Friday, January 24, 2014

List of National Dishes Around the World

National foods of USA and Italy A national dish is any country's culinary, and to a large extent, cultural identity. However, there are some countries which do not have an official national dish. In such countries, some dishes have gained so much importance, they are considered the de facto - although unofficial - national dish. In some cases, national dishes have been decided through general public voting by organizations (that may or may not have affiliation from the government).

While smaller nations, like Spain and Mexico, have a nationally common cuisine, some countries, like Italy or India, are so vast and diverse in their culinary cultures, that picking just one national dish seems difficult. Some others, like England or United States of America, are an amalgamation of so many ethnicities, that their multiple national dishes reflect the 'melting pot of many cultures' that they have become.

Buzzle charts up for you a list of national dishes from around the world - some yummy (think hotdogs) ... some exotic (think lobster in vanilla sauce) ... some outlandish (think six-month old fermented shark)!

Note
Click on a country to view the national dish and its description. Not all mentioned dishes have been officially designated as national dishes.

Afghanistan Algeria Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belgium Belize Bosnia & Herzegovina Brazil Canada Chile China Costa Rica Cuba Denmark Ecuador England Equatorial Guinea France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Japan Laos Latvia Lebanon Malaysia Mauritius Mexico Moldova Monaco Morocco Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua North Korea Peru Philippines Poland Puerto Rico Russia Scotland Singapore Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Thailand Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Vietnam Others

Afghanistan (Kabuli Pulao)Kabuli PulaoLong-grained Basmati rice steamed in meat broth, with assorted lentils, raisins, carrots, lamb, and chopped nuts (almonds and pistachios).back-to-topAlgeria (Couscous)CouscousSteamed semolina salad tossed with carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsley, etc. Sometimes served with a bowlful of chilled buttermilk.back-to-top
Australia (Meat Pie)Meat PieA fist-sized baked pie filled with ground meat gravy and cheese. The gravy often contains onions and/or mushrooms. The pie is topped with tomato ketchup just before eating.back-to-top
Austria (Wiener Schnitzel)Wiener SchnitzelVeal escalope, breaded and deep-fried in butter. Traditionally served in Vienna with a salad and a potato preparation (usually potato salad or roast baby potatoes).back-to-top
Azerbaijan (Dolmasi)DolmasiMeat, rice, grains or vegetable stuffed grape/eggplant/cabbage leaf rolls. If the dish is to be served warm, it is usually accompanied by yogurt-garlic sauce or clotted sour milk.back-to-top
Bangladesh (Fish and Rice)Fish and CurryIlish fish marinated and steamed in a banana leaf. Usually, a little marination is kept aside to pour on the fish after it's cooked. The steamed fish is always accompanied with rice.back-to-top
Belgium (Moules-frites)Moules FritesFresh mussels cooked in olive oil and white wine with garlic, thyme, and shallots, and served with potato fries. Common accompaniments include mayonnaise or garlic-flavored crme frache.back-to-top
Belize (Belizean Rice and Beans)Belizean Rice and BeansRed kidney beans and rice stewed in coconut milk. Carrots are a seasonal addition.back-to-top
Bosnia & Herzegovina (evapi)CevapiGrilled ground beef kebabs served with chopped raw onions. Modern customizations include green salad or fries on the side.back-to-top
Brazil (Feijoada)FeijoadaKidney beans stewed with beef and pork. Sometimes vegetables, like tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots, may be added.back-to-top
Canada (Poutine)PoutineFrench fries topped with a mildly spicy chicken or turkey gravy and fresh cheese curd. The dish is assembled just prior to serving to avoid soggy fries.back-to-top
Chile (Pastel de Choclo)Pastel De ChocloA base of ground beef, onions, olives, and raisins, topped with a sweet corn crust. The sweet corn crust is a paste of sweet corn kernels and basil cooked in milk or lard.back-to-top
China (Peking Duck)Peking DuckMaltose syrup glazed-duck is roasted in an oven till it turns brown. While the skin is served dipped in sugar-garlic sauce, the meat is served with sweet bean sauce, spring onions, and pancakes. Cucumber sticks are additional accompaniments.back-to-top
Costa Rica (Gallo Pinto)Gallo PintoKidney beans and rice cooked together until all the liquid has dried out. Kidney beans are often replaced with black beans or pigeon peas.back-to-top
Cuba (Ropa Vieja)Ropa ViejaShredded flank steak cooked in tomato sauce. Served with a piece of meat, rice, and sweet plantain fritters.back-to-top
Denmark (Frikadeller)FrikadellerFlat meat patties - consisting of minced beef, chopped onions, milk, and eggs. Boiled potatoes, potato-mayo salad, creamed cabbage, gravy, and pickled beetroot are popular accompaniments.back-to-top
Ecuador (Ceviche)CevicheLime juice-marinated raw fresh fish spiced with chilie. Sea bass, shrimp, and crab are popular seafood choices. back-to-top
EnglandRoast Beef DinnerTraditional Roast Beef Dinner
Roasted beef with gravy, potatoes (roasted or mashed), Yorkshire pudding, carrots, broccoli, green beans, and peas.Fish and ChipsFish & Chips
Beer-battered or crumbed deep-fried fish and thick-cut potato chips; served with tartar sauce, peas, and a lemon wedge. Fish and chips are sprinkled with salt and malt vinegar prior to serving.Chicken Tikka MasalaChicken Tikka Masala
Oven-roasted chicken chunks cooked in a mildly spicy tomato-onion-coriander-based masala gravy.back-to-top
Equatorial Guinea (Succotash)SuccotashA salad-like dish consisting of corn, lima beans, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and other available vegetables sauted in butter.back-to-top
France (Crpe)CrpeThin wheat or buckwheat flour batter pancakes. Sweet fillings include chocolate sauce, jelly, preserves, spreads, or whipped cream, while savory fillings include ham, sausage, cheese, and mushroom.back-to-top
Georgia (Khachapuri)KhachapuriSulguni cheese-filled, leavened, and baked bread topped with a cracked soft-boiled egg and butter just before serving.back-to-top
Germany (Sauerbraten)SauerbratenBeef braised in its own marinade and simmered in a pot for several hours. The marinade typically consists of red wine vinegar, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorns, cinnamon, ginger, and juniper berries. Potato dumplings and red cabbage are popular accompaniments.back-to-top
Greece (Moussaka)MoussakaLayers of sauted eggplant and/or potatoes and spicy ground lamb topped with Bchamel sauce and baked.back-to-top
Hungary (Goulash)GoulashA spicy tomato-paprika-based stew of meat, noodles, and potatoes.back-to-top
IndiaBiryaniBiryani
Long-grain rice cooked with spices and meat. Often topped with fried onion flakes and boiled eggs. Vegetarian versions are also popular.Tandoori ChickenTandoori Chicken
Whole chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, and baked in a tandoor - a traditional Indian clay oven.Masala DosaMasala Dosa
A thin and crisp fermented batter pancake with a spicy potato filling. Usually served with a lentil preparation called sambar.back-to-top
Indonesia (Nasi Goreng)Nasi GorengFried rice; Stir-fried with shrimp, shallots, and soy sauce, and topped with a fried egg. Often accompanied with a grilled sausage.back-to-top
Iran (Chelo Kebab)Chelo KebabCylindrical skewered ground meat (lamb or beef) kebabs served with saffron rice and grilled tomatoes.back-to-top
Ireland (Irish Stew)Irish StewMutton stew with potatoes, onions, carrots, and parsley.back-to-top
Israel (Falafel & Hummus)Falafel & HummusDeep-fried chickpea balls (falafel) served with chickpea-sesame-olive oil-lemon juice-garlic dip (hummus).back-to-top
ItalyLasagnaLasagna
Flat pasta randomly distributed in layers with ground beef (or other meats), cheese, and tomato sauce, and baked in an oven. Garlic and oregano are added for flavor.PizzaPizza
Flat round bread topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and various meat/vegetarian/seafood toppings, and baked in an oven.PolentaPolenta
Cornmeal porridge - eaten plain or fried/grilled. A version in some parts of Italy includes spooning over meat stew on plain polenta.back-to-top
Ivory Coast (Aloco)AlocoDeep-fried plantain. Before frying, plantain slices are rubbed with a very spicy onion-ginger-chili-aniseed paste.back-to-top
JapanJapanese CurryJapanese Curry
Meat and vegetables in simple curry sauce with Japanese spice additions. Usually, served on top of plain steamed rice.SushiJapanese Sushi
Nori (seaweed) and rice rolls (rolled using specialized sushi mats) with raw fish or cooked fish fillings. RamenRamen
Wheat noodles in a fish or meat broth with soy sauce flavoring. The end product, just prior to serving, is usually topped with sliced pork, dried seaweed, and green onions.back-to-top
Laos (Larb)Larb SaladGround meat salad with fish sauce and roasted ground rice flavored with lime juice, chili, and mint.back-to-top
Latvia (Grey Peas, Bacon, and Onion)Grey Peas, Bacon and OnionGrey peas soaked overnight and then sauted with bacon, salt, and pepper. Onions can be added to the pan while sauteing the peas and bacon, or served raw with sauted peas and bacon.back-to-top
Lebanon (Kibbeh)Lebanese KibbehTorpedo-shaped bulgur fritters stuffed with ground meat (beef, lamb, or camel) cooked with chopped onions, chilies, and spices.back-to-top
Malaysia (Nasi Lemak)Nasi LemakRice soaked in coconut cream overnight and cooked with pandan leaves, lemon grass, ginger, and other optional spices. It is usually served with a hard-boiled egg, fried anchovies, sambal paste, and roasted peanuts.back-to-top
Mauritius (Dholl Puri)Dholl PuriYellow split-pea flatbread. Green chutney and lima bean curry are folded inside the flat bread while it is being rolled.back-to-top
Mexico (Taco)TacoTortilla folded with ground beef and cheese filling. Garnished with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, and served with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.back-to-top
Moldova (Mmlig)MamaligaYellow maize flour porridge cooked to a bread-like consistency. Grape or cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat are a popular accompaniment.back-to-top
Monaco (Barbagiuan)BarbagiuanChard leaves, onions, ham, and parmesan/ricotta stuffed deep-fried pastries.back-to-top
Morocco (Tagine)TagineChicken stew with spices, vegetables, olives, and preserved lemons. Served with couscous.back-to-top
Nepal (Dal Bhaath)Dal BhaathStewed lentils topped with clarified butter and chili tempering; served with plain steamed rice.back-to-top
Netherlands (Stamppot)Dutch StamppotPotatoes mashed with sauerkraut, endive, kale, turnips, etc., and cooked in a pot. Sausage is the only form of meat conventionally allowed to be added to the pot.back-to-top
New Zealand (Pavlova)PavlovaA meringue-like dessert with a crisp Cornstarch-based outer crust, and a soft and moist core. Whipped cream and fruits, such as kiwi or passion fruit, are used as garnishes.back-to-top
Nicaragua (Gallo Pinto)Gallo PintoKidney beans and cooked stale rice sauted in oil with onions and garlic.back-to-top
North Korea (Kimchi)KimchiVegetables (cabbage, radish, or scallion is commonly used) seasoned using ginger, brine, garlic, etc., and put through a fermentation or pickling process.back-to-top
Peru (Ceviche)CevicheChunks of raw fish marinated in lime juice, mixed with onions, chili peppers, and garlic. Fish bone broth, salt, and pepper are used for seasoning.back-to-top
Philippines (Chicken Adobo)Chicken AdoboChicken marinated in garlic and vinegar before being shallow-fried in oil, and simmered in its own leftover marinade. Traditionally served over a bed of rice.back-to-top
Poland (Bigos)BigosA stew of white cabbage, sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), mushrooms, tomatoes, ham, and an assortment of different meats such as pork, beef, veal, bacon, venison, etc.back-to-top
Puerto Rico (Arroz Con Gandules)Arroz Con GandulesPot-cooked rice with pigeon peas, and pork. Pork broth is used to boil the rice, pigeon peas, and pork, while black pepper, cumin, and bay leaves are used to spice up the dish.back-to-top
Russia (Pelmeni)PelmeniDumplings with a 45% beef, 35% mutton, and 20% pork filling. The filling is seasoned with salt and pepper, while mushrooms and onions can be optionally added.back-to-top
Scotland (Haggis)HaggisSheep's heart, liver, and lungs ground and sauted with onions. The mixture is then wrapped in sheep stomach and simmered in spiced sheep stock with oatmeal for a couple of hours.back-to-top
Singapore (Hainanese Chicken Rice)Hainanese Chicken RiceBoiled chicken is tossed in chili-ginger-garlic-soy sauce on high heat, and served with rice boiled in coconut milk.back-to-top
Spain (Paella)PaellaRice simmered in a broth of garlic, tomatoes, freshly cooked vegetables, and shallow-fried meat/seafood. Rosemary is used to garnish.back-to-top
Sri Lanka (Rice and Curry)Sri Lankan Rice and CurryBoiled rice (sometimes boiled in coconut milk) served with assorted curries (potatoes, yam, okra, green beans are common), a curry (chicken or fish), sambal, thick lentil stew, and crisp legume wafers called papadums.back-to-top
Sweden (Swedish Meatballs)Swedish MeatballsGround beef meatballs served with gravy, pickled cucumber, and lingonberry jam.back-to-top
Switzerland (Rsti)RstiGrated potato patties pan-fried in butter or oil.back-to-top
Syria (Kibbeh)Syrian KibbehDeep-fried meat dumplings of bulgur-onion-ground meat.back-to-top
Taiwan (Beef Noodle Soup)Taiwanese Beef Noodle SoupBraised beef brisket, vegetables, and noodles cooked in beef broth.back-to-top
Thailand (Pad Thai)Pad ThaiStir-fried rice noodles with scrambled eggs, fish sauce, tamarind pulp, bean sprouts, roasted crushed peanuts, chicken bits, and random seafood (usually shrimp).back-to-top
Tunisia (Couscous)CouscousBulgur flour (semolina) steamed to a crumbly paste and tossed with carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsley, etc.back-to-top
Turkey (Dner Kebab)Dner KebabSliced or shaved crisp beef folded in flat bread with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cucumbers. Cheese is occasionally added.back-to-top
Ukraine (Borscht)BorschtBeetroot soup with a pork or beef broth base.back-to-top
United Arab Emirates (Shawarma)ShawarmaGrilled meat (chicken and lamb are most commonly used) shavings are wrapped in a taboon bread with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and hummus.back-to-top
United States of AmericaHamburgerHamburger
Ground meat patty between two sesame buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and other additions, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard.HotdogsHot Dog
Grilled sausage served between a sliced long bun, with optional additions, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, relish, cheese, chilli con carne, or chopped onions/tomatoes.Mac 'n' CheeseMac 'n' Cheese
Elbow macaroni cooked in white sauce with cheese.back-to-top
Uzbekistan (Plov)PlovRice simmered in meat and vegetable stew; spiced with various spices. Lamb, onions, carrots, and garlic are common additions. Plov is typically topped with raisins and deep-fried onions.back-to-top
Vietnam (Pho)PhoRice noodles in beef broth seasoned with cumin, coriander powder, black cardamom, roasted onion powder, roasted ginger powder, fennel, and cloves.back-to-top
Others
Bahamas (Crack Conch with Peas and Rice)
Tempura fried conch shell served with tomato rice and black-eyed peas.

Bahrain (Chicken Machboos)
Rice cooked with chicken, dry fruits, and nuts. Rose water is used to add fragrance to the dish.

Barbados (Cou Cou and Flying Fish)
Thick cornmeal and okra porridge topped with steamed flying fish curry.

Benin (Kuli Kuli)
Roast peanut paste - seasoned with sugar, salt, and other spices - deep-fried in the shape of balls or pretzel sticks. Eaten with garri soaking (tapioca soaked in sugar water).

Bhutan (Ema Datshi)
Hot specimen of chilies cooked in yak milk cheese (cow milk replaces yak milk in urban areas).

Brunei (Ambuyat)
Thick tapioca starch eaten after wrapping it around long bamboo prongs. Stews or sauces are used as dippings.

Cambodia (Amok Trey)
Fish, coated in thick coconut milk extract, and a native Cambodian spice paste, stewed in a banana leaf cup.

Cameroon (Ndol)
Ndol leaves stewed with fish and nuts.

Cape Verde (Cachupa)
Corn, beef, fish, and beans stewed together.

Colombia (Bandeja Paisa)
A meal platter consisting of - stewed red beans, steamed white rice, fried egg, plantains (plain or fried), chorizo, black pudding, arepa, fried pork rinds, Colombian hogao sauce, and avocado.

Comoros (Langouste a la Vanille)
Roast lobster in vanilla sauce.

Dominican Republic (La Bandera)
A meal of red or black bean stew, white rice, meat curry, fried plantains, and a side salad.

Egypt (Kushari)
Green lentils, rice, and macaroni mixed together and topped with caramelized onions and tomato-based sauce.

Estonia (Verivorst)
Shallow-fried blood sausage with sour cream.

Ghana (Fufu)
Boiled and mashed yams. Usually served as a side.

Guyana (Pepperpot)
Meat stewed in a cassava root-based sauce with cinnamon and peppers.

Haiti (Fried Pork with Rice and Beans)
Rice cooked with kidney beans, served with fried pork shoulder chops.

Honduras (Plato Tipico de Honduras)
Rice with fried beef and refried beans. Fried plantains and sour cream are served as sides.

Hong Kong (Dim Sums)
Bite-sized dumplings (steamed or fried) with various fillings.

Iceland (Hkarl)
Greenland shark fermented for five to six months.

Jordan (Mansaf)
Lamb cooked in ferment yogurt gravy and served over rice.

Kazakhstan (Beshbarmak)
Horse or lamb meat with flat noodles and onion sauce.

Kenya (Ugali)
Maize flour porridge cooked till it thickens like dough.

Kuwait (Machboos)
Mutton accompanied with rice cooked in its broth.

Lesotho (Papa)
Boiled cornmeal porridge.

Libya (Cuscus Bil-Bosla)
Couscous cooked with lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Liechtenstein (Ksknpfle)
Pasta and sweet onions in cheese sauce.

Luxembourg (Judd mat Gaardebounen)
Smoked collar of pork with broad beans.

Madagascar (Romazava)
Beef and green leaves stew.

Norway (Lutefisk)
Week old air-dried and aged stockfish.

Pakistan (Nihari)
Slow-cooked lamb shank stew.

Portugal (Bacalhau)
Dried and salted cod fish, served with potato and wine.

Senegal (Thieboudienne)
Fish and rice cooked in tomato sauce. Cassava, onions, and carrots are optional additions.

Slovakia (Bryndzov haluky)
Potato dumplings with sheep cheese.

Uganda (Matoke)
Pot-steamed unripe bananas.

Venezuela (Pabelln criollo)
Steamed plain rice topped with shredded beans, stewed black beans, and plantain fritters.

Yemen (Saltah)
Brown meat stew served with rice.

A national dish represents a country. It speaks for a country. It stands for the country's cultural and economical identity. A national dish typically uses regional staples and native cooking techniques/ideas of its home country. This makes it possible for all regions and communities in the country to access its ingredients. Also, people belonging to all strata of society can cook and enjoy the dish. That is exactly what makes a dish go 'national'!

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