Eat Your Way Around the World: 12 Iconic Dishes Worth Traveling

Written by: Trippack Tours and Travels Inc. Published On May 10, 2025

Authentic Indian thali with makki di roti, sarson da saag, mixed vegetables, lentils, and buttermilk served on a traditional brass plate

{"time":1746913424162,"blocks":[{"id":"rdGFf1Fk63","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Real Flavors, Local Tables, and the Stories Behind Every Bite"}},{"id":"x14ZIzDJgC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If you ask seasoned travelers what they remember most from their journeys, many won\u2019t name the landmarks, they\u2019ll talk about the food. That tangy broth in Hanoi. That smoky grill in Istanbul. That plate of handmade pasta in a Roman alley. Food isn\u2019t just fuel. It\u2019s history, family, ritual, and identity, served hot. And when you try a dish in the place where it was born, surrounded by the people who grew up eating it, it becomes a memory far deeper than a meal. Here are 12 dishes that are absolutely worth the trip and where to go for the most soul-stirring versions. "}},{"id":"s2-MvgmMQI","type":"header","data":{"text":"1. Pho \u2013 Hanoi, Vietnam","level":2}},{"id":"x3Ze-ks0PR","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This humble noodle soup is a national treasure. In Hanoi, you'll find it simmered with star anise, charred ginger, and marrow-rich broth passed down for generations. Best shared at:<\/b> A plastic-stooled street corner before 9 AM. "}},{"id":"w9bkOWlGZ7","type":"header","data":{"text":"2. Paella \u2013 Valencia, Spain","level":2}},{"id":"fCg_ZSfRxw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Real paella isn\u2019t seafood-heavy or yellow from saffron packets. In its hometown, it\u2019s cooked over wood fires with rabbit, snails, and green beans. Best shared at:<\/b> A Sunday afternoon with locals, preferably outdoors. "}},{"id":"0l2BLeJrEX","type":"header","data":{"text":"3. Mole \u2013 Oaxaca, Mexico","level":2}},{"id":"mdL0_xXYDt","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Oaxaca\u2019s mole is deep, rich, and layered with 30+ ingredients including chilies, chocolate, and cinnamon. It's a ritual in a bowl. Best shared at: <\/b>A family-run comedor, preferably one that doesn\u2019t own a menu. "}},{"id":"CKF-qIY3hL","type":"header","data":{"text":"4. Ramen \u2013 Tokyo, Japan","level":2}},{"id":"wtToJXGDOo","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Forget instant noodles. Ramen in Tokyo is soul food, the pork broth slow-cooked for hours, noodles hand-pulled, every bowl unique. Best shared at:<\/b> A tiny counter where the chef doesn\u2019t speak English, but smiles when you slurp. "}},{"id":"rs4Iargn3t","type":"header","data":{"text":"5. Tagine \u2013 Marrakech, Morocco","level":2}},{"id":"o8ZoeKsXGv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Spiced with saffron and slow-cooked in clay pots, tagine is both comforting and celebratory. The aroma alone is worth the airfare. Best shared at:<\/b> A rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes through the city. "}},{"id":"7vAD_lX-dK","type":"header","data":{"text":"6. Ceviche \u2013 Lima, Peru","level":2}},{"id":"91imvwxuQ3","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Fresh white fish \"cooked\" in lime juice with red onion, chili, and sweet potato, ceviche in Lima is a bright, zesty revelation. Best shared at:<\/b> A coastal cevicher\u00eda packed with locals on lunch break. "}},{"id":"DGJqXC2sv4","type":"header","data":{"text":"7. Pizza \u2013 Naples, Italy","level":2}},{"id":"hNAxTA4APh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The birthplace of pizza keeps it simple: tomato, mozzarella, basil. But the chewy crust and wood-fired magic are impossible to replicate. Best shared at:<\/b> Anywhere with a queue of locals snaking down the block. "}},{"id":"9lokMmIgVd","type":"header","data":{"text":"8. Bobotie \u2013 Cape Town, South Africa","level":2}},{"id":"MBvT4n7wf3","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This curried meat pie with egg topping is comfort food with Cape Malay roots. Sweet, spicy, and truly South African. Best shared at: <\/b>A local\u2019s kitchen, ideally after a hike. "}},{"id":"02d4zRk_Bz","type":"header","data":{"text":"9. Laksa \u2013 Penang, Malaysia","level":2}},{"id":"xchp7gOeTs","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A fiery coconut noodle soup with shrimp paste, herbs, and a tangle of textures. Laksa wakes up every part of you. Best shared at:<\/b> A hawker stall with sweating locals and a never-ending pot. "}},{"id":"peTZjkJWKQ","type":"header","data":{"text":"10. Pierogi \u2013 Krak\u00f3w, Poland","level":2}},{"id":"_VGgR8jzLY","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or mushroom. Pierogi are peasant food made elegant, boiled, pan-fried, or baked. Best shared at:<\/b> A cozy milk bar where the cutlery doesn\u2019t match. "}},{"id":"aAELjqanav","type":"header","data":{"text":"11. Jollof Rice \u2013 Lagos, Nigeria","level":2}},{"id":"AyXOA4Qgy9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Rice, tomatoes, chilies, and spice. This West African dish inspires serious pride and serious debate on who makes it best. Best shared at:<\/b> A family celebration or pop-up kitchen with loud music. "}},{"id":"XaOV3up4uv","type":"header","data":{"text":"12. B\u00e1nh X\u00e8o \u2013 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam","level":2}},{"id":"F8-q3QxuRs","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A sizzling rice pancake filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in greens and dunked in fish sauce. Best shared at: <\/b>A sidewalk table under a canopy of motorbike horns and city light. "}},{"id":"d3I3T4bpDv","type":"header","data":{"text":"13. Thali \u2013 Rajasthan, India","level":2}},{"id":"luhggNQLYW","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A complete meal on a single plate, thali is a mosaic of textures and flavors, from creamy lentils to fiery pickles and buttery flatbreads. Best shared at: <\/b>A traditional haveli courtyard with brass dishes and warm hospitality. "}},{"id":"LdCnfftP0s","type":"header","data":{"text":"14. Goulash \u2013 Budapest, Hungary","level":2}},{"id":"qaVpi0FMqh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"More than just a stew, Hungarian goulash is rich with paprika, tender beef, and stories passed down over centuries. Best shared at:<\/b> A rustic tavern near the Danube, with a local beer in hand. "}},{"id":"6OQvCjoXDM","type":"header","data":{"text":"15. Borscht \u2013 Kyiv, Ukraine","level":2}},{"id":"tDUi5ce7Ap","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This beetroot soup is vibrant, earthy, and often topped with sour cream. It's as much about resilience as it is about flavor. Best shared at:<\/b> A family-run cafe where grandmothers stir the pot. "}},{"id":"_0gMbrOrhR","type":"header","data":{"text":"16. Couscous \u2013 Tunis, Tunisia","level":2}},{"id":"MtfdR7oqXE","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Steamed semolina grains served with lamb, vegetables, and fiery harissa. Couscous is the centerpiece of Tunisian hospitality. Best shared at: <\/b>A shaded courtyard filled with laughter and jasmine tea."}},{"id":"GizSL8w2YN","type":"header","data":{"text":"17. Hoppers \u2013 Colombo, Sri Lanka","level":2}},{"id":"LiV4f3XAA-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Crispy-edged bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice batter. Often filled with egg and paired with spicy sambol. Best shared at:<\/b> A busy breakfast stall in the early morning haze."}},{"id":"gJL5kAeOUs","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":" Final ThoughtEating your way around the world isn\u2019t indulgent, it\u2019s how you connect. It\u2019s how you learn what people treasure, how they celebrate, how they heal. So next time you plan a trip, make your first question: \"What do they eat?\"<\/i> \u2728 Taste your way through curated food adventures at:<\/b> https:\/\/trippack.ontripcart.com "}}],"version":"2.31.0-rc.7"}

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