Many travelers stick to foods they know, yet still there are many amazing meals that aren’t as famous but are loved where they come from. Alright, we understand that when you travel a very long distance, your body may not be ready for an entirely different diet – so you stick with the well-known fast-food brands. We get it. Still…
For all the foodies, eating new, local food is a fun part of visiting a new country, and each one has its own special dishes that tell us about its people and history. In fact, we have a post about the history and food of Krakow.
We put together a list of the dishes that made us sweet memories on our trips.
Each one offers a unique taste and adds something special to your travel experiences.
Here’s a taste of what you might find!
Go ahead and let yourself indulge in the rich, sweet layers of a Turkish pistachio baklava as soon as you get a chance – it is a perfect blend of nutty and syrupy delight!
1. Baklava
A Sweet Taste of Turkey
Baklava is a famous sweet treat from Turkey – but also very controversial. Namely, many nations claim it is theirs – Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Algeria, Armenia… There are many variants – it could be filled with walnuts, pistachios, or almonds, with cinnamon, chocolate, honey, or sugar. Also, they can differ in shape – squarish, triangle, round – rolled or not… Oh, your head starts spinning from all the alternatives!
In any case, baklava – in some of its variant – is known in many parts of the world. Its story goes back to the times of the Mesopotamia; yet the history of baklava as we know it today starts in the times of Ottoman Empire. Read more about its origins here.
Baklava is made with layers of thin phyllo pastry, nuts, and sherbet (melted sugar) or honey. It is a part of Turkish culture – and overall Middle East culture, even in the Balkans (see the posts about Mostar and Sarajevo, as well as Ohrid to see the influence of Turkish rule in the Balkan, that is visible in the local cuisine). It plays a big role in celebrations and gatherings – read about its importance in different occasions here.
Main ingredients include:
- Thin pastry sheets
- Finely cut nuts
- Sugar or honey
- Butter
People in Turkey and across the Middle East love baklava. They often argue about which region makes the best version. We just advise you not to insult anybody when talking about baklavas – it is a sensitive topic. 😅
2. Ceviche
Peru’s Fresh Flavor
Ceviche is a famous dish made with raw fish, a national specialty in Peru and has a loooong history. We mean 3,000 years long history. The fish is cut into pieces and soaked in citrus juices, usually lime or lemon, which makes it refreshing.
Back in the times, Moche people (an ancient civilization from the today’s Peru) were making a simpler version of ceviche, as there were no citruses in Peru back then. The native people of Peru used to prepare fish with local fruit juices. In fact, it was Spanish who introduced new onions and limes when they came. Today, ceviche is a popular dish that people love because of the cool taste, especially on warm days – it’s super refreshing!
Main ingredients:
- Fresh fish, usually sea bass or tilapia
- Lime or lemon juice
- Onions
- Chili peppers
- Salt
- Coriander (cilantro)
Peruvian ceviche should be eaten fresh. Expect to feel the zest!
If you’re traveling to Peru, we absolutely recommend you to check out the best restaurants serving ceviche in Lima, Peru’s capital.
3. Koshari
Egypt’s Vegan Delight
Koshari is a popular dish you’ll find on the streets of Egypt. It started as a simple meal made from leftovers – this is what happened in many cases of traditional dishes all over the world (e.g. Serbian “muchkalica”). Therefore, this dish has a little bit of everything – a little bit of rice, a little bit of pasta, some lentils with chickpeas, spicy tomato sauce, and crispy onions on top. It lookes like a volcano!
Main ingredients:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Tomato sauce
- Crispy onions
Yeah, drop your keto diet when trying this one!
Funnily, the dish itself is not originally Egyptian – rice and macaroni are not native to Egypt! The roots of the dish are from India, and British brought it to Egypt in the late 19th century. Yet, it stayed!
Read a great article on koshari here.
Koshari shows off Egypt’s history of mixing different cooking styles. It came from mixing local and foreign ingredients when different people came to Egypt. Now, Koshari is a part of life for many Egyptians. You can grab it quickly at any time of the day and it fills you up for a long time.
4. Bunny Chow
South Africa’s Flavorful Comfort
Bunny Chow is a fun dish from South Africa. It began during a tough time in history called apartheid. People needed an easy way to carry their food, so they came up with Bunny Chow. This dish is simple – it includes spicy curry tucked into a hollowed-out loaf of bread, where the bread soaks up the curry and makes every bite delicious. There is a similar dish called sbeva, sphatlho or kota – which uses Bunny Chow as the base and adds more ingredients, such as sausages or fries. It is famous street food.
Main ingredients:
- Bread loaf
- Curry (chicken, beef, or veggies)
- Spices
Bunny Chow means a lot to the South African Indian community. It shows a clever way people made do during hard times. People enjoy Bunny Chow together, using their hands. This makes eating it a friendly, shared experience. Bunny Chow is great for quick meals and is always a hit at gatherings.
5. Burek
A Beloved Balkan Pastry
Burek is a popular pastry in the Balkans, but not only there – it has been awarded the title of one of the best pastries in the whole world! According to 2025 Taste Atlas list of the Best Pastries in the world, Bosnian version of burek is on the 7th place, while Serbian version with cheese is on the 25th place of top 100 pastries. Additionally, similar pastries – such as banitsa from Bulgaria – made it to the list.
It’s known for its flaky crust and comes with various tasty fillings. People in the Balkans enjoy burek as a snack or a quick meal, especially early in the morning. At that time, you can easily spot long queues in front of bakeries, where people are waiting for their piece of burek. Interestingly, the line goes fast, as burek is being prepared non-stop during the first few hours of the day – you simply come to the counter and take your piece!
You can find it filled with minced meat, cheese, or spinach. Each filling turns the pastry into a delicious treat that’s both satisfying and flavorful. However, nowadays you can find many more varieties of burek – with ham and cheese, pork knuckle, or sweet options with apple, cherries, etc.
One of the best places to try different types of burek is a city called Panchevo, around 20km from Belgrade, Serbia. There is one amazing bakery called “Burek Stankovski”, it is a family business with long tradition, but the one that constantly innovates. It’s no surprise that everybody talks about them – check it out here and mark a stop on your map!
Main ingredients:
- Flaky pastry dough
- Minced meat, cheese, or spinach
- Spices
Burek has its roots in the Ottoman Empire. It spread throughout the Balkans and became a local favorite. Now, every country in the region has its own version of Burek. Each place says their Burek is the best. This friendly competition adds fun to trying different kinds of Burek when visiting these countries.
6. Khachapuri
Georgia’s Favorite Cheese Bread
Khachapuri is a warm, cheesy bread from Georgia. It’s becoming popular far beyond its home. This bread is soft and stuffed with lots of melted cheese. Many times, eggs and other yummy things are mixed in too. It’s the perfect warm food that makes you feel good inside.
Georgia’s beloved khachapuri – an absolute must-try in our humble opinion!
Main ingredients:
- Bread dough
- Cheese
- Eggs (sometimes)
- Butter
In Georgia, families and friends love to eat Khachapuri together. It’s a big part of any meal when people meet up. They sit around the table and share this cheesy bread. It’s always there at parties and special days too. Everyone enjoys tearing off pieces and eating them together. It makes every gathering better and more fun.
Spoiler alert: we love Georgian food so much that even in Paris, a Georgian restaurant was our favourite food spot!
7. Sisig
The Sizzling Dish from the Philippines
Sisig is a popular dish in the Philippines that – as the name says (almost) – sizzles on the plate. Chefs originally made it from parts of a pig’s head and liver – it all began as a clever way to use every part of the pig and avoid waste. Then, the meat and everything else cooked is seasoned with chili and lime. The mix of textures from the crunchy and chewy meat makes it a unique and loved dish. For me, the most important thing is that I cannot taste the weird part of the pork, it is meaty and tasty!
Main ingredients:
- Pig head parts
- Liver
- Chili peppers
- Lime juice
Sisig is nowadays a popular dish to enjoy at bars. People like its spicy, sour taste with a cold drink. Sisig is well-loved not only in the Philippines but also worldwide. Chefs from different places make it with chicken or tofu to draw in more eaters. More and more people love Sisig because it’s delicious and fun to eat.
If they hadn’t told me how it was prepared, I would never have said it was made from pig ears, snout, etc!
8. Feijoada
Brazil’s Hearty Stew
Feijoada is a big favorite in Brazil. It’s a hearty stew that many people in Brazil eat often. This dish uses black beans and a mix of different meats, making it rich and filling. People usually eat it with rice, orange slices, and collard greens, which add fresh and bright flavors to the meal.
Main ingredients:
- Black beans
- Variety of meats (like pork and beef)
- Rice
- Orange slices
- Collard greens
Feijoada has deep historical roots in Brazil. It shows the country’s diverse culture through its ingredients. Long ago, cooks made it with leftovers and cheap cuts of meat. Now, it’s a dish that brings people together, especially on weekends. Across Brazil, families and friends gather to enjoy Feijoada together. It’s a special part of Brazilian life and is loved as a national dish. People from all parts of Brazil enjoy its delicious taste and how it makes mealtime a happy time.
9. Ramen
Japan’s Famous Noodle Soup
Aside from sushi, Japan is known for ramen – its famous noodle soup. Yes, it is the one that all anime characters slurp quickly. In fact, anime-inspired ramen became globally famous and made so many people drawn to Japanese cuisine.
The idea behind ramen is to have a quick and easy meal for busy people – Japanese are very hardworking people. Now, it’s a popular dish in fancy restaurants too.
Ramen has a tasty broth, chewy noodles, and lots of toppings like meat, eggs, and vegetables.
Main ingredients:
- Broth (chicken, pork, or fish)
- Noodles
- Meat (usually pork or chicken)
- Eggs
- Green onions
- Seaweed
Ramen is very important in Japanese culture. People in Japan enjoy it at simple food stalls as well as in nice restaurants. Of course, there are varieties depending on the part of Japan, since everywhere they make it slightly differently: in some places make the broth very rich and others keep it light and salty. This makes trying ramen in different places exciting.
Ramen has also become popular around the world. Many people love its rich flavors and the way you can choose different toppings. In Japan, each region has its own special way of making ramen, like Hokkaido with its miso ramen and Kyushu with its pork bone broth. These local styles show how diverse Japanese food can be. Japan made it onto our list of must visit places across the word. So, if you’re planning a trip to Kyoto be sure to try a bowl of delicious ramen!
A Flavorful Journey Around the World
Discover Deliciousness with Reward.Land
We hope you liked our tour of special dishes from many countries. We went from Georgia’s cheesy Khachapuri to the spicy Sisig in the Philippines. Each dish shows a bit of what life is like in those places.
At Reward.Land, we think trying local food is one of the best parts of traveling. When you taste these dishes, you learn more about the places you visit.
Therefore, we recommend you that the next time you travel, you try new foods. There are so many different tastes to discover. And if you want more travel tips or ideas on what to eat, keep checking Reward.Land. Let’s make your next trip full of great meals!
Croatian historian-turned-traveler with 41 countries under his belt and a passion for places most guidebooks forget. Speaks Croatian, English, Italian, and enough Latin to raise eyebrows at dinner. His role model is Herodotus, the original travel writer, and his mantra proves it: “Every place has a story. Most of them just aren’t on the signs.”