The hybrid cuisine that's worth travelling around the world for (2024)

One of the best things about travelling is trying new food.

From fresh gelato in Italy to spicy noodles from the night markets in Thailand, every country has its own food rituals to experience.

Read through to see some of the best local foods from regions, cities, and countries around the world that are an absolute must-try. 

You can't beat tacos in Mexico. But for a really authentic experience, go for Al Pastor.

It's made with pork that's been marinated in spices and pineapple juice, then roasted on a vertical rotisserie until caramelised.

The cooked meat is shaved off the spit and served on small corn tortillas with diced onions, coriander, pineapple chunks, and a squeeze of lime.

They actually originated from Lebanese immigrants to Mexico in the early 1900s, who brought their shawarma-style methods to local food.

If you think you know what a hot dog is, think again.

The Chicago Dog is a whole thing of its own.

An all-beef hot dog served on a poppyseed bun, it is topped with tomatoes, onions, green relish, pickles, and mustard. 

It feels like every culture has their own form of dumplings. In Nepal, they have momo.

Typically filled with meat or vegetables they can be steamed or fried.

They are often served with a spicy dipping sauce or tomato-based chutneys and are a staple street food in Kathmandu.

Ćevapi is a traditional Balkan dish consisting of grilled minced meat sausages seasoned with various spices.

They're served in flatbread with chopped onions and ajvar, a roasted red pepper spread.

You can find them in countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Kosovo.

Poutine originated in the French Canadian province of Quebec.

It's made of hot chips covered with cheese curds and gravy, and is the perfect way to warm up on cold Canadian nights.

More dumplings!

Pierogies are filled with various savoury fillings, like mashed potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, or ground meat.

They're either boiled or pan-fried in butter and served with toppings like sour cream, onions, and bacon bits.

They also can be filled with sweet fruit as a dessert. 

Chicken Rice is a signature dish in Singaporean cuisine, featuring poached chicken served atop rice cooked in chicken broth and flavoured with garlic and ginger.

It's typically accompanied by chilli sauce and sometimes a light soy-based dipping sauce - best enjoyed from the hawker markets.

Ragù alla bolognese is a meat-based sauce originating from Bologna, Italy.

Again, it's one found all over the world but tastes so much better when you try it in its birthplace.

Don't look for 'bolognese' on the menu though - it's called Tagliatelle al Ragù.

In the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, Khao Soi is a local noodle delicacy.

It's a rich, creamy coconut curry broth served over egg noodles, with chicken or beef.

The dish is then garnished with crispy fired noodles, pickled greens, lime, and chili. 

Gemista is a traditional Greek dish of stuffed vegetables - usually tomatoes and capsicum.

They are stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat, then baked with potatoes and a tomato sauce until soft and flavourful.

Pizza is a worldwide food by now, but everyone should try it in Naples at least once, where it was invented.

Neapolitan pizza is renowned for its classic Margherita variety - and is a great street food when it's folded and wrapped.

This dish consists of thinly sliced döner kebab meat served over pieces of pita bread, topped with a hot tomato sauce.

It's served with a special sheep's milk butter and yogurt topping.

Commonly known as a Portuguese custard tart, this treat features a flaky, crisp pastry crust filled with a rich, creamy custard that is slightly caramelised on top.

They're best when you can try them while still warm.

Supplì are Italian rice croquettes that originated in Rome.

They're usually filled with mozzarella cheese, sometimes meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until crispy.

They are often enjoyed as a street food snack or entree before dinner.

Phở is a Vietnamese soup with rice noodles and thinly sliced beef in a salty savoury broth.

It's then garnished with fresh herbs like basil, coriander, and green onions.

Sacher Cake (or Sachertorte to locals), is a famous Austrian chocolate cake invented in 1832.

It features dense layers of chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam in the middle, coated in a dark chocolate glaze, served with whipped cream.

The best in the city is found at Café Sacher.

Currywurst is a popular German street food that's beloved in Berlin - especially after a late night.

It's made of fried pork sausages served with a spiced ketchup sauce flavoured with curry powder and other seasonings.

It's best enjoyed with hot chips or a bread roll.