Food is the universal language. It doesn’t matter if you’re
at home in your backyard grilling some burgers, or in an unfamiliar locale
in the heart of Asia, good food is good food no matter how you slice it.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with sticking to your old favorites, but every
now and then, you can’t help but develop a craving for dishes you’ve never
tried and cuisines you’ve never experienced.
But where exactly should you go if you are indeed looking for some new and
exciting food to try? In this article, Jim Gray MD of Meridian, Mississippi has
put forth some suggestions
for countries you can travel to if your priority is to try great dishes that
you’ve never had before in your life.
You may not be able to hit all these “hidden gem” locations in one trip, but
you should still keep them in mind the next time you’re planning your vacation.
To kick things off, let’s highlight some locations in Asia.
Malaysia
The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia is starting to emerge as a more prominent tourist destination, but it isn’t quite an obvious spot just yet. With that in mind, let’s discuss some dishes that will convince you to pay a visit to this wonderful locale.
If you’re craving something hearty that is perfect for a chilly day, don’t pass on the opportunity to try some bak kut teh. The pork ribs used in bak kut teh become incredibly tender and flavorful as they simmer for a long time in the sturdy pot used to hold this stew.
You can indulge yourself and chow down on the pork ribs. Alternatively, Culture Trip suggests using some yau char kwai (think of it as a kind of fried breadstick) to dip into the broth and enjoy the flavor of this dish that way.
It’s also worth your time to sample some nasi kerabu. Many tourists are drawn to this dish because of the blue rice. However, rest assured that it can fill up your stomach just as well as it can take up space in your Instagram feed.
Sri Lanka
We’re staying in Asia for our next “hidden gem” foodie destination. To be more specific, we’re going to the island nation of Sri Lanka.
Even though Sri Lanka is a smaller country, their dishes feature big flavors.
Exhibit A is kothu. Thrillist describes kothu as the “gateway Sri Lankan dish” and a “favorite street food.” It’s made out of chopped up roti, vegetables, eggs, chunks of meat, and of course, plenty of spices. As you can imagine, when all of those ingredients are stir-fried together, you can create something truly magical.
Jim Gray MD Mississippi is adamant that you can’t go to Sri Lanka without trying the dhal or lentil curry as well. Lentils may not seem especially interesting, but when cooked properly together with coconut milk, tomato paste, and numerous spices, you get a dish that will excite your palate in all kinds of ways.
Germany
It’s probably a bit misleading to describe Germany as some kind of “hidden gem” food destination, but the truth is that this European nation doesn’t get as much praise as it deserves for being a true haven for gourmands.
Chances are that upon the mention of German food, you probably thought about sausages before anything else. While you can indeed find a terrific assortment of sausages in Germany, there are other foods worth trying if you ever end up visiting that part of the world.
For those on the hunt for some traditional German food, it’s hard to beat sauerbraten. This dish is typically made using one of the less expensive cuts of beef, although pork, lamb, venison, and even horse meat can be used.
The cut of meat is then allowed to marinate for multiple days in wine and different spices before it is browned and serve with some gravy. All of that effort that goes into preparing the sauerbraten is worth it because you’re getting something incredibly flavorful at the end.
If you’re looking for a dish that can satisfy your sweet tooth, you can try the German dish known as rumkuchen. Rumkuchen is essentially cake soaked in rum and it is usually served when the weather turns cold, per Go Overseas. A slice of rumkuchen should keep you warm even deep into the night.
New Zealand
Last up, we’re making a pit stop in New Zealand to try some incredible food.
Technically, Māori hāngī is not a dish. Hāngī is a type of cooking method used by the Māori and it involves the use of an underground oven. Among the foods that are typically cooked using a hāngī are chicken, lamb, pork, and vegetables, per NewZealand.com.
Speaking of lamb, you can’t be in New Zealand without trying some traditional lamb. You may think that you’ve had some good roast lamb before, but New Zealand knows exactly how to do this type of meat justice.
There are obviously more than just four “hidden gem” food destinations, but if you’re looking for something different, go ahead and give those highlighted by Jim Gray MD Mississippi a try. After sampling those cuisines, you will surely develop a better appreciation for food.