Food Without Borders – World’s Most Traveled Cuisines

Great taste knows no boundaries.  Whether you're enjoying a crusty slice of pizza in New York, savoring a delicious piece of sushi in Zermatt, or relishing a bowl of warm Indian curry in Rome, some cuisines have become cultural ambassadors, bridging the gaps between countries and continents.

Some of the most popular global foods

The Global Five

No matter where you travel, you’ll most likely come across food stalls, kiosks and restaurants serving Pizzas, Burgers, Sushi, Chinese and Indian cuisine (i.e. mainstream Chinese and Indian food, minus specific regional considerations).

The popularity and widespread availability of these cuisines can be attributed to early migrations, familiarity with Eastern spices in the Western world due to Euro-Asian spice trading and cultural influences due to colonialism, globalization and an interest in international culinary experiences.  Indian and Chinese foods attract most palettes due to the exotic spices and distinct flavors.

 Old photo of Lombardi’s Pizza, NY, USA                          Image Courtesy: Lombardi’s Pizza, New York City

Pizza is by far the most popular global food that you can expect to find almost anywhere.  Although variations of pizza have known to exist in ancient Persia, Greece and Italy, pizza as we know today, originated in Italy.  Open air pizzerias were popular in Naples in the 19^th century.  Pizza was subsequently brought to the US by Italian immigrants in the late 19^th century and one of the first pizza restaurants, Lombardi’s, was opened in New York around 1905.  Pizza eventually gained popularity in other parts of the world and before long, it turned into a global cuisine.  You don’t really need to know the local language to order a pizza.  Simply say “pizza” and you’ll be understood.  While pepperoni is the most popular pizza in the USA, internationally the cheese pizza or the margherita pizza (with the tomato sauce base) remains popular, largely due to regional and cultural considerations.  

Burgers and fries are very popular global food, found almost everywhere. If you’re craving a burger, you’re sure to find a local burger place or the ubiquitous McDonalds or perhaps a KFC close by.  I’m not a burger person but the most delightful burgers I’ve tasted during my travels were at a very interesting food truck called The Gourmet Sausage and Burger Company, outside the Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England, and the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

    Gourmet Sausage and Burger Company, Canterbury, England

     Juicy burger from the Gourmet Burger truck, Canterbury, England

Britain has some of the best Indian cuisine, although I have yet to dine at an Indian restaurant in that country.  In fact, the first Indian restaurant named Hindoostane (or Hindostane) Coffee House opened in Britain back in 1810, much before the birth of Queen Victoria, the first British monarch of India.  The British are so fond of Indian food that chicken tikka is considered a ‘national food’ of Britain (hear ye Shephard’s pie!).  I have enjoyed tikka wraps and samosas at various coffee shops around London.  Besides UK, Indian cuisine has also been adopted locally in the Middle Eastern region, Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia and South Africa among other countries. 

First Indian restaurant in Britain                            Image Courtesy: BG LIFE UK

Chinese cuisine is perhaps the most popular dine-in cuisine, available in almost every country.  The Canton restaurant in San Francisco, opened in 1849, was the first Chinese restaurant outside of China.  Apparently it was established to support the growing Chinese immigrant community arriving at that time drawn by the Gold Rush. Today, San Francisco has the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America and its restaurants are known to have popularized Dim Sum to American palettes.

    Traditional Chinese cuisine

As a child, I remember eating Indian and Chinese food before I ever ate pizza or burger! The best Indian and Chinese food I’ve had is in Mumbai, although New Delhi & Old Delhi have amazing North Indian food.  Whenever I’m in Mumbai, I make it a point to indulge wholeheartedly in various Indian and Chinese dishes.

In recent years, due to the growing focus on health and fitness, sushi restaurants are emerging everywhere on the global map.  If sushi is what you’re craving, then whether you’re in the Caucasus, the Med or even the Emirati desert, you’re sure to find a sushi bar.  I have quality related concerns with having sushi just about anywhere.  Therefore, let's say, if I had to choose between fried calamari (another popular dish you can find almost anywhere) or a tuna sushi, I’d go for the calamari any day. It feels like a safer bet and has a better chance of being delicious.      

 

Global Foods with Local Twist

Global foods are sometimes customized with an added local twist, to suit local tastes, cultural restrictions (beef and pork restrictions in some countries), local produce and other considerations.  For e.g. you can order pizza with local toppings around the world, such as paneer (cottage cheese) pizza, chicken tikka pizza in India, seafood pizza in Europe and US, or a kim chi pizza in some Asian countries.  My favorites are the original Italian style pizza and the traditional deep dish Chicago style spinach pizza (Gino's East in Chicago does it best!), a truly decadent cousin of the Italian version.  

Sushi, besides the traditional nigiri, maki and sashimi formats, is also presented as sushi burrito, sushi pizza and sushi cakes in various countries, with local fish substitutes.  Some of the best sushi I’ve eaten is in Maldives.

The Manchurian style of Indian Chinese cooking, largely unknown in China, is adapted into Indian cooking and proudly displayed on many Indian restaurant menus within India, US and other countries.  It bears no connection to Manchuria in northeast China but is a dish made by chopping and deep-frying ingredients (veg or non-veg) and then sautéing them in a flavored sauce. On most Indian menus, you’ll find items like Gobi or Chicken Manchurian and Manchow Soup.  Another item, American Chop suey, is an American Chinese inspired dish of chicken/shrimp, cabbage, eggs, noodle, which is now primarily a regular on Indian menus.  Indian food has a wide appeal with vegetarians and vegans due to a large choice of non-meat options.

  Indo-Chinese Veg Hakka noodles                                                             Courtesy: YouTube

The Cantonese inspired Indo-Chinese cuisine was created by the Calcutta/Kolkata Chinese community, who migrated here from Canton (Guangzhou) in the 19^th Century.  This flavorful fusion forms the basis for the fine Indo-Chinese culinary experience that ranks high amongst Indian palettes across the world.

The Chinese tapas in London Chinatown was an interesting modern take alongside the traditional favorite Peking Duck. 

Region-based variations on Chinese dumplings and baos are gaining popularity with lots of vegetarian and vegan selections to choose from.

 

      Chinese Tapas, China Town, London

Thai and Street Foods Going Global

Thai cuisine is renowned for its complex yet balanced flavors. It expertly blends various sweet, sour, salty and spicy notes, creating a truly unique and exciting taste experience. Thai dishes like Pad Thai and Curries are loved by people around the globe. My best Thai food experience outside of Thailand has been in Southern Germany and Maldives. 

Regional favorites like Tacos, Burritos, Falafels, Kebabs, Shawarma & Gyros have also turned into global food icons. 

Falafel is a huge favorite amongst veggie lovers and one of my personal favorites as well.  The Doner kebab is Turkish meat dish generally lamb, beef or chicken cooked and sliced in thin shavings from a vertical rotisserie.  Outside Türkiye, the doner kebab has gained popularity in countries with former ties to the Ottoman empire or due to the migration of Turkish communities to other countries.  Variations include pork meat, regional veggies instead of traditional ones like lettuce tomato, onions, cabbage, cucumber and chili and substituting certain sauces with local sauces. 

Doner kebabs are increasingly popular in Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Mexico, Canada, USA, and many countries in Europe including UK, Finland, France, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Georgia and Germany.  It is as popular as burgers in Germany.  

Additionally, the Middle Eastern Shawarma and Greek Gyros are popular street food variations of the Doner kebab found across Europe and in many US cities, the Middle East and other parts of Asia.  Germany certainly has some of the best Doner kebab stalls outside of Türkiye.

     Shawarma platter 

Tacos have gained world-wide acceptance as they are affordable, adaptable and very portable, like pizza and burgers.  You could have endless toppings and sauces making them very palatable. You can grab a taco and eat on-the-go! You can find fusion varieties such as Korean BBQ tacos or Sashimi tacos, Indianized tacos with paneer or masala fillings, have American or European inspired tacos with various meats, or have cheese and veggie only tacos.  

My personal favorite tacos, the best I’ve had, were in Guatemala City, Guatemala.  The meat and the salsa verde were amazingly fresh; the tortillas were so soft that each bite would literally melt in your mouth.

    Beef tacos with guacamole                                            Image Courtesy: lasrecetasdelchef.net                                                                                                  

Sweet Servings - Gelato, Tres Leches & Baklava

Gelato, Tres Leches and Baklava with assorted nut toppings are globally popular.  As with other foods, these sweet treats are also customized to suit local palates, adapted to an assortment of flavors, mixed with a variety of fruits and nuts.

     Baklavah                                                                                         Image Courtesy: Dailysabah.com

Food transcends all barriers and unites us regardless of our cultural and geographical differences.  You don't need any further proof than when you see a Bangladeshi pizzaiolo churn out a level up pizza at a Roman pizzeria, an African American chef cook up a mouth-watering Indian dish at a high end Indian restaurant in Chicago or a Hispanic Sushi master prepare a mind-blowing sushi-kim chi fushion creation in Miami.  

I cook fairly decent paella and prepare pretty good hummus but I haven't yet grilled a noteworthy steak.  Hopefully soon though :).  

What are some of your favorite global cuisines? What type of food do you enjoy the most or look for while traveling? Do let me know in the comments section below.

Until next time, folks.  Stay sharp, stay curious 🎯🌍✨