25 amazingly delicious national dishes that are a must-try

Almost every country has its own national dish — a cult dish that is most often eaten and loved within this area. National dishes are part of the country's culture, as well as a popular "attraction" for any tourist. When traveling abroad, you will clearly prefer to try the most famous dish in a foreign country. Well, in case you are going on a trip, save this list of national dishes from a wide variety of countries that are definitely worth trying.

1. Barbados: Peek-a-boo and flying fish

Barbados has a lot of fish, such as opah, tuna, barracuda or red beryx, but this country is called the "Land of Flying Fish". And this type of fish has even reached the most famous national dish of Barbados, which is called Ku-ku. Ku-ku consists mainly of corn groats and okra fruits, and the flying fish served with it is usually fried or steamed.

2. Canada: Putin (emphasis on the second syllable)

Putin appeared in Quebec in the late 1950s. This is a favorite dish of all Canadians. It is made from French fries, which are poured with brown sauce and served with slices of cheese. Although the recipe is quite simple, there are many variations of Putin. Some restaurants offer this dish with such "fillers" as chicken, bacon or smoked meat in Montreal, three pepper sauce, or even caviar and truffles.

3. Syria: kebbe

This dish is also popular in Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. A typical Syrian kebbe is made from bulgur (durum wheat), chopped onions and finely chopped pieces of beef, lamb, goat or camel meat. The best version of kebbe is such cutlets stuffed with beef or lamb. Cutlets can also be shaped like a ball or tortilla, and they can be baked or boiled in broth.

4. Poland: bigus

Bigus is a traditional meat stew in Polish, Lithuanian and Belarusian cuisine, but only Poles consider this dish national. This very satisfying and delicious stew is made from a large number of ingredients-fresh and sauerkraut, various types of meat and sausages, tomatoes, honey, mushrooms, pepper, cumin, bay leaf, oregano, prunes and other ingredients. Bigus can be served in a plate or inside a bread roll.

5. Greece: souvlaki

Greece is a country with several well-known dishes, such as keftedes, moussaka or zaziki, but souvlaki is usually considered the most famous Greek dish. This popular Greek "fast food" consists of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables on skewers. Souvlaki is usually made from pork, although chicken or lamb may also be used. Served on skewers, on a pit with a side dish and sauces or with fried potatoes.

6. Italy: pizza

Pizza is known all over the world, so there is no point in introducing this dish to you. We'd better tell you how pizza Margarita appeared. According to legend, this pizza was invented in 1889, when the Neapolitan cook Raffaele Esposito was ordered to create a pizza specifically in honor of the visit of Queen Margherita. Of the three pizzas he prepared, the queen chose the one with the ingredients that were dominated by the national colors of Italy: red (tomatoes), green (basil) and white (mozzarella). Then it was decided to name this pizza in honor of Queen Margaret.

7. Ireland: Irish stew

First recognized in 1800, Irish stew is the most common dish in this country and the main item on the menu of any pub. Initially, it was a thick broth with boiled lamb with onions, potatoes and parsley, but now other vegetables are often added to the dish.

8. USA: hamburger

Like pizza or pasta, hamburgers are eaten all over the world, but usually this dish is associated primarily with the United States. The word "hamburger "comes from the German word" Hamburg", from where many emigrated to America in the 19th century. On July 27, 1900, the American deli Louis Lessing sold the first hamburger in his hometown of New Haven.

9. Hungary: goulash

Goulash became the national dish of Hungary in the late 1800s, when Hungarians sought symbols of national unity to distinguish themselves from other peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Later, this hearty dish spread throughout Central Europe, Scandinavia and Southern Europe. Goulash is a soup or stew made from beef (sometimes veal, pork, venison or lamb) and vegetables, generously seasoned with pepper and other spices.

10. Israel: falafel

This dish is common not only in Israel, but also throughout the Middle East. These are hard-fried balls or tortillas made from ground chickpeas, garden beans, or both. Usually served in a pit or lafe. Falafel has become so popular that in some countries, McDonald's has started serving mcfalafel.

11. Jamaica: akki and salted fish

Although this dish first appeared in Jamaica, it is also eaten in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. To prepare this dish, salted cod is stewed in boiled akki (a local tropical fruit), onions, tomatoes and spices. Usually served for breakfast or dinner with breadfruit, bread, dumplings or boiled green bananas. Often the dish is washed with coconut milk.

12. Austria: Vienna schnitzel

This is a very thin and highly fried veal schnitzel. The most popular Viennese and generally Austrian dish. It is made from lightly beaten veal, slightly salted and rolled in flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs. Traditionally, this dish is served with potato salad, cucumber salad, potatoes with parsley, French fries or fried potatoes and a slice of lemon.

13. South Korea: pulkogi

Translated as "fire meat". This is a typical South Korean dish that usually consists of fried marinated beef. The marinade is a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, onion, ginger, sugar, wine, green onions, and sometimes mushrooms. In many restaurants in South Korea, small barbecue sets are built into the tables, and visitors can grill the meat themselves.

14. France: thin pancakes

Very thin sweet pancakes, usually made of white flour. Served with a variety of fillings, they can be sweet (with sugar, fruit jam, strawberries, maple syrup, etc.), and salty (with cheese, ham, eggs, ratatouille, mushrooms, artichokes and various meat products).

15. China: Peking duck

The most famous dish from the capital of China and one of the most famous Chinese dishes around the world. Duck with crispy skin, served with green onions, cucumbers, sweet bean sauce and thin pancakes. Sometimes a bowl of hot sauce is added to the main plate — for example, hoisin.

16. Brazil: feijoada

The main ingredients of this hearty and very tasty dish are beans and fresh pork or beef. This dish is prepared from black beans, various pork or beef products, such as bacon or smoked pork ribs, and at least two types of smoked sausages and beef jerky. It is usually served with white rice and oranges — the latter help digestion.

17. Ukraine: borscht

It is popular in many countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Should I tell you what it is? Foreigners describe it as a thick and spicy soup with beetroot as the main ingredient. Beef or pork is almost always added, and pieces of meat, potatoes and beets are used for the broth. Sometimes carrots and peppers are added. They eat with bread.

18. Thailand: Thai noodles

Deep fried rice noodles. It is served in restaurants, and you can buy it from a street stall. It is made from dried rice noodles soaked in water, which are fried with eggs and chopped tofu, and a huge number of different ingredients are used as seasonings: tamarind pulp, fish sauce, dry shrimp, garlic, shallots, chili, etc. Serve with lime wedges and chopped roasted peanuts. Depending on the region, it may also contain fresh shrimp, crab, chicken, or other meats.

19. Czech Republic: fillet in cream

In the Czech Republic, there is an eternal dispute about what is the national dish in the country — fillet in cream or knuckle. Let it be the first. As a tenderloin, beef is usually taken, which is served with a thick cream sauce and dumplings. Sometimes the dish is served with lemon slices and cranberries.

20. Venezuela: arepa

These cornmeal tortillas are sometimes also considered a national dish of Colombia. Different regions of the country use different sizes, types of flour and additional ingredients. For example, in eastern Venezuela, the arepa is usually 7-20 cm in diameter and about 2 cm in thickness. Today, this dish is made in special electrical appliances, which takes about 7 minutes (and with the usual method of cooking — 15-25 minutes).

21. Turkey: kebab

Kebab appeared on the streets of Turkey, where street vendors cut meat from vertically suspended pieces. Traditionally, lamb is used in kebabs, but depending on local preferences or religious prejudices, beef, goat, chicken, pork, or even fish can also be found in kebabs. Usually served in pita bread or pita.

22. Singapore: chili crab

The main ingredient of this delicious seafood dish is, of course, crab. It is fried in a thick, sweet and spicy sauce of tomatoes and chili. This dish even got into the list of "50 most delicious dishes in the world" at number 35.

23. Serbia: pleskavica

This Balkan dish is made from different types of minced meat. Traditional Serbian pleskavica is made from a mixture of lamb, pork or ground beef (sometimes veal), fried with onions and served on a plate with vegetables and side dishes-usually with fried potatoes or bread. Recently, this hearty and delicious dish has started to gain popularity in other parts of Europe.

24. New Zealand: Bacon and egg pie

This pie consists of bacon, eggs, onions, peas, tomatoes and cheese, so it is quite high in calories. Sometimes served with ketchup. This dish is also popular in neighboring Australia.

25. Belgium: Moules-Frites

Translated as "mussels and fries". This dish originated in Belgium and is considered national here, but is also popular in France and other Western European countries. The most unusual thing about Moules-Frites is its size. One serving of this dish per person in almost any restaurant in Belgium is 1.5 kg! Mussels and fries are usually served on different plates, so that the potatoes do not become too soft.