The Foods You Need To Try Before You Die

1. Apfelstrudel - Austria

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This stunning traditional dessert dates back to the 1600s in Vienna. The word "apfelstrudel" means whirlpool and this perfectly describes the whirlpool of apple and very thin layers of of pastry, similar to the Turkish baklava. Eaten hot or cold, you won't be disappointed!

2. Colcannon - Ireland

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When you think about traditional foods of Ireland, potatoes and cabbage will automatically spring to mind. However, the country's treat, especially on St Patrick's day, is colcannon, a combination of both Ireland's common foods. Creamy mash is mixed with cabbage or kale and served hot with a knob of butter, salt and pepper. Delicious!

3. Bunny Chow - South Africa

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A bunny chow is a way of grabbing a quick meal by putting curry into a crispy, hollowed-out bread bowl. When black South African laborers were banned from eating in restaurants, this bread bowl made for a tasty, portable lunch. These days, you WILL find the dish in restaurants.

4. Holubtsi - Eastern Europe

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Translated to cabbage roll, holubtsi is a well loved dish in Eastern Europe. Historians have found mention of it dating back to 2000 years ago. To this day, Jewish people especially enjoy a version which they call holishkes, and it is eaten during the festival Simchat Torah in the fall. The cabbage leaves are stuffed with spiced lamb or beef and served in a tomato sauce.

5. Kabsa - Saudi Arabia

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You will find kabsa right across the Persian Gulf, although this rice and meat dish is considered native to Saudi Arabia. The meat used is Camel but Cow, Goat and Chicken are sometimes chosen. The entire meal is flavored with sweet spices, tomatoes, onions and raisins. You have to try it!

6. Frybread - Mexico

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The doughy flatbread is fried in a skillet and is usually eaten with sugar, honey or cinnamon. Native Americans treat the fry bread like a taco, folding it in half over venison or beef in a Navajo sandwich. If you come across a roadside stand selling frybread, when you drive through the desert, be sure to stop and try it!

7. Burek - Bosnia

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Fill your filo pastry with ground beef and spices, and you have a dish that is typically served up in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnians roll their ground meat pie into a long  sausage shape, brush it with egg and wait for the magic to happen in the oven. Feta and ricotta cheese are also popular fillings.

8. Callaloo - Trinidad

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Callaloo can be a soup or side dish, whichever you prefer! You mix eddo and taro leaves with okra, crab meat and onions as well as hot peppers and spices. Native to Trinidad and Tobago, other Caribbean nations have their own versions by using different native leaves.

9. Jerk Chicken - Jamaica

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It would be almost impossible to visit Jamaica without trying chicken or meat dry-rubbed or marinated in chili peppers, garlic, nutmeg, thyme and cinnamon. Jerk spicing can be mild or fiery, adapted to your personal taste. The heat is dependent on the amount of chillies used.

10. Khachapuri - Georgia

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This may look like a type of pizza, but khachapuri is a leavened bread filled with melted cheese and eggs in the center. It is served hot and diners rip up pieces of the bread to dip into the center for that gooey goodness! It is thought that the dish was created by sailors and the shape of the bread resembles a boat, with the sun and the sea in the middle.

11. Kimchi - Korea

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If you haven't tried kimchi yet, then head to a Korean restaurant to sample this popular dish. It is made with fermented vegetables and the finished dish, due to the fermentation, makes it very healthy and probiotic. It is recommended strongly for good gut health.  Fermented fish, alongside it, is another option.

12. Chlodnik - Poland

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This bright pink croque soup can be found in Poland and is a must have during the summer! Served cold, chlodnik gets its pink color from beets and it can be thickened with buttermilk or sour cream. During June and August, the whole country appears to enjoy it!

13. Croque Madame - France

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If you think the French only eat croissants for breakfast then you've missed out on a croque Madame, which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried or poached egg with a bechamel sauce. Besides breakfast, it is also enjoyed as an afternoon snack.

14. Falafel - Middle East

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It is believed that the Egyptians first developed this fried snack of ground chickpeas or fava beans rolled in a ball with onions, spices and herbs. These days, one of the most popular adaptations of the dish is found in Israel where the falafel balls are stuffed into pitta bread with cucumber, tomato and onion.

15. Goi Cuon - Vietnam

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Families in Vietnam would take fresh summer vegetables and fish, roll them into rice paper and then serve them up to the masses for everyone to pass around. This traditional dish, served at room temperature, is filled with shrimp, pork or chicken, as well as lettuce and garlic, then dipped into hoisin sauce.

16. Hot Pot - China

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Literally billions of Chinese eat hot pot and this is one dining experience that should be sampled for the culture as much as the food! Some call it China's fondue, as diners cook  sliced meats in a pot of boiling broth seasoned with scallions, mushrooms and ginger. Vegetables, seafood and rice also get cooked.

17. Kobe Steaks - Japan

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Wagyu cows that are raised in the Kobe region of Japan have higher levels of fat which gives a more marbled and flavorful steak. Both Wagyu and Kobe steaks come from Wagyu cattle. Only 3000 cattle qualify each year as kobe steak. This makes the dish very expensive.

18. Masala- India

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Masala is a curry and tomato sauce combination, cooked with chicken or seafood and served over a bed of rice. You literally could not throw a grain of rice in India without it hitting someone who often eats masala! It really is that much a mainstay of India. Of course it can also be found all around the world.

19. Kottbullar - Sweden

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The standard joke is that no one can go into IKEA without stocking up on those Swedish meatballs! Kottbullar, as they are known in Sweden, are serious business. The mushy balls of meat, soaked up a cream sauce, will melt in your mouth. Don't assume the IKEA one are authentic!

20. Muamba - Gabon

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Throughout Central Africa, particularly in Gabon, you will find chicken muamba is pretty much a chicken stew. It is spiced with onions, hot peppers and garlic, thickened with okra and maybe butternut squash or even peanut butter, the latter being a favorite in Angola and Congo.

21. Moules Frites - Belgium

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Most menus in Belgium will feature moules frites. The national dish of the country, this means "mussels and French fries" in French and Dutch. Much like the American South combines chicken and waffles, mussels and fries are a perfect pairing and rarely enjoyed without each other.

22. Mofongo - Puerto Rico

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Plantains are grown across the Caribbean and look similar to bananas but smaller with a different taste... oh, and they cannot be eaten raw. In Puerto Rico, pickled green plantains are fried and then mashed with olive oil, garlic, broth and salt, creating the dish known as mofongo.

23. Meze- Turkey

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Meze isn't just one type of food, but a chance to sample a whole host of delicious delicacies in Turkey. When you order meze, you will get small tapas-like plates of finger food. These usually include calamari salad, grilled seasonal vegetables, lamb meatballs, and well, something for EVERYONE!

24. Kitfo - Ethiopia

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A pan filled with kitfo is a usual sight in Ethiopian restaurants. The dish is enjoyed at lunch or dinner and is made with minced raw steak, like steak tartare. Chili and spices are mixed into the meat and spiced butter completes the recipe. You can also use bread to scoop it up. Yummy!

25. Mole - Mexico

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If you are a fan of spice with your meals, don't pass up this mole sauce, popular in Mexico. Chilies, dark chocolate and spices, such as cinnamon and garlic, are used to make a rich, thick sauce which covers chicken and meats or can be used as a stew base. One bite and you'll totally understand why this is a traditional sauce!

26. Muffuletta - New Orleans

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There's no way you can go to New Orleans and not sample a muffuletta. It is a sandwich created by the city's Italian immigrants and is made by taking a round of Sicilian sesame bread, filling it with deli meats and cheeses, like salami, ham, provolone and Swiss, all topped with a gorgeous fresh olive salad.

27. Pastel de Nata - Portugal

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These egg custard pastries, served warm and topped with powdered sugar, are so popular in Portugal and especially Lisbon. Such is the demand for them that the bakeries who make and sell them always have queues of hungry customers waiting to buy and sample the goodies!

28. Pudim - Brazil

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You have to save room when you are dining at a traditional Brazilian churrasco restaurant.  Here, they serve unlimited cuts of various meats and, for dessert, dessert Pudim, similar to a flan. This is a custard topped with warm caramel sauce and it's to die for!

29. Schnitzel - Switzerland

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Popular across  Switzerland, Austria and Germany, schnitzel is a massive part of Viennese cuisine. In Germany, veal is used to make the schnitzel and pork is the meat when prepared in Germany. Both are coated with breadcrumbs and fried, they are mouth- wateringly good!

30. Spaetzle - Germany

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Throughout Central and Eastern Europe, you will find spaetzle, a dumpling-like pasta. It is rare to not be offered this alongside a main course in the nation, particularly with meats. If you decide to try geschnetzeltes, this serves spa with a mix of pork, mushrooms and onions.

31. Tagine - Morocco

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A tagine is actually the name for the equipment the food is actually cooked in, but has come to be known for the name of the whole dish. Hailing from Morocco, Tagine is sort of like a stew cooked in a pot, including a meat option, vegetables and Arabic spices, all slow cooked to perfection!

32. Stroopwafel - The Netherlands

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A fun name for an amazing food you definitely need to try at least once (it would be rude not to)! Stroopwafel was originally the creation of a Dutch baker, and they've become universal enough that you can find them in regular stores and even on airplanes - but the real authentic experience is to order one from a Dutch coffee shop! You can thank us later.

33. Spatzle - Europe

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Spatzle is something like a dumpling pasta, which can be found in certain areas of Europe. It's traditionally a side that is offered with main meals in the same way french fries would be! The name translates as 'little sparrows', because the pasta was originally shaped to look like the little birds!

34. Spanakopita - Greece

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Very similar to the pastry dessert baklava found in Turkey, this is Greece's version which uses very thin filo pastry, which is then stuffed with spinach, herbs, onions and delicious feta cheese. The great thing about it is that it can be served (and enjoyed) hot or cold!

35. Som Tam - Thailand

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While this spicy papaya salad is known as Som Tam in Thailand, it's known across Asia under a variety of names, but it's all the same delicious delicacy! Som Tam serves up green papaya, green beans, toasted peanuts, tomatoes, garlic, chilis and fish sauce with lime juice.

36. Rendang - Indonesia

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If you love spicy dishes, then this one is for you. Rendang is a stew that is cooked with braised beef cooked in coconut milk - which doesn't sound too spicy, but wait for it! The spices are then added, which include chilies, turmeric, ginger, coriander and topped off with garlic and onion. And it actually takes 7 hours to cook!

37. Raclette - Switzerland

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Raclette will be everywhere if you ever take a trip to Switzerland (which you should, if only just for this particular dish!). Raclette is more a process or experience than a specific dish - it's where Swiss cheese is melted in front of a fire and then put back onto your plate, but you can also have Raclette dining experiences where it's like a communal fondue situation.

38. Prosciutto di Parma - Italy

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While you may have enjoyed regular ham at home, there are different levels when it comes to ham hierarchy - and you'll definitely want the VIP prosciutto di Parma ham experience in Italy! The hind legs of a pig are cured for weeks on end before they're thinly sliced up for eating.

39. Poutine - Canada

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Poutine is already well known in the US when you soak your beloved french fries in cheese, but if you want the authentic experience, go to the people who were doing it first - the Canadians! You'll enjoy cheddar cheese and gravy over thick and crispy fries, perfect for street food on the go or to be enjoyed in a restaurant!

40. Poke - Hawaii

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Luckily, this dish is moving outside of Hawaii to the mainland, so you won't need to travel directly to Hawaii to enjoy this (seeing as residents have spoken out before to ask tourists not to visit so much!). The delicious poke bowl is a dish of rice and vegetables which then has raw fish on top!

41. Pljeskavica - Serbia

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This is the national dish of Serbia, and for good reason! It's a grilled meat patty, perfect for those who love all kinds of meat, because it's made with beef, lamb and pork in the patty instead of just one kind of meat. It's sort of like an amazing burger without the burger bun!

42. Platanos Fritos - Ecuador

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This dish is popular in Ecuador, but it's also found in other Latin American countries as a tasty food staple. This dish fries plantains (cooking bananas) in a batter which then caramelizes the fruit and makes it the perfect sweet dish that's often served up for savory portions like rich. Yum!

43. Pie Floater - Australia

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This is the ultimate comfort food from Australia, with a great name to boot. It's a huge thick and creamy bowl of soup made from pea, which is then topped with the 'floater' part, that's basically a meat pie. Inside the pie is a gravy that pours out to mix with the soup when you cut into it! Perfection.

44. Paella - Spain

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Although this is of course native to Spain, Paella is found in restaurants in different places in the world, and you can get many delicious variations of paella. This dish is pan-cooked rice which is paired with either meat or seafood. It's one of the most popular dishes in Spain, and it's easy to see why.

45. Pa Amb Tomaquet - Spain

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This is a very simple dish - but often the simple dishes can be the best, and the most tasty! Usually served as an easy starting meal in Southern Spain, it's a mix of tomato, olive oil and garlic which is then spread across the top of bread - and that's it! It's the perfect filling appetizer.

46. Juustoleeipa - Finland

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The name of this dish actually comes from the squeaky sound it makes when you chew on the cheese! This dish is just a mild cheddar cheese curd, but it's a must for cheese lovers (and lovers of squeaky food). It's served warm as a dessert with delicious jam! You need to eat this in Finland because American laws require the cheese to be prepared differently.

47. Conch Fritters - The Bahamas

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Conch are sea snails that can be found in the Bahamas, and also in the Florida Keys as well as some Caribbean Islands - and they also make a great food known as Conch Fritters! While the snails grow in a shell, the shell is removed before the snail is turned into a fritter, served with juices and peppers.

48. Ceviche - Peru

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You can actually find Ceviche in some American restaurants, but it all started in Peru. It's a dish made of raw seafood, which is then prepared with citrus juices, onions, tomatoes and sometimes peppers. It's supposed to be a refreshing and light kind of meal - and it totally is!

49. Bryndzove Halusky - Slovakia

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This delicious serving is a national dish in Slovakia, and it's basically warm and filling dumplings and potatoes. To make it even better, that's then topped with bacon, cheese and cream. If you're a fan of gnocci pasta, then you'll definitely like this one - perfect for a heavy, warming meal in winter!

50. Arepas - Venezuela/Colombia

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If you take a trip to these Latin American countries, then you'll likely find Arepas being sold in every street - no excuse not to try it! Arepas is basically a cornmeal patty, with corn being a food staple for the indigenous people of these countries. They're often made with cheese, or can be added to a sandwich!