The best foods to try in every region of the world
Food and traveling go together like peanut butter and jelly. Every food item has a meaning, history, and cultural story behind it. Food can bring people together, heighten senses and emotions, and teach us a lot about different parts of the world.
A study abroad with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is the perfect time to try new foods and immerse yourself in your host culture. Here are five amazing foods from every region of the world — so you’re guaranteed to have delicious cuisine to sample, no matter where you end up.
Asia: Indian and Thai curries
Curries are meals served with a spicy sauce that is usually made of turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, garlic, and chiles. It may include meat, vegetables, or tofu, and is usually served with rice or bread. India and Thailand both offer several varieties of curry-based dishes, so picking just one favorite isn’t easy.
While in India, you can find tikka masala, korma, bhuna gosht, and makhanwala, which are just a few of the delicious dishes with a curry base. In Thailand you’ll find yellow, green, and red curries, as well aspanang and massaman curry meals.
No matter which one you choose, you’ll be satisfied with the explosion of flavor that happens in your mouth — just be careful not to order it too spicy!
Europe: Italian pasta
When in Italy, you must try the pasta. In its simplest form, pasta is usually made with wheat flour and water or eggs, but there are endless opportunities to dress it up with sauces and ragus. Whether you go for carbonara, cacio e pepe, or a rich lasagne alla Bolognese, you won’t be disappointed.
Perhaps it’s just an urban legend, but we here at USAC think that everything tastes better when you’re studying abroad, and Italian pasta is no exception.
Europe: Spanish paella
Paella is Spain’s most iconic dish, and for good reason. It typically features rice, chicken, seafood, and vegetables seasoned with saffron, although many regions of Spain boast their own unique variety.
Traditionally, the dish was cooked over an open fire. Whether you have the opportunity to enjoy it that way or from a simple kitchen pot, you’re sure to love paella.
Africa: Moroccan shakshuka
Shakshuka is the ultimate comfort food and the perfect way to sample Morocco‘s excellent cuisine. Cooked together in one skillet, herbs, spices, onions, chili peppers, and tomatoes are simmered slowly before the final touch is added: eggs poached right on top of the mixture. It’s then served with plenty of delicious bread, perfect for dipping. Finish the meal with a cup of mint tea, which is a pivotal componentof Moroccan life. You’ll typically see it enjoyed after a meal or shared between/around conversations with friends.
Latin America: Ceviche (Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Uruguay)
You can find local variations of ceviche across Central and South America, whether you’re studying in the northern countries of Costa Rica or Cuba, or farther south in Chile or Uruguay. It consists of fresh raw fish “cooked” in lemon or lime juice and spiced with aji or chili peppers, and since it has to be prepared and eaten quickly, it might be the freshest food you ever eat. To accompany these complex flavors, ceviche is typically served with sweet potatoes, onions, lettuce, corn, plantains, or avocados.
