CULINARY JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD – best food & dishes from different countries

TAPAS, Spain
Plates and little bowls full of delicious food such as olives. cheese, prosciutto, pickled vegetables, home made bread, olive oil, dry sausages and more is actually a great way to eat dinner, possibly with a larger group of friends) in Spain.

Accompanied by a glass of good wine, it is always a thing to be excited about while visiting the country, but it is very easy to make a proper tapas evening at home too. You don´t even have too cook, just buy good quality ingredients I mentioned above and display them on the table in little cups and plates.

ANTIPASTI, Italy
Looking at the ingredients, an antipasti platter can be very similar to the Spanish tapas, but the antipasti is eaten before the main dish, as oppose to tapas which is a mean on its own. Olive oil, dried tomatoes, olives, pickled veggies, anchovies, garlic, bread and cold meats are usually served.

I´m sure you do this at home sometimes as well, it is nice to have a simple starter dish while you wait for the main one. Usually we do a tomato, mozzarella, basil plate, very easy and always tasteful.

FRESH SPRING ROLLS, Vietnam
Spring rolls (fresh or fried) are a popular thing to eat all throughout Asia. A thin rice paper “pancake” is filled with fresh vegetables, such as cucumber, carrots, sprouts, koriander, green salad etc) and if wanted shrimps or meat. Usually they also come with rice noodles inside and are served with either peanut or spicy chilly sauce.

This is a perfect refreshing and light meal and it is not difficult to do at home, you just need to scout out for rice paper and noodles in the supermarket. It is also a fun thing to do with a group of friends or your children, everybody can roll their own ones.

MEZZE, Turkey
Mezze is a kind of oriental version of tapas and antipasti. A table full of smaller cups and bowls with all sorts of yummy ingredients. Cold and warm, there is usually a mix of both. Usually you will get checkpea, hummus, tahini, cheese, olives, yoghurt, spicy sauces, meatballs, peppers, eggplants, dolma and more. Served with a traditional flat bread of course.

We fell in love with mezze in Istanbul and we can´t wait to go back to Turkey and eat our way through the country. With a bit of creativity you can do a mezze evening at home as well, it just might be tricky to get the right ingredients. We´re lucky in Germany because we have lots of proper Turkish food shops.

OYSTERS, France
Oysters are surely not for everyone. I know people who think they are absolutely disgusting, but then I also know many who are almost addicted to their taste (me, me, me!). There are different sizes and ways to eat them. I prefer the classic way, with bread and butter, but you can have them fried, oven-cooked with cheese and more. You can also have them with Gin, might be funny for a party.

I had my first oysters in South Africa many years ago. It was not love at first sight, but with time I got used to the taste and I´m a big fan today. One of the best ones I´ve eaten so far were in New Zealand and of course at our friends and family on the French Atlantic coast.

TAJINE, Morocco
Many of the north African dishes are traditionaly cooked in such clay pots under hot coal. In Morocco it is called tajine and it´s absolutely delicious. Usually they put meat and vegetables, mixed with spices and herbs such as saffron, ginger and turmeric, sometimes dried fruit and nuts are added.

We ate it very often during our road trip in Morocco, as well as in restaurants but also as street food. Unfortunately we don´t have a pot like this at home, so we improvize something similar with making couscous dishes, topped with meat and vegetables.

ACAI BOWL, Brazil
Acai berries grow on palm trees and are full of antioxidants, therefore very healthy. Usually they are prepared in the form of ice cold smoothies, topped with granola, bananas and guarana syrup, but you can add pretty much anything you want.

We first tasted a proper acai bowl in Brazil, where there are so many special street stands and bars selling only this. You usually pay by gramms and can add many different toppings. We ate it almost every day, on a hot day it is a very refreshing and healthy snack.

RAMEN, Japan
Japan is so much more than the sushi rolls and one of my favourite dishes is definitely a good bowl of ramen. There is dispute about where these famous noodles originate as some believe it is from China, but in any case, they taste delicious. Besides the ramen noodles, you will find meat, algae, eggs, sprouts and other veggies in the bowl. It is also the dish which inspired the world known cup noodles instant soups. But taste-wise the two don´t have much in common.

I´ve tasted my first real ramen bowl in Singapore and have eaten it in many Japanese restaurants round the world since then, but unfortunately never yet in Japan.

SMØRREBRØD, Denmark
These famous Danish open sandwiches have stolen our hearts during our Copenhagen visit. It is basically thin rye bread, topped with all sorts of delicious things, from cooked meat to cold salmon and vegetables. We were anyway totally impressed by Scandinavian way of cooking and eating, big fans over here.

On our longer weekend in Copenhagen we were not just sightseeing and cycling around, but we also really ate lots and good. It was not the cheapest weekend, but it was worth it. You can have smorrebrod for breakfast, at food markets as a snack or even in fancy restaurants for dinner. We do it also at home often as well.

MASALA DOSA, India
I absolutely love Indian food and I have many favourites, but I´m even a bit obsessed with these tasty thin rice pancake-like masala dosas. They are filled with potatoes and spices, served with chutneys and different sauces. It is usually eaten for breakfast, that is why it is sometimes difficult to find it on the menu in Indian restaurants in Europe, but I always keep on trying.

During my 1-month long trip through India this was one of the dishes I could eat every day and every time I find it in restaurants I have to order it. It brings me back to that time in southern India. I´ve never tried to do it at home though, I´m afraid it will not taste the same as the original.

FRIES, Belgium
French fries funnily originates in Belgium (probably, since the French claim it´s theirs too). In parts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands it is a popular and affordable street snack and even if we know it all over the world I´d still suggest trying the Belgium original.

Desptite the fact you can buy huge bags of frozen one, we often do it at home. It is very easy and goes great with hamburgers or basically anything. Can also be a snack on its own.

FALAFEL, Middle East
Tasty fried chickpea or beans balls with herbs and spices, served with refreshing and spicy sauces is one of my all time favourite vegetarian dishes. Originating from the Middle East countries it is well known throughout Europe too.

I have eaten my first real falafel dish in Egypt many years ago. For a little bit or Oriental flair you can easily make them at home too – if you don´t have time or energy to start from scratch you can but the prepared mixture and just form and fry the balls.

SALMON SOUP, Finland
You simply cannot leave Finland without trying their famous salmon creamy soup at least once. It is called lohikeitto and it is one of the more known traditional Finnish dishes. Besides the creamy base and salmon there are also pieces of potatoes, leak and fresh dill.

I´ve visited Finland for 3 times already and I´m loving this soup more and more with every visit. It´s not only tasteful, it is also a good affordable option in the overall more expensive Scandinavian countries.

PAD THAI, Thailand
One of the more known Thai dishes, can be an excellent choice for a meal in restaurants and as a quick, cheap bite to eat as street food also. It is basically noodles with vegetables, eggs, sometimes meat or shrimps, topped with crushed peanuts and fresh lime.

I´m not amongst the biggest Thailand fans but I do loooove their food. I can´t help it but I would return any day only to eat good and pad thai is one of those dishes I could eat every day.

FISH & CHIPS, UK & Ireland
This classic combination can be found in many corners of the world but for that true original version one must head over to the UK or Ireland. Fried white fish with mashed peas and crunchy fries, accompanied with a cold pint of beer is never disappointing. I have one of these at least once during my every visit to the island.

We don´t fry food so much at our home but we do it in this combination sometimes as well. Nohting can go wrong there and it´s always tasteful.

LOBSTERS, Brazil
Lobsters are not among the most affordable bites to eat, but sometimes it´s just sooo good to order it and not look at the prices on the menu. In some countries, they are also more affordable than back home, so we always take advantage of that. I love it grilled, but you can have it in all sorts of combinations – in risottos, salads, pasta and even soups.

I have eaten it on Cuba for the first time, after that in USA, SE Asia and South Pacific and the last time in Brazil a couple of months ago.

CHEESE FONDUE, Switzerland
Cheese and wine in the same pot? Bring it on, I´m in. Usually you add 2-3 different cheese, like mountain cheese, Swiss Gruyere and such and add a bit of dry white wine. You spend the evening dipping in crunchy pieces of white bread, but you can do the same with vegetables like carrots or cucumber. For a French version of cheese fondue you can exchange Gruyere with Comte cheese.

We usually eat cheese fondue on skiing trips, it´s a great social way to spend and winter evening. But since we have a proper fondue pot at home also, we prepare it in our kitchen sometimes as well. I´m a fan of cheese fondue but you could also do a chocolate or mean one.

CURRYWURST, Germany
Germany is well known for its different sausages, but the famous Currywurst might just be the most recognizable one. The pork sausage is covered with a special sweet ketchup sauce, sprinkled with spicy yellow curry powder and often served together with French fries. It is a popular street snack especially in Berlin where it has its origins.

I admit it, I´m not the biggest sausage fan so I tries my first Currywurst in Berlin after some years of living in Germany. The sauce is a bit too sweet for me, but it was a must to try it as it is so famous. Besides, many people are crazy about it so there must be something about it worth mentioning.

STICKY RICE, Laos
Sticky rice is eaten in Laos every single day and this is exactly what we did also during our visit of this great SE Asian country. Usually a mix of vegetables is added, some meat or fish, but you can also make a desert out of it and add mango to it. This is a very famous combo and really really yummy.

You can try to make sticky rice at home as well, I haven´t gotten to it yet, but I´m really tempted. Especially because I love to eat with my hands and this is perfect for it.

PIZZA, Italy
I guess we all know pizza and we can pretty much have it all over the world. But did you know what the original Neapolitan pizza is made of? It is actually Unesco protected and topped with a special type of mozzarella cheese, Mozzarela di Buffala Campana, basil and San Marzano tomatoes or tomatoes which are either grown on volcanic soil on Vesuvio volcano.

Unfortunately I didn´t yet have the chance to visit Naples to eat a proper pizza, but it´s on my list. I´ve eaten a couple of tasty ones all over the globe though and we love to prepare one at home as well. it´s funny to do it with friends or your kids and family.

IKA MATA, Cook islands
Traditional dish of this part of the Pacific islands is made out of fresh raw fish (usualy zna), marinated in a mixture of lime, coconut milk and raw vegetables. Often it is served in a coconut shell with delicious breadfruit chips on the side.

During my 2 times visits to the Cook island I have eaten this a couple of times and always loved it. It is a very refreshing meal on a hot summer day and a great alternative to the otherwise often deep fried food, served in many restaurants on the islands.

SATAY, Indonesia
Grilled meat on a stick is probably known in different forms all over the world, especially in Asia. I have eaten in in Thailand, Maaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and elsewhere, but the origin is supposed to come from Indonesia. Anyhow, this is a good and often cheap snack and street food, often served with a bowl of rice and a peanuts or spicy sauce on the side.

This is a good option to try for your next BBQ party next time you have the chance. It is the easiest to do with chicken meat, and some sauces to dip it in once cooked.

PAELLA, Spain
Some call it the Spanish risotto, but actually it´s preparation is a bit different. The real paella is cooked in a huge flat pan over an open fire, the traditional ingredients are olive oil, rice, rabbit or other meat or seafood (or both), beans and spices.

The original paella is originating from Valencia, a Spanish city at the Mediterranean coast. I´ve eaten it in Barcelona and on Mallorca so far but can´t wait to try the original one some day. Sometimes we cook a similar dish at home too, although it´s not the same as we don´t od it over an open fire.

TOM YAM, Thailand
Another Thai speciality – the sweet and sour soup with fresh vegetables, herbs such as lemon grass, chilli, lime and traditional fish sauce, chicken, beef, pork or shrimps and other seafood.

We´ve not yet tried this at home, mostly because we don´t get such fresh ingredients usually, but we love to eat it while we are in Thailand.

BITTERBALLEN, the Netherlands
Even though they might look a bit like falafel at first sight, they have nothing to do with them actually. Traditionally, the filling is meaty, but there are cheese and vegetarian varieties too. Meat is slowly cooked in a stew then thickened and added spice & herbs and left to cool off. Then you make little balls which you later on roll in crumbles and fry.

We first tried them during our last year´s trip to the Netherlands and I can only say they are a delicious snack with a cold beer on a sunny day.

PHO, Vietnam
A popular Vietnamese street food and one of my favourite ones in SE Asia as well – this soup consists of rice noodles, aromatic herbs, beef (sometimes chicken) and vegetables. The ingredients might vary a bit in the south and north of the country but it was delicious everywhere.

During our SE Asian trip we´ve eaten lots of pho, my only advice would be (especially to the woman) dont eat this before a longer bus drive. Otherwise you can find it in almost every restaurants, it´s cheap and yummy.

PASTA, Italy
Let´s leave out the questions about where pasta is actually from (might be China), but the Italians have taken its for their own and let´s face it – they are doing a great job. There are so many variates, either cooked in water and served with a sauce, baked in the oven as lasagna, cooked in a soup or more. It´s always delicious.

Yes, we love it too and we make it often at home. Rarely totally from the start buy yeah, making your own pasta is kind of a fun thing to do. This picture is from Sicily, where we ate really good.

CHILI CRAB, Singapore
Chilli crab is a known combination all over SE Asia but it is Singapore who owns it as their national symbol dish. This yummy combination of a whole cooked crab with a sweet and sour sauce made out of tomatoes, chilli and herbs is the best to eat with bare hands and it´s one of my favourite seafood experiences.

I´ve visited Singapore 4 times already and I simply had to eat this at least one time. I wasn´t disappointed and even though I was expecting otherwise, it was not even too spicy. I really have no clue how I would do this at home so I have not tried it yet, but maybe some day.

GOULASH, Hungary
Goulash is a thick soup, very well-known in Central Europe, but originating from Hungary where it is a national dish and symbol. It usually consists of meat, potatoes, onions and paprika, it can be spicy but it´s not a rule. It is usually eaten with bread on the side.

I mostly relate it with bigger open-air events back in Slovenia, it´s a good thing to eat after a party to prevent a hangover too and it´s always good to eat it in the winter. This picture is from a restaurant in Prague, Czech republic, where they served it in a bread cup.

DUMPLINGS, China
Dumplings in one hundred ways, the choice really is endless. They can be filled with meat, seafood, vegetables and even soup, they can be sweet, sour, savoury and spicy. They can also come in all shapes and sizes. It´s a whole new world and it takes time to get to know it all.

I´ve tasted them in London´s Chinatown for the first time years ago, but my best ones were in Macau, HK and Singapore. We did do it at home a couple of times as well. You need some practice to form them right, but they are so delicious.

FLAMMKUCHEN, Germany
In translation, we could say it´s a pie baked in flames, but in reality it looks and tastes more like a very thin oval-shaped pizza. It originates from an area at the German – French border (they call it tarte flambe in France) and is topped with crème fraiche, onions and bacon in its original version. Today there is many variates out there though.

I first tried in here in Germany and I love it ever since. It is a great social snack, meant ot be shared over a couple of beers in pubs and bars. You can buy it frozen or make your own at home as well.

SUSHI, Japan
Everybody probably knows sushi. Some like it more, some don´t like it at all. Well, I´m obsioulsy in the first group. There is a whole bunch of varieties but in general there is always a special white rice, dried algae leaf, some veggies and meat or seafood. Usually eaten with soya sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

Here in Germany, we often get sushi as a take-away, but we can make it at home too. You just need to buy the right rice type, the algae sheets and the bamboo mat for rolling.

BALKAN BBQ, Balkan countries
I have to include this one too, it is originating from the area I was born at and it´s my favourite food when I return home for a visit. It just brings back childhood memories. Čevapčiči, pleskavica with cheese, ražnjiči, pickled red peppers, šopska salad, prebranac, ajvar, ljutenica, kajmak and more. Yum.

And yes, even here in Germany we try to do a similar feast whenever we can. It is never as good as at home, mostly because it is difficult to get the best ingredients but even if, it´s worth trying.

GREEN-LIPPED MUSSELS, New Zealand
These huge mussels are a natural source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and are widely used in pharmaceutical and beauty products as well. The preparation varies but in general it is similar to any other kind of clams.

I´ve tried them for the first time on Waiheke island in New Zealand, they were prepared in a white wine sauce as we were visiting a vineyard and I was immediately totally into it. Can´t wait to go back to New Zealand one day and eat some more.

CURRY, India
Mmmm a good curry is always a great choice. There is a ton of choices and varieties out thre, but they all have one thing in common – spices. These mostly include coriander, ginger, chilli, turmeric, curry leaves. Curry dish originates in south India but is well known all over Asia today as well as Oceania.

I´ve tasted my first real curry in southern India and have been ordering one often in restaurants all ove rthe world ever since. I also make it at home, with lots of chillies and coconut, usually with shrimps or chicken and rice as a side dish. Really always a simple and delicious meal.

HAMBURGER, Germany / USA
We all know it, but there is quite a dispute about its origins. Is it German or American? Well anyhow, it is delicious. And it´s more and more popular these days too. Traditionally it is made with beef, green lettuce salad, tomato, onions and sauce, but there are of course many varieties.

And yes, we make burgers at home often. You can make vegetarian ones with a beans patty, cheeseburgers, fish burgers with salmon for example and more. The picture is form a burger joint in Hamburg, Germany, a place we visit often since we live in Germany.

GREEN PAPAYA SALAD, Laos
Spicy salad, made out of green, unripe papaya is truly something unique and extraordinary. Chopped into thin slices, mixed with garlic, chillies, fish sauce, salt and lime juice this is a very special Asian treat, origination from Laos, but you find it also in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

We´ve fallen in love with it in Laos, but unfortunately it is difficult to get an unripe papaya in Europe so I´, afraid we´ll have to wait until we return to Asia.

TACOS , Mexico
This traditional Mexican dish is one of our favourites. Made with corn / wheat pancakes and filled with vegetables, meat or seafood and sauce it is a well-known street food snack in Mexico and elsewhere around the world. The most known are Tacos el Pastor.

We have not yet been to Mexico but we prepare tacos evenings at home regularly. We make the dough and do our own personal versions with different toppings. It´s a great thing to for dinner with friends / family.

TAPIOCA CREPES, Brazil
Another dish from Brazil we fell in love with are these crepes made with white tapioca starch from manioc root. They can be made sweet or savoury and are usually eaten either for breakfast or as a snack in between meals.

In the sweet version we usually find chocolate, coconut, banana and condensed milk and in the savoury one cheese, ham, tomatoes and other types of meat.

DONER KEBAB, Turkey
There are so many varieties of different kebabs, but a Doner Kebab is probably the most known one. Grilled meat, turning around on a stick and thinly sliced onto a plate, sometimes mixed with onions, vegetables and sauce and stuffed into a pita bread, yufka pancake or similar is a popular streetf ood snack in many countries nowadays.

We´ve tried the original one in Istanbul last year, but there are quite some very good ones here in Germany as well as we have a large Turkish community. Not to mention it is a good choice after a night of partying before you head home.

OCTOPUS “PODPEKA”, Balkan countries
“Podpeka” is a special way of cooking the ingredients in a pot called “peka” or “sač”. Usually it is meat, vegetables and potatoes, but ym favourite one is with octopus. You can also bake bread this way.

You can do it at home if you have the special pot and a big enough fire pit to put it in. You need to marinate the meat or fish with vegetables in a lot of olive or other oil, cover the pot and put hot coal and ashes all over it for a couple of hours. It is tasting amazingly, it is tender and full of flavours, my absolute favourite. Some restaurants specialise in it but you will normally have to make reservations a day in advance as it takes long to prepare it.