banitsa and shopska salad. It can be viewed as repetitive and overly reliant on dairy. Bulgaria is a wonderful country with incredible weather and gorgeous beaches. However, the food was not to my liking. Perhaps I was just unlucky. During my stay, I ate out twelve times and consistently found the food to be too heavy, especially the stews in the heat. Nonetheless, the desserts were good, particularly the coconut ice cream. I recommend visiting Bulgaria, but not necessarily for the food.
We tried to have a pizza party in Bulgaria, and the pizzas were so disgusting, made by Bulgarians or some migrants. This country has really bad food. Thankfully, we returned home and ate well because in Italy, we have the best food, the best culture and tradition. Italian girls know how to cook food well.
Filipino food includes dishes like adobo, lechon, and balut (fertilized duck egg), which may be considered unusual by outsiders. The cuisine blends native, Spanish, and American influences. This is the worst and most unhealthy food you can imagine. It mainly consists of very low-quality meat, including bones, fat, skin, and every unhealthy part of the animal. There is no specific taste at all. The main dish is white rice and deep-fried chicken leftovers.
They have a soup that is just sour. Beef dishes contain at least 70% fat and no true meat. Vegetarian dishes are not foreseen in Filipino cuisine. Even vegetables come with (bad tasting) pieces of pork.
The Philippines have a dramatically increasing rate of diabetes diseases. No wonder, if you eat white rice three times daily and a lot of over-sugared stuff. Too many people love Starbucks, and you will find Starbucks at every corner in Manila. They buy drinks that contain a lot of cream, overly sweet sauces, and other ingredients. Even the so-called pasta is extremely sweet.
During conferences, you will get a "snack" that consists of all-white and sweet sandwiches accompanied by crisps. Once, I got a dessert that was canned fruits mixed with cheese cubes.
Haitian cuisine blends African, French, and Caribbean influences, with staples like rice, beans, and plantains. Some dishes can be too spicy or unfamiliar to non-Caribbean tastes. Very bad food. In my culinary school, there were many Haitian students, and whenever they'd bring food they made at home, it would taste bland and wack. Worse than Cuban food.
Haitian people are known for eating bizarre and disgusting food.
Indian food is known for its rich use of spices, with dishes like curry, biryani, and naan being internationally popular. However, certain regional foods can be extremely spicy or unfamiliar to Western palates. The worst food ever. Their spices and dishes are smelly and disgusting. I honestly tried eating Indian food several times and every time I hated the taste, texture and smell.
In India, we have adulterated milk containing urea, artificial ghee, and poor-quality vegetable oils. Our fruits, vegetables, and nuts are chemically treated. Even tap water requires a purifier for safe consumption. Sewage water, laden with extreme amounts of industrial wastes and toxic substances, is used for cultivating crops. Therefore, whether you are eating at a roadside shop or even in a five-star hotel, there is a significant risk that the food is poisonous.
Dutch cuisine includes simple, hearty dishes like stamppot, herring, and Dutch pancakes. It is often considered plain, with a strong focus on potatoes, bread, and dairy. The Dutch must stop dipping their food in the canals, and maybe then they can have good food once in a while. An uninspiring, bland mish-mash, a rotten barrel excuse of a "cuisine." Heavy quotes right there.
Dutch cuisine is a hybrid of German, British, and French, but not in a good way. They do produce some brilliant cheese.
I can't believe the Netherlands isn't leading the list here. Bland, unimaginative, unhealthy and overpriced.
Slovak cuisine includes hearty dishes such as bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) and goulash. It is often seen as heavy, with an emphasis on meat and potatoes.
Angolan food relies on local ingredients like cassava, fish, and spicy stews, influenced by Portuguese and African traditions. The cuisine can be considered too rustic or unfamiliar by outsiders. Raise your hand if you have been to an Angolan restaurant.
To me, the fact that nobody is raising their hands is kind of a sign.
Australian food reflects its multicultural society, with influences from British, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines. Traditional fare like Vegemite and meat pies are not universally appealing. Australian food, as a whole, is basically a watered-down mix of American and British fare. It's never healthier or more flavorful, despite what some Australians claim. Ethnic options? A common tactic in Asian takeaway here involves overwhelming dishes with rice or noodles to reduce costs and flavor.
The prices for something better are prohibitive. This is not something I experienced in California. Indian food in Australia is okay, but again, it's overpriced.
That being said, the supermarkets are extremely cheap. Australia is just not a dining out country. Learn to cook and cope, and you will be fine.
Chilean cuisine features seafood, beef, and corn-based dishes like pastel de choclo and empanadas. It is sometimes seen as lacking in strong or varied flavors. The empanadas are by far the worst I've tried. Bolivian empanadas are number one. Buenos Aires empanadas are good too.
It's not about flavor, it's an ethnicity arrangement problem. They are nicely great in other things.
Pakistani cuisine shares many similarities with Indian food, including the use of spices in dishes like biryani and kebabs. Some regional dishes can be overly spicy or greasy for some tastes. I really don't like Pakistani food. When I was a child living in the UK, my parents would promise me that we would go to Pizza Hut if I had good marks. When I did get good marks, my parents would say, "Eh, pizza is disgusting, let's go to Taste Of Pakistan instead."
I despised Taste Of Pakistan. It was a restaurant in Hounslow where they sold Pakistani food. I hated Pakistani food. One time, I even found a bug in my boti. Oh, and by the way, Pakistani food is similar to Indian food. - IceBearRules
Pakistan has the worst food. It often tries to emulate Indian cuisine in a cheaper manner, which ruins the taste. Moreover, there is no diversity. Most items on their menu are derived from Indian cuisine. However, their sweet dishes are fabulous. Essentially, Pakistan does not have a unique cuisine but is a mix of Indian and Persian culinary traditions.
Hungarian food is known for its rich, paprika-spiced dishes like goulash and pörkölt, as well as hearty pastries. Some might find the cuisine too heavy or overly reliant on meat and fats. I had the misfortune of living with two Hungarian roommates who were always cooking their traditional food. It was so heavy and weird-tasting, yet also bland. They combined ingredients that shouldn't go together. Normally, I'm a very adventurous eater, not picky at all, but I couldn't force myself to eat their food. Additionally, it smelled awful.
North Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, corn, and vegetables, with kimchi and cold noodles (naengmyeon) being popular. Food scarcity and lack of ingredients limit the variety and richness of dishes. They don't have much food, but when they do, it's horrible. It was described by VICE as "matter."
Peruvian cuisine is famous for dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado, featuring fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Certain regional specialties, such as cuy (guinea pig), may be unappealing to some. Just ugh. Lived there for 5 years and realized quickly it's either so-so food at the more expensive places (which don't really serve authentic Peruvian food but something borrowed or stolen from other cuisines) or take your chances eating at the crappy hole-in-the-walls available at every corner... where the food really is "authentic". Nothing special, actually mostly horrible.
To start with, Peru is a hole. Second, they have zero knowledge of food manipulation. They don't even wash their hands after going to the bathroom. If they didn't have a huge Japanese influence, they'd still be eating crap. Besides that, they're the most resentful nation in Latin America.
Korean cuisine features bold flavors with staples like kimchi, bulgogi, and bibimbap. The heavy use of fermented ingredients and strong spices can be off-putting to some. Very spicy, indigestible foods. I once ate Shin Ramen, and it was extremely spicy, even spicier than Hot Cheetos and Indian curries. It was so spicy that I couldn't finish it and had to eat a whole popsicle instead.
The noodles were terrible. I would rather eat Italian spaghetti because it is tastier, more tolerable, and less spicy. As an Indian, I am more accustomed to Italian and Mexican foods, which are much tastier and more tolerable than Asian foods (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, but not Indian, as India is also part of Asia). However, I would prefer to eat bland food rather than spicy food. It's horrible food. I can't stand it.
Argentine cuisine is centered around beef, with asado (barbecue) being a national favorite, along with empanadas. While celebrated for its quality, the heavy focus on meat may seem monotonous to some. There is very little variety. It's mainly empanadas and dulce de leche, and they aren't great at all. It's also very hard for a vegetarian to live here.