One of the most memorable aspects of traveling is a country’s food. Cuisines play an integral part in defining a nation’s culture – and whether you’re sampling a local delicacy at a street market, being entertained by a family in their home, or dining out at an upmarket restaurant, here is a list of must-eat foods around the globe.

This is just a small taste (no pun intended) of dishes… but the world is your oyster, and there’s many more foods to try!

1. Croque Madame

FRANCE

A classic breakfast that you will find in any brasserie, it’s a great way to start your day. If you are tired of croissants and baguettes, a Croque Madame is a kind of fried egg and cheese sandwich, topped with grated cheese. If you eat this without the fried egg, the French call it a Croque Monsieur.

2. Borscht

RUSSIA/UKRAINE

This soup originated in the Ukraine and is popular throughout Eastern and Central Europe. Borscht has dozens of variations, but beetroot is a core ingredient, as well as stock and sauteed vegetables. Try it both hot and cold.

3. Kimchi

SOUTH KOREA

If you’re keen on fermented vegetables and spicy food, this is the dish for you. The main ingredient of this Korean side dish is Chinese cabbage, which is also flavored with onions, garlic, and red pepper. You’ll find this dish in every Korean household.

4. Pasta Carbonara

ITALY

This dish originated in Rome and is a pasta cooked with cream sauce, eggs, pancetta (a sliced bacon) and olive oil. It is usually served in a round dish and topped with Parmesan cheese. The most critical piece of making Carbonara is that the pasta should be boiled al dente.

5. Souvlaki

GREECE

This Greek fast food is cheap and delicious. Made with beef, pork or chicken (as well as vegetables on occasion), this dish consists of kebabs on wooden skewers. The dish is either served on a plate with various garnishes, bread or fried potatoes, or in a pita sandwich.

6. Schweinshaxe

GERMANY

This roasted ham hock (“pork knuckle”) is very popular in the Bavaria region. The meat is marinated in flavors – sometimes for up to a week. The meat is crispy on the outside and deliciously tender on the inside, and is typically served with sides such as sauerkraut or braised red cabbage or roasted potatoes.

7. Kitfo

ETHIOPIA

Kitfo is a traditional dish found in Ethiopian cuisine. It consists of minced raw beef, marinated in a chili-based spice blend (mitmita) and a clarified butter infused with herbs and spices (niter kibbeh).

8. Fondue

SWITZERLAND

The ultimate communal dish, fondue is a dish of melted cheese served in a pot over heat. People dip bread into the cheese with long-stemmed forks. You may also find variations to the traditional cheese fondue – hot oil instead for a meat fondue, or melted chocolate for a tasty dipping dessert.

9. Bangers and Mash

GREAT BRITAIN

A traditional dish from the British Isles, this delicious meal of sausages and mashed potatoes – topped with onion gravy – is perfect as a homemade dinner.

10. Pljeskavica

SERBIA

Serbia’s national dish is a spiced meat patty, prepared from a mix of beef, pork, and lamb. Served as a main course – usually with onions, milk cream, relish, and a spicy cheese salad, you’ll find this in many fast food stands across the country.

11. Tom Yum

THAILAND

This sour-spicy soup is flavored by a broth that includes shrimps, chicken, fish and fragrant herbs and spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce and crushed chillis. It has a distinctive taste and has many variations – most include prawns and other seafood.

12. Sushi

JAPAN

You can’t visit Japan without trying sushi. Rice and seaweed (nori) are the main ingredients that hold basically any ingredient – whether it’s meat, seafood, vegetables or egg. Sushi is always accompanied by pickled ginger, a fiery horseradish (wasabi) and soy sauce.