10 Dishes From Around the World That You Need to Try

by Nomad Yoga

One of the biggest perks of traveling the world and experiencing new cultures is the ability to try new things, namely new cuisines. Foodies travel far and wide across the globe to find some of the world’s best food internationally. 

From fried tarantulas in Cambodia to cheesy wood fired pizza in Italy to chili-covered grasshoppers in Mexico to spicy curries in Morocco, local foods can be both delicious and unusual.

Traveling to Morocco? Here are 5 Essential Tips to Survive the Souks of Marrakech

Of course, food is always subject to the taster’s preferences, but below is a brief list of some of the world’s best foods.

Here Are 10 of the World’s Best Foods From All Corners of the Globe: 

These are just some of the most exquisite foods from around the world and their countries of origin.

You should definitely taste all of these at your first opportunity—your taste buds will definitely thank you.

1. Tabbouleh From Lebanon

Close up of a Lebanese tabbouleh salad with bulgar wheat, tomatoes, and parsely

Lebanese cuisine is the perfect blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. This delectable cuisine is worth the travel to taste directly from the source as Lebanese produce has the freshest and most succulent tastes. 

There are so many wonderful dishes that originate from this side of the world, but the classic and simple national dish of Lebanon is one definitely worth trying. 

Tabbouleh is a vegetarian salad made from parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and bulgur wheat. This simple blend can be spiced up in many different ways adding exotic and exciting flavors or kept simple using the freshest ingredients. 

Dig into this simple yet delicious dish and wash it down with a splash of arak, Lebanon’s national anise-flavored drink. 

2. Paella From Spain

Spanish paella from above with yellow rice, green peas, and clams in a black bowl

As a country with a massive coastline, it’s no surprise that Spain creates some of the most delicious seafood dishes. 

The most traditional rice dish derived from Valencia, Spanish paella is a must-try. Pan-seared rice loaded with fresh vegetables and your choice of seafood or meats is cooked to perfection with spices and herbs to make this succulent food melt like butter in your mouth. 

Paella definitely deserves its place on the list of the world’s best food.

3. Tom Yum From Thailand

Thai tom yum soup with a redish broth, shrimp, mushrooms, Thai basil, and parsley

Thai cuisine is a mixture of exotic and flavorful spices and aromas flawlessly mixed to create fiery and delectable tastes. 

Likely the best-known soup of Thailand, tom yum (or spicy shrimp soup) mixes aromatic and flavorful spices and herbs to create a bold and unique spicy-sour flavor. 

Blending lemongrass, lime leaves, shallots, chili, fish sauce, lime juice, mushrooms, and, of course, shrimp, this dish is the ultimate in Thai cuisine. This soup can be enjoyed as a stand-alone snack or used as the precursor to a total meal. 

4. Chicken Tikka Masala From India

Indian chicken tikka masala with naan in a plate

India is an enormous country filled with many subcultures and varying cuisines. If you travel from north to south or east to west in the country, you'll encounter many different styles of food using different staple ingredients. 

And when it comes to the world’s best food, India has it all—from mouth-watering chutneys to rich curries.

A classic North Indian dish, chicken tikka masala is made from chunks of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then mixed with a thick and creamy gravy sauce to create a smoky, spicy flavor. 

Classic Indian spices illuminate this delicious dish from a diverse cuisine.

5. Confit de Canard From France 

Bowl filled with French duck confit with potatoes and kale and a fork resting over the bowl

A classic and exquisite meal, confit de canard (or duck confit) is the ultimate in French cuisine. 

In this dish, considered one of the finest in all French cuisine, all the elements of the duck are used to create the recipe. The meat is carefully spiced and cured (a process which can take up to 36 hours) and then cooked in its own fat to produce the most flavorful and juicy bites. 

Typically grilled or fried and then served over a salad or with a side of roasted potatoes, this classic and highly specialized French dish is alone worth the visit to France. 

6. Moussaka From Greece 

Greek moussaka with french fires and greens

As the quintessential layered Greek meal, moussaka is a must-try. 

Moussaka is a lasagna-style dish traditionally based with sautéed eggplant or potatoes and then layered with minced meat and vegetables and topped with a béchamel sauce to be baked to golden brown perfection.

This flavor-filled dish is a staple in Greek cooking, utilizing many of the classic flavors of this super popular cuisine.

7. Sushi From Japan

Japanese salmon sushi and a tuna avocado roll on a slate with soy sauce and chopsticks

With the meticulous attention to detail inherent in Japanese culture, it is no wonder that the attention to detail in their food is exactly as precise. 

The art of making sushi is considered a highly respectable profession in Japan and sushi chefs, or itamae, undergo extensive and long trainings to be able to take great pride in their work. The result is some of the most delectable and beautifully presented raw fish, seaweed, and rice. 

The perfectly selected and filleted fish is fixated atop carefully vinegar-marinated sushi rice and can be served with dried seaweed or a mixture of vegetables, fruit, or eggs.

The sushi in Japan is unlike that found anywhere else in the world and is worth the trip for this unparalleled delicacy.

Dreaming of a trip to Japan? It's one of the 8 Most Exotic Places to Travel Around the World

8. Chiles en Nogada From Mexico

Mexican chiles en nogada on a plate with colorful green cilantro, red pomegranate seeds, and white sauce

One of the most patriotic dishes from Mexico, chiles en nogada is a colorful blend of flavors that aesthetically creates the three colors of the Mexican flag: green, white, and red. 

Green poblano chilies are filled with a mixture of chopped meats, fruit, and spices (called picadillo) and topped with a creamy white sauce based from walnuts (called nogada). 

The dish is finally topped with pomegranate seeds to add the final color of red to incorporate all of the colors of the flag into this delicious meal, which is undoubtedly one of the world’s best foods.

9. Peking Duck From China

Chinese peking duck on a play on a table with rice paper wraps and cucumber slices and plum saucee

Hailing from the old Peking—now modern-day Beijing, the capital of China—peking duck is a classic in Chinese cuisine and one of the national dishes of China. 

Dating back to the Imperial area, this crispy and flaky duck dish is prepared using only specially bred ducks that are seasoned and roasted to perfection in a hung oven. 

Typically served with pancakes, garlic, scallions, cucumbers, and sweet bean sauce, this classic dish is world-famous for the delectable, crispy duck skin roast.  

10. Pizza From Italy

True Italian-style pizza with bubbly crust, lots of melted mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves

Ranked as the number one cuisine in the world, Italian food is a favorite internationally. With so many wonderful dishes originating from this country, it is almost impossible to pick just one. 

Pizza, however, is capable of encompassing a magnitude of flavors, as you’re able to choose a multitude of toppings and sauces to find the perfect expression for your taste buds. 

Most have certainly tried cheesy, delicious wood-fired pizza, but the pizza of Italy is unlike that found anywhere else in the world.

With the freshest ingredients, the oldest family recipes, and the ultimate loving care put into making these masterpieces, Italy is definitely a place to travel for some of the world’s best food.

Travel the Globe to Taste Some of the World’s Best Food

One of the most exciting parts of travel is the exposure to so many new things. Diving into cultural aspects of the places you visit is rewarding, educational, and outright fun.  

Most cultures around the world treasure their cuisines and foods highly, so exploring new places with your taste buds is half of the excitement. Whether you’ll try anything at all or you’re a picky eater, there are absolutely foods around the world that you will love.

So pack your bags and hit the open road to taste some of the world’s best food on your adventures!

Travel adventures aren't just limited to your taste buds though! Here are 5 of the Most Adventurous Places to Travel Around the World

Taste Some of the World's Best Food on Your Travels With Nomad Yoga

Aerial view of a white sand beach with turquoise waters surrounded by cliffs covered with green plants

Join Nomad Yoga for a transformative journey into the world of yoga, travel, and food! Our Yoga Alliance accredited 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings are designed to move you deeper into your personal practice while simultaneously preparing you to offer your teachings to the world. Our life-changing Yoga Retreats to exotic destinations are nothing short of magical.

Practice overlooking iconic, beautiful views, nourish yourself through travel, and taste all the flavors of a new culture. Bring your yoga practice to beautiful destinations around the world and watch the magic that unfolds.

Join Leah's Mailing List and Get a FREE Master Crow Pose eBook