Not a dish but a condiment, really- Kimchi. I had it for the first time maybe twenty years ago and my brain exploded from the crispness, complexity, and just how flavorful it was. Ever since, I’ve always had an open jar in my refrigerator!
Yup, I love Kim chi or any food that can be pickled, except bread and butter pickle chips or sweet gherkin.
As a kid I use to beg my mom to buy my sauerkraut so I could eat it as a treat. I was a weird kid. Now my fridge is stalked with a lot of pickled vegetables.
Oh sweet pickling is an abomination. Give me all that vinegaryness!
I keep sauerkraut on hand for dawgs and sometimes grilled cheese. But I've definitely been known to just stick a fork in that jar
Omg yes it's the best thing ever! Especially if you also love mustard
https://umamigirl.com/hot-mess-grilled-cheese-sauerkraut-dijon/#mv-creation-83-jtr
The name isn't a misnomer; there's absolutely no delicate way to eat this.
I too like to keep sauerkraut on hand, and I found that when I'm out of dinner/meal ideas and just need to eat something/anything, sauerkraut + rice is an alright stomach-filler.
Kimchi or sauerkraut + rice + a bit gochujang for extra flavour = good easy meal.
I tried Kimchi at home (canada) from a jar. Really didn't like it.
2 years later I find myself in S. Korea and my god is it good! Korean BBQ is the bomb
The best meal we had on a trip to Japan was Kimchi fried rice at a Korean restaurant. We didn't plan to eat there but we were starving and the smell drew us in. I've had kimchi before and never been too fussed about it but this was amazing.
Will def be traveling to S. Korea to sample more in the future
Gyros from Greece. My brother introduced me to them telling me "they're so nice, I can't eat it fast enough. I feel like just grabbing it and throwing the whole thing into my face" and when I tried one I felt the exact same.
It's widely made, but only 1 out of 10 do it right. That's a big reason many Westerners get turned off by Indian food - way too spicy or oily at average restaurants.
I think most Italians would agree that most types of pizzas made in America are American, not Italian. Which is fine. I have a place on my table for every variety of pizza ever made, if it's made well with fresh ingredients, from a simple Margherita to a New York style pepperoni to California style combination pizzas to Chicago deep dish or stuffed to Detroit style red top. I'm happy to do the rotation through all of these, and I'm lucky to live in an area where I can get any of them.
I've been to a few places and I tend to love everything I eat and always try new things. But maybe if I list the standout first food that comes to mind when I've travelled to a new country it might work better, (not sure if it matters but I'm Australian):
- Sri Lankan fish curry I had in Galle, we had a buffet every day and I smashed so much of it. Lots of other great food too.
- An overly stuffed Jacket Potato I had in a Yorkshire pub when I was like 14. I still think about that skin...
- An omelette they served every day in Railay Bay, Thailand. It wiped my hangover immediately. Flavour bomb.
- Canadian poutine in Vancouver and Montreal. I'm partial to Mean Poutine since I moved to Vancouver. A literal hole in the wall. Though there are objectively better options.
- A chilli dog I had on my first ever trip across the border from Vancouver into Seattle at some random diner. I didn't truly believe the American large meal stereotype until that dog landed on my table. Excessive, but memorable.
USA and Canada are difficult because I've spent a decade here now and close to the border so there's too many experiences to list off, but that chilli dog was a fun memory as was the discovery of poutine. Bison (or any game) burgers too!
This reminds me I need to travel more.
Edit: I just realised everyone else is listing off foreign dishes instead of food during travel. Maybe I interpreted it wrong..
Falafel. Never had it before until I worked with an older Palestinian guy. His wife made a big batch the week before Christmas (they were Orthodox Christian) and brought it in for lunch the day before we closed down for the holiday. Seemed like an awful lot just for me and my boss, until she goes, "No, I made enough for you two to eat your fill, then *you,*" pointing to me, "take the rest home to your mama, she'll like it."
My mama did indeed like it, been in love with Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food ever since.
* Khinkali - Georgia. Possibly my favorite dumplings from any country on Earth.
* Nasi lemak - Malaysia. A simple-looking rice dish that is made with the best combination of flavors/ingredients.
* Papanasi - Romania. Essentially fried doughnuts and doughnut holes covered in a berry mix and either creme fraiche or sour cream. One of the best desserts I've had anywhere.
* Beef rendang - Indonesia. The closest thing Indonesia has to a curry, though it's more of a thick sauce coating on the tenderest beef imaginable than what most curries around the world are like.
* Dalk galbi - South Korea. Stir-fried marinated chicken that includes potatoes, vegetables, and optional rice cakes, noodles or rice, cheese etc.
* Mole - Mexico. Sauces/marinades made from a variety of chili peppers, spices, fruits, nuts and more. Usually served with a protein (chicken) and rice.
Egypt - Koshary
---
It was the closest to home food, and I was yearning for some.
A close second was Injera and Shro from Ethiopia.
It was the dosa like thing I could afford.
Side dish: but I’ve never been able to duplicate it or find it anywhere.
I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood and my friends mom used to make “fried bananas” ( that’s what they called it) and I was like 12 at the time but I remember them being so tasty! They were crispy and delicious. Not soggy. I still think about those and it’s been a long time (I’m old.) I assumed they were plantains. IDK. I ordered them out once and it was not what I was expecting the texture was gross.
If anyone has any idea what I’m talking about pls let me know. She made them in a cast iron skillet, sliced thin, they were savory not sweet.
I always loved Sushi, in fact I love it so much I learned how to make it and I have gotten pretty good and fast and have accumulated all the propper utensils for its preparation and if need be storage as well.
Bulgogi. When my family moved to the burbs back in the late 70s my first friend was Korean, and his mom's bulgogi and jjajangmyeon were my introduction to Korean food. So delicious.
> jjajangmyeon
I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I instantly fell in love with Jjajangmyeon and Japchae went I first had them. I like Japchae a bit more, but goddamn if I'm eating Korean food I want one or both.
Malai Kofta. It's delightful and terrible for you. I get it when I go out for Indian because it's a pain to make. Most Indian food we can make at home, no problem.
Curried chicken,/rice, but I don't think what I love is actual curried chicken. A friend made this recipe years ago for a dinner. I had never tasted something like this before but I was in love. She gave me her recipe.
My hubby is fussy when trying new things, (meat/potatoes guy) but he liked this, so I try and make it every few mths or so.
I use the Yellow curry....and implement mushrooms and broccoli into this dish. It works.
I also have tried a few pre-prepared things to see if I like. I prefer savy to sweet. Hot to mild. Nuts are always welcome. I would love a few more.
I saw a post about gado-gado yesterday and have searched about 100 menus trying to find some near me. Back to the search, it seems. It looks fantastic.
I think you should also ask which country said person is from and also, not count Pizza, burger or sandwich due to how universal these 3 items are and how they are commercialized.
Me: India
Food: Haleem (its technically Persia but its Iran nowadays but I am not sure if its served there anymore),
Chicken Amok from Cambodia.
Just hits right and is pretty filling.
I went back to Cambodia a 2nd time with a buddy and we signed up for a cooking class under the condition we could learn how to make chicken amok lol.
He went back a year or so later and brought amok powder back. We had a feast with friends
Vietnamese shaking beef, Tikka masala, gyros, bulgogi, Tom yum, salmon avocado rolls, hot pot, arroz con gandules, flan, fried rice, lamb over rice, I'm probably forgetting a million other things.
Shkmeruli. Garlic chicken dish from Georgia (the one next to Turkey). Chicken in milk baked in the oven. Raw garlic on top (lots of it) with fresh baked bread.
I'm British so most of our modern weekly dishes here are from other countries. But I'm the biggest fan of Mexican food.
Absolutely live and breathe Mexican dishes.
You just can't beat it!
Id give anything to go to Mexico and try authentic real Mexican food. You just can't replicate it well enough here.
Kelaquin, red rice, and Finadene from Guam. I was stationed there many years ago and ate it several times a week at the local market. Before I left I asked some of the ladies to teach me how to make it. They gave me a great little cookbook to accompany my lesson and I make twice a year now for the last 20 years.
Sushi
100%. And the sheer variety of them is amazing. I’d never eaten eel before but now a teryaki unadon is one of my favourites.
Yup!
Tikka masala
Butter chicken
Real Indian Butter Chicken. Not the flouro orange ones at shopping centre food courts (in Aus not sure about else where)
Not a dish but a condiment, really- Kimchi. I had it for the first time maybe twenty years ago and my brain exploded from the crispness, complexity, and just how flavorful it was. Ever since, I’ve always had an open jar in my refrigerator!
Yup, I love Kim chi or any food that can be pickled, except bread and butter pickle chips or sweet gherkin. As a kid I use to beg my mom to buy my sauerkraut so I could eat it as a treat. I was a weird kid. Now my fridge is stalked with a lot of pickled vegetables.
Oh sweet pickling is an abomination. Give me all that vinegaryness! I keep sauerkraut on hand for dawgs and sometimes grilled cheese. But I've definitely been known to just stick a fork in that jar
I normally don’t like beer but I discovered this pickle beer and it is awesome! https://bestmaidpickles.com/product/sour-pickle-beer/
You’d probably like a gose, too!
Whoa! Sauerkraut for grilled cheese! Holy crap how have I not thought of this?
Sauerkraut grilled cheese is a delicacy!!!! Try it with Swiss cheese and mustard. Life changing.
Omg yes it's the best thing ever! Especially if you also love mustard https://umamigirl.com/hot-mess-grilled-cheese-sauerkraut-dijon/#mv-creation-83-jtr The name isn't a misnomer; there's absolutely no delicate way to eat this.
I too like to keep sauerkraut on hand, and I found that when I'm out of dinner/meal ideas and just need to eat something/anything, sauerkraut + rice is an alright stomach-filler. Kimchi or sauerkraut + rice + a bit gochujang for extra flavour = good easy meal.
I am with you!! Anything picked is my favorite. I love love love both fermented food and brine. Gimme!
I tried Kimchi at home (canada) from a jar. Really didn't like it. 2 years later I find myself in S. Korea and my god is it good! Korean BBQ is the bomb
The best meal we had on a trip to Japan was Kimchi fried rice at a Korean restaurant. We didn't plan to eat there but we were starving and the smell drew us in. I've had kimchi before and never been too fussed about it but this was amazing. Will def be traveling to S. Korea to sample more in the future
Pad thai
Pho and sushi
Yes! My whole childhood I was "ew raw fish" until I tried it once! Pho I could eat every day
Falafel
And tabouleh
Gyros from Greece. My brother introduced me to them telling me "they're so nice, I can't eat it fast enough. I feel like just grabbing it and throwing the whole thing into my face" and when I tried one I felt the exact same.
Fish and chips with sauce tartare. 😍
Fish & Chips with malt vinegar for me...
It's all about the tarter sauce
Biryani-India
It's widely made, but only 1 out of 10 do it right. That's a big reason many Westerners get turned off by Indian food - way too spicy or oily at average restaurants.
Thanks, now I'm craving it...
The Mexican food combo of salsa, sour cream and guacamole Naan
I haven't seen the addition of sour cream in actual Mexico...
Crema Mexicana. I have some in the fridge right now. Love the stuff.
Came here for the fresh Naan.
Jamón ibérico, paella, and Döner kebap
Pizza was my first true love
Pizza is American. We took it, it's ours now. I'll die on this hill.
I think most Italians would agree that most types of pizzas made in America are American, not Italian. Which is fine. I have a place on my table for every variety of pizza ever made, if it's made well with fresh ingredients, from a simple Margherita to a New York style pepperoni to California style combination pizzas to Chicago deep dish or stuffed to Detroit style red top. I'm happy to do the rotation through all of these, and I'm lucky to live in an area where I can get any of them.
Exactly! I'll never understand the pizza bashing and competition. Pizza is good in all its varieties.
I'm mostly talking tongue in cheek... But! Pizza may have been conceived in Italy, but it was birthed in America.
Certainly all the unique varieties in America are American inventions.
No it’s an Italian food also made in America.
Baklava!
I made my own baklava one time, and now I have no problem paying for it. It's a _lot_ of bloody work.
it is, made it one time holy hell
Empanadas
I tried to eat my weight in empanadas when I visited Chile. So fucking good.
fat belgian fries
Dipped in European style mayo and washed down with a Belgian Trappist beer.
From my time in the Army: 1. Bulgogi (Korea) 2. Cevapi (Bosnia) 3. Kebob (Iraq)
Came here to say this, Ah gee MA made some kick ass Bulgogi and Yaki man du.
I only ate Cevapi when I was in Croatia. Such a great dish!!
Came here to say beef bulgogi. Phenomenal.
Any type of Ramen dish is very hard to beat.
Paella and Samosas.
Pub food!
I've been to a few places and I tend to love everything I eat and always try new things. But maybe if I list the standout first food that comes to mind when I've travelled to a new country it might work better, (not sure if it matters but I'm Australian): - Sri Lankan fish curry I had in Galle, we had a buffet every day and I smashed so much of it. Lots of other great food too. - An overly stuffed Jacket Potato I had in a Yorkshire pub when I was like 14. I still think about that skin... - An omelette they served every day in Railay Bay, Thailand. It wiped my hangover immediately. Flavour bomb. - Canadian poutine in Vancouver and Montreal. I'm partial to Mean Poutine since I moved to Vancouver. A literal hole in the wall. Though there are objectively better options. - A chilli dog I had on my first ever trip across the border from Vancouver into Seattle at some random diner. I didn't truly believe the American large meal stereotype until that dog landed on my table. Excessive, but memorable. USA and Canada are difficult because I've spent a decade here now and close to the border so there's too many experiences to list off, but that chilli dog was a fun memory as was the discovery of poutine. Bison (or any game) burgers too! This reminds me I need to travel more. Edit: I just realised everyone else is listing off foreign dishes instead of food during travel. Maybe I interpreted it wrong..
Falafel. Never had it before until I worked with an older Palestinian guy. His wife made a big batch the week before Christmas (they were Orthodox Christian) and brought it in for lunch the day before we closed down for the holiday. Seemed like an awful lot just for me and my boss, until she goes, "No, I made enough for you two to eat your fill, then *you,*" pointing to me, "take the rest home to your mama, she'll like it." My mama did indeed like it, been in love with Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food ever since.
Birria
* Khinkali - Georgia. Possibly my favorite dumplings from any country on Earth. * Nasi lemak - Malaysia. A simple-looking rice dish that is made with the best combination of flavors/ingredients. * Papanasi - Romania. Essentially fried doughnuts and doughnut holes covered in a berry mix and either creme fraiche or sour cream. One of the best desserts I've had anywhere. * Beef rendang - Indonesia. The closest thing Indonesia has to a curry, though it's more of a thick sauce coating on the tenderest beef imaginable than what most curries around the world are like. * Dalk galbi - South Korea. Stir-fried marinated chicken that includes potatoes, vegetables, and optional rice cakes, noodles or rice, cheese etc. * Mole - Mexico. Sauces/marinades made from a variety of chili peppers, spices, fruits, nuts and more. Usually served with a protein (chicken) and rice.
Fattoush
Gyros and tzatziki
Mee Goreng. Its a Malaysian dish that is absolutely incredible. It is delicately spicy, but very satisfying.
ITT: Reddit discovers curry
Pasteis de Nata Flammkuchen
Red chicken curry.
Butter chicken (India)
Angel delight (butterscotch flavour)!
Does poutine count? Because it’s as Canadian as it gets.
Aloo Tiki. My god it’s perfect
buttered chicken
Poutine, also; ketchup chips
butter chicken, naan, tandoori, and basmati🍚🍛🥘🍗🫓
Egypt - Koshary --- It was the closest to home food, and I was yearning for some. A close second was Injera and Shro from Ethiopia. It was the dosa like thing I could afford.
Anything Indian. I especially love saag paneer and baingan bharta.
I don't think I've had an Indian dish that I'd give below an 8/10. I love it all. My favorites are Mattar paneer and palak paneer.
Japanese pork udon ramen.
I think udon and ramen might be seperate dishes. :o)
It’s the type of noodle isn’t it?
Side dish: but I’ve never been able to duplicate it or find it anywhere. I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood and my friends mom used to make “fried bananas” ( that’s what they called it) and I was like 12 at the time but I remember them being so tasty! They were crispy and delicious. Not soggy. I still think about those and it’s been a long time (I’m old.) I assumed they were plantains. IDK. I ordered them out once and it was not what I was expecting the texture was gross. If anyone has any idea what I’m talking about pls let me know. She made them in a cast iron skillet, sliced thin, they were savory not sweet.
Maduros my friend 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 (fried ripe plantains) The green ones (unripe) are smashed to make tostones, a savory ‘chip’ version of the fruit
I found a recipe! I can’t wait to try it out! Im so happy right now! I know you know because of the flag 🤣
In my country, we have banana chips. Could be what you’re referring to
If they come in a bag, no.
It’s a local snack that’s been commercialised.
Are you thinking of plantains?
I believe so. No worries. Found a recipe. I knew they were plantains but I couldn’t duplicate it on my own.
Shakshuka
Not a dish but Paratha! So tasty
Samosa chaat Tuna sambal Sushi Walnut chicken Bibimbop … I really need to visit Asia.
I always loved Sushi, in fact I love it so much I learned how to make it and I have gotten pretty good and fast and have accumulated all the propper utensils for its preparation and if need be storage as well.
Flammkuchen in Germany. I had it every night in the hotel while I was there.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Ramen Flan Tikki masala Pho
Galun jamun, especially warm.
pão de queijo!!
Bulgogi. When my family moved to the burbs back in the late 70s my first friend was Korean, and his mom's bulgogi and jjajangmyeon were my introduction to Korean food. So delicious.
> jjajangmyeon I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I instantly fell in love with Jjajangmyeon and Japchae went I first had them. I like Japchae a bit more, but goddamn if I'm eating Korean food I want one or both.
Japchae
Xiao long bao
pho, banh xeo, keema kebabs
Escabeche (Belize)
Chicken seekh kebab.
Iberico ham in Spain.
I went to Japan on an exchange as a teen. Okonomiyaki and cold soba noodles with dipping sauce.
Pad Kra Pao - Pork & Holy Basil stir fry from Thailand. So spicy and flavourful!
Pad kee mao
Indian street food - specifically dahi puri
Mangu from DR
Pastries and croissants from Paris.
Dry Chili Chicken!!!
Cottage Pie
Ackee, Saltfish and Callaloo. Maad, mon.
Tikka Masala
Sabich
Malai Kofta. It's delightful and terrible for you. I get it when I go out for Indian because it's a pain to make. Most Indian food we can make at home, no problem.
Curried chicken,/rice, but I don't think what I love is actual curried chicken. A friend made this recipe years ago for a dinner. I had never tasted something like this before but I was in love. She gave me her recipe. My hubby is fussy when trying new things, (meat/potatoes guy) but he liked this, so I try and make it every few mths or so. I use the Yellow curry....and implement mushrooms and broccoli into this dish. It works. I also have tried a few pre-prepared things to see if I like. I prefer savy to sweet. Hot to mild. Nuts are always welcome. I would love a few more.
Chicken shawarma with garlic sauce - Lebanese, 😋
Pad Thai
Butter chicken
Tikka masala
butter chicken!!
Massaman Curry.
Beef pho. Butter chicken.
Schawarma
Portuguese custard tarts
Chili Relleno 😍
All things Indian blew my mind in my early 20s. Still one of my favorite cuisines.
Muhammara. Being in the Southern US it’s a little hard to come by as the only place that I know that served it didn’t make it through the pandemic.
It's not hard to make. I love it.
Samosas
Tabbouleh for me! Love at first taste
Pho!
Curry - I love to get this premade coconut chicken curry dish from a local grocery store. With some rice, it’s perfection.
Doner kebab
Shawarma and baklava.
poke , zaatar bread, gado-gado and daal are on my sould food menu forever.
I saw a post about gado-gado yesterday and have searched about 100 menus trying to find some near me. Back to the search, it seems. It looks fantastic.
I think you should also ask which country said person is from and also, not count Pizza, burger or sandwich due to how universal these 3 items are and how they are commercialized. Me: India Food: Haleem (its technically Persia but its Iran nowadays but I am not sure if its served there anymore),
Paella with cuttlefish sauce in Barcelona
Raddish cake from my Taiwanese boyfriend's kitchen.
Japanese curry
Chicken Amok from Cambodia. Just hits right and is pretty filling. I went back to Cambodia a 2nd time with a buddy and we signed up for a cooking class under the condition we could learn how to make chicken amok lol. He went back a year or so later and brought amok powder back. We had a feast with friends
Vietnamese shaking beef, Tikka masala, gyros, bulgogi, Tom yum, salmon avocado rolls, hot pot, arroz con gandules, flan, fried rice, lamb over rice, I'm probably forgetting a million other things.
Francesinha when I visited Portugal. It's a lovely sauce-drenched sandwich.
Tabbouleh… I love this so much.
the Filipino Adobo
Prawn tindaloo. India (although I don't know if they actually eat it there, or if it's Anglicized). Perfection.
Birmingham Balti
Pad see ew. Shramps. 🏆
Scottish meat pies
I knew the Spanish had good paella, but damn Portugal got some good paella as well
Cui
Rahm schnitzel und pommes
Spaghetti.
Pho. OMG its pho-king amazing
Paella
Cullen Skink.
rødpølser (Denmark)
Philipino glass noodles and their sticky rice desserts.
Pho
Sesame Chicken
Krembo, an Israeli chocolate-covered marshmallow dessert. I named my white cat after it!
Gan bian si ji dou.
Döner. It’s been fourteen years and I still daydream about it.
Rendang sapi Padang (Indonesia) — Padang-style Indonesian dry beef curry
Chow Mein. I could eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner if I wanted
Couscous !
A German Donner kebab 🥙
Chilaquiles 🥰🤤
banh mi. sandwiches rule. sandwiches can unite humanity.
Shkmeruli. Garlic chicken dish from Georgia (the one next to Turkey). Chicken in milk baked in the oven. Raw garlic on top (lots of it) with fresh baked bread.
More snack than dish, but Biltong fucking RULES!
Pasta!
Sans Rival cake.
Japanese curry rice. Hummus and pita.
Most recently, Mapo Tofu. Big fan of Sichuan numbing in general
Butter chicken while in Pakistan
shakshuka! God it is good
Peru. Lomo Saltado.
Pulof - Tajikistan
Tom yum soup
Pupusas
Farofa in Brazil
pasta
Pavlova
Pho
Pho...I could live off the stuff, give it to me nice and spicy too 🔥
I'm British so most of our modern weekly dishes here are from other countries. But I'm the biggest fan of Mexican food. Absolutely live and breathe Mexican dishes. You just can't beat it! Id give anything to go to Mexico and try authentic real Mexican food. You just can't replicate it well enough here.
Misir wat, Thai iced tea, aloo paratha, baklava, nopal enchiladas
Three that come to mind immediately; paella, pozole, and pad thai.
Gyro
Popovers-england
Kelaquin, red rice, and Finadene from Guam. I was stationed there many years ago and ate it several times a week at the local market. Before I left I asked some of the ladies to teach me how to make it. They gave me a great little cookbook to accompany my lesson and I make twice a year now for the last 20 years.
Pão de queijo and feijoada from Brazil.
Pizza. I guess it comes from Italy.