There is no love sincerer than the love of food,” George Bernard Shaw said There is no love sincerer than the love of food,” George Bernard Shaw said and I totally second him. But which are the tastiest? Which are the best foods? And what are destinations that serve them?
We’ve scoured the planet for what we think are 10 of the most delicious foods ever created. For now, feast your eyes and control your drooling, as we reveal some of the world’s best foods that can help you
1. CHEESE FONDUE, SWITZERLAND
Fondue is Switzerland’s national dish, a melting pot of different flavors and aromas, similar to the country itself–a melting pot of people and different cultures. Its name comes from the French word fondre, meaning to melt, and it was first described in Homer’s Iliad as a mixture of goat cheese, flour, and wine.
Fondue’s key ingredient is cheese that is melted over a fire, with a lot of regional varieties and flavourful additions such as cherry brandy, white wine, or a sprinkle of nutmeg. It was invented out of necessity, when the alpine locals and traveling herders relied only on cheese, wine, and bread to get them through the winter.
2. SEAFOOD PAELLA, SPAIN
The sea is lapping just by your feet, a warm breeze whips the tablecloth around your legs and a steamy pan of paella sits in front of you. Shrimp, lobster, mussels and cuttlefish combine with white rice and various herbs, oil and salt in this Valencian dish to send you immediately into holiday mode. Though if you have it in Spain, you’re probably there already.
3. HUMMUS, MIDDLE EAST
This humble Middle Eastern spread, made with chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice and tahini has become a fridge staple all around the world. This tangy treat tastes good as a dip, with breads, with meats, with vegetables, beans or — hear us out — on a Marmite rice cake.
4. LASAGNA, ITALY
Second only to pizza in the list of famed Italian foods, there’s a reason this pasta- layered, tomato-sauce-infused, minced- meaty gift to kids and adults alike is so popular — it just works.
5. PIRI-PIRI CHICKEN, MOZAMBIQUE
The South African restaurant chain Nando’s has made Mozambican- Portuguese Piri-Piri chicken loved around the world. But for the original dish, head to Maputo, capital of Mozambique. Galinha à Zambeziana is a finger-licking’ feast of chicken cooked with lime, pepper, garlic, coconut milk and piri piri sauce.
6. SUSHI, JAPAN
When Japan wants to build something right, it builds it really right. Brand giants such as Toyota, Nintendo, Sony, Nikon and Yamaha may have been created by people fueled by nothing more complicated than raw fish and rice, but it’s how the fish and rice is put together that makes this a global first- date favorite. The Japanese don’t live practically forever for no reason — they want to keep eating this stuff.
7. SOM TAM, THAILAND
To prepare Thailand’s most famous salad, pound garlic and chilies with a mortar and pestle. Toss in tamarind juice, fish sauce, peanuts, dried shrimp, tomatoes, lime juice, sugar cane paste, string beans and a handful of grated green papaya. Grab a side of sticky rice. Variations include those made with crab (Som tam boo) and fermented fish sauce (som tam plah lah), but none matches the flavor and simple beauty of the original.
8. CHICKEN PARM, AUSTRALIA
Melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, and a peppery, garlicky tomato sauce drizzled over the top of a chicken fillet — Aussie pub-goers claim this ostensibly Italian dish as their own. Since they make it so well, there’s no point in arguing.
9. CHILI CRAB, SINGAPORE
You can’t visit Singapore without trying its spicy, sloppy, meaty specialty. While there are dozens of ways to prepare crab (with black pepper, salted egg yolk, cheese-baked, et cetera) chili crab remains the local bestseller. Spicy chili- tomato gravy tends to splatter, which is why you need to mop everything up with mini mantou buns.
10. FAJITAS, MEXICO
This assembly kit of a dining experience is a thrill to DIY enthusiasts everywhere. Step 1: Behold the meat sizzling on a fiery griddle. Step 2: Along with the meat, throw side servings of capsicum, onion, guacamole, sour cream and salsa into a warm, flour tortilla. Step 3: Promise all within hearing range that you’ll have “just one more.” Step 4: Repeat.
