Food is celebrated and respected in evry part of the world. Due to its immense complexity food is widely diversified. Food can differ depending on factors like culture, climate and abundance of ingredients. For example, a person who lives in America may have cornflakes and milk for breakfast while a person in India might have dosa for breakfast.
Many countries have their own National dishes, However, countries with mixed or diverse cultures such as India and Sri Lanka will not have one.
The main reason for this is because of the consumption of different dishes in each area.
For a traveller visiting country to country or even a person sitting on the couch chilling out ,the dishes featured in this article will bring a wider understanding of global cuisine.
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1. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Kabsa/Majiboos
This dish originated primarily in Saudi Arabia, but is considered as the national dish in the UAE. This dish is a delight in the Arabian Peninsula. The dish is a slow cooked mixed rice dish. Cooked with long grain rice, often basmati accompanied by meat plus spices like saffron, black cloves, cinnamon, the aroma of this dish travels miles and miles. The dish is given a finishing touch with sultanas, pine nuts, dried lemons. It is served with homemade Arabic style tomato sauce. It’s easy to find this at a locals house on a random day or maybe it will be available at the restaurant on festive days too. Kabsa, symbolises the victorious history pf the UAE.
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2. China - Peking Duck
Funny name, you will think. Well ‘Peking’ was China’s present capital Beijing’s former name, therefore, the name itself shows how much content this food has. A fat duck is plucked and killed in preparation, later it’s hung up to dry after being blanched in hot water. For the drying session, the duck is layered with soy sauce and five-spice powder. The duck is then left to dry for 24 hours, then cooked in an open-oven or closed oven based on the preference or style.
Peking Duck is often served to guests at three stages. Parts of the duck are dipped in various sauces or is otherwise enjoyed with vegetables. Tthe dish has travelled over the world and to UK as well.
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3. France -Pot-au-Feu
Fitting the standards of both the rich and poor, Pot-au-Feu is the most respected dish in France. Pot-au- feu means “Pot on Fire”. This dish is basically French beef stew. Mainly prepared using cuts of beef that need more time in cooking, a cartilaginous meat, carrots, parsnips, turnips and seasoned with black pepper,salt, cloves as well as a collection of herbs, Pot-au-Feu is ideal for a person seeking a new taste. King Henry the Great that said,“I want no peasant in my kingdom to be so poor that he cannot have a poule au pot on Sundays.”, French people prefer it over other dishes in the world and it is the country’s favoured. Dish.
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4. Singapore - Hainanese Chicken Rice:
In a country where rice is the staple, Chicken rice would seem simple, but this one doesn’t mean, a piece of chicken set out with an amount of white rice. This dish is rather special for anyone trying it as a new dish. The rice is cooked in chicken stock to give it flavour. It is plated with boiled chicken accompanied with soy sauce and slices of cucumber. Brought to Singapore from China, the dish is regarded ad a staple of most citizens. In August 2021, with the celebration of it’s national day, McDonald’s exhibited ‘Hainanese Chicken Burger’ in recognition of the popularity of Chicken Rice.
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5. Egypt – Koshari
Another mixed-rice dish. First sold by street vendors as a Street Food, later it was introduced to restaurants. Koshari contains a whole lot of rice, macaroni joined by lentils like chickpeas. Coming from the Mediterranean region, Egypt has given the dish it’s own signature by a seasoning it with Egyptian Lemon Sauce.
Koshari is considered Vegan, as long as it’s prepared with vegetable oil. A everyday dish found all over the nation, mainly consumed by workers, it may be served at official events as well. With the passage of time, Koshari has been served with sides such as hot sauce and short spaghetti . The cook garnishes it with chickpeas, onion or maybe garlic juice. Keep this in mind, to eat when you visit the pyramids.
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6. South Korea - Kimchi
Kimchi is one of the delights in South Korea. Similar to pickles, Kimchi is found at every meal, even at breakfast! Therefore, it is named as the country’s staple dish.
Kimchi is assembled with napa cabbage, burdock, radish with seasonings of chilli powder, spring onions, garlic, and ginger. Brought to television and media through artistes, Kimchi is a food that is abundantly found in South Korea’s supermarkets too. Nevertheless, it’s also used in many other favourites too, for example to prepare Kimchi Jeon, (Korean Pancakes). It is also used in soups.
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7. Ireland - Irish Stew
Taking advantage of the simple method of stewing, Ireland has fixed up a food of greatness. With an ancient history, Irish Stew is a mix of meat and vegetables. It will include lamb or mutton with potatoes, onions and parsley. A native, the dish is popular all over the area. Irish natives love it’s gravy and flavour.
If you ever visit this Snake-less country, sit down and gobble this up.
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8. Mexico - Mole
Mole is a sauce. A rather peculiar choice you may think, but Mexicans consider this their soulmate. Mole is a thick, gravy side dish that is consumed in every household with rice or any type of meat.
Mexicans use it to pipe enchiladas or tortillas too. I would like to equal it to Tomato Sauce, because it’s used in any meal to season or as a side dish.
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9. Germany - Sauerbraten
Derived from sauer meaning sour, it means “Sour Roast”. Definitely one of Germany’s favourites it is cooked in three different steps, namely marinating, cooking, and preparing gravy.
First the meat to be prepared is chosen, mostly it will be round beef or venison. Next the meat is heavily marinated with red wine and other spices like peppercorns and nutmeg. After letting it sit ti the meat is roasted until tender. Later, when the roast is cooked perfectly, it is put into a pan and made into a thick gravy.