France has their crusty baguettes and ripe, oozy cheeses (to say the least). Mexico has their street tacos and aguas frescas. Japan has, well, everything (sushi, ramen, and even their McDonalds are amazing). But what about the rest of the world? If we fall in love through our stomachs, one could say our stomachs call the shots when it comes to getting stamps on our passports, too.
If you, like me, plan your trips based on where you can eat, then there's a few countries you'll need to add to your bucket list ASAP. They're slightly off the beaten path, very underrated, and just might be a bit less tourist-heavy than that Italian getaway you've been planning. Time to renew your passport, make some reservations, and make some space in your stomach for these countries that are a culinary traveler's dream come true:
Singapore
While Thailand's food attracts plenty of travelers already (and perhaps too many), I think it's time to fly south and eat your way through Singapore, where eating has been described as a "national pastime." On top of the country's rich street food (a.k.a. hawker) culture–where you can eat dishes like chili crab and ice kachang–the wider dining culture in Singapore is a deliciously unique blend of Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian influences.
Portugal
Once you eat (and drink) your way through Portugal, you'll wonder why it took you so long in the first place. Between the pastéis de nata, the ever-flowing bottles of port wine, freshly grilled octopus and bacalhau (a.k.a bacala), you'll want to do yourself a favor and add a few more days of eating to your travel itinerary.
Indonesia
If Bali has long been on your bucket list for a wellness retreat or surfing getaway, you should make some time to eat the food of this expansive archipelago that spans 6,000 populated islands and 1,300 ethnic groups. While you might not be able to make it to all of those islands, you can certainly eat a solid amount of the dishes popular to the country, such as nasi goreng, mi goreng, tumpeng, and laksa curry.
Bolivia
With very little European influence (as compared to other South American countries), Bolivian cuisine is unique for how it highlights traditional Incan, Andean staples, such as corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans, and makes them extraordinary. This is all to say, you're going to want to make sure to eat your way through their empanadas salteñas and a glass of singani, a favorite Bolivian-made brandy.
Jamaica
As a result of slavery, the spice trade, and colonization, Jamaican cuisine's influences range from West Africa and India all the way to Ireland and England, with no lack of spices throughout. Many dishes are creative spins on dishes brought from these far-flung countries and well-worth a flight to Nassau, like Jamaican patties, callaloo, jerk chicken, as well as ackee and saltfish.
Colombia
A flavorful mix of Arab, African, and Spanish influences, Colombian cuisine varies wildly from region to region, whether you're near the ocean or near the Amazon. But one thing is true: you'll want to eat your way through all these regions. Be sure to try a hearty bowl of sancocho, cheesy-stuffed aborrajado, and (naturally) legendary Colombian coffee.
Senegal
One of the most delicious cuisines of West Africa, Senegalese cuisine has dishes that are heavily influenced by their Islamic population, the proximity to the Atlantic ocean, and its former status as a French colony. What this means for your eating schedule? Plenty of seafood, traditional thieboudienne, and fattaya, which is a street food made of fried dough filled with French fries, a savory onion sauce, a fried egg, and a bit of ketchup and hot sauce.
Peru
Much like Bolivia, Peru takes staples such as corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans and, with with a mix of cultural influences (from Japan, West Africa, Spain, and Italy), makes a cuisine all their own. While there, you'll want to dine on the best of the best Peruvian dishes, like fresh ceviche, papas rellenas, and (my favorite) lomo saltado.
Phillipines
An archipelago nearly as wide-ranging as Indonesia, the Philippines has a rich and diverse culinary tradition, with a mix of Spanish, Chinese, and American influences. So if you can't get enough adobo chicken, halo-halo, or lumpia at your favorite Filipino restaurant stateside, why not go to the source and keep eating?
Norway
Denmark may have many world-renowned restaurants, but we think you need to go slightly further north to really eat your way through the best of Scandinavia. Especially if you want to eat the freshest gravlax (heck, seafood in general) of your life, get yourself to Oslo (or foodie center, Trondheim) and ready yourself for a krabbefest, which is exactly what it sounds like: a crab party eaten seaside with plenty of beer and wine.
Czech Republic
Often overlooked as it's quite literally surrounded by nearby German and Polish cuisine, Czech cuisine is ready for the spotlight. In fact, the Czech Republic might just do so many Central European dishes the best, like strudels, dumplings with cabbage, and goulash-adjacent guláš.
Vietnam
If your tastebuds have gotten even slightly bored while traveling, I suggest you head to Vietnam, where classic dishes will always feature the five signature tastes (sweet, spicy, bitter, sour, and salty). Aside from grabbing the requisite bánh mì and phở, be sure to grab a refreshing glass of sinh tố while you're there.
Austria
Let it be said: Austrian food is not the same as German food. While yes, both cuisines love their pork, beer, and bread, Austrian food takes some tasty detours that are worth noting, like sweet sachertorte, savory tafelspitz, and the apricot-filled Marillenknödel dumplings.
Taiwan
Night owls, it's your time to shine. The early birds do not get the worm when it comes to Taiwan's famous night markets, with stalls hawking sweet sticks of tanghulu, Taiwanese meatballs, and Taiwanese popcorn chicken from sunset to sunrise. Set your alarms for midnight!
Nigeria
Okay, okay, Nigerian food might just be tied for #1 food with that of its distant West African neighbor, Senegal. What should you expect in Nigeria? In short, a feast. Come hungry and ready to stack your plate with plenty of jollof rice, pounded yam, and steamed moi moi pudding.
Mackenzie Filson
Contributing Assistant Digital Food Producer
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine and if wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
