Fancy yourself a foodie? Here’s our bucket list of culinary travel destinations

There are many international travel destinations that are synonymous with the foods they are famous for – whether it’s fresh fish from the Mediterranean, steamed vegetables from Asia, or hand crafted spices from North Africa. We scoured the planet for the top 10 culinary destinations of the world and what you should experience while you’re there.

South Africa
Let’s start at home. You don’t need to head overseas for a culinary experience. We have as much variety in our food as in our diverse people. We recommend trying local flavours like samp and beans, fish grilled over the flames, and sampling some of the most delicious, locally-grown fruits in the world.

India
In the north of India rice is the base of the meal, while roti is more common in the south. You can look forward to ingredients like bananas, coconut and dishes like dhal and spicy fish curries.

Thailand
One of the signature dishes of Thailand is Phat Thai. Think rice noodles stir-fried with egg, tofu and shrimp seasoned with Tom Yum soup (spicy shrimp soup) or Kai Med Ma Muang (chicken with cashew nuts), sugar tamarind, vinegar and dried chilli. You’re likely to find chilli and fish sauce in nearly anything you eat – so no need to add extra salt.

Greece
Greek cuisine focuses on fresh staple foods that use the food’s original flavour instead of spices. Think an array of different veggies, grains, and freshly caught fish and calamari. Fish and calamari fresh from the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas are incredibly tasty and cooked with minimum fuss – grilled whole and drizzled with ladholemono (a lemon and oil dressing). Vegetables (tomatoes and peppers) are often stuffed with rice and baked. Some Greek dishes combine the flavours of olive and yoghurt to give food a deceptively rich and creamy taste. Gigandes (Greek baked beans) and healthy Greek dips (like tzatziki) are also signature of a Greek meal.

China
Walk the streets of Hong Kong to find delicious street food like dim sum (bite-sized foods) and Kung Pao Chicken (chicken, vegetables and peanuts). One type of dim sum is steamed dumplings with fillings such as shrimp, peanuts, and mushrooms. The flavour is made from cooling and warming combinations like fruit and veggies, combined to spices and meat. Tofu (bean curd) is popular in China and used in many dishes. Various soups (especially broths) are commonly eaten, not only for enjoyment but also for its health benefits.

France
France is famous for its street cafes and fantastic flavourful foods. French cooking is such an important part of French culture that it was added to UNESCO’s world list of cultural heritage. A must-try French salad is the Niçoise salad with healthy, fresh ingredients including lettuce, tomato, boiled eggs, canned tuna, green beans and olives. Another firm favourite is ratatouille with stewed vegetables such as tomatoes, garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, bell peppers, basil, marjoram, thyme and Provence herbs.

Lebanon
Lebanese food is the most popular of Middle Eastern foods. The focus is on herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients. Mint, parsley, oregano, garlic, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon are all seasonings typical of Lebanon. The Lebanese prefer poultry over red meat. Dips often eaten as an accompaniment to the main meal are baba ghanouj (roasted eggplant) and hummus (made with chickpeas). Side dishes include fattoush (a bread salad made with toasted pita bread and seasonal vegetables and herbs) and tabbouleh (a salad made with tomatoes, herbs, bulgur wheat, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt).

Spain
Spanish food ranges from tasty tapas (such as marinated olives, baby squid and patatas bravas/potato cubes served with spicy tomato sauce) to seafood. Try gazpacho (a cold vegetable soup), seafood paella, saffron and runner or butter beans and the Spanish version of ratatouille – pisto. You could also try the Spanish omelette made with eggs and potato.

Italy
There’s no shame in travelling for dessert – when it’s the healthy kind. Visit Italy for its sorbets as you enjoy the warm weather. Naturally, you can also satisfy your taste buds with delicious pastas or gnocchi. And wash it all down with a cup of Italian coffee. The Italians take their pizza very seriously, but it is not the cheese-laden fare that we are used to. Instead, Italians prefer thin pizza bases, minimal cheese, and various fresh toppings – getting a thumbs up from Vitality!

Morocco
Couscous is a Moroccan ingredient that has become common at home. Traditionally, meat is covered with a pyramid of couscous with the veggies pressed to the sides and a separate sauce. Be on the lookout for chicken tagine with garlic, fresh coriander and parsley, and cinnamon.

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