If travel would be cheap or costless anyone lived in a place for a major time of 6 months, trust me. When we speak about travel we obviously have to imply the word food, travel means get to know a new culture, something beautiful and unknowing so, it is impossible no mix food and travel.
Through many lectures, journeys and food I have compiled an essential list that every foodie in this world need at least, take a look. I don't steal you more time, so enjoy your reading!
1. Italy 🇮🇹 :
Italian cuisine had influenced several cuisines all over the globe, it is impossible not to fall in love with Italian dishes and the city- Oh God, the City 😍 - is a mix of fresh air with smells that will make you fly. Italy is a vast city with regional diversity, you can enjoy different dishes and ingredients respect to your location yep, it sounds incredible; if you are planning a trip you have to choose carefully where you want to go, I mean, if you are going to Northern Italy remember its cuisine is influenced by the nearest countries like France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia so it will be normal to find risottos, bologna, and panettones there, whereas, if you want to eat pizza and pasta every day you can visit the Southern Italy, place where you can find +100 kind of pasta, delicious pizzas, awesome gelatos, and seafood; if this has not convinced you, go to Central Italy where you can eat lots of pesto, pecorino sheep cheese, delicious meats, spaghettis (Carbonara has to be on the to-do list) and artichokes. Definitively, Italy is a wonderful place which offers a great culinary variety for all tastes so, it does not matter if you are vegetarian, vegan or meat lover, sure I am that in Italy there is a place for you.
2. Russia 🇷🇺 :
The Russian kitchen has passed through many changes, starting from the Russian Ancients traditions to the Civil War. The Russian Ancients were known for fishing, farming, and hunting so, the culinary basis of Russia relied on fish, pickled vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, meat, honey, and cereals. Nowadays, those traditions have remained throughout the years. If you are a person who likes hot soups, porridge, salads, and cold weathers Russia is designed for you. The best thing about Russia? There are many chocolate factories to visit where you can take tours (some paid) and they will teach you how to make delicious things with chocolate! Undoubtedly, it is a trip we have to do before dying.
3. India 🇮🇳 :
A fascinating place like India full of magic, peace, and people with incredible religious habits obviously has a wonderful culinary taste, to me, the idea of learning to feel inner peace while eating tasty food it is like going shopping and find sales. India is one of the largest producers of tea worldwide so, it is completely normal sign seeing people drinking tea regularly. Rice, lentils, chicken, seafood, and a spicy taste is what you will find there; almost everyone has eaten an Indian chicken curry recipe so, if the taste of that recipe is speechless imagine eating its famous butter chicken or its Hyderabadi biryani dish that consist in rice with spices intermingle with mild meat; although if you want to eat meat you have to visit Kerala or the northeast because cows are sacred animals in a large part of the country.
4. US 🇺🇸 :
due to the large amount of immigrants the US has a wide culinary culture, though, when we speak about America's food culture we have to say that fast food is the king, no matter how many foreign people there are, how many culinary fusions they do, fast food is what Americans eat most based on surveys. So, let's talk about pizza, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, donuts, pies, pretzels, and fries; some cities are famous for specifics dishes, for example, Chicago and NY are famous for its different pizza styles, in Chicago the pizza is famous for being a deep-dish pizza whereas in NY the pizza style is characterized by its thin crust, tomato sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese; Philadelphia on the other hand, is known for its cheesesteaks (bread, sliced beefsteak, and melted cheese); Springfield for its horseshoes sandwich (toasted bread, hamburger patty, fries, and cheese sauce); and the list goes on… If you love fast food go on a trip to the US you won't regret it.
5. Mexico 🇲🇽 :
Mexican food is a variety of flavors, colors, and joy! The Mexican cuisine has its origin thousands of years before, and it is one of the most recognized cuisines all over the globe. In Mexico the corn to make masa is indispensable, personally I love nixtamalized flour I think it is a blessing God sent us! Tacos, mole sauce, tortillas (yummy), tortas, tamales, and guacamole are common and delicious dishes that we can eat there but that's not all, you can enjoy the incredible spirit and humor of Mexican people while you eat heaven's food.
6. France 🇫🇷 :
French cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine (YAAAAS!) so you can get an idea how tasty it is, a major part of its cuisine is base on cheese and wine, also French cuisine is in the list of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. A city full of love, magic, and lights is also full of food so when you'll there you have to try these babies: croquet monsieur (is a baked or fried boiled ham and cheese sandwich), the famous French croissants, macarons (meringue-like cookies), the French pastry mille-feuille (three layers of puff pastry and three more of pastry cream), and a perfect Soupe à L'oignon (based on onion, meat, bread and cheese).
7. Spain 🇪🇸:
did you know that the best ham in the world belongs to Spain and that its name is BEHER? Spanish cuisine is not influenced only by Roman, Greek, and Arabs culture, when Europeans arrived in America they took new culinary elements and took them to Spain, so we can say Spanish cuisine is an interesting mix of countries. When you'll there do not leave without trying this dishes: the original Valencian paella recipe (white rice, meat, green and white beans, snails, and seasonal ingredients); the famous Tortilla de papas/ Spanish omelette (a delicious dish based on fried onions and potatoes mixed with eggs, sometimes you can find it with more ingredients, it is completely up to you); and definitively you need to try a good Gazpacho (a cold soup made of blended vegetables).
8. China 🇨🇳 :
I know what are you thinking, that China is all about tea and sushi 😂 ahahaha that's crazy and false, The Chinese cuisine has an awesome meaning, the food is seen as giving "qi" energy (Chinese term for life energy, or life spirit) this belief is based on the Chinese traditional medicine: a good meal must to has a balance between the four natures: (hot, cold, warm, and cool) and the five tastes (pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) having said this let's get into business; these are the dishes you need to try to can live the Chinese experience: Dim Sums (Small bite-sized rounds stuffed with veggies or meat), fried noodles (delicious, refreshing and wonderful), spring rolls (shredded vegetables or meat are encased in thin sheets and then fried golden), nothing like an original fried rice and lastly, you need to try tofu in the variety you prefer.
9. Venezuela 🇻🇪 :
and last but not least, I included on this list my country, not for a nationality thing or something like that, is that Venezuelan food is more than tasty guys, you really need to give it a try. Venezuelan cuisine is full of masa (yes, like Mexico) maltas, rice, plantains, spaghetti, flour, meat, white cheese, and tasty sweets to pick up. We usually start our day with Arepas (it is like a dough of masa (made of corn flour) filled with cheese, ham, avocado, tuna, bacon, or any other ingredient we have in our hands; Cachapas also are made of corn but with grains of corn instead of corn flour, the main ingredients to make cachapas are: corn (obviously), milk or water, sugar, salt, and butter (optional), once done we topped it with butter and cheese; another great dish are Hallacas (a Christmas recipe made with masa pigmented with anatto, filled with a unique (you will find it only in Venezuela) stew meat, olives, raisins, and capers lastly, we wrapped it with plantain leafs; another dish is Pabellón Criollo (white rice, shredded stew meat, blacks beans, and fried yellow plantains); in every party that we have there is a dish that never cannot miss: Tequeños (we consider them like snacks, and basically Tequeños are cheese fingers, made with bread dough and white cheese); Las Empanadas are globally recognized but like Venezuelan ones there aren't, we make them with masa (corn dough) and we filled them with cheese, ham, all kind of meats, beans, or veggies; Changing the subject to beverages, we have awesome drinks: Chicha: (a non-alcoholic drink made with boiled white rice and milk, we usually add to it cinnamon, condensed milk and ice cubes); Mango juice (we drink it a lot); Malta; Papelón con limon (is a refreshing drink made with brown sugar and lime, we served it cold); and for desserts we have: Piñitas (a sweet bread; Pan de jamon (it's a Christmas bread filled with ham, olives, bacon, and raisins); Quesillo (made with eggs, condensed milk, and caramelized sugar); rice with milk (rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon); the list goes and goes on... but I think it is sufficient with this, really trust me when I say that Venezuelan food have no rivals.
So, this is the end guys, I hope that you enjoyed the list, and not only that, although I hope that you are willing to try at least one of those dishes ✈️ ✈️ ✈️ thank you for read me, Byeee 👋