Beyond Tacos and Sushi: Discovering Lesser-Known Ethnic Foods
Even though we all try to come across as skilled foodies, this level of expertise can only be attained if we are knowledgeable about the wide variety of foods available. Although not all of us have the means to tour the globe, these specialty foods can be found in most major cities. Here is a list of 10 ethnic foods you've undoubtedly never tried but really should!
Nabemono from Japan
Japanese stews and soups known as nabe are a variety of hot pot meals that are typically offered in the winter. So essentially, a pot of delectable soup is cooked with a variety of vegetables, your choice of meat, such as pork, beef, or chicken, and noodles.
It compensates for an incredibly nutritious and protein-rich diet with a decadent taste. In reality, Chankonabe, a variation of Nabe, is the traditional diet of Sumo wrestlers. Japan is much more than just sushi and noodles, as you can see.
Lyonnaise salad from France
The king of cuisine, France, has a number of famous foods and locations up its sleeve. But no other city contributes as much to salads and condiments as Lyon does. It's simple to overlook France's national salad, the Salade Lyonnaise, when crepes and pastries are on everyone's travel itinerary. All one can utter after completing this mouthwatering concoction of lettuce, dandelion, bacon, eggs, and Lyon's special sauces is "Merci.”
Spanish pintxos
Leave it to the Spanish Basques to make a delicious dish and make it famous! Small pieces of bread are the base of pintxos, which are then topped with a variety of components like stuffed peppers, meat, seafood, tortilla, or croquettes.
A toothpick is then used to keep everything together. The best pintxos are served in stunning San Sebastian, which also happens to be the city with the second-highest number of Michelin stars per resident in the entire globe!
Mortadella di Bologna, from Italy
The home of pizza, ravioli, and other delicious foods has something new to offer us. The finest cooked pork sausage in Italy is made in Bologna. Their specialty cold-cut sausage, called mortadella, is minced in a mortar with cheese, fat cubes, and seasonings. It is the finest meat conceivable and is perfect for lasagna and sandwiches.
Indian Kebab
Among India's other mighty food powerhouses, The City of Nawabs manages to stick out like a beacon thanks to its rich culinary heritage. Even though tempting and delectable dishes like biryani, chaat, and kulfi are available, nothing quite captures the essence of Lucknawi cuisine like a platter of juicy, tender kebabs. Some of the most well-known burgers the city has to offer are galauti, boti, and tundey.
Since the chef who created the dish the first time was also disabled, the word "tundey" actually means "handicapped." The kebab is a flavorful concoction of 150 masalas and ground lamb or beef.
Korean Peninsula - Soondae
Although it goes by the name Sundae, trust me when I say it has nothing to do with the popular ice cream treat. Soondae is prepared by steaming or boiling the entrails of a pig or bovine that have been filled with noodles, barley, scallions, soybean sprouts, and, yes, blood. It is a type of blood sausage that is a very famous street food in Korea. Sundae Town, a neighborhood in Seoul, is named after it. So the next time you're in Korea, opt for a Soondae with tteokbokki sauce and fries rather than swallowing an octopus stalk.
Smoked meat sandwich, Canada
Montreal smoked meat is a delicacy in and of itself, but when it is sandwiched between two pieces of bread and served with pickles, your tongue experiences unfathomable things! A beef brisket is salted, spiced, and preserved with coriander, garlic, and mustard seeds for a week before being expertly smoked.
Then, to complete the ideal dinner, a fat slice is hand-cut and presented with coleslaw and fries. Because of its French heritage, Canada has a lot to offer foodies, but the sandwich is one such treat that you must definitely avoid eating before boarding your flight home.
Shish Barak from Lebanon
Shawarma and falafel are common fare at street food stands and stalls everywhere, particularly after Iron Man was seen devouring one at the conclusion of Avengers. For Lebanese aficionados, however, the Shish Barak, a less well-known delicacy, is a must-try.
Ground meat and seasonings are placed in a thin wheat dough packet, which is then cooked in yogurt and served with sauces. The dish, which has been around for millennia, serves as a reminder of Middle Eastern cuisine's exquisite cuisine.
Spain – Lahmacun
Sorry Italy, your favorite product simply doesn't work in Turkey because the people there have their very own Lahmacun, a Turkish pizza. Essentially, it is a round, thin slice of dough topped with meat, vegetables, and a ton of herbs, which is baked to perfection.
The Turkish delicacy, which has been around for almost a thousand years and is best made in the city of Gaziantep, is served with pickles, peppers, and tamarind paste.
Key Lime Pie from the United States
The United States is a melting pot of individuals from all over the world, so it's difficult to pick just one dish to try while there. It is responsible for the creation and modification of hundreds of dishes and can be attributed to anyone. However, the Key West area gets credit for creating this enticing dessert.
Key lime juice, egg yolks, and condensed sweetened milk are cooked in a pie crust. The mixture thickens without baking due to a reaction between the milk and lime juice. The pie is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth, and it is the perfect ending to any delicious dinner.
Churrasco from Brazil
Churrasco is essentially grilled meat or beef, or, to be more precise, a barbecue. The meat, either beef or pig, is cooked in a churrasqueira (barbecue grill) with skewer or spit supports. The flesh is grilled until tender, soft, and juicy before being served with a variety of pre-prepared sauces. Brazilians adore their barbecue, and one can easily find shops and vendors offering Churrasco on the streets of Brazil.
Chelo – Iran
Iran, or Persia as it was known in ancient times, has an enviable cultural past and is credited with inventing or improving some of the best and tastiest dishes found in the Middle East and around the world. The Chelo is one such Iranian achievement, and the beauty of the dish is that people often battle over the rice rather than the meat.
The meal is complemented by skewers of chicken (jojeh) or beef kebab and succulent grilled tomatoes, with the top being plain buttery rice and the bottom being a crunchy golden crust of sheer delight.
Tlayuda From Mexico
Leave the nachos and burritos at home and sample this typical Oaxacan dish made of toasted tortilla, refried beans, avocado, cabbage, and shredded chicken, beef, or pork. A generous quantity of Oaxacan cheese and salsa sauce is sprinkled on top. What Mexican dish would be complete without a dash of salsa zing? They are a popular snack food with many variations throughout Mexico, but we particularly recommend the Oaxacan version.
Conclusion
So I suppose many of these meals caught you off guard. Allow your heart and stomach to make all of your travel choices, and make it a point to tour all of the world's food capitals. You never know what dish greets you in which part of the world, or where your taste buds will take you next.
It's tough not to be hungry. So get out of your comfort zone and go to that local Ethiopian restaurant you've been "meaning to try," or walk over to the Mexican food truck you see from your kitchen window and snag a bite to eat- you'll thank me later.
If you’re thinking about making these simple Ethnic dishes at home visit Storego.com to buy the best ethnic products from tons of varieties.
I am going to make my favorite one, what about you!