FOOD & CULTURE
Exploring Cuisines Around the World
There are fewer joys in life greater than exploring cuisines from different cultures around the world. For many people, it’s their raison d’être — the thing they live for.
If you plan on traveling abroad to visit a new country, then you have to make it a point to explore food and go for new cuisine experiences.
There are several countries that are cultural melting pots — countries with high levels of immigration — that make great places to find dishes of different cultures.
However, those dishes will often be markedly different from what can be found in native countries. This is because those immigrant populations have to substitute the proper ingredients from what’s available or affordable.
Discovering food is a pillar of traveling. And for many people, it’s their sole motivation. Some tourists find the nearest fast food restaurants or they don’t stray too far from their hotel, which is going to serve fare to which the tourists are accustomed. You don’t need an international cuisine module. You just need to do some exploring.
So what if you want to explore cuisine all over the world? What sort of fare can you expect to find when you deplane in various countries?
And what about dietary restrictions? Can Philippine-bound travelers with animal-free diets easily find vegan Filipino food? And what about vegan food, and food in general, in other countries? What can a traveler expect to find on their plate or bowl or banana leaf?
In this article, let’s sample the experience of discovering new dishes, hopefully to whet your appetite as you plan on your upcoming vacation.
Exploring Cuisine in China
If your goal is to explore Asian food, start with Chinese food. Many people all over the world are going to be familiar with this since there are many Chinese restaurants all over the world. It’s a staple of takeout. So, what kind of food can be found in China?
You’re probably visualizing fried rice, steamed dumplings, a variety of noodles, orange chicken, and fortune cookies — which are actually not Chinese and originate in the United States with roots in Japan.
For the most part, you’d be right to visualize such food when you think about the food in China. But there are ways more than what you normally order for takeout. Take snacks, for example. People in China can get a little peckish in between meals, so they have to nosh on something. So what snacks are popular in the Middle Kingdom?
- Crunchy rice rolls — These are rolls of crispy rice glazed with syrup and rolled in sesame seeds.
- Pineapple buns — Despite the name, no pineapples are used in making this. Instead, this is bread that is fried golden brown and is sugary and crunchy. The name comes from its physical resemblance to the fruit.
- Stinky tofu — You’ve probably heard of this acquired taste. This is deep-fried fermented tofu that can be served hot or cold. The worse this snack smells, the higher the quality of the tofu.
While these are snacks, you also have food for the main course. What can you expect when you sit down for a proper meal?
- Peking duck — Considered one of the national dishes of China, Peking duck is characterized by its thin and crispy skin. This is not eaten like other birds, but is instead sliced into thin pieces and eaten with pancakes, bean and/or soy sauce, and mashed garlic.
- Kung Pao Chicken — This dish is popular in and out of China and is a staple of Chinese restaurants all over the world. This is made from diced chicken, dried chili, cucumber, and fried nuts — either peanuts or cashews. The Western variant popular in China isn’t as spicy and features a more sweet and sour taste.
- Xiaolongbao — If you haven’t had this yet, then you’re missing out. These are dumplings filled with soup and they’re not eaten like regular dumplings. Bite off a small corner, drink the soup, and then eat the rest of the dumpling.
Jerome Jome on Unsplash
Tasting Thai
Moving on from China, what about Thailand? What kind of food can add another smile to a land that’s supposedly full of them? Well, a lot of non-Thai people are going to be familiar with Thai cuisine because of how popular it is all over the world.
When it comes to snacking, the Thais have tastes that range from spicy to sweet.
- Thai mango rice — Mangoes served with sticky, sweet rice. Probably Thailand’s most iconic snack.
- Fried insects — Silkworms, bamboo works, grasshoppers, and crickets that are washed and deep fried.
- Khanom Buang — Thai crepes that are shaped like tacos and filled with something sweet and savory. Topped with strands of egg yolk.
As for meals, Thai taste buds tend for things that are spicier than what a lot of Westerners are used to.
- Thai chicken satay — Chunks of chicken marinated in Thai paste, skewered, and then grilled or boiled. Served with peanut sauce.
- Drunken noodles — Spicy noodles are popular as a late-night dish. Spice can be toned and made vegetarian or with shrimp or chicken. It’s a late-night Asian comfort food for partygoers and other revelers.
- Guay Teow — Rice or egg noodles made with beef, pork, or chicken. Vendors also add wontons or meatballs into the brother. Topped with condiments like sugar, dried chili, lime juice, or fish sauce. Possibly the most popular of all of Thailand’s noodle dishes.
Alessandra Sio on Unsplash
Filipino Food
Now, on to Thailand’s fellow Southeast Asian country, the Philippines. Filipinos have a sweet tooth. Even the food that should be savory, like a cheeseburger, will use a sweet mayonnaise-style sauce. Banana ketchup, which is sweeter than tomato ketchup, is also prevalent in the country.
- Dumplings — Because of the Chinese influence in the country, dim sum has become quite popular. Dumplings, in particular, have become a popular street food staple.
- Turon — This is made from slices of banana coated in brown sugar and then coated in lumpia wrappers. It’s a very common street food in the country.
- Dried mangoes — If you’re in the airport, you’re likely to find these. These are essential chips but instead of savory potatoes, it’s sweet mangoes.
But snacking isn’t the only way in which Filipino food distinguishes itself. The main courses also have plenty to offer your palette. Do note that most Filipino main courses are meant to be eaten with rice, hence they are seasoned a bit saltier than you might be used to.
- Lechon — The most iconic of all Filipino dishes, this is not something that a visitor can miss. This is a roast suckling pig. The pig is seasoned beforehand with a variety of spices before being spit-roasted.
- Native chicken — Similar to the lechon, but instead of a pig being roasted, it’s a chicken. Keep in mind that many native chickens in the Philippines are relatively lean, so there may not be that much meat to go around.
- Barbecue — If you’re in the Philippines, do not miss out on their barbecue. This usually comes in the form of strips of pork or pieces of chicken skewered on sticks and slathered in a semi-sweet barbecue sauce.
- Puso — All of the above is best eaten with puso, rice cooked in banana leaves.
Okay, but what if you want to start exploring cuisines that are a little closer to home? Well, Latin America is right there and is a relatively short flight away. So, what kind of food can you find in Latin America?
For historical reasons, a lot of the cuisine found in Latin America will have similarities to Spanish cuisine. If it’s a staple in Spain, then it’s probably a staple of Central American cuisine.
Munching on Mexican Food
If you’re looking at Latin America, then it might be best to start with Mexico. Not only does it share a land border with the United States, a lot of the Southwest used to be part of Mexico. Not to mention many Americans are going to be familiar with Mexican food.
- Elote — This is Mexican corn. It’s a lot like the corn you’re used to, except that it’s coated with lime and mayonnaise before being rolled in cotija cheese and chili powder. It’s generally a street food but has been known to feature in the menus of high-end restaurants.
- Gordita — This snack is made from corn flour tortillas stuffed with ingredients such as meat, cheese, beans, salsa, or guacamole. The tortillas are quite thick, which means that they’re also quite durable. The word gordita actually means ‘little fat one’ and the term is usually used out of fondness.
- Sopes — These are discs made from fried corn dough and topped with beans, meat, cheese, and sauce. There are different versions of them in every state in Mexico.
Now you know about the snacks in Mexico, but what about when you want something more filling?
- Barbacoa — This braised pork dish simmers in a mixture of chipotle, adobe sauce, cumin, oregano, lime juice, and cilantro. The end result is flavorful and so tender that it falls apart easily. Leftovers can be eaten in tacos, or other dishes.
- Birria — This Mexican beef stew is packed with seasonings and meat that falls apart quickly.
- Pollo Asado -This dish tastes like no chicken dish you’ve ever had before. This char-grilled fowl is served with guac or salsa.
Frederick Medina on Unsplash
Colombian Concoctions
Going south of Mexico will eventually lead down to Colombia. You might think that similar cultural influences from Spain would mean that the food is the exact same, or at least close enough that there’s not much distinction. You’d be wrong. Colombia’s cuisine is similar, but it stands on its own.
When it comes to snacking, Colombia is no slouch. So, what are some snacks that you can expect to find when you’re down there?
- Hormiga culona — Fat-bottomed ants. The ants are soaked in saltwater, fried, and then strained. Wings are removed by hand. This snack can be found on street corners and paired with wine or salt.
- Arepa — Arepas are made with ground corn stuffed with a filling. This is a pre-Colombian food and there are many regional variations and is present throughout other countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, and other South American countries, which means that there’s a whole host of Latin American flavors to discover inside of an arepa.
- Pan de queso — This bread is made from tapioca flour, grated cheese, and fermented cassava starch, which makes it light and voluminous.
So, that’s snacks covered. But what about main courses? How are you going to satisfy your appetite while in Colombia?
- Ajiaco — You’ve probably had chicken noodle soup at some point. It’s a common comfort food in the United States. Colombia’s signature chicken soup is a little different. The chicken soup is made with potatoes, capers, cream milk, and corn. It’s also served with rice and avocado on the side or in the soup depending on preferences.
- Bandeja paisa — This is a fairly popular dish, especially throughout the Medellin area. It consists of rice, minced meat, red beans, chorizo, an arepa, a fried egg, fried pork skin, black budding, plantain, and a slice of avocado. All of this is served on one plate. This is also the national dish of Colombia.
- Pescado Frito — This is a fried fish dish served with avocado, fries, and a bevy of other fruits and vegetables like onions, cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes. The fish that is fried can vary but popular options include red snapper, mojarra, and tilapia.
Eastern European Eats
So, that’s Asia and Latin America sampled. What about another continent or region? What about Eastern Europe? What sort of dishes can you nosh on in Ukraine and Russia?
Snacking is important. It helps get people through the day. A lot of cultures have a name for snacking. In places like Spain and Portugal, it’s called merienda. In England, it’s afternoon tea.
- Perepichka — If you’re looking for iconic Ukrainian street food, then you’ve got to try this. What is it? It’s a soft sausage encased in yeasted dough. The whole thing is then deep-fried.
- Pampushki — Small yeast buns. There are two versions of this, one sweet and one savory. Both are made of milk, flour, eggs, sugar, butter, oil, salt, and yeast. The sweet variant is filled with jam, berries, fruit, or cottage cheese. The savory version has no filling but is flavored with garlic and served alongside borscht.
- Bublik — A round, yeasted bun. Think of it as a kind of Eastern European bagel. The story behind it is that it was made by the Jewish population in Russia, but got its current form in Ukraine. Often used to accompany tea or coffee.
Now that the snacks are taken care of, what about meals? You could fill yourself up on bread, but you’re probably going to want some variety. Luckily, Ukraine has you covered.
- Borscht — A national dish of Ukraine. It’s known for its red coloring and is made from beets, beef, cabbage, and a variety of root vegetables. It’s also a staple of other Slavic cultures such as Russia, Poland, and Lithuania.
- Varenyky — If you’re looking for Ukrainian appetizers, look no further than this other national dish. These are dumplings stuffed with potatoes, ground meat, cabbage, mushrooms, and cheese. There are also dessert variants filled with fruit and sweet cheese. Usually served with sour cream.
- Kotleta Po-Kyivsky — There’s a chance that you’ve had this before. The name may seem unfamiliar, so you might be more familiar with its translated name — Chicken Kyiv. Chicken breast stuffed with butter and coated in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Usually served with vegetables and potatoes.
What about another Slavic country? Is there going to be any similarity or overlap? Yes, there might be some cultural overlap, any Russian snacks you encounter might be similar to Ukrainian ones.
- Sushki -A traditional snack, these are small rings of sweet dough. They have a rather hard texture and are dipped into tea to soften them. They’re also served with fruit jam or sour cream.
- Syrniki — Think of them as a cross between donuts and pancakes and they’re filled with cottage cheese. You’ll find them served with a variety of berry-based jams.
- Pierogi — Another dumpling, the Russian pierogi is made from baked dough stuffed with a variety of fillings. The fillings can be fruits, meat, mushrooms, nuts, honey, or cheese.
- Chebureki — This popular Russian street food is a fried pastry filled with ground meat, onions, and spices. You can find this in many food stalls, restaurants, and cafés around the country.
That’s snacks, what about full meals? Sure, you can probably fill yourself up with enough of the above, but Russian cuisine has a few tricks up its sleeves.
- Beef Stroganoff — There’s a story behind this popular dish. The Russian upper class used to be incredibly fond of Paris and a French chef working for a St. Petersburg family came up with this dish as part of a cooking contest. The dish itself is sauteed beef served in a sauce made with sour cream.
- Kasha — This is the most popular porridge dish in Russia and is eaten first thing in the morning. This buckwheat porridge can be boiled in water or milk and can be served for breakfast or as a side dish later in the day.
- Shashlik — Kebabs are chunks of meat and vegetables served on skewers. The Russian version came from tribesmen in the Caucasus mountains and many Russian families have their own secret recipe for the marinade that gives the meat and veggies their flavor.
Even when limited to a few dishes in a handful of countries in a few regions, just exploring cuisines can take a long time. Never mind the cost of traveling to those countries, the sheer amount of dishes and regional variations can make it all seem daunting.
But isn’t that what makes life so amazing? How lucky would it be for you or even someone with an extensive international cuisine background to taste even half of the dishes in the whole world? Could it even be done in a single lifetime? Time flies fast. So start planning your next trip abroad and fill your itinerary with food, food, and even more food!
