25 TRADITIONAL MEALS YOU NEED TO TRY FROM 25 COUNTRIES

Something that really adds to the experience of visiting a new country is being open to trying the local cuisine. We believe the best way to truly experience local culture when you travel is to try the food. Every country has their own special dish that is traditional to them, and many have a traditional way of eating it.

Here are 25 traditional meals you need to try from 25 different countries. Have you tried any of these dishes?

Argentina: Parrillada

Argentina loves their meat. Parrillada is a traditional meal where there are a variety of meats that are grilled or barbecued.

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Australia: Meat Pie

The Aussie meat pie is a hand sized meat pie normally filled with minced meat and eaten with tomato sauce. It is the most popular food eaten during Australian Rules Football matches. 

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Austria: Wiener Schnitzel

The Wiener Schnitzel is made of veal which has been crumbed and fried. It is traditionally garnished with a slice of lemon and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter.

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Belgium: Moules-Frites

Known as the national dish of Belgium, Moules-Frites is a meal consisting of mussels and fries. The portion of moules in Belgian restaurants tends to be one and a half kilograms per person.

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Cambodia: Amok Trey

This traditional Cambodian dish is made up of steamed curried fish. The fish is coated in coconut milk and steamed in a cup made from banana leaves. 

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Canada: Poutine

You can not go to Canada without trying Poutine, it is everywhere! Pretty much every restaurant in Canada serves this famous dish which originates from Quebec. It is made with french fries and topped with gravy and cheese curds.

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China: Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is a type of steamed bun, traditionally prepared in small bamboo steaming baskets. 

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Denmark: Frikadeller

Popular in Denmark and many other European countries, Frikadeller are flat, pan-friend dumplings made of minced meat. They are commonly served with boiled white potatoes and gravy accompanied by pickled beetroot or cooked red cabbage.

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El Salvador: Pupusas

This traditional Salvadoran dish is made of a thick, handmade corn tortilla that is usually filled with cheese, cooked pork and refried beans. 

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England: Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is one of England's most popular meals. From English origin, the meal consists of battered fish and deep-fried chips.

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France: Crêpes

A crêpe is a very thin pancake originating from France, but is now eaten pretty much everywhere in the world. Crêpes are served with a variety of fillings, and can be either eaten as a sweet or savoury meal.

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Germany: Sauerbraten

This German pot roast is a popular dish eaten across Germany. Traditionally made with horse, but any meats will do, the cut of the meat is first marinated for several days in a mixture of vinegar or wine, water, herbs, spices and seasonings. This causes the pot roast to be very tender, soft and juicy. 

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Iceland: Ein með öllu

Ein með öllu, meaning “give me one with the works”, is a traditional Icelandic hot dog. Their sausage is made with lamb and topped with raw white onions & crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep, and remoulade (a sauce made with mayo, capers, mustard, and herbs).

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India: Tandoori Chicken

This spicy dish originating from India is now popular throughout South Asia, Middle Eastern and Western countries. It consists of roasted chicken prepared with yoghurt and spices cooked in a cylindrical clay oven, a tandoor, which is where the dish got its name.

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Italy: Pizza Margherita

This is probably an obvious choice. The pizza was invented in Naples, Italy and has become a popular dish around the world. 

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Japan: Ramen Noodles

Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat broth and topped with sliced pork, dried seaweed and green onions. Every region in Japan seems to have its own variation of ramen.

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Mexico: Tamales

Tamales have been traced back to the Ancient Maya people. A tamale is a dish made with masa (a corn based dough), which is steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper. It is filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables and chilies and the wrapping is discarded before eating.

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New Zealand: Pavlova

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert topped with whipped cream and fruit. The dessert is a very popular dish and an important part of the national cuisine of both New Zealand and Australia.

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Singapore: Chilli Crab

Chilli Crab is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore. Mud crabs are commonly used and are stir-fried in a thick, sweet and savoury tomato and chilli based sauce. Despite its name, chilli crab is not a very spicy dish and can be found at most restaurants throughout Singapore.

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Spain: Paella

Known as Spain's national dish, Paella can come in many varieties. Valencian paella is believed to be the original recipe, consisting of white rice, green beans, chicken, rabbit, white beans, snails and seasonings. The more common paella, however is the Seafood paella.

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Sweden: Köttbullar

Swedish köttbullar, or meatballs, are arguably the nation's most famous traditional dish.

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Thailand: Pad Thai

Pad thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly served as a street foot in Thailand. It is made with soaked dried rice noodles, which are stir-friend with eggs tofu. fish sauce, shrimp, vegetables and spices. 

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United States: Philly Cheesesteak

Starting in Philadelphia, but now found across the United States, the Philly Cheesesteak is a classic American meal. It is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll. 

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Vietnam: Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup consumed any time of the day. It consists of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles, herbs and meat. 

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What is your favourite traditional dish in your country?

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