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Our Top 10 Favourite Foods From All Over the World
One of the most underrated parts about travelling is getting to sample all the different cuisines out there. You might consider yourself a bit of a foodie, but trust us – we thought we were too before we tried a genuine Turkish kebab or an authentic Indian curry…
So on this page we’ll take you through The Bucket List Company’s top 10 favourite foods from all over the world, so you know exactly what to try if you ever visit these places.
Let’s begin…
Pad Thai – Thailand
We’re starting off big with one of the food capitals of the world: Thailand.
If you’ve had a Thai takeaway before, you probably think you’ve got a pretty good idea of what Thai food looks like. But trust us, as satisfying as a takeaway can be, nothing compares to eating the proper stuff in the place it was made.
There’s loads (and we mean loooooads) of delicious options you have to try but our number one pick is a classic – a good old Pad Thai.
If you’ve delved into the world of Thai cuisine before, I’m sure you’re familiar; but in case you’re not, Pad Thai is basically stir fried noodles with shrimp, chicken or tofu, scrambled eggs, vegetables, and that signature sweet and sour sauce.
If you find yourself in Thailand, this one is a must – there’s a reason it’s made its way all over the world.
At The Bucket List Company, we’ll ensure you have your fill of Pad Thai, as well as elephants (not eating them obviously!), jungles, mountains and lakes. Click here for the full itinerary for our Best of Thailand trip.
Kebab – Turkey
A popular food at 3am when you’ve had a night on the drinks, there’s a reason why kebabs are universally loved. But if you’re trying an authentic Turkish kebab, maybe leave the alcohol to one side because this is a taste experience you’ll want to remember.
Particularly popular in Istanbul, you’ve got 3 main types of kebab: döner (the old reliable, cooked on a vertical rotisserie), shish (where the meat’s been grilled then skewered), and iskender (that thin döner meat served on a toasted pita bread with tomato sauce and yoghurt).
Whatever you choose, you’re sure to be disappointed when you go back to the English equivalents. If the thought of a proper Turkish kebab has you salivating (I know I am!), have a look at our Discover Cappadocia trip here.
Nasi Goreng – Indonesia
Rice is Indonesia’s most common staple food, so it’s only right we recommend it if you find yourself there.
Rice is known as ‘nasi’, and there are several local dishes which incorporate it. The most popular is Nasi Goreng, which is fried rice usually served with meat, veg, and a fried egg.
You can also get nasi in other forms, like nasi campur (a scoop of white rice surrounded by various small side dishes, such as meat, veg, eggs, and peanuts), nasi uduk (steamed rice in coconut milk, with sides such as chicken and tempeh), and nasi padang (originating from the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, it incorporates steamed rice with side dishes and spicy flavours).
Safe to say they’re much more interesting than the rice dishes I normally cook up.
Tagine – Morocco
Morocco had to feature on this list somewhere and there was only ever going to be one winning dish.
Tagine is basically a slow-cooked stew, using meats like lamb, chicken or beef, and adding vegetables. It’s known for its use of aromatic spices such as saffron, cumin and ginger, making it an absolute flavour powerhouse.
It’s made in a conical clay pot, which is also known by the name tagine. If you find yourself passing through Morocco, make sure you give this dish a go – it really is fantastic.
Planning on visiting? You’re in luck because we’ve got several trips to Morocco where you’ll be able to try the local cuisine. Click here for:
Pho – Vietnam and Cambodia
Vietnamese food has made its way over to the UK in a big way in the last few years but you’ll still want to try the real stuff.
We were close to giving our recommendation to banh mi, which is a street food sandwich (normally a baguette) filled with meat, pâté, vegetables, fresh herbs, and a special sauce. It might not get the number one spot but you should definitely still try it.
Instead, our gold medal goes to pho, the national dish of Vietnam. Rice noodles, broth, herbs, and whatever protein you desire… there’s a reason it’s become such a favourite overseas as well as in its place of birth.
Our Bucket List Company trip to Vietnam treats you to the flavours of Cambodia as well – two for the price of one! Click here to find out more.
Paella – Spain
I’m sure most of us are familiar with Spanish food, and what better way to try it than after a day’s hiking, rock climbing or canyoning? That’s what you’ll get on our Spanish Adventure trip.
6 days of exhilarating activities, washed down nicely with some authentic Spanish cuisine at the end. Your best bet for sampling as much food as possible is to go to a tapas spot with a few other people, where you can get a whole range of little dishes to pick at.
But our number one choice? Although Spain doesn’t technically have a national dish, paella comes pretty close, and you can understand why. What’s not to love about rice with vegetables and either meat or seafood.
It’s traditional to even use rabbit as the meat in some paella dishes, but I wouldn’t blame you for just opting for chicken instead!
Momos – Nepal
I believe the saying goes “If you like dumplings, you’ll love momos.” Okay, I just made that up but it stands true.
While dumplings are a broad category, momos are region specific to Nepal, identifiable by their distinctive shapes and use of Himalayan spaces.
A street food staple, fillings include chicken, pork, lamb or even buffalo, or a range of vegetables. They’re either steamed or fried and served with a delicious dipping sauce. This one might just be my favourite so if you’re in Nepal, you know what to do.
Speaking of visiting Nepal, as well as the range of treks around its iconic mountains, we also offer a much gentler Best of Nepal trip, where I promise you’ll get to eat some momos. Click here for more info.
Hákarl – Iceland
Bit of an unusual one and certainly aimed at the food adventurers out there – fermented shark anyone?
Hákarl is Iceland’s national dish, made from Greenland shark meat. The high levels of ammonia actually make this dish poisonous when fresh, which is why the meat is fermented and hung to dry for 4-5 months.
This removes the toxins but the dish is still rather pungent, which is why it’s often accompanied by a shot of Icelandic schnapps to cover the flavour. Certainly one of the more peculiar foods out there but it’s popular with tourists nonetheless.
And the unusual taste is obviously nothing the Northern Lights can’t fix. Or how about a lovely simmer in a geothermal bath? Yeah, Iceland’s pretty cool (pardon the pun!).
Click here for more info about our Iceland Winter Adventure.
Matoke – Uganda
Another national dish and this time it’s matoke from Uganda.
This meal is made by steaming or boiling green bananas (known as plantain) until they have a unique doughy texture and mild flavour. These bananas can’t be eaten raw because of their high starch levels.
It’s then served with sauces or stews, and is packed full of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Definitely something to give a go after a day of gorilla trekking through the African jungle – click here to find out more.
Just about everything – India
And last but by no means least… where to even start with this one?
Indian food speaks for itself and it’s a challenge to only recommend one. With bustling street food setups at every turn, you’re never far from an array of spices and smells, almost all of which is outrageously cheap.
Delhi in particular is the place to go for foodies – pakora, chaat, gol gappa, kofta, kebabs, and literally every type of curry you’ve heard of (and lots you probably haven’t). I’m of course a fan of curries back in the UK (who isn’t?!) but the ones in India will blow your socks off in comparison.
Stick to the stalls where the locals are buying from and you should escape the notorious food poisoning known as Delhi-belly. And after all, if anyone knows where the tastiest, most authentic spots to grab a bite to eat are, it’s the locals.
Our India Himalayan Adventure will give you the opportunity to indulge in these delicious dishes, as well as try your hand at rafting, canyoning, zip lining, safariing, and trekking too – click here for the full itinerary.
And there you have it! Those are our top 10 (give or take) favourite foods from all over the world, ready to be devoured on your next trip.
For more info about all the trips we offer, click here to see your options. Our Bucket List Company trips will give you an authentic range of the local food AND enough free meals for you to explore the cuisine for yourself.
Let us know if you have any questions or you’d like a chat and let’s get that trip sorted. If you don’t book it now… will you ever?
