Posted 16 June 2022

International food destinations - The foodie-favourite checklist of international destinations

Food is the fuel of life. It best describes the true shade of a culture. The relation between food, place and culture is exotically intertwined. Exploring a destination remains unaccomplished unless one savours its food.

The following international destinations offer food lovers enough reasons to cheer.

1. Dubai

Dubai is the utopia of lavishness. Besides architectural grandeur and magnificent events, the global city is known for its culinary pleasure. Inspired by different cultures, Emirati Cuisine is undoubtedly among the cherished choices for foodies around the world. Blending traditional spices like saffron, thyme, turmeric, cardamom and others, the dishes are a retreat for your taste buds. Not just Arabian, you will find everything from Italian gourmet to Brazilian barbeque in this dazzling city of Dubai.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mamsha Street, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Al Barsha are some of the neighbourhoods in Dubai to enjoy fine dining.
Bombay Brasserie, Hitchki, Rasoi Ghar Restaurant LLC, Indya by Vineet, Mint Leaf of London and Rang Mahal are some of the popular Indian restaurants in Dubai.
For Italian cuisine, Armani Ristorante, Cipriani, Basta, Bussola, Certo and Marea are some best recommendations.
If you love Chinese food, then dine at Long Teng, Royal China, Din Tai Fung, New Shanghai or Hakkasan.

Street food in Dubai

The street food scene in Dubai is as vibrant as the city. Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar are among the most popular street food joints in the city. Here, you will find many eateries offering Indian fast foods like PavBhaji, Samosa, Chaat and others. Satwa is another place where you can find some iconic food centres. Step into Delhi Darbar to taste some of the best Indian delicacies. Pars Iranian Kitchen has its mastery in Persian cuisine. Ravi’s is popular for offering Pakistani dishes. Al Mallah is known for serving Arabian and Lebanese delicacies.

Further, Downtown Dubai, Muraqqabat Street and Al Mateena are some other places in the city to relish some quick bites. Global Village is an annual event where you will find food stalls serving authentic recipes of their respective countries.

Must try food in Dubai

It will be unjust to your Dubai trip if you do not try the lip-smacking local food. In this list, first comes Shawarma, which is a soft flatbed bread wrap stuffed with sliced chicken or lamb, onions, fresh vegetables and varieties of sauces. Al Harees is another Arabian food made with wheat and meat. Ghuziis a wholesome dish prepared with roasted lamb or mutton, rice, vegetables and a topping of hazelnuts.

You can also try Matchbouswhich is a spicy and flavoured preparation of lamb and rice. When it comes to dessert, Esh Hasarya will melt your heart. It is something like a cheesecake with cream frosting. Mehalabiya is another sweet dish one can taste.

2. Bangkok

Bangkok is known as the Street Food Capital of the World due to the abundance of food-on-the-go choices. Besides the much-hyped street foods, the city pledges to present the ultimate fine dining experiences to its visitors. The areas like Sukhumvit, Wat Arun, Bang Rak, Silom, Watthana and Saladaeng locate some of the best restaurants in Bangkok.

For Indian cuisine, Amritsar, Rang Mahal, Indian Hut, Punjab Grill, Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology, Gaggan and Indique are some great choices.
To taste authentic Thai food, you may visit restaurants like Blue Elephant, Issaya Siamese Club, The Sixth, Thip Samai, Than Ying and Madam Saranair.
Besides, Tang Jai Yoo, Hong Bao, Hua Seng Hong, Shang Palace and Xin Tian Di are some of the best Chinese restaurants in Bangkok.

Street food in Bangkok

While talking about the street food scene in Bangkok, a greater influence of Chinese or Teochew cuisine can be observed. Yaowarat is called Bangkok’s Chinatown where you can predominantly see this amalgamation of Thai and Chinese cuisines. Besides, Ratchawat Market, Bangrak, Wang Lang Market, Victory Monument, Bang Khun Non and Charoen Krung Road are also some of the popular street food hubs in the city.

Pad Thai is a spicy noodle preparation considered as one of the most authentic Thai street foods here. Crab Bee Hoon is a dish prepared with glass noodles and crabs. You can also try the prawn version if you do not like crabs. In the street markets of Chatuchak or Rod Fai, you can find oyster bars offering fresh and raw oysters. Rang Nok is another unique Thai food prepared with whole cooked eggs and honey.

Furthermore, Khao Man Gai is a recipe using chicken, rice and sauces. When it comes to soup, Tom Yum Goong is a must-try thing. The spicy soup is made with jumbo prawns and other seafood.

3. Singapore

Singaporean cuisine truly resembles its cosmopolitan culture. It has influences of Malays, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Eurasian culture in it. Food sounds to be an obsession for Singaporeans as it remains to be a dominant topic of their conversations. You will find restaurants of all cuisines in this global destination.

For example, Samy’s Curry Restaurant, The Song of India, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant, Komala Vilas and Muthu’s Curry are some popular Indian restaurants in Singapore.
Further, Hai Tien Lo, Din Tai Fung, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine and Summer Pavilion are few restaurants to enjoy Chinese delicacies. Some of the top vegan restaurants in Singapore include Afterglow, Privé, Loving Hut, Whole Heart and Elemen.

Singapore’s special

Singapore is famous for its seafood. The most popular dish that comes in this category is Black Pepper Crab. It is prepared with hardshell crabs cooked in a black pepper sauce. Also, Sambal Stingray, Chilli Crab, Oyster Omelette and Sambal Lala are some other recommended seafood one should try in Singapore.

Furthermore, Hainanese Chicken Rice is a recipe you cannot miss to taste. It is rice cooked in chicken stock and served with boiled chicken and chilli sauce. Noodle lovers must try Fried Hokkien Mee, Nyonya Laksaand Char Kuey Teow. These noodle dishes are prepared with prawns and sliced meat.

Street food in Singapore

As mentioned earlier, the heart of Singaporeans dwells on food. And, this connection can be observed at the hawker centres, cafeterias and open-air food courts across the city. These hawker centres include dozens of specialised food stalls in a single complex. Some of the famous hawker centres are Amoy Street Food Centre, Telok Ayer Market, Tiong Bahru Market, Maxwell Road Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Newton Food Centre. In all these hawker centres you can find food from different cultures.

4. Zurich

Zurich defines elegance at its best, be it architecture, culture or food. Due to the proximity to the German Border, the food of Zurich is predominantly influenced by German cuisine. Potatoes, mushrooms, meats, creams and butter are the common ingredients of the food in the city. The popular European restaurants in Zurich include Restaurant Weisses Rossli, La Fonte, Ecco Zurich, Haus Zum Rüden, Restaurant Pavillon and Ristorante Da Angela. For Asian delicacies, you can dine at Thach Restaurant, Restaurant Khujug, Zhong Hua, Yen’s, Five Spice and Tibetasia. To taste Indian food, step into Namaste India, Malabar Restaurant, Tamarind Hill, Kormasutra, Masala and Bombay Karachi.

Street Food in Zurich

To taste some exotic recipes of the typical Swiss cuisine, one needs to explore the street side food corners in Zurich. You must try Zurcher Geschnetzeltes, which is a yummy dish, made with sliced veal cooked in white wine sauce and creamy mushroom. Rostiis another delicious food prepared with grated fried potatoes and bacon or fried eggs.

Further, Cheese Fondueis a Swiss preparation mixing melted cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes and herbs. It is served with bread and white wine. You may also try Tartiflette which is made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions.

5. Paris

The city of lights, Paris is the gastronomical paradise for foodies. The city carries sweetness in its air. In every nook and corner, you will find shops offering hot chocolate, caramels, éclairs, jams, chocolate truffles, macarons and pastries. Further, Paris is packed with international restaurants, cafes and bistros. Some of the best restaurants serving authentic French cuisine in Paris include Les Philosophes, Le Mesturet, Semilla, Epicure and Bistrot Paul Bert. For Indian cuisine, you can visit restaurants like Muniyandi Vilas, Krishna Bhavan, Desi Road, Saravanaa Bhavan, Gandhi Ji’s, Buddha Restaurant and Samsara.

Original in Paris

If you love soup, then try French Onion Soup. It is a delicious staple food prepared with meat stock, onions, croutons and cheese. Duck Confit is a traditional French dish that is prepared with salt-cured duck cooked in itself-fat. This yummy dish is served on the base of potatoes. You can also try Galette which is made by stuffing ham, salmon, onion and cheese inside a covering of buckwheat flour.

Further, the French version of escargots cooked with butter, parsley and garlic taste superb.

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Street Food in Paris

When it comes to food-on-the-go options in Paris, sandwiches dominate the scene. Jambon Beurre is a ham and butter sandwich commonly found in any boulangerie. However, you can try special sandwiches with unusual stuffing and flavours. Crêpes, pancakes and bagels are also common street foods in Paris. In the localities such as Rue des Batignolles, Avenue Jean Jaurès, Rue Saint Augustin and Avenue de Clichy, you will find sizzling Kebabs, Falafel and Dimsum. These Middle Eastern and Asian dishes are served with local customisation.