Every cuisine tells a unique story about the best food capital country, climate, and culture. We believe that food probably says more about a place than any other thing. Ok, maybe #music is a close second.
While we keep exploring the delightful and exciting world of food in the world’s greatest cities, here are three of our favorite food capitals that we love re-visiting time and again.
Paris – The French Food Capital
One of the world’s most visited cities, Paris has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and good times. While it’s easy to get immersed in the timeless art and architecture that dot the city with instantly recognizable landmarks – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, the iconic Arc de Triomphe, dining in the French Capital can be an experience in itself. And whether you seek a cozy neighborhood bistro or a triple-Michelin-starred temple to gastronomy, you’ll find that every establishment prides itself on exquisite preparation and presentation of quality produce, invariably served with wine. Paris offers plenty to polish off from enticing patisseries, boulangeries (bakeries), fromageries (cheese shops), and crowded colorful street markets.
Anyone’s first step into the world of French cuisine usually starts with experimenting with French wine and cheese. But if you decide to look beyond, it’s not difficult to find a top French food to suit your palate. So the next time you fancy some quintessential French food, make sure to indulge is some of these gastronomic delights. Soupe à l’oignon (a traditional French soup made of onions and beef stock, usually served with croutons and melted cheese on top); Confit de canard (Duck meat is specially prepared using a century-old preserve and slow-cooking process); Ratatouille (a stewed vegetable recipe that can be served as a side dish, meal or stuffing for other dishes, such as crepes and omelets); Coq au vin (dish of chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, salty pork or bacon (lardons), onions, garlic and sometimes with a drop of brandy); Tarte Tatin (Dark and sticky caramel, sweet apples and crisp pastry combine to make this heavenly French dessert)
Dubai – The Middle Eastern Food Capital
Definitely the most well-known and most destination in the Emirates, Dubai is a tourist’s delight every step of the way. Whether you gaze in awe at the towering Burj Khalifa or be dazzled by the magnificent Atlantis Hotel, whether you and your kids have a whale of a time at probably the world’s biggest indoor aquarium, or you and your friend hang out at the Desert Safari, Dubai will make sure you enjoy every moment you are there.
The local population being less than 20%, and the rest of the population being from all parts of the world (ex-pat workers and tourists), it is little wonder that in terms of culinary choice, Dubai is second to none. Restaurants offering authentic cuisine from every conceivable country on the world map can be found in Dubai, which makes it most certainly the food capital of the Middle East.
While you can get any kind of food that you want in Dubai, the local cuisine is also very interesting. Like many another middle- eastern countries, you will find a mouth-watering variety of shawarmas, and hummus-based dishes form a large part of the local food culture (vegetarian options also available). But there are some interesting additions. At the top is something called ‘stuffed camel’ (yes, it is exactly what it seems like) – a royal feast only served at very special occasions, and also frightfully expensive. Also among the local favorites are Al Harees (a simple dish of wheat and meat cooked in a covered clay pot) and Al Machboos (a deliciously spicy combination of tender meat and rice cooked for hours), Ghuzi (mutton kebabs served with nuts and vegetables on a bed of rice and mehalabiya (pudding flavored with rosewater and pistachios).
Bangkok – The Thai Food Capital
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. You could take a boat ride through the web of canals fed by the Chao Phraya River. You could ride around the city in one of its famous tuk-tuks and you could stare in awe at the splendor of the opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple, and the nearby Wat Pho Temple with the well-known gigantic reclining Buddha. Bangkok is famous for many things – a sizzling nightlife with bustling bazars and activities for the adventurous, and also a shopping paradise for bargain hunters. But a large part of the Bangkok experience is the food. It’s everywhere. From restaurants to street food, Bangkok is a city where you will find food every few steps of the way, no matter how you are traveling, which only goes to show why this city is not just the political capital of Thailand, but also it’s food capital.
Thai food has found its way into many countries and is possibly the second most popular Asian cuisine in India after Chinese. Abundant use of spices and local ingredients like coconut milk and seafood is found in mouth-watering combinations that are a foodie’s delight.
Here are some of the most popular Thai dishes that one must taste on a visit to that beautiful country
• Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
• Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
• Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup)
• Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles)
• Khao Pad (Fried Rice)
• Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)
Also Read: The Foodie Network’s Top 11 European Desserts To Try Before You Die
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