By Planet Sitthixay, Trinity College Student
Have you ever been fascinated by the number of diverse dishes and cuisines there are all over the world?
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In fact, it is impossible to even put a number to the how many different recipes or dishes there are all together. According to CNN 2020 ranking, Italian, French, and Moroccan food are the top runnings for the world’s best cuisines. That said, I would like to bring you around the world some of the best traditional dishes that you should try one day.
1. Bruschetta - Italian food
This is a famous Italian appetizer; a popular ‘finger food’ in Italy. Traditionally served hot off the grill, rubbed with garlic and garnished with olive oil and salt — sometimes topped with cheese, tomatoes, various salami, and various vegetables. In every bite, you will be able to taste all the components.
2. Ratatouille - French food
You may have seen or heard of ‘Ratatouille’ in one of the most widely known animations called Ratatouille , released in 2007. In fact, Ratatouille is popular as an easy-to-make summer dish — Originated in Nice, France.
Its unique taste is rather difficult to describe:
● There is a sweet and tangy taste from the tomatoes and onions.
● While the eggplant is rather bland in taste while still absorbing some flavours and smells from the other ingredients like salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Kefta Meatball Tagine with Poached Eggs - Moroccan food
A simple and tasty dish with minced lamb or beef with garlic. Seasoned parsley, cinnamon and ground coriander is rolled into balls and cooked in a tomato and onion sauce — fragrant with various spices. Flavour packed with tangy, warmly spiced tomato sauce — which the meatballs are just like the cherry on top balancing out the saltiness, tanginess, and sweetness of the sauce.
4. Rogan Josh - Indian food
Dish originated in Kashmir, prepared the slow-cooking method with authentic whole spices in which gives it its uniqueness — it is usually served at a hot temperature. Rogan Josh is rich in butter and its aroma of spices: cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. It is moderately spicy, packed with punches of flavours from the spices.
5. Kuri Kinton - Japanese food
A New Year’s staple dish, including a Japanese sweet potato mash with chestnuts — organic yellow, soft-textured pureed sweet potatoes with chunks of chestnuts to create a balanced taste between sweet and savoury side dish.
Flavour packed with tangy, warmly spiced tomato sauce — which the meatballs are just like the cherry on top balancing out the saltiness, tanginess, and sweetness of the sauce.
6. Pad Kra Prao - Thai food
A go-to Thai local dish that YOU should definitely try! It is minced pork stir-fried with Thai basil, seasoned with chopped chilli, or dry chilli and fish sauce. There are variations, not just pork includes beef, chicken, and even seafood! This is a rather spice packed dish that's why it is often served to be eaten with Thai jasmine rice, to balance the heat.
7. Banh Xeo - Vietnamese food
The name ‘Banh Xeo’ actually refers to a loud sound the rice batter makes when it is being poured into the hot skillet. A savoury fried pancake made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder. This crispy, stuffed ‘crepe’ is very popular in Vietnam and is mostly eaten in the Wintertime.
8. Ma Po ToFu - Chinese food
A popular Chinese classical dish originates from the Sichuan province. Consists of tofu in a spicy sauce with a noticeably thin, oily red suspension at the top, along with minced beef — u sually served as a side dish along with Chinese steamed rice or fried rice.
9. Nasi Lemak - Malaysian food
A comfort food staple for the majority of Malaysians. According to tasteatlas.com, there is no other dish in Malaysia as famous as Nasi Lemak. Consists of soft fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf giving its pleasant smell. Traditionally served with anchovies, cucumbers, peanuts, and boiled eggs — in fact, some restaurant also offers fried chicken as the protein to go along with it.
10. Nasi Padung - Indonesian food
A dish originating from West Sumatra, Indonesia — named after the city of Padang, capital of West Sumatra province. Can be described as a miniature banquet of fish, meats, vegetables, and spicy sambals eaten with plain white rice. In fact, Nasi Padunf is a vital part of Indonesian workers’ lunch breaks in urban areas.