The world revolves around food. Be it as a means of survival or for the sheer beauty of flavour, everyone enjoys the immensity of what a dish can offer. From the spiciest of food to raw culinary delights, every culture purveys something different. Here we look at some of the most popular cuisines from around the world which can’t be ignored:
Chinese: Chinese cuisine is divided into eight sections, which are basically the eight main regions of china, where they were invented. However, because of its universal appeal, all the variations have spread throughout the globe. Almost a third of the entire population of the world consumes Chinese food every day. The cuisine is one of the easiest to create, one of the healthiest, economical and tastiest. Most of the food is prepared in small portions and eaten with hand or chop sticks, as knives and forks are considered as weapons in their culture. Rice is the staple in this cuisine; hence every other preparation is enjoyed with the combination of rice. Traditional Chinese cooking is time consuming and it is humorously said Chinese women spent half of their lifetime in the kitchen!
But the Chinese don’t just cook and sell anything, they also make it taste great.
You have got to try:
Sweet and sour pork: A guilty pleasure that has taken on different forms.
Dim sum: A grand tradition from Hong Kong to New York. The best ones are delicate pieces of dough wrapped around minced meat, chicken or fish.
Ma Po Tofu: From the Sichuan province, this traditional Chinese dish has veggie-friendly tofu with a heaping pile of crumbly pork in a red sea of chilly oil and vegetable broth.
Char Siu Bao (Pork Buns): A Cantonese street snack, these steamed, paper-white puffs of yeast-risen bread encase a glistening center of sugary barbecue pork chunks.
Congee: The chicken noodle soup is akin to rice porridge. The grains are cooked in water until they break down, forming the best kind of creamy mush.
Indian: It is one of the most complicated and diverse cuisines of the world. Its preparation is also one of the most complicated, but sadly, only a small percentage of it is known to the rest of the world. It is perhaps the only country with the most number of vegetarians. There is also a large of this food preparations which includes non-vegetarian delicacies. Considered to be one of the spiciest cuisines, it is appreciated gradually. Traditionally Indian food is eaten by hands.
The regional varieties are vast. There’s Goa’s seafood, there’s the wazwan of Kashmir and there’s the coco-nutty richness of Kerala.
You have got to try:
Dal: India has managed to make boiled lentils exciting.
Dosa: a pancake filled with anything from cheese to spicy vegetables, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Biryani: An aromatic rice dish cooked with several spices, notably saffron, and a protein (typically chicken or mutton) that’s been marinated.
Kati Roll: A traditional street food popular across India (and abroad). A wrap of kebabs, eggs, vegetables, and spices rolled into paratha (a type of flat bread).
Chole Bhature: A spiced, curried chickpea dish served with a fried flour bread.
French: During the early middle age, proper meals or delectable cuisine was brought in the French Revolution. Since then, French cuisine has been as popular as French cinema, French theatre or French fine arts. The main components of French food are Cheese, pastries and wine. One can see the reflections of ancient French culture in the restaurants of today. There are around 4,000 restaurants in Paris alone, which is also the most visited place in the world.
Cassoulet, pot au feu, steak frites are revelatory when had in the right bistro.
You have got to try:
Gaufres: An ultimate street food in France, and can be liked to a Belgian waffle.
Foie gras: This French food is made of duck or goose liver, and is a true French delicacy.
Escargot: The idea of eating snails may be a bit off putting, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. They are typically prepared with butter and garlic, which makes them absolutely delicious.
Bouillabaisse: This is a hearty fish stew that you add components to after it’s been brought to your table.
Fromage: Fromage is french for cheese, and France has hundreds of varieties of it. From those that have been aged to those that are about as fresh as it gets.
Italian: Italian cuisine is said to be the oldest cuisine in the world. It has been traced back to 4th century BC. Since then it has been reinventing into finer form. The main components in this cuisine are flour, olive oil, potatoes, tomatoes and maize. An Italian meal is prepared and put in four courses. They are:- antipasto (the appetizer), primo (pasta or rice dish), secondo (meat course) and dolce (dessert). Italy is well-known for the most varieties of cheese and sausages.
You have got to try:
Ragu alla bolognese (spaghetti bolognaise): the world’s go-to “can’t decide what to have” food.
Pizza: mindbogglingly simple yet satisfying dish. Real Italian Pizzas are fresh and delicious.
Gelato: The texture is softer than ice cream and made with different ingredients. Whether you like fruit, nutella, nuts, or biscuits, you’ll find a gelato in almost every flavour.
Risotto: A popular rice dish, seafood and mushroom risotto is a Venetian specialty. Look out for seasonal dishes such as spring or summer risotto.
Prosciutto: If you love thin slices of meat, prosciutto is an Italian favorite. It is either tossed in pasta or wrapped around cheese or melon.
Japanese: This cuisine is one of the most unique. Japanese are known for preparing the healthiest food and they have always believed in the science of food preparation, rather than the taste. The taste however, hasn’t been compromised and thus it is being appreciated universally now. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful to look at and has portions for all kind of eaters. White rice, fresh fish and soybeans are the main components in any Japanese dish. In a worldwide survey, Tokyo was ranked as the most delicious city, with 150 restaurants with excellent food, as compared to Paris or London.
You have got to try:
Miso soup: showcases some of the fundamental flavours of Japanese food, simple and wholesome.
Sushi and sashimi: who knew that raw fish on rice could become so popular?
Tempura: the perfection of deep-frying. Never greasy, the batter is thin and light like a crisp tissue.
Takoyaki: dumpling/fritter-like little balls stuffed with octopus, battered in flour and cooked on a griddle/ hot plate of sorts.Â
Okonomiyaki: this is type of savoury Japanese pancake with delicious fillings of either pork belly or seafood (octopus, squid, & shrimp usually), veggies and cheese.
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Mexican: Mexican cuisine is known for its varied flavours, colorful decoration, and spices and ingredients, many of which are native to the country. The food is a result of the Spanish conquistadores interaction with the Aztec culture. The French also had their part in the story, adding baked goods, such as sweet breads and the bolillo (meaning French bread).
Amongst the enchiladas and the tacos and the helados and the quesadillas you’ll find the zestiness of Greek salads and the richness of an Indian curry; the heat of Thai food and the use-your-hands snackiness of tapas.
You have got to try:
Mole: ancient sauce made of chili peppers, spices, chocolate and magic incantations.
Tacos al pastor: the spit-roast pork taco, a blend of the pre- and post-Colombian.
Tamales: An ancient Mayan food of masa cooked in a leaf wrapping.
Chilaquiles: They come sizzling, the green or red sauce bubbling in a clay pot, the white cheese popping with freshness.
Fruta con Chile: Found in every street corner, this is simply mango, sprinkled with chili powder, sauce, and doused in lime.
British: British Food has distinct flavours attributed to real English ingredients but it has largely sourced its ingredients from North America, China, and India. Traditional meals have ancient origins, such as bread and cheese, roasted and stewed meats, meat and game pies, boiled vegetables and broths, and freshwater and saltwater fish. British cuisine has been described as “unfussy dishes made with quality local ingredients, matched with simple sauces to accentuate flavour, rather than disguise it.
You have got to try:
Bangers and mash: Also known as sausages and mash, it’s a traditional British dish made of mashed potatoes and sausages, served with onion gravy, fried onions, baked beans and peas.
Full English: A full breakfast/English usually consisting of bacon, sausages, eggs, white and black pudding, mushrooms, hash brown, toast and tomato. You will not need lunch after this brekkie.
Fish n Chips: Battered fish, commonly Atlantic Cod or Haddock, and deep-fried chips with mushy peas. It is a common take-away food and must not be missed!
Shepherd’s pie: A meat pie with a crust of mashed potato so creamy and irresistible.
Sunday Roast: Every British home has this dish served on Sunday afternoons. It consists of roasted meat, roast potato, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables and gravy.
Continental or European Cuisine: It’s a generalised term collectively referring to the cuisines of Europe and other Western countries. From Russia to non-indigenous cuisines of Australasia, Latin America, North America and Oceania. The cuisine has probably come to terms with a blend of all these international cuisines together and all with a touch of French Class. Continental cuisine, in short can be categorised as cuisine involving bakes, grills, stews, barbeques, where a lot of fresh herbs are used for flavouring, and the chilly factor is minimal.
You have got to try:
Garlic Mushrooms: Finally something for the vegetarians this dish is made of mushrooms cooked with garlic, white wine, pine nuts and then baked. Yum!
Steak and Kidney Pie: A typical British dish, it’s a popular continental dish. A savoury pie filled principally with a mixture of diced beef, diced kidney and fried onions.
Lobster continental: Lobster is one of the main seafood items in Continental food. Eaten with rice, its flavours seep in, invigorating your taste buds.
Tostado: Tostado is a Spanish word meaning “toasted”. It’s usually made with a fried corn tortilla, topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and other toppings.
Eggplant Parmesan: This baked dish has everything you would want in a spaghetti dish. Meat, vegetables and lots of cheese.