FOODIE GUIDE: 10 Countries Where You Can Eat the Best Food

Traveling is a million times better with food. It’s one way of discovering another culture, with the sense of taste. Whether it be through their specialty cuisine, high-end dining, street food, snacks, or exotic food–every travel is made more colorful with food. The best thing about food is that you don’t need to break the bank to eat delicious food. Many times, delicious and satisfying food can be found along the streets, in hidden alleyways, budget-friendly restaurants, or even at a fast-food chain or convenience store!

With this, we’ve surveyed our foodie and travel junkie friends to ask what makes a destination worthy of being called a gastronomic mecca. We listed their top picks and asked them what their food favorites are.

So for those foodies who want to discover the world by taste, we’ve got the perfect guide for you. Use this time to save money for your travel abroad once the borders open. Read along to know our top ten countries that have the best food!

Japan

Japan is often at the top of the list when it comes to countries with the best food. The country takes its culinary art seriously, from simple yet world-class sushi, ramen, wagyu to street food such as takoyaki or kakigori.

It’s as if everything in Japan–even their konbini food– is worth trying! The best thing about Japan is that every region has its own specialty, which will make you want to come and try everything they have to offer.

Must try: Sushi. It’s the most popular dish in Japan, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re totally missing out. Kinds of sushi include nigiri, sashimi, maki, temaki, and uramaki. If you want to splurge and have a taste of high-quality sushi, you can go to high-end sushi bars, but there are also budget-friendly sushi bars that you can go to anywhere in Japan!

Italy

The Mediterranean cuisine of Italy has always been highly regarded, thanks to the abundance of flavors they offer. Italians usually love to cook using fresh ingredients, made more appetizing by herbs and spices.

Many of the dishes we love are Italian pride, such as pizza, pasta, and gelato. Most Italian dishes use tomatoes, which is an essential ingredient in Italian cuisine.

Must try: Pizza. Sure, you think you’ve tried the best pizza from your local chain, but nothing beats the original. Italian pizza is traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven, which enhances the pizza’s flavors. Add cheese and other toppings, and there goes the best pizza you’ve ever tried.

Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is all about greens, herbs, and aromatics. Most Vietnamese dishes are made fresh and fragrant, and their cuisine is one of the healthiest there is in the world. Aside from being healthy, it’s one of the lightest yet most delicious dishes globally, thanks to the herbs and aromatics used in each dish.

Must try: pho. This Vietnamese noodle soup consists of beef bones, fresh noodles, ginger, aromatic spices, and fish sauce. What makes it tastier is the beef broth that is simmered for hours. This dish was originally from Northern Vietnam, but you need not go there as Ho Chi Minh offers this delicious delicacy, whether in local restaurants or fast food!

India

Just the scent of it will indulge you in a feast of mouth-watering Indian cuisine. Indian food, known for spices, is just one of the best foods in the world. Characterized by the most common spices such as coriander, cumin, and turmeric, Indian food is definitely the most flavorful there is in the world of cuisines.

Must try: butter chicken. If it’s your first time trying Indian food, best to try butter chicken, which is a staple dish in most Indian restaurants. It’s cooked with tandoori-chicken in a stew of tomatoes, butter, and spices that’s creamy and buttery, best paired with garlic butter rice and a slice of naan bread.

South Africa

It’s not as popular as Italian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, but South African cuisine is a must-explore country if you’re looking for gastronomic experiences. The culinary scene of South Africa is influenced by various countries due to its history of colonization. Despite that, they can offer a diverse selection of delectable dishes that depict its colorful culture.

Must try: boerewors. It’s South Africa’s take on sausages, but theirs is made with a mix of beef, pork, or lamb and blended with spices. It’s a bit chunkier compared to other types of sausages and is best for barbecue parties. It’s made with 90% meat and 10% combination of spices, which gives you a filling, hearty meal.

Mexico

Mexico is one of the countries you should visit if you want to try bold, colorful, and tasty meals. Corn, beans, and chilis are three of the staple ingredients used in Mexican cuisine, and you’ll surely encounter these whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner! Foodies will surely love traveling to Mexico because they offer lots of comfort food along the streets with a scent that’ll make you want to eat more!

Must try: enchiladas. These are made with shredded chicken wrapped in a soft corn tortilla with a savory sauce. To make it more filling, they add potatoes, vegetables, and cheese to it. Enchilada sauce is somewhat spicy, which gives a kick to the main dish itself.

Greece

Wheat, olive oil, and wine are the holy trinity of Greek cuisine. A beautiful country like Greece makes a trip worth it with their mouth-watering offerings in their own cuisine. Greeks use mostly fresh ingredients in their dishes like vegetables, made more delicious with feta cheese, olives, fish, and beans.

Must try: gyro (pronounced ghee-ro). This flavor-packed savory dish is a favorite in Greece. Made with meat cooked in a rotisserie, the gyro is made with meat blended with spices wrapped in pita bread. It’s quick and easy to prepare and eat! Here’s a little trivia: did you know gyros are an ancient Greek street food?

Spain

Spaniards take their meals very seriously. From el Desayuno, el almuerzo, la merienda, to la Cena, you’re in for a sumptuous treat if you’re in Spain. And once there, you can’t miss the great flavors of combined fresh ingredients and exotic aroma that make their dishes so delicious. From seafood to sausages, there’s just so many things to try in Spanish cuisine that you’ll definitely love!

Must try: paella (pronounced pa-eh-yah). Through paella, you can taste the best of Spain. This classic Spanish dish consists of rice, seafood, spices, vegetables, and meat is an iconic dish that’ll make you taste all the good stuff. Originated in the coastal side of Spain, paella will show you the food culture of Spain in this vibrant meal.

China

Yet another mainstay in the top countries with the best food is China. Who doesn’t love Chinese food? Chinese dishes coming from various regions in their country are all worth trying. There’s Cantonese, Fujian, Shandong, Sichuan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hunan, and Zhejiang, which all offer impeccable dishes of their own specialties. From dumplings to soup, you’ll never run out of options to eat in China.

Must try: dim sum. These are small, bitesize savory dishes usually paired with tea. They’re usually filled with meat, vegetables, or seafood and are either steamed, baked, or fried. Foodies mostly rave about siu mai, chicken feet, and xiao long bao–which explains the abundance of these Chinese dishes worldwide!

France

Sophisticated is the right word to describe French cooking. French cuisine is simple, yet it’s done with such finesse, from presentation to its taste. The French have their own cooking techniques that contribute to how their dishes are created, for example, mise en place or “everything in its place.” They usually use cheese and wine for their meals, as two essential ingredients in the kitchen.

Must try: beef bourguignon (pronounced boor-gee-nyawn). This exquisite dish is made for meat lovers. It’s a savory stew made of beef, vegetables, and herbs in a rich and flavor-filled sauce, usually with red wine. Food critics and renowned chefs have regarded this dish as one of the best beef dishes in the world.

Are you a foodie who likes to discover Michelin Star restaurants, or would you rather discover cheap yet filling meals along the local streets of the country you’re visiting? Also, what about you, what do you think is the best country to-go-to when it comes to food?

Share your food experiences abroad with us and drop your tips and suggestions at the comments section below!

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Also read: The 15 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Spain.