Certain cities around the world are as iconic for their food as they are for their culture. Their culinary contributions have improved the human experience. Here are the ten best culinary destinations around the globe.
10. Lima: South America
Lima uses its coastal marine life from the Pacific in numerous dishes. It’s famous for ceviche (raw fish cured in lime juice with chopped chilies and served with raw onions and fresh cilantro). Other staples are paiche (an Amazonian catfish) and tumbo (a rainforest fruit). For the last several years, Lima had the most restaurants make the best restaurants list.
9. Cartagena: South America
A true melting pot of cuisine, Cartagena combines local, Caribbean, Spanish, and African food influences. Cartagena’s restaurant chefs and street carts excel at combining local flavors. Dishes feature an abundance of fresh seafood and tropical fruit. A beloved breakfast is the Arepas or cornmeal cakes. These are grilled and stuffed with cheese or deep-fried and filled with beef.
8. Mexico City: Mexico & Central America
Mexican cuisine today combines tradition stretching back to the Aztec empire and colonial Spanish influences. In 2010, UNESCO named traditional Mexican cuisine an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Mexico focuses on farm-to-table dishes. The flavor of Mexican food in Mexico is very different than Mexican dishes made in other places in the world.
7. Marrakech: Africa
A blending of cultural influences is found in Marrakech, where culinary delights fuse Arabic, Mediterranean, and Andalusian with a touch of European flair. There’s an abundance of local produce, and chefs combine seasonings such as the ras el hanout (combining 27 spices) and saffron to create unique flavor combinations found nowhere else. The most popular dish is tagine, a slow-cooked stew.
6. Cape Winelands: Africa
In the Western Cape’s Stellenbosch are vast vineyards that draw thousands of visitors annually to sample its wine and be part of the wine-centric adventures. As a result, it’s also a major food destination. Winemakers pair their tastings with some of the best local produce. You also find a slew of high-end restaurants offering fine dining.
5. Mumbai: Asia
Like many cities where cultures mingle, Mumbai cuisine is an amalgamation of influences, including Indian, Portuguese, and Persian. An iconic dish is the Bombay duck fry, which is actually fish with a pungent aroma. Another favorite is pav, which is a deep-fried potato dumpling with spicy sauce in a bun. Street stalls are abundant with other tangy and savory snacks.
4. Hanoi: Asia
The most famous Hanoi dishes are Pho (noodle soup), Bun Cha (grilled pork and noodles), and Pho Cuon (rice noodle rolls). These dishes exemplify Hanoi cooking, which has Chinese roots and combines five flavor elements: Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and spicy. Another staple is Banh Mi (a baguette stuffed with either pate, fried egg, barbecued pork, herbs, and vegetables).
3. Hong Kong: Asia
Hong Kong may be the culinary capital of Asia, hosting more than 11,000 restaurants. What makes Hong Kong’s food unique is the confluence of influences such as Cantonese, Peking, Shanghainese, and Szechuan, to colonial British, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian. Dimsums are the city’s most popular, along with egg tarts, and Hong Kong-style milk tea.
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2. Bangkok, Thailand: Asia
Taiwanese cuisine brought the world Pad Thai noodles. So many dishes feature fragrant Thai curries. Large, sizzling woks and pans are a staple of Thai cooking techniques. Though delicious, some are still squeamish about trying unusual offerings such as fried insects and Baak Bpet (fried duck beaks). Nonetheless, some Thai stalls on street corners have been awarded Michelin stars.
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1. Tokyo, Japan: Asia
Japanese cuisine, or washoku, was added by UNESCO to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the second to receive this honor. In Japanese culture, food establishes bonds between friends and family and is considered a pillar of society. Japan has graced the world with from sushi, ramen, Yakitori, sticky rice, Wagyu beef, and so much more.
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