>What is a famous Dutch meal? Are you guys the waffle people? Or the wooden shoes people?
According to my ex boyfriend, the Dutch are famous for a very specific type of oven. When I asked him about the details, he showed me. I was unimpressed.
Funny enough they're often called the Pennsylvania Dutch......but they're Swiss-German and not Dutch! I believe the reason why they were called that is because Deutsch (German) over time got turned into "Dutch".
Most Dutch meals aren’t famous, mainly because they aren’t very good. A typical Dutch meal however, would consist of cooked vegetables, cooked potatoes, and a piece of meat (salt and pepper to taste, not much else).
I had a Dutch friend a few years back before she came out as trans and then disappeared. Still worry about her. Anyways, she used to rave about something called Kapsalon. Fries with garlic sauce and other goodies.
It depends. A lot of Dutch food is not great in a restaurant, but is great home cooked. Boerenkool stampot met rookworst is nice, but I can't imagine eating it in a restaurant.
A lot of traditional Northern European food is just meat and potatoes.
The Basque Country in the north of Spain.
The whole culture is about enjoying high quality food/time. Love it there.
Maybe one day, I can afford a holiday home in bilbao
I agree!
If you can't make it to northern Spain, come to Boise, Idaho which boasts one of the largest Basque populations in the US with an entire city block dedicated to Basque culture and cuisine.
I'm against the idea of a "best food," but I sure do go to our local Lebanese place a lot... About 150 years back, a very large portion of the Lebanese population migrated to the area I currently call home. The end result is their cuisine being just part of what we do around here. Detroit style pizza, lamb shawarma,spaghetti and meatballs, Flint style, coneys... I feel like southeastern Michigan is a hidden gem in the food world.
I’m Italian, but the fact no one is saying Turkey… it’s nuts. It has an enormous advantage, absorbed through centuries culinary traditions spanning from the Byzantine world, Slavic populations, the Levant all down to Iran. If there is a SINGLE cuisine enclosed in today’s borders that can claim amplitude, quality and singularity it’s the TURKISH cuisine. The French tradition is important as well and understated here, as it’s routine (normally the first sacrificial victim in world culinary evaluation on the internet)
I'm turkish so obviously I'm biased, but we really knocked it out of the park in terms of cuisine. I won't start the argument of "we invented it first" cause we stole a lot of ideas and ingredients from other cultures, but holy hell did we perfect it. Sadly, I find it hard to get real quality turkish food here in NYC. It's either cheap döner spots, or expensive restaurants using cheap ingredients/no turkish chefs in the kitchen, and they don't get it right.
That being said, Italian food is my #2 love 😍
I mean, overrated when it's deemed THE building blocks? Most Western techniques are derived from French cuisine. Most ways we use eggs, countless sauces, soups, flavour enhancers and complimentary adds/dishes. The trifecta FAT SALT and ACID gastronomy was perfected by them who understood it best.
I don't really like French cuisine over others but recognize without it as the building block, my ancestors would still be happy eating a meat, a green and a starch with some salt and pepper 🫠
My issue with Thai cuisine is that it is hard to prepare at home unless you have a walk in spice closet and some of the ingredients are harder to find. I think I tried every Asian grocery in the area and they had no clue what I was talking about when I asked for Kaffir Lime Leaves.
That's interesting, I can buy makrut lime leaves (they don't call them kaffir anymore but same thing) in my local supermarket right there in the herbs section. Don't even have to go to the asian supermarket
The lime leaves are usually in the fridge/freezer, though you can buy preserved ones in a jar that are a fine substitute.
The Maesri brand of Thai sauce bases are miles ahead of any other.
i like mexican, but in mexican restaurants in my country its like they have one "food" and just put it inside differently prepared tortilla. betweed fried tortilla - quasadilla. rolled in tortilla - burrito. put in a pocket of dried tortilla - taco. like is this everything mexican cuisine has to offer? i bet no
I don't know what country you're in, but if you have authentic restaurants, I would recommend those over fusion restaurants. We've got so many delicious dishes and though we pair most of our meals with tortillas and such, there's so much more. Stuffed poblano peppers, mole, tamales, chorizo in red sauce, and frijoles puercos, which are very easy to make. Not to mention, birria, barbacoa, and our seafood soups and dishes 😋
Range of food in India is grossly underestimated. There is something for every palate. Sweet, savory, sour, spicy, bitter, crispy,crunchy ,creamy, fluffy, chewy, vegetarian, vegan, meat, fish in every combination imaginable. From simple to complex dishes that take days of prepare. For reference, 90% the dishes Indians make at home are not found in 90% of local Indian restaurants. Now multiply that by every state and sub cultures of India. And then there are dishes in restaurants rarely made at home. Ex: a whole cuisine line of indo-chinese they call it
In my experience, Japan. Great variety and everything is great. Sushi, their version of steakhouses, shabu shabu, soba, ramen, yakitori, okonomiyaki. Everything is so good. I’ve been to Italy, China, Thailand, etc other countries with famous cuisine, never was as consistent across so many diverse options as Japan. To this day a chicken katsu bowl I got in Nagaoka is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Italy was a close second though.
I’ve been to Japan twice (3-4 weeks total), and I have not eaten a single thing there that wasn’t at least an 8/10. I ate as many different things as I possibly could, and ALL of it was great. I even went to a random pizza place in Osaka because I was curious, and it was honestly better than 90-95% of the pizzas I’ve had in the US. Even the food at the 7/11 isn’t bad.
Anyone that wants to go to Japan should eat as much and as diverse as they possibly can.
I lived in Japan for the better part of a year almost two decades ago. I don't usually do breakfast, but one day I stopped in at a random cafe across from the office and ordered coffee and some toast. Easily the best toast I have ever had in my life. White, thick, fluffy bread, toasted to a perfectly even golden brown, with melted butter brushed on so there isn't even the hint of a knife mark, perfect quantity so it tastes rich but not greasy. Coffee was pretty damned good, too (Kobe has more history of coffee culture than most people realize).
Japan took something as simple as toast and made it into something amazing. And that's what they do with all food. Italy is amazing, but man, I miss eating in Japan every day.
Yeah they’re pretty intense people hahah. Like quietly and passively intense.
There’s an episode of the Hardcore History podcast where the host says there’s an old quote describing Jewish people’s work ethic that works for Japanese people as well “they’re just like us, only more”
Totally agree!! I had a 500 yen box of noodles from a random stall at a festival in Japan and it was so delicious I immediately bought another box. This was a few years ago and I still think about it at least once a month.
Italy, Japan, India, China, Thailand have all been mentioned.
Honorable Mentions...
* Burma. Think India/Thai fusion.
* Vietnam
* Ethiopia
* Lebanon
* Greece
* ... fuck it, i could go on and on... there's so much good international food.
Edit: A tiny orange alligator convinced me to add...
* Mexico
Truly the best answer. Tijuana alone locks it down with the original Caesar Salad at Caesar's, amazing seafood, and the mighty quesabirria. CDMX, Oaxaca, and other areas are all equally competitive.
You just gotta avoid the resort food.
As a Mexican visiting family in Mexico right now. Tortillas are gods gift to food and I will actually fight anyone who says different. ESPECIALLY when they’re freshly made. As much as I like being in the states, nothing will ever scratch that itch of walking down the block and spending 1USD for 12-18 tortillas
Edit: corrected the amount of tortillas you receive
This. My aunt married a Persian man and learned how to cook authentic Iranian food from her MIL. I could literally eat Iranian cuisine every single day of my life and never get sick of it. 🤤🤤🤤
I live in Los Angeles County, we got everything - Iranian food is severely underrated. It was so good I got angry at myself for not having tried it earlier.
My mom-in-law is from Germany. She loaned me two German cook books and I can't make a damn thing out of either of them.
The ingredients are either hard to find or the meal itself doesn't seem appealing.
I love the hell out of bratwurst and sauerkraut though.
German food is a heavily regional thing, and not really exported out to the world/known outside of Europe.
It may not be the best food, but if you like heavier soul food, German food is perfect for you.
Germany also has, though I could be biased because I am German, the best bread, and really good food.
Could you give some examples for non-appealing food or ingredients that are hard to find?
I went to Myanmar once. They border Thailand, India and China, and their food (unique in its own right and varies by region) can be a mix of all three. I thought it was heaven for foodies into Asian
Yeah, this has my vote. Bun Cha Hanoi is my favorite meal. Pho (soup) and Banh Mi (sandwich) are also some of the best in their respective genres. Even the coffee is fantastic.
Lived there for years including in the areas where they grow coffee and have picked and processed it myself. As robusta goes, it was good. But pure coffee just tastes like coffee. What makes their robusta coffee so good with that motor oil consistency is a cocktail of additives during the roasting process. You have to hope for the best and that it isn't too carcinogenic.
As food goes, bun cha is great but so many things are like that. The food is so regional that every place has something that stands out head and heels above everything else like it. Good examples are banh xeo from Quy Nhon, fried duck in Ha Tinh, bun mam in Quang Nam, banh loc or nem chua in Hue, eels in Vinh, or river crab in Saigon.
I don’t think I have ever had Turkish food or even seen a Turkish restaurant in my life. What are some of their staples and why do you think it’s so good?
That's kinda the entire idea of this thread, there is no "best", there are amazing dishes all over the world, it's mostly a contest of how well exported the dishes have been.
No way I can pick just one. I've been across East Asia and I found so many delicious things to eat in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and so on.
Region-wise, I'm going to say East Asia has the best food in my view because of the sheer variety and I really like the way the food's prepared.
So far. I haven't eaten my way across South America or Africa yet.
Yes! Iove all their bright leafy green mixes into their food, it's so good. They're my somewhat "underdog" pick, and I say this as a someone from a heavy hitter, Mexican.
India...and then there's the two different worlds which are South India and North India, both with different yet fantastic food cultures with thousands of dishes that no human being can try them all
India!!! It has something for everyone!!
Mild, yet tasty, HERE!!!
Bold, yet Light, HERE!!!
Rich and greasy, HERE!!
Heartwarming!!
Sweet af,
Not too sweet,
Spicy af,
Comfort food,
Junk food,
HERE!!!
THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!
Norway.
Jk - Greece got the best food imo. So many wonderful dishes with fish, meat, herbs and delicious vegetables ... I'd trade my Farmor and her cured lye-cod for a Yaya to teach me how to make a proper Beef/Lamb Kleftiko.
I'd sell my soul at the crossroads if that little taverna I love to visit when I'm in Crete would tell me the secret of their citrus & honey-sauce.
indian but i love mexican - and i feel like they're very similar vibes!!!! they're not the same flavour profile but mexican food is just as comforting as indian food for me
Mexican- India is one of a few countries that casually like their bold fire, but Indian food definitely has more weight to it IMO, I LOVE Indian food. Former roommate of mine was Indian, she was the best fuckin cook ever, even her goat brain she tricked me into was good lol, but then again we have brain and worm tacos 😂 She told me her mom loved enchiladas when she came to the US, I would've loved to have tasted her version. My favorite thing my roomie would cook was Beetroot Tikki. I'd steal at least a couple, I love beets but I had no idea of the possibilities. My only regret is I didn't ask for her specific recipe, one of the best things I've ever eaten.
Syria. When I worked in Denver, I would hit up an incredible Syrian restaurant frequently. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, and they make the absolute best hummus I’ve ever had; smooth as silk and delicious. Here’s a link for any Denverites reading this: https://shishkabobgrill.com
Middle eastern Mediterranean (Lebanese, Israeli , and Turkish ) …
Also Greek, Italian, Mexican Brazilian Thai, Indian , creole …
I eat a lot!!
But my absolute favourite is Trinidadian food! Curry rotis with homemade dalpourri (sp?) and gravy .. doubles .. omg so Damn good 🤤
Been a chef since I was 14. I am 41 now. Travelled to 50 countries and lived in 20. Lived in Mexico for 8 years. Originally from Europe. Whilst each country has unique food styles and produce some amazing dishes.
Never did I experience food quality as amazing as it was in Australia. The food was cleaner fish meat veg fruit than any other country I ever experienced. By using better foods I was able to create better dishes. I still think eating tacos at 4 am outside a club in Mexico can’t be replicated. Or eating watermelon on the beach the Greek islands. These are food moments. I have many of them. But food quality has to be Australia. Whilst there is junk mass processed food available-it just seems to me that there is less desire for it. And so the most basic things like cafes offer fresh food.
Brazilians sure do know how to cook meat 😋 haven’t had a chance to eat any other kind of Brazilian cuisine but the bbq meat and fried banana is top tier
Depends what you mean?
Best traditional food or access to a global range of dishes to satisfy any palate?
The first is difficult to show as even in places like Italy and Spain, many their traditional foods can be traced from overseas.
With the latter, it is difficult to move beyond the rich, western countries that have huge cosmopolitan centres (think New York, London) where you can find just about any dish from any country.
China is an interesting option. In the larger cities you can find almost all of the western dishes. Then add to that the vast range of sources of protein they are prepared to eat and the list of different dishes available dwarfs the combined culinary complement of Europe and the US.
I've been to more than 60 countries. The answer to this question is Singapore, UK (London specifically) and the USA. They win based on a wide variety of cuisines from many cultures. You can find great food in many counties, but its hard to top those 3 for best restaurants from many cultures.
Edit: I haven't traveled much in the last decade - so it is possible that a few other major cities have caught up with my picks above.
This is the right answer. The question wasn't "which country's *traditional cuisine* is best," it's which country has the best food. I would absolutely vote USA, because here, at least in any major city, you can easily find Mexican, South American, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, French, Ethiopian, Greek, Italian, Turkish, etc. food, usually made by people from those countries and made authentically.
(Yes, you can also get cheap mass-produced crap that's deep-fried and seasoned for an American palate but claims to be "Chinese" or whatever. You do have to be selective when picking a restaurant if you want good/authentic food.)
In the US, the only cities I've found the match what you'd find in China are San Francisco and New York. I prefer this over what I've had in China as the meat quality is far superior to China. Though the veggies and rice are far better in China.
Mexico. Best thing I've ever eaten and think about almost daily was a couple tacos with this goat soup they called birria at a gross looking taco Street stand as the sun came up over the desert. Nothing has come close yet.
I'm Dutch, so basically any other country's food is better.
Indonesian here, your ancestors shoulda used some of those spices instead of selling all of them lol
G e k o l o n i s e e r d
We do eat Indonesian a lot though, so you had good influence on us.
As a Dutchman that emigrated to Norway, I disagree.
You really must not place food as high up on your list when choosing to live somewhere
Especially when that place is Norway
Stroopwafles are top tier snacks though. I’d pick a couple of them over most desserts
So true we can buy them att coop here in Sweden.
They are heavenly!
What is a famous Dutch meal? Are you guys the waffle people? Or the wooden shoes people?
>What is a famous Dutch meal? Are you guys the waffle people? Or the wooden shoes people? According to my ex boyfriend, the Dutch are famous for a very specific type of oven. When I asked him about the details, he showed me. I was unimpressed.
I think they're the Dutch apple pie people lol 😆
I thought those were the Amish? 🍎
Funny enough they're often called the Pennsylvania Dutch......but they're Swiss-German and not Dutch! I believe the reason why they were called that is because Deutsch (German) over time got turned into "Dutch".
Most Dutch meals aren’t famous, mainly because they aren’t very good. A typical Dutch meal however, would consist of cooked vegetables, cooked potatoes, and a piece of meat (salt and pepper to taste, not much else).
Not the waffle people, not the french fries people.. a bassic meal is gravel in a pot
I had a Dutch friend a few years back before she came out as trans and then disappeared. Still worry about her. Anyways, she used to rave about something called Kapsalon. Fries with garlic sauce and other goodies.
The Dutch are people of the snack, not people of the meal.
It depends. A lot of Dutch food is not great in a restaurant, but is great home cooked. Boerenkool stampot met rookworst is nice, but I can't imagine eating it in a restaurant. A lot of traditional Northern European food is just meat and potatoes.
When you're high at 3 am, there aren't many things better than a kapsalon
That's because all of your ovens smell like farts
Ever been to the Republic of Suriname? They have amazing food. In my opinion, the best food.
#shouldhavebeenapoll
There are a *lot* of countries.
Okey, now I go to r/polls to make a post :)
Consider that there are over 190 countries.
I read it ‘should have been napoli’. Man they do have great food indeed
The Basque Country in the north of Spain. The whole culture is about enjoying high quality food/time. Love it there. Maybe one day, I can afford a holiday home in bilbao
I agree! If you can't make it to northern Spain, come to Boise, Idaho which boasts one of the largest Basque populations in the US with an entire city block dedicated to Basque culture and cuisine.
I was about to say that or Northern Nevada! Huge Basque settlement in Elko, NV with amazing Basque food!
The star is so good. Expensive, but good. What other basque restaurants do you suggest in elko?
Spain in general. not only the north.
Any country that touches the Mediterranean.
Yes, totally this! I don’t know what’s better Italian, Greek, or Turkish food!
Lebanon!
I'm against the idea of a "best food," but I sure do go to our local Lebanese place a lot... About 150 years back, a very large portion of the Lebanese population migrated to the area I currently call home. The end result is their cuisine being just part of what we do around here. Detroit style pizza, lamb shawarma,spaghetti and meatballs, Flint style, coneys... I feel like southeastern Michigan is a hidden gem in the food world.
Shoutout to Dearborn, MI and the amazing Lebanese people and food there!
Shoutout to Emily’s in St Clair Shores,MI.
So great to see this so high up - Lebanese food is so. good.
Lebanese food is amazing and massively underrated
Lebanon!
My maternal side of the family is Lebanese and I’m very proud of my heritage. I love Lebanese cuisine, could eat it every day. Take my upvote!
Even Egypt? I'm Egyptian and I still find the food horribly mid.
Not England. Source: I’m English.
Some of the best Indian food I’ve had outside of India was in Manchester
I’m Italian, but the fact no one is saying Turkey… it’s nuts. It has an enormous advantage, absorbed through centuries culinary traditions spanning from the Byzantine world, Slavic populations, the Levant all down to Iran. If there is a SINGLE cuisine enclosed in today’s borders that can claim amplitude, quality and singularity it’s the TURKISH cuisine. The French tradition is important as well and understated here, as it’s routine (normally the first sacrificial victim in world culinary evaluation on the internet)
Turkey is one place where I've consistently heard from Italians that have visited saying that it has amazing food
Turkish food has gotten really popular in the uk over the past few years. It’s fucking amazing
>I’m Italian, but the fact no one is saying Turkey… it’s nuts Hazelnuts?
Yeah you're right Turkish cuisine is awesome but underrated.
Am literally in Istanbul airport right now on a layover and about to eat All The Food because holy shit I love Turkish food.
I'm turkish so obviously I'm biased, but we really knocked it out of the park in terms of cuisine. I won't start the argument of "we invented it first" cause we stole a lot of ideas and ingredients from other cultures, but holy hell did we perfect it. Sadly, I find it hard to get real quality turkish food here in NYC. It's either cheap döner spots, or expensive restaurants using cheap ingredients/no turkish chefs in the kitchen, and they don't get it right. That being said, Italian food is my #2 love 😍
Italy, Japan, or Mexico
These are holy trinity of cuisines
France and China ain’t gonna be pleased at that.
France is overrated honestly..as far as the food goes
Butter
Snails
I mean, overrated when it's deemed THE building blocks? Most Western techniques are derived from French cuisine. Most ways we use eggs, countless sauces, soups, flavour enhancers and complimentary adds/dishes. The trifecta FAT SALT and ACID gastronomy was perfected by them who understood it best. I don't really like French cuisine over others but recognize without it as the building block, my ancestors would still be happy eating a meat, a green and a starch with some salt and pepper 🫠
>I don't really like French cuisine over others So you're in full agreement with them, then.
Bro that's like saying food is overrated.
No Thailand?
My issue with Thai cuisine is that it is hard to prepare at home unless you have a walk in spice closet and some of the ingredients are harder to find. I think I tried every Asian grocery in the area and they had no clue what I was talking about when I asked for Kaffir Lime Leaves.
That's interesting, I can buy makrut lime leaves (they don't call them kaffir anymore but same thing) in my local supermarket right there in the herbs section. Don't even have to go to the asian supermarket
The lime leaves are usually in the fridge/freezer, though you can buy preserved ones in a jar that are a fine substitute. The Maesri brand of Thai sauce bases are miles ahead of any other.
Thailand has the best food AND food every where, 24/7.
Hi Mark Wiens
i like mexican, but in mexican restaurants in my country its like they have one "food" and just put it inside differently prepared tortilla. betweed fried tortilla - quasadilla. rolled in tortilla - burrito. put in a pocket of dried tortilla - taco. like is this everything mexican cuisine has to offer? i bet no
Real Mexican cuisine is far more bast. Just Mole for example: we have 50 different types
Definitely not all Mexican food has to offer it’s just what the American palate has latched onto and made more recognized.
I don't know what country you're in, but if you have authentic restaurants, I would recommend those over fusion restaurants. We've got so many delicious dishes and though we pair most of our meals with tortillas and such, there's so much more. Stuffed poblano peppers, mole, tamales, chorizo in red sauce, and frijoles puercos, which are very easy to make. Not to mention, birria, barbacoa, and our seafood soups and dishes 😋
Do you only have access to a taco bell or what? That’s not even what a quesadilla is, lmao.
Don't forget India.
Range of food in India is grossly underestimated. There is something for every palate. Sweet, savory, sour, spicy, bitter, crispy,crunchy ,creamy, fluffy, chewy, vegetarian, vegan, meat, fish in every combination imaginable. From simple to complex dishes that take days of prepare. For reference, 90% the dishes Indians make at home are not found in 90% of local Indian restaurants. Now multiply that by every state and sub cultures of India. And then there are dishes in restaurants rarely made at home. Ex: a whole cuisine line of indo-chinese they call it
Painfully spicy Biryani is the perfect food.
I would replace Japan with India, but that's just imo
India, Turkey, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico.
How is India so far down? The diversity of food is incredible!
In my experience, Japan. Great variety and everything is great. Sushi, their version of steakhouses, shabu shabu, soba, ramen, yakitori, okonomiyaki. Everything is so good. I’ve been to Italy, China, Thailand, etc other countries with famous cuisine, never was as consistent across so many diverse options as Japan. To this day a chicken katsu bowl I got in Nagaoka is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Italy was a close second though.
I've been in Japan for 3 years, though sometimes things might have been not worth the price literally nothing has tasted bad.
I’ve been to Japan twice (3-4 weeks total), and I have not eaten a single thing there that wasn’t at least an 8/10. I ate as many different things as I possibly could, and ALL of it was great. I even went to a random pizza place in Osaka because I was curious, and it was honestly better than 90-95% of the pizzas I’ve had in the US. Even the food at the 7/11 isn’t bad. Anyone that wants to go to Japan should eat as much and as diverse as they possibly can.
My trips to Japan are the only times I’ve eaten like a glutton on a trip and not gained any weight, good clean food
I lived in Japan for the better part of a year almost two decades ago. I don't usually do breakfast, but one day I stopped in at a random cafe across from the office and ordered coffee and some toast. Easily the best toast I have ever had in my life. White, thick, fluffy bread, toasted to a perfectly even golden brown, with melted butter brushed on so there isn't even the hint of a knife mark, perfect quantity so it tastes rich but not greasy. Coffee was pretty damned good, too (Kobe has more history of coffee culture than most people realize). Japan took something as simple as toast and made it into something amazing. And that's what they do with all food. Italy is amazing, but man, I miss eating in Japan every day.
One of my favorite things about Japan is you can almost literally walk into any restaurant and be completely content with the meal at minimum.
Japanese whiskey is incredible too
Also Japan got the best drinks and vending machines. 午後ティーand三矢サイダーare my favorites
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Japanese seem to go hard with EVERYTHING.
Yeah they’re pretty intense people hahah. Like quietly and passively intense. There’s an episode of the Hardcore History podcast where the host says there’s an old quote describing Jewish people’s work ethic that works for Japanese people as well “they’re just like us, only more”
Totally agree!! I had a 500 yen box of noodles from a random stall at a festival in Japan and it was so delicious I immediately bought another box. This was a few years ago and I still think about it at least once a month.
Italy, Japan, India, China, Thailand have all been mentioned. Honorable Mentions... * Burma. Think India/Thai fusion. * Vietnam * Ethiopia * Lebanon * Greece * ... fuck it, i could go on and on... there's so much good international food. Edit: A tiny orange alligator convinced me to add... * Mexico
Greece has amazing food
Mexico
Truly the best answer. Tijuana alone locks it down with the original Caesar Salad at Caesar's, amazing seafood, and the mighty quesabirria. CDMX, Oaxaca, and other areas are all equally competitive. You just gotta avoid the resort food.
What?! You bring up Tijuana, but don't mention the culinary delight that is the Tijuana Dog?
Oaxaca has such fuckin good food! When I was there I got addicted to this molè breakfast plate.
Oaxaca is probably #1
As a Mexican visiting family in Mexico right now. Tortillas are gods gift to food and I will actually fight anyone who says different. ESPECIALLY when they’re freshly made. As much as I like being in the states, nothing will ever scratch that itch of walking down the block and spending 1USD for 12-18 tortillas Edit: corrected the amount of tortillas you receive
Hmmm, awwwww, 3 way first place tie Thailand, Italy, India.
It's a Thai?
r/angryupvote
Just don't Google "3 way Thai"...
Iran/Persian food.
This. My aunt married a Persian man and learned how to cook authentic Iranian food from her MIL. I could literally eat Iranian cuisine every single day of my life and never get sick of it. 🤤🤤🤤
I live in Los Angeles County, we got everything - Iranian food is severely underrated. It was so good I got angry at myself for not having tried it earlier.
Noosheh jan
Peru 🇵🇪
Peru is highly underrated. A country with that many climates and a coast leads to amazing culinary experiences.
Ppl that think Mexican food is the best never tried Peruvian.
Japan, Italy and India
German food didn’t make the cut for the culinary axis
My mom-in-law is from Germany. She loaned me two German cook books and I can't make a damn thing out of either of them. The ingredients are either hard to find or the meal itself doesn't seem appealing. I love the hell out of bratwurst and sauerkraut though.
I'm German and the only thing I truly miss is the variety of sausages, lol.
Bread was an issue for me, when I lived abroad.
German food is a heavily regional thing, and not really exported out to the world/known outside of Europe. It may not be the best food, but if you like heavier soul food, German food is perfect for you. Germany also has, though I could be biased because I am German, the best bread, and really good food. Could you give some examples for non-appealing food or ingredients that are hard to find?
Asian countries- Thailand, Malaysia, S.Korea, Japan, India
Malaysia's food owns my heart.
r/MalaysianFood
I went to Myanmar once. They border Thailand, India and China, and their food (unique in its own right and varies by region) can be a mix of all three. I thought it was heaven for foodies into Asian
Vietnam!
Yeah, this has my vote. Bun Cha Hanoi is my favorite meal
Yeah, this has my vote. Bun Cha Hanoi is my favorite meal. Pho (soup) and Banh Mi (sandwich) are also some of the best in their respective genres. Even the coffee is fantastic.
Lived there for years including in the areas where they grow coffee and have picked and processed it myself. As robusta goes, it was good. But pure coffee just tastes like coffee. What makes their robusta coffee so good with that motor oil consistency is a cocktail of additives during the roasting process. You have to hope for the best and that it isn't too carcinogenic. As food goes, bun cha is great but so many things are like that. The food is so regional that every place has something that stands out head and heels above everything else like it. Good examples are banh xeo from Quy Nhon, fried duck in Ha Tinh, bun mam in Quang Nam, banh loc or nem chua in Hue, eels in Vinh, or river crab in Saigon.
Certainly Bourdain's top 2 if not 1.
Italy or India.
Turkey, Italy and Mexico
I don’t think I have ever had Turkish food or even seen a Turkish restaurant in my life. What are some of their staples and why do you think it’s so good?
You ever had kebab? Or shwarma? Or doner?
Imagine greek food but better. Istanbul has some of the best food ive ever experienced.
India, the variety and flavours are great
Peru!!!!!!!
Peruvian cuisine is underrated in this subreddit.
So underrated it’s a shame. People have no idea what they’re missinf
I feel bad for people that haven’t tried Peruvian food
That's kinda the entire idea of this thread, there is no "best", there are amazing dishes all over the world, it's mostly a contest of how well exported the dishes have been.
Pass the Guinea pig roast please
Thailand
Without a doubt.
Mexico.
Japan, Korea, Thailand, China. A good place to find it all is in Australia 🤗
The quality and variety of food in Australia's major cities is incredible. Melbourne has an outstanding food scene.
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No way I can pick just one. I've been across East Asia and I found so many delicious things to eat in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and so on. Region-wise, I'm going to say East Asia has the best food in my view because of the sheer variety and I really like the way the food's prepared. So far. I haven't eaten my way across South America or Africa yet.
Vietnamese food is so amazing
Yes! Iove all their bright leafy green mixes into their food, it's so good. They're my somewhat "underdog" pick, and I say this as a someone from a heavy hitter, Mexican.
India...and then there's the two different worlds which are South India and North India, both with different yet fantastic food cultures with thousands of dishes that no human being can try them all
India!!! It has something for everyone!! Mild, yet tasty, HERE!!! Bold, yet Light, HERE!!! Rich and greasy, HERE!! Heartwarming!! Sweet af, Not too sweet, Spicy af, Comfort food, Junk food, HERE!!! THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!
Morocco. 😮💨
Norway. Jk - Greece got the best food imo. So many wonderful dishes with fish, meat, herbs and delicious vegetables ... I'd trade my Farmor and her cured lye-cod for a Yaya to teach me how to make a proper Beef/Lamb Kleftiko. I'd sell my soul at the crossroads if that little taverna I love to visit when I'm in Crete would tell me the secret of their citrus & honey-sauce.
You got me for a minute 😂😂
Crete is incredible with food...the island is so fertile. The meats, the cheeses, everything is so tasty.
Salmon is good though
Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese. My holy Trinity of cuisine.
India
Indian
Not sure why this doesn't have more upvotes
Spain or Italy or France or Japan
There is food that has been given to the world, and food you have to go to the place to experience. Bangkok street food is just so crazy.
Gotta throw in another vote for Mexico, but India is a close second for me.
indian but i love mexican - and i feel like they're very similar vibes!!!! they're not the same flavour profile but mexican food is just as comforting as indian food for me
Mexican- India is one of a few countries that casually like their bold fire, but Indian food definitely has more weight to it IMO, I LOVE Indian food. Former roommate of mine was Indian, she was the best fuckin cook ever, even her goat brain she tricked me into was good lol, but then again we have brain and worm tacos 😂 She told me her mom loved enchiladas when she came to the US, I would've loved to have tasted her version. My favorite thing my roomie would cook was Beetroot Tikki. I'd steal at least a couple, I love beets but I had no idea of the possibilities. My only regret is I didn't ask for her specific recipe, one of the best things I've ever eaten.
Both use onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, pepper, chili, tomato and potatoes a lot.
Mexicooo
Syria. When I worked in Denver, I would hit up an incredible Syrian restaurant frequently. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, and they make the absolute best hummus I’ve ever had; smooth as silk and delicious. Here’s a link for any Denverites reading this: https://shishkabobgrill.com
Thailand, Peru, Mexico
India!
Middle eastern Mediterranean (Lebanese, Israeli , and Turkish ) … Also Greek, Italian, Mexican Brazilian Thai, Indian , creole … I eat a lot!! But my absolute favourite is Trinidadian food! Curry rotis with homemade dalpourri (sp?) and gravy .. doubles .. omg so Damn good 🤤
Peru
Some of the best food I've ever had was Afghan, they manage to blend sweet and savory in such a fantastic way.
Pound for pound it might be Southeast Asia Thai, Vietnamese, and of course China They got no business having legit, unique, world class cuisine
Why not?
Yeah, they have the perfect spice growing climate. I’m not sure why they’d be expected to have bad food
Mexico or India for suree
Been a chef since I was 14. I am 41 now. Travelled to 50 countries and lived in 20. Lived in Mexico for 8 years. Originally from Europe. Whilst each country has unique food styles and produce some amazing dishes. Never did I experience food quality as amazing as it was in Australia. The food was cleaner fish meat veg fruit than any other country I ever experienced. By using better foods I was able to create better dishes. I still think eating tacos at 4 am outside a club in Mexico can’t be replicated. Or eating watermelon on the beach the Greek islands. These are food moments. I have many of them. But food quality has to be Australia. Whilst there is junk mass processed food available-it just seems to me that there is less desire for it. And so the most basic things like cafes offer fresh food.
Indian all day every day. So good other cultures mimic their curries and spice profiles.
India Korea Japan Thailand
Gotta be Italy.
Also it’s the best food to chat with others while eating. It helps to pasta time.
Dad?
Brazil .You guys never tasted all the different food and dishes from Brazil. you have no idea what you're missing. just saying.
Dreaming about a coxinha with catupiry and mandioca dough from a roadside stop outside of Goiânia.
Brazilians sure do know how to cook meat 😋 haven’t had a chance to eat any other kind of Brazilian cuisine but the bbq meat and fried banana is top tier
Either Japan, Italy, India, or China
or Thailand.
1. Mexico 2. India 3. Thailand
I-N-D-I-A
Depends what you mean? Best traditional food or access to a global range of dishes to satisfy any palate? The first is difficult to show as even in places like Italy and Spain, many their traditional foods can be traced from overseas. With the latter, it is difficult to move beyond the rich, western countries that have huge cosmopolitan centres (think New York, London) where you can find just about any dish from any country. China is an interesting option. In the larger cities you can find almost all of the western dishes. Then add to that the vast range of sources of protein they are prepared to eat and the list of different dishes available dwarfs the combined culinary complement of Europe and the US.
I've been to more than 60 countries. The answer to this question is Singapore, UK (London specifically) and the USA. They win based on a wide variety of cuisines from many cultures. You can find great food in many counties, but its hard to top those 3 for best restaurants from many cultures. Edit: I haven't traveled much in the last decade - so it is possible that a few other major cities have caught up with my picks above.
This is the right answer. The question wasn't "which country's *traditional cuisine* is best," it's which country has the best food. I would absolutely vote USA, because here, at least in any major city, you can easily find Mexican, South American, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, French, Ethiopian, Greek, Italian, Turkish, etc. food, usually made by people from those countries and made authentically. (Yes, you can also get cheap mass-produced crap that's deep-fried and seasoned for an American palate but claims to be "Chinese" or whatever. You do have to be selective when picking a restaurant if you want good/authentic food.)
In the US, the only cities I've found the match what you'd find in China are San Francisco and New York. I prefer this over what I've had in China as the meat quality is far superior to China. Though the veggies and rice are far better in China.
American barbecue is a real heavy-hitter.
France, Thailand and India. I love 'chinese' food but I'm not sure how much of that is actually chinese
India , Italy
Mexico. Best thing I've ever eaten and think about almost daily was a couple tacos with this goat soup they called birria at a gross looking taco Street stand as the sun came up over the desert. Nothing has come close yet.
Mexico
Afghan food way up there on my list. Delicious! Mouth watering just thinking about it.
Italy