### 10 National Dishes to Try in Your Lifetime
Exploring new cultures is best done through their food. Whether you’re jetting off on a new adventure or visiting a new restaurant in town, here are the top 10 national dishes you must try:
1. **Pork Adobo – Philippines**
This Filipino favorite involves marinating pork belly in vinegar, garlic, salt, and laurel leaves until most of the liquid evaporates. It’s typically served with rice or mixed veggies.
2. **Wiener Schnitzel – Austria**
Austria’s iconic dish features thinly sliced veal, breaded and deep-fried to golden perfection. It’s typically garnished with lemon and served with potatoes or potato salad.
3. **Coucou and Flying Fish – Barbados**
A staple in Barbados, this dish pairs steamed or fried flying fish with a spicy sauce and a side of couscous, cornmeal, and okra porridge.
4. **Tom Yum Goong – Thailand**
This hot, spicy, and sour Thai soup is famous for its prawns and flavorful broth made from lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers.
5. **Pot-au-Feu – France**
Known for its hearty goodness, this French beef stew usually includes oxtail, marrowbone, and root vegetables, all seasoned with herbs and spices.
6. **Ackee and Saltfish – Jamaica**
A classic Jamaican dish, it combines salt cod with sautéed onions, tomatoes, black pepper, and boiled ackee fruit. It’s often accompanied by breadfruit, dumplings, or fried plantains.
7. **Moules-frites – Belgium**
Belgium’s national dish features mussels cooked in white wine, shallots, parsley, and butter, served with a side of crispy chips.
8. **Ceviche – Peru**
This refreshing dish includes raw fish marinated in lime juice, spiced with ají, and topped with chopped onions, salt, and coriander. It’s served with sides like sweet potato, corn, and lettuce.
9. **Bobotie – South Africa**
This South African dish combines minced meat with an egg-based topping. It often includes tangy curry powder and dried fruits like apricots or raisins, offering a sweet and savory blend.
10. **Feijoada – Brazil**
Brazil’s national dish features black beans cooked with a variety of pork and beef cuts, such as bacon, ribs, sausage, and jerked beef. It’s typically served with rice, though some variations use pinto or red beans.
Ready to start your culinary exploration? Bon appétit! Just remember, make sure all meats and veggies are thoroughly cooked to avoid any holiday illnesses. Enjoy!