You’ll Want To Travel The Globe For A Taste Of These Foods

Virginia Woolf once said, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." She was right. Food is more than just nourishment, it's the glue that holds society together. No matter which country you find yourself in, food is the common thread that joins communities.

We've scoured the globe to find the best dishes available, so you may want to pack your bags and finally take that big trip. From fragrant curries to staples of American cuisine, you won't be able to make it through this without salivating. Bon Appetit!

Pho (Vietnam)

bowls of pho
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP via Getty Images
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP via Getty Images

Vietnamese pho is a bowl of soupy, flavored goodness that will chase your worries away. The broth-type dish typically contains a plethora of herbs and spices such as chili, pepper, cilantro, cinnamon, and star anise. These are mixed with stock, beef, bean sprouts, and noodles to create a surprisingly versatile dish.

The recipe has been around for centuries and can be found in any restaurant or bustling street market. It's inexpensive to make and to buy, and if it tickles your taste buds you can even try recreating it at home. It probably won't be quite the same, though.

ADVERTISEMENT

Spanakopita (Greece)

ADVERTISEMENT
Spanakopita (Greece)
Deb Lindsey For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Deb Lindsey For The Washington Post via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The Greeks don't get nearly enough credit for their cuisine as their neighbors the Italians do. Spanakopita, aka spinach pie, is one of the most popular savory dishes the Mediterranean country has to offer. It's a staple in the many bakeries you'll find on every corner.

ADVERTISEMENT

Made with feta cheese, thin layers of filo pastry, and onions, it offers up a hearty bite at a surprisingly cheap cost. Plus, it can be eaten hot or cold, making it the perfect takeaway snack. Its origins are difficult to trace, but it's thought that this particular dish is around 400 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

Marzipan (Cafe Niederegger, Lubeck, Germany)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Marzipan Germany
Pinterest/vickiturke
Pinterest/vickiturke
ADVERTISEMENT

If you've got a sweet tooth there's no better place than Cafe Niederegger in Lubeck, Germany. Pastry chef Johann Georg Niederegger founded the enterprise in 1806, helping his marzipan become world-famous. To this day, tourists and locals flock to the sweet cafe to enjoy a taste of their freshly made treats.

ADVERTISEMENT

Their marzipan comes in a plethora of flavors all fit for royalty. Interestingly, marzipan originated in Italy, but this German store is thought to have some of the best in the entire world -- and that's a pretty tough act to follow, isn't it? Wash it down with a slice of their cake, while you're at it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dosa (India)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
dosa
MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images
MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Indian food is one of the most popular foreign cuisines in other countries around the world. There are dozens of incredible dishes to choose from, but our eye falls on the underappreciated dosa. These pancakes are made from lentil and rice batter and often stuffed with different vegetables, herbs and spices.

ADVERTISEMENT

They're popular in almost every town or city, thanks in part to their affordability and ease. A dosa takes mere minutes to make, so it's great if you're looking for a flavorful bite to go. For the real deal, visit one of the many street markets in New Delhi or Mumbai.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reuben Sandwich (United States)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
sandwiches
Denver Post Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon
Denver Post Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon
ADVERTISEMENT

The Reuben sandwich has surpassed mere food level notoriety to become a pop-culture staple in America. While its history is largely disputed (some attribute its creation to Reuben Kulakofsky while others say it was Arnold Reuben), one thing not up for discussion is how good this thing tastes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Different eateries do different versions of the colossal meat-filled snack, including the above pictured Reuben from Salt & Grinder in Denver. Often filled with copious amounts of pastrami, pickles, and sauerkraut, a Reuben ticks all the boxes, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner! New Yorkers are especially fond of this hunk of munch.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crepes (Paris, France)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
crepe chef
Richard Bord/Getty Images
Richard Bord/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Paris is one of the food capitals of the world. Escargot, hot chocolate, French onion soup - this place put them all on the map. One of its unsung heroes is the simple crepe. Street vendors selling the wafer-thin pancakes can be found at almost every tourist hotspot. There are several outside Notre Dame cathedral alone.

ADVERTISEMENT

The best thing about grabbing one of these buttery street snacks is how adaptable they are. Vendors are quick to make them fresh in front of you and offer a variety of sweet or savory options to tantalize your taste buds, including Nutella or cheese.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pizza (Sorbillo, Naples, Italy)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
pizza parlor
Mario Laporta/KONTROLAB /LightRocket via Getty Images
Mario Laporta/KONTROLAB /LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Why travel to Naples to get a slice of pizza when you can pick up the phone and call Dominos? Believe us when we say it's worth the journey. Naples is the birthplace of the cheese-covered dough so if you want to see it done right, you've got to head to Italy.

ADVERTISEMENT

One of the most popular pizzerias is Sorbillo, but be prepared to queue for 1-2 hours. Even the locals frequent, which is a sure sign of quality. These individually made-to-order circles sent from God are the be-all and end-all for pizza fans. You haven't tasted heaven until you've had pizza in Naples.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gyros (Greece)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
children eating gyros
Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you ever find yourself traipsing through Greece with an empty stomach and a couple of spare euros, there's only one place you want to go. Most towns and cities have several gyro stores. Sliced kebab meat paired with a variety of fillings, ranging from fries to bacon, is wrapped in thick pita bread.

ADVERTISEMENT

It's the stuff food comas are made off and definitely isn't for those with a weak constitution, but it tastes delicious. The flavor of the slow-roasted meat alongside the carb-heavy side ingredients makes for a happy, full, and contented traveler. Just make sure you take a nap afterward.

ADVERTISEMENT

Poutine (Quebec, Canada)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bowl of poutine
DAVID BOILY/AFP via Getty Images
DAVID BOILY/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Poutine might sound a little weird to those who haven't encountered it before. After all, fries, gravy, and cheese aren't typically seen on the same plate - unless you're in Canada, of course. The national delicacy first originated in Quebec in the 1950s before becoming a countrywide craze.

ADVERTISEMENT

This is definitely a don't-knock-it-until-you've-tried-it scenario. You can find eateries across the country serving up various forms of the famous dish, from gourmet restaurants to street vendors. You can't go to the Great White North without getting a serving of this filling, yet surprisingly tasty carb overload.

ADVERTISEMENT

Poke (Hawaii)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-609377292
Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Raw fish isn't for everyone, but for the more adventurous foodie, it doesn't get much better than poke. Either served as an appetizer or as a main course, it's one of Hawaii's most popular native dishes. Most of the time chefs use tuna, but octopus, salmon, and other variations often surface across the globe.

ADVERTISEMENT

Depending on where you go, you can find the fish mixed with avocado, cilantro, sriracha, pineapple, cucumber, and more. Some diners may be reluctant to try it at first but they're the ones missing out on this flavor explosion that's stood the test of time quite nicely.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cockles (London, England)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cockles
John Keeble/Getty Images
John Keeble/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Not everything that's tasty always looks appealing to the eye. Cockles are a small type of shellfish that have been popular in London for centuries. The teeny tiny fish are often pickled, giving them a tart taste. While they are available in other countries, parts of London's East End once relied on them as an affordable way to feed the family.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cockles have a delicate flavor so pairing them has to be done carefully so as to not overpower them. Ask a Londoner where to get the best cockles from and they'll likely point you in the direction of Borough Market.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crab Cake Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, United States)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cheesy sandwich
Murrells Inlet/Instagram
Murrells Inlet/Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

We love crab cakes. We love grilled cheese. Put them together and what do you get? This utterly insane sandwich from the good people at Murrells Inlet in South Carolina. This glorious invention is stuffed with mac and cheese -- and crab cakes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Is it a staple food of any nation? Absolutely not. It's a heinous creation that should've never seen the light of day -- but that's what makes it so utterly brilliant. It's two worlds colliding between slices of fluffy white bread. If South Carolina wasn't on your bucket list, it sure is now.

ADVERTISEMENT

French Toast (Hong Kong)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Anthony Bourdain
Dickson Lee/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Dickson Lee/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Don't let the name fool you, Hong Kong's French Toast is nothing like the version found in diners across the United States. This Chinese snack takes two pieces of bread, smothers them in peanut butter or jam and soaks them in egg batter before sticking it in the deep fat fryer and letting the magic happen.

ADVERTISEMENT

The result is an incredibly rich mound of breaded gold, served with lashes of syrup and butter. The late celebrity chef and foodie Anthony Bourdain (pictured) attested to its benefits on one of his shows. That's a stamp of approval if we ever saw one.

ADVERTISEMENT

Irish Stew (Ireland)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Irish stew
Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Irish people may love their Guinness, but they're also partial to some good eating. Irish stew is a simple fare that usually consists of root vegetables and beef in a well-seasoned stock. This recipe goes all the way back to before the Potato Famine.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the throws of poverty, Irish families often had to take what they could get and make a meal out of it for large Catholic broods. When seasoned right, this stew can be fit for a king. Traditionally it's served in winter, but it's great any time of year - especially if you've got a tipple or two to wash it down with!

ADVERTISEMENT

Pie, Mash & Jellied Eels (Manze's, London, England)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
jellied eels
Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images
Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Don't recoil at the very mention of jellied eels. Sure, the thought brings to mind something pretty slimy and unpalatable, but the reality is quite different. Pie and mash has long since been a staple of British cuisine, but Manze's know how to do it better than anyone.

ADVERTISEMENT

Michele Manze established the quaint restaurant in 1902, making it the oldest eatery of its kind in London. Customers can tuck into a plate of pie and mash with a side of jellied eels in gorgeous Victorian surroundings. The richness of the eels coupled with light, fluffy mash potato, and hearty pie isn't to be sniffed at.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pasta Puttanesca (Naples, Italy)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
pasta
Matteo Tempredola/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Matteo Tempredola/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If pizza alone isn't a big enough incentive to go to Naples, then how about pasta puttanesca? This translates roughly to "Tart's Pasta." Anchovies, capers, and olives are all mixed together in a tomato sauce for a tangy, salty treat that will leave you reeling.

ADVERTISEMENT

One Italian food historian named Segan says the dish got its name from the "pungent aroma" rising from the saucepan. Don't let that put you off -- this is a dish not to be missed!

ADVERTISEMENT

Pastel de Nata (Lisbon, Portugal)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Pastel de Nata
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/GettyImages
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/GettyImages
ADVERTISEMENT

Portugal knows how to do a sweet treat justice. Pastel de Natas are extremely popular pastries that can be found all over Lisbon and beyond. Made from egg custard and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, they're typically served in cafes with a piping hot espresso.

ADVERTISEMENT

They're an important feather in the cap of any self-respecting Portuguese chef. On a good day, a cafe can sell dozens of these moreish morsels to tourists and locals alike. Some eateries, like Nata's Cafe (pictured), base their entire business around Pastel de Natas. It's certainly worth the risk if the taste is anything to go by!

ADVERTISEMENT

Rendang (Indonesia)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Rendang
WAHYUDI/AFP via Getty Images
WAHYUDI/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Rendang is a beautifully poignant and flavorful dish hailing from Indonesia. Typically, beef or chicken is simmered in coconut milk with a mixture of lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chilies. The chef can then leave the fragrant mix to stew for some time before serving.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eating it straight away is enough to send any food lover into a blissful coma, but some believe that leaving it to stew overnight is the real secret ingredient. Marinade anything for long enough and it's tastiness multiplies tenfold. Why not try both on a trip to Indonesia? You only live once.

ADVERTISEMENT

Massaman Curry (Thailand)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Massaman Curry
Oliver Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Oliver Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you like your curry with a hint of coconut and a large dollop of tradition, then look no further than Thailand's massaman curry. Noted for its clash of sweet and savory, many enthusiasts cite this dish as being the best of the best.

ADVERTISEMENT

This versatile meal can be made with anything you like, be it beef, tofu, or chicken. The secret is in the sauce, which can't be imitated by off-the-shelf versions (although some of them do the job in a pinch.) Venture to The Land of Smiles and leave with a huge grin after chowing down on a bowl of massaman.

ADVERTISEMENT

Squid (Chinese New Year Market, Taipei, Taiwan)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
market
Craig Ferguson/LightRocket via Getty Images
Craig Ferguson/LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Squid is a delicacy in many parts of the world, including the Mediterranean. Across the water in Asia, it's also equally loved. A must-visit spot is the Chinese New Year Market in Taipei, Taiwan. For two weeks leading up to the holiday, Dihua Street is filled with vendors selling all sorts of gorgeous food.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dried or fried squid is one of the most popular things offered. People buy it by the pound, gorging on its deep-fried deliciousness. Squid is popular in all of its various forms, from fresh to shredded. We wouldn't have it any other way.