The 50 Most Famous National Dishes in the World
A national dish is a country’s autobiography on a plate. To pick the 50 most famous, we combed through our collection of 20,000+ recipes from 194 countries — the dishes people cross oceans for, argue about and cook for every celebration. Each entry links the authentic recipe and the country’s full collection.
-
Pizza Margherita
ItalyBlistered dough, tomato, mozzarella and basil in patriotic colours — often named the national dish of Italy.
Learn how to make a proper pizza dough and conjure up an authentic Pizza Margherita in your own kitchen. With its glorious trio of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil, this is the most celebrated of all Italian …
-
Sushi
JapanVinegared rice and pristine fish shaped with quiet precision — often named the national dish of Japan.
Discover Sushi, Japan's most celebrated culinary export and its much-loved national dish! Built around seasoned rice, fresh fish and crisp vegetables, it is a beautifully balanced combination that has been enjoyed across Japan for …
-
Mole poblano
MexicoA lavish sauce of chilies, spices and chocolate over turkey or chicken — the national dish of Mexico.
Few dishes capture the soul of Mexican cooking quite like Mole Poblano, a deep, velvety sauce that brings together the worlds of pre-Columbian and Spanish cuisine on a single plate. Built from a careful balance of dried chillies, …
-
Pot-au-feu
FranceBeef and vegetables simmered gently into a fragrant broth — the national dish of France.
Discover Pot-au-Feu, one of France's most cherished comfort dishes! This hearty beef stew gently simmers tender meat with carrots, leek and fragrant herbs until everything is meltingly soft and the broth turns rich and aromatic. …
-
Paella
SpainSaffron rice cooked wide and shallow until the socarrat crackles — the national dish of Spain.
Step into the vibrant world of Spanish cooking and savour one of its most celebrated classics: Paella. Born in the sun-soaked region of Valencia, this iconic one-pan dish brings together fresh seafood, tender chicken, colourful …
-
Pad thai
ThailandStir-fried rice noodles balancing sweet, sour, salty and hot — the national dish of Thailand.
Discover Pad Thai, the much-loved noodle dish that captures the soul of Thailand on a single plate! Quick to cook yet bursting with flavour, it weaves together silky rice noodles, egg, tender prawns and a tangle of fresh herbs in …
-
Khichdi
IndiaSoothing rice and lentils cooked into one golden pot — often named the national dish of India.
Discover Khichdi, one of India's most comforting and wholesome dishes! This gentle one-pot of rice and lentils is simmered together until soft and creamy, then warmed through with cumin, turmeric and a touch of ginger. Nourishing, …
-
Peking duck
ChinaLacquered duck with shatteringly crisp skin, folded into thin pancakes — often named the national dish of China.
Discover Peking Duck, one of China's most celebrated dishes! Famous the world over for its lacquered, crackling skin and tender meat, it brings the elegance of a Beijing banquet straight to your own kitchen. Glazed in a glossy …
-
Phở
VietnamAn aromatic beef noodle soup built on a patient bone broth — the national dish of Vietnam.
Say hello to Pho, the fragrant beef noodle soup that is the pride of Vietnam. A bowl begins with a deeply savoury broth, simmered for hours with star anise, cinnamon and ginger until it glows with warmth and aroma. Add silky rice …
-
Kimchi
South KoreaThe fiery fermented cabbage that anchors every Korean table — the national dish of South Korea.
Discover Kimchi, the beloved national dish of South Korea! This vibrant tangle of fermented vegetables and fiery spices sits on virtually every Korean table, prized as much for its bold, tangy flavour as for its remarkable health …
-
Moussaka
GreeceLayered eggplant and spiced lamb under a golden béchamel — often named the national dish of Greece.
Discover Moussaka, one of Greece's best-loved national dishes! This comforting bake layers tender aubergine with a richly spiced minced meat sauce and a generous topping of melted cheese. Warm, hearty and surprisingly simple to …
-
Kebap
TurkeyThe great family of grilled meats at the heart of Anatolian cooking — often named the national dish of Turkey.
Fire up the grill and discover Şiş Kebab, the smoky, succulent skewers that crown the Turkish table. Tender cubes of meat are bathed in a fragrant marinade of paprika, cumin and tangy yoghurt, then charred over high heat until …
-
Kibbeh
LebanonBulgur and spiced minced lamb shaped into crisp torpedoes — the national dish of Lebanon.
Say hello to Kibbeh, one of the great treasures of the Lebanese table! These savoury little patties bring together bulgur, well-seasoned minced meat and a warming blend of spices into a dish that is as satisfying as it is …
-
Couscous
MoroccoHand-rolled semolina steamed over a fragrant seven-vegetable stew — the national dish of Morocco.
Discover Couscous, the proud national dish of Morocco and a true icon of North African cooking! Tiny golden grains of steamed semolina are tossed with crisp, colourful vegetables, tender chickpeas and warm, fragrant spices. More …
-
Doro wat
EthiopiaA fiery berbere chicken stew served on injera — the national dish of Ethiopia.
Discover Doro Wat, the fiery pride of Ethiopia and one of the most celebrated dishes in the whole of East Africa. Chicken is slowly simmered in a deep-red, intensely aromatic berbere sauce until it falls tenderly off the bone, …
-
Feijoada
BrazilAn opulent black-bean stew with pork, served with rice and orange — the national dish of Brazil.
Discover Feijoada, the rich and soulful national dish of Brazil! This hearty stew brings together tender cuts of meat and earthy black beans, simmered slowly until everything melts into one deeply satisfying pot. It is the kind of …
-
Asado
ArgentinaThe beloved ritual of beef grilled slowly over embers — the national dish of Argentina.
Come with us on a culinary journey to Argentina and discover Asado, the country's most cherished dish. Built around tender beef, warm spices and a handful of colourful vegetables, it is the kind of food that brings people together …
-
Ceviche
PeruThe freshest fish cured minutes in leche de tigre — the national dish of Peru.
Say hello to Ceviche, the pride of Peru and one of the freshest, most vibrant dishes in South American cooking. Delicate pieces of raw fish are "cooked" in nothing more than sharp lime juice, then brightened with red onion, fiery …
-
The hamburger
USAThe grilled beef sandwich that conquered the world — often named the national dish of USA.
Fire up the grill and bring a little American flair to your kitchen with the all-time classic: the hamburger. Few dishes capture the spirit of a US summer cookout quite like a juicy, char-grilled patty tucked into a soft, buttery …
-
Fish and chips
EnglandFlaky battered fish with thick-cut chips and malt vinegar — the national dish of England.
Discover Fish and Chips, the dish that has come to define England's love of honest, comforting food! Crisp golden batter wrapped around tender white fish, served with a generous heap of chunky chips, it is the kind of meal that …
-
Haggis with neeps and tatties
ScotlandThe storied savoury pudding beside mashed swede and potato — the national dish of Scotland.
Meet Haggis, the proud national dish of Scotland and a true rite of passage for anyone keen to taste the country's culinary heritage. This deeply savoury speciality combines sheep's offal, toasted oatmeal and a bold hit of spices, …
-
Irish stew
IrelandLamb, potatoes and onions melded by unhurried simmering — the national dish of Ireland.
Discover Irish Stew, the comforting national dish of Ireland! This humble one-pot supper brings together tender lamb, earthy potatoes and sweet carrots, all gently simmered with fragrant thyme until everything turns meltingly …
-
Sauerbraten
GermanyBeef marinated for days, then braised into a sweet-sour pot roast — the national dish of Germany.
Unlock the secret to a perfect Sauerbraten, one of Germany's most cherished classics! This slow-braised pot roast is famed for its meltingly tender meat and a deeply savoury, gently sour gravy that comes from days spent in a tangy …
-
Wiener Schnitzel
AustriaVeal pounded thin, breaded and fried to a golden crisp — the national dish of Austria.
If you love cooking up something special, few dishes are as rewarding as Austria's most famous export, the Wiener Schnitzel. A thin cutlet of veal in a feather-light, golden crust, it is the kind of comfort food that turns a …
-
Fondue
SwitzerlandA bubbling pot of melted Gruyère and Vacherin for dipping — the national dish of Switzerland.
There is nothing quite like gathering around a bubbling pot of Cheese Fondue on a cold evening, forks in hand and good company all around. This traditional Swiss classic turns a handful of humble ingredients — nothing more than …
-
Gulyás
HungaryThe paprika-laced herdsman's stew simmered in a kettle — the national dish of Hungary.
Discover Gulyás, the national dish of Hungary! This warmly spiced one-pot brings together tender pieces of beef, sweet Hungarian paprika and hearty root vegetables in a rich, ruby-red broth. Somewhere between a soup and a stew, it …
-
Bigos
PolandThe hunter's stew of sauerkraut, sausage and forest mushrooms — the national dish of Poland.
Discover Bigos, the rich, slow-cooked hunter's stew that many Poles regard as their national dish. Built on tender sauerkraut and generous helpings of braised meat, it is warming, deeply savoury and famously forgiving — the kind …
-
Borscht
UkraineThe ruby beet soup with garlic pampushky on the side — the national dish of Ukraine.
Discover Borscht, the soul of Ukrainian cooking! This gloriously deep-red beetroot soup brings together earthy vegetables, tender meat and fragrant herbs in a bowl that warms body and spirit alike. Every region has its own …
-
Pelmeni
RussiaDelicate meat dumplings served with butter and smetana — often named the national dish of Russia.
Meet Pelmeni, the little parcels of dough and meat that sit at the very heart of the Russian table. Tender pockets wrapped around a savoury filling of seasoned minced meat and onion, they are the kind of warming, homely fare …
-
Khachapuri
GeorgiaMolten cheese-filled bread, often crowned with a runny egg — the national dish of Georgia.
Meet Khachapuri, Georgia's most famous bake and a dish that locals treat as nothing less than a national treasure. Often described as Georgian pizza, it is a boat or round of golden yeast dough cradling a molten, salty cheese …
-
Bacalhau
PortugalSalted cod, said to be cooked a different way for every day of the year — the national dish of Portugal.
Meet Bacalhau à Brás, one of Portugal's most beloved comfort dishes! This homely classic brings together salt cod, golden potatoes and softly scrambled eggs, all bound with sweet onions and good olive oil. It is the kind of …
-
Stamppot
NetherlandsPotatoes mashed with greens and crowned with smoked sausage — the national dish of Netherlands.
Meet Zuurkoolstamppot, the kind of warming, no-nonsense plate that the Dutch turn to when the days grow short and cold. This hearty classic mashes fluffy potatoes together with tangy sauerkraut and finishes it off with golden …
-
Moules-frites
BelgiumSteamed mussels with a mountain of golden fries — the national dish of Belgium.
Few plates say Belgium quite like Moules-Frites: a steaming pot of glossy mussels in an aromatic broth, with a heap of golden, crisp chips on the side. It is convivial food at its best — the kind of meal that fills a table with …
-
Köttbullar
SwedenTender meatballs with cream sauce and lingonberries — the national dish of Sweden.
Discover Köttbullar, the little meatballs that Sweden has taken to its heart! Tender balls of seasoned minced meat are fried until golden and served with creamy mashed potato and a spoonful of tart lingonberries. It is honest, …
-
Stegt flæsk
DenmarkCrisp pork belly with potatoes in creamy parsley sauce — the national dish of Denmark.
Meet Stegt Flæsk med Persillesauce, the official national dish of Denmark and a plate that Danes will happily queue for. Crackling-crisp slices of pork belly are fried until golden, then blanketed in a silky parsley sauce and …
-
Fårikål
NorwayLamb and cabbage simmered simply with whole black pepper — the national dish of Norway.
Discover Fårikål, the national dish of Norway! This wonderfully simple recipe brings together tender pieces of lamb and crisp white cabbage in a hearty, slow-simmered stew that is made for cold autumn days. With barely a handful …
-
Vepřo knedlo zelo
CzechiaRoast pork with pillowy bread dumplings and braised cabbage — the national dish of Czechia.
Meet Pečené Vepřo Knedlo Zelo, the dish that sits at the very heart of Czech home cooking. Tender roast pork with a burnished, crackling crust is paired with soft, pillowy dumplings made for soaking up every drop of the rich pan …
-
Sarmale
RomaniaCabbage rolls simmered gently and served with mămăligă — the national dish of Romania.
Say hello to Sarmale, the dish Romanians reach for at every festive table. These tender cabbage rolls wrap a savoury filling of meat, rice and gentle spices, then simmer slowly until the flavours melt into one another. Rich, …
-
Kushari
EgyptA comforting jumble of rice, lentils and pasta under spiced tomato sauce — the national dish of Egypt.
Discover Koshari, the beloved national dish of Egypt! This hearty, thoroughly vegetarian plate layers rice, lentils and pasta with a spiced tomato sauce and a scattering of chickpeas. Simple to throw together yet packed with …
-
Jollof rice
NigeriaSmoky one-pot rice steeped in tomato, pepper and pride — the national dish of Nigeria.
Say hello to Jollof Rice, the vibrant, red-hued centrepiece of the Nigerian table and one of West Africa's most celebrated dishes. Long-grain rice is simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce until every grain glows a deep red and …
-
Fufu with light soup
GhanaPounded cassava-and-plantain dough beside a bright, peppery soup — often named the national dish of Ghana.
Discover Fufu, the beloved staple that sits at the very heart of Ghanaian cooking! This smooth, springy dough is made from cassava and plantain, pounded together until soft and pillowy. Traditionally torn by hand and dipped into a …
-
Thieboudienne
SenegalThe grand one-pot of stuffed fish, broken rice and vegetables — the national dish of Senegal.
Say hello to Thieboudienne, the pride of Senegal and a dish that brings a whole table together. Fresh fish, tender vegetables and fragrant rice simmer into one glorious pot, all bound by a rich, tomato-red sauce that turns each …
-
Bobotie
South AfricaCurried minced meat baked under a silky egg custard — the national dish of South Africa.
Meet Bobotie, the fragrant baked mince dish that many regard as the national dish of South Africa. It brings together sweet, savoury and gently sour notes in one comforting bake — spiced minced meat studded with raisins and …
-
Ackee and saltfish
JamaicaButtery ackee fruit scrambled with salted cod and scotch bonnet — the national dish of Jamaica.
Meet Ackee and Saltfish, the beloved national dish of Jamaica and a true taste of the Caribbean. Buttery, nutty ackee — the island's national fruit — is gently folded through flaky salted cod and a colourful sauté of onions, sweet …
-
Ropa vieja
CubaShredded beef in a rich tomato, pepper and olive sofrito — the national dish of Cuba.
Say hello to Ropa Vieja, the soul-warming national dish of Cuba. Beneath its curious name — literally "old clothes" — lies a rich, slow-cooked stew of tender shredded beef braised with peppers, onions and a fragrant tomato sauce. …
-
Poutine
CanadaFries smothered in squeaky cheese curds and hot gravy — the national dish of Canada.
Meet Poutine, Canada's most famous plate of comfort food. Crisp golden chips, squeaky cheese curds and a ladle of hot brown gravy come together in a dish that tastes best on a cold winter evening. It is wonderfully simple to make, …
-
Nasi goreng
IndonesiaSmoky wok-fried rice with sweet soy and a crowning fried egg — often named the national dish of Indonesia.
Say hello to Nasi Goreng, Indonesia's much-loved fried rice and a brilliant way to turn yesterday's leftovers into something special. Wok-fried rice mingles with fresh vegetables, savoury soy sauce and a fiery hit of sambal oelek, …
-
Adobo
PhilippinesMeat braised glossy in vinegar, soy, garlic and bay — the national dish of Philippines.
Meet Adobo, the dish most Filipinos would name in a heartbeat if asked for the taste of home. Pork or chicken is gently braised in a glossy sauce of soy sauce, vinegar and plenty of garlic, then finished with peppercorns and bay …
-
Nasi lemak
MalaysiaCoconut rice with fiery sambal, anchovies, peanuts and egg — the national dish of Malaysia.
Experience the flavours of Malaysia's beloved national dish with this easy Nasi Lemak recipe. Fragrant rice simmered in creamy coconut milk and warm spices, topped with fried eggs, crunchy roasted peanuts and a sweet-savoury sauce …
-
The meat pie
AustraliaFlaky pastry filled with rich minced beef and gravy — often named the national dish of Australia.
Discover Meat Pie, the hearty little parcel that Australians have taken to their hearts! Tender minced beef is simmered with aromatic spices and tucked inside a crisp, golden pastry crust for a snack that eats like a full meal. …
Disagree with our order? The only valid rebuttal is cooking — start with another ranking or browse all 194 countries.