When you’re hungry, turning to your usual meal staples is easy. But sometimes, you want to change things up, try different foods, and surprise your palette with exciting new flavors. Fortunately, we live in a world with many diverse cultures and culinary experiences, so you have plenty of incredible dishes to choose from.
Here are some mouthwatering dishes from around the world. A few might be familiar favorites, but others may surprise you.
1. Japan: Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki
A pancake with cabbage, soba noodles, fried egg, pork belly, green onion, mayonnaise, and thick, sweet Okonomiyaki sauce may sound unusual, but in Japan, it’s a dish constructed to share all the good things with loved ones while wasting nothing. This rich and hearty dish is slowly becoming more popular in the U.S. Once you try it, you will understand why.
2. Thailand: Massaman Curry
CNN called this dish “the king of curries.” Though it may sound like hyperbole, a taste of this uniquely Thai dish might also convince you to give it the crown. It’s spicy and hearty, yet sweet and creamy, and the special combination of coconut, tamarind, fish sauce, peanuts, and red chili curry paste comes together beautifully to make this dish delicious.
3. Vietnam: Bánh Xèo
While other parts of the world have their own crepe and pancake dishes, the Vietnamese version might take the cake. Here, rice flour is traditionally used to make the pancakes, and they’re often filled with mung bean sprouts, green onion, pork, shrimp, and green and/or yellow onions. Served with a spicy and sweet fish sauce, more and more people are enjoying them worldwide.
4. Mexico: Tacos
Though it’s unclear how tacos got their start, they are now beloved around the world for their versatility, portability, and inherent ability to house all kinds of incredible flavors. In Mexico, corn tortillas are freshly handmade and cooked, then topped with everything from mole-soaked or barbecued meats, lightly breaded fish, grilled shrimp, veggies, and cheese.
5. Germany: Käsespätzle
Before Americans became obsessed with mac and cheese, Germans had long been enjoying their own special dish made with spätzle (or egg noodles) that are common throughout Central Europe. Onions are then chopped and cooked until caramelized, and the spätzle and onions are baked in the oven with gobs of Emmenthaler and other Swiss-style cheeses.
6. Egypt: Hummus
Throughout the Middle East, hummus is life. Made at home, enjoyed on busy streets, and served in restaurants, this classic spread is compatible with everything from grilled vegetables to shawarma meats. Hummus is made with chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and a sesame paste called tahini. In the Levant, hummus is usually finished with a drizzle of olive oil, some pine nuts, and whole cooked chickpeas.
7. Mexico: Mole
In Mexico, both the states of Oaxaca and Puebla claim to be mole’s birthplace. Wherever it began, mole is the sauce that completes many incredible Mexican recipes, including chile colorado and mole poblano with chicken.
It starts with chili peppers—such as ancho, pasilla, mulato, and chipotle—and is combined with a variety of additional ingredients, such as dried fruit, tomatillo, herbs like hoja santa, achiote, clove, and chocolate. The final product is meant to be smoky, spicy, a bit sour, ever-so-slightly sweet, and savory all around.
8. Spain: Tumbet
Originating from the Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca, tumbet is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish. It starts with slicing potatoes, peppers, onions, and eggplant, then frying the veggies in olive oil and garlic. They’re then assembled into a lasagna-esque formation with tomato sauce and finished in the oven. If you’re not dining vegan, top it with cheese or fried eggs.
9. Portugal: Pastéis de Nata
Pastéis de Nata (also known as pastel de neis or pastel de Belém) consists of a flaky puff pastry crust filled with a custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and cinnamon. It was first made in a monastery more than 300 years ago as a way to use leftover egg yolks, as egg whites were used for starching clothes. Yet, even when Portuguese people no longer needed egg whites to do laundry, they just couldn’t stop making this uniquely tasty dessert.
10. Japan: Sushi
Perhaps Japan’s most famous culinary export, sushi might look fairly simple, but it’s intricate and complex in the tastiest way. Starting with rice that’s hand-pressed and prepared with vinegar, then filled with a variety of vegetables, meat, or seafood, the ingredients are then rolled up into a short cylinder shape. Over the years, seafood sushi has become particularly popular and has since become the type of sushi most commonly made and eaten worldwide.
11. China: Jianbing
China’s version of a crepe is an especially popular breakfast street food. But don’t mistake it for fast food—jianbing must always be cooked fresh, which leads to long lines. The eggy pancakes are made thin, seasoned with fresh herbs, and then filled with various meats and veggies. Once you taste it, you’ll realize why it’s worth the long wait.
12. The Netherlands: Stroopwafel
Perhaps you’ve seen these curious sweets for sale at Trader Joe’s or tried the miniature cookie version while on a United Airlines flight. The original Dutch version consists of a round waffle that’s stuffed with caramel and pairs well with hot coffee or tea, which is likely why the cookie version is such a hit on long-haul flights.
13. Poland: Zapiekanka
This Polish dish loads up on bread and cheese, so it may only be a matter of time before it takes North America by storm. Sauté white mushrooms, add the fried mushrooms to a baguette, and top with shredded mild cheese. Then, toast the baguette until the cheese is totally melted and the baguette is hot and crispy. Once finished, lightly drizzle with ketchup.
14. Colombia/Venezuela: Arepas
These corn dough patties are happily enjoyed throughout northern South America. Once you try them, you’ll understand why. They can be baked, boiled, fried, grilled, or steamed, and they are filled with everything from cheese (such as Venezuelan white cheese) and papelón (or sugarloaf) to egg and yuca.
15. Singapore: Chili Crab
Take hard-shell crabs and cook them in a tomato-chili sauce, and you’ll soon have Singapore chili crab. The late, great chef Anthony Bourdain enjoyed the white pepper crab version that’s currently offered at the restaurant J.B. Ah Meng. Other variations feature egg yolk, black pepper, and cheese, but you can never go wrong with the original version and its classic sweet-and-spicy red sauce.
16. Italy: Pizza Napoletana
Though the tradition of cooking flatbreads with toppings dates back to the ancient world, the introduction of pizza napoletana in the 19th century took pizza to the next level. This version calls for wheat flour dough, crushed peeled tomatoes, bufala campana or fior di latte mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Get ready for the ultimate zesty treat once it’s out of the oven.
17. Lebanon: Shish Barak
While there are many great dumpling dishes to choose from, we felt compelled to highlight this Lebanese version, which is also called Joshpara or Chuchvara. These dumplings are filled with toasted pine nuts and minced meat, typically beef or lamb, as traditional Islamic dietary traditions forbid pork. In Lebanon, they’re cooked in yogurt and served hot in the yogurt sauce.
18. Nepal: Dal-Bhat-Tarkari
This Nepalese vegetable curry may seem simple, but it invites creativity and versatility. Start by making a lentil soup, then add cooked/softened Basmati rice, and finally, add a curry made with potatoes, cauliflower, and a wide array of spices. It’s perfect for heating up on a cold winter day, but there’s really no bad time to enjoy this heartwarming dish.
19. Vietnam: Gỏi Cuốn
You’ll find plenty of egg and spring rolls throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia. But in Vietnam, it’s all about a thin sheet of rice paper that’s stuffed with pork, shrimp, herbs, and rice vermicelli, then rolled and served with a sweet sauce made with ground peanuts. As the name suggests, this really can make for a perfect snack or light meal on a hot, sticky summer day.
20. Spain: Seafood Paella
This iconic dish may now be eaten all around the world, but it’s still a beloved staple in its home country of Spain. It’s also a very delicately prepared dish, as you need to ensure a proper, slightly burnt rice crust on the bottom, tenderly cooked seafood (such as squid, mussels, shrimp, and clams) on top, and noticeable flavors from garlic, onion, and red bell peppers throughout. It can be a lot to prepare, but if you get it all right, you won’t regret it.
21. The Philippines: Lechón
You can easily find this classic dish throughout the Philippines, and it’s especially a favorite for holidays and other special occasions. This may be because good lechón takes time. You need time to raise a young pig, slaughter it, and slow-roast it over charcoal for several hours. This may seem particularly arduous, but it ultimately makes for a roasted pig featuring incredibly tender meat and remarkably crispy skin.
22. India: Masala Dosa
This may not be India’s most famous dish, but it is one of the tastiest. Basically, a dosa is a crepe made with fermented rice and lentil batter. Masala dosa is filled with a hearty and spicy potato curry. It’s a favorite for breakfast in South India, and once you try it, you will understand why.
23. Argentina: Empanadas
While empanadas are common throughout most Spanish-speaking countries, we have to note the Argentinian versions, as each region of Argentina has its own signature pastry turnover. Two great examples are Salteñas from Salta, which are small baked empanadas with potatoes, peppers, and ground chili and Mendoza empanadas, which are large and filled with olives and garlic.
24. Sweden: Meatballs With Lingonberry Jam
Yes, many Americans have a special relationship with those famous IKEA meatballs, but the vast majority of Swedes don’t get their meatballs from DIY furniture stores. Rather, they use fresh lingonberries (which tend to be slightly sweeter than cranberries) to make a jam or sauce, then pair the lingonberry jam with meatballs made with minced beef, ground pork, brown breadcrumbs, finely diced onions, and allspice.