The 12 Countries With the Best Food Perfect for Foodies

Mexico

Mexico is an unforgettable country. Over 129 million people call this vibrant Latin American country home. With a surface area of 761,610 square miles, you can only imagine how much of Mexico you can explore. Popular dishes, though, vary widely depending on the region. What someone eats in Guadalajara isn’t the same dishes someone can eat in Puebla.

Mexico has many diverse dishes, likely because of the mesh of Spanish and indigenous cultures. So, what are some iconic dishes of Mexico other than tacos? Some of the best Mexican food include pozole, mole, tamales, and chapulines.

Puerto Rico

Next on our list of countries with the best food perfect for foodies is another Spanish-speaking place, Puerto Rico. Technically, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, but it’s so different and has a vibrant culture apart from the U.S. Puerto Rico is home to over 3 million people and has a surface area of 3,435 square miles. 

Depending on where you travel to on the island, you’ll find different foods. For instance, in nearly all restaurants, you can find mofongo, tostones, fried meat, rice, and beans. In any food truck across Puerto Rico, fried foods are common, including pastelillos (also known as empanadillas), alcapurias, and papa rellenas (stuffed fried potatoes).

France

France is a must-visit country if you love food, especially pastries and desserts. This lovely European country receives over 80 million visitors annually and is home to about 64 million people. The surface area of France is about 211,208 square miles.

French cuisine is light, but flavorful. Some incredible French dishes include crème brûlée, quiche lorraine, boeuf bourguignon, and coq au vin.

Greece

Greece is a country with refreshing and delicious foods! The country has a lot more to offer than souvlaki and gyro. Greece is a country of many islands in Southeast Europe. The surface area of Greece is 50,949 square miles. About 10.4 million people live in Greece, although the country receives over 20 million tourists each year.

So, when visiting Greece, what should you eat? Some great foods to eat in this Mediterranean country are dolmades, pastitsio, baklava, moussaka, and fasolatha.

Vietnam

Vietnamese food is popular all over the world, not just in Vietnam. In the United States, Vietnamese restaurants aren’t uncommon. The best Vietnamese food, though, comes from within Vietnam! But where and what dishes? Vietnam is a large Southeast Asian country with a population of about 127,000 square miles. Within this gorgeous country, 100 million people call it home!

The best cities to visit for Vietnamese food are Hanoi, Hoi An, and Sapa. Foods you can try in Vietnam are ga den, con sui, bánh mì, Mì Quảng (Quảng noodles), and xôi.

Italy

Another must-visit European country is Italy. Italy has inspired a lot of food in the United States. This Mediterranean country is mainly known for pasta and pizza but has many other signature dishes! Italy is in southern and western Europe. The country has a surface area of 116,350 square miles. Italy is home to around 58 million people and is a highly visited country. Italy welcomes about 50 million visitors a year. 

So, what foods can foodies expect to eat and see in Italy? Some great and unforgettable foods to try include seafood risotto, different pasta dishes, casatiello, pizza, gelato, and panna cotta.

Peru

Also on our list of countries with the best food perfect for foodies is Peru. Peru is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best, countries for food. Peru is a country in South America that welcomes more than 2 million visitors a year and is home to about 34 million people. The surface area of this gorgeous country is nearly 500,000 square miles.

Peruvian food has indigenous and Spanish influences. The many immigrants, including the Japanese, also inspired some of the food. Some delicious dishes you can enjoy in Peru include ceviche, lomo saltado, cau-cau, jalea de mariscos, kamlu wantan, makis criollos, and turrón de Doña Pepa.

Japan

Japan has a lot of influence on the world. Anime, Japanese dramas, Japanese food, and more have taken the world by storm and are continuing to grow in popularity. You can find anime-themed restaurants across the United States, including ones based on Naruto and Dragon Ball Z.

Japanese food, though, is a lot more than just ramen and sushi. While in Japan, you can try foods like okonomiyaki, nikuman, and chawanmushi.

Nigeria

Another great addition to our list of the 15 counties perfect for foodies is Nigeria. This top destination is great if you love rice dishes full of flavor and spice! Nigeria is a country in West Africa with a population of around 226 million. Nigeria’s surface area is 356,669 square miles. This vibrant country welcomes around 1 million people each year.

Some must-try Nigerian dishes include fufu, jollof rice, moi moi, edikang ikong soup, pepper soup, and ewa agoyin.

Thailand

Thailand has a phenomenal food scene. Thai food is very flavorful and consists of things like noodles, tofu, and rice. Fresh vegetables and herbs are used to cook the dishes. Thailand is a gorgeous Southeast Asian country home to nearly 70 million people. The surface area of Thailand is almost 200,000 square miles. So, how many people visit Thailand each year? Thailand is a heavily visited country for its tropical beaches and stunning old buildings. In 2022, Thailand welcomed around 11 million people. So, what can visitors try?

When visiting this country, it is perfect for foodies; you can eat dishes like khao soi, hor mok prow awn, massaman curry, and som tam (shredded green papaya salad).

Turkey

Continuing our list of the countries with the best food perfect for foodies is Turkey. This Middle Eastern country has some of the best and most flavorful food in the world. There are thousands of dishes and variations to try! Turkey is a culturally rich country, mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula. It has a surface area of 302,535 square miles and is home to around 85 million people. This lovely country sees over 40 million visitors annually, mainly in Istanbul. Some of the best foods you can try in Turkey include guvec, baba ganoush, baklava, and imam bayaldi.

United States

Last but not least is the United States. This massive North American country hosts a lot of iconic foods varying by region. One visit isn’t enough. You can find different types of food in each state that may even vary by city. For instance, Louisiana is known for its Louisiana seafood boils and Cajun and Creole dishes. If you travel to Florida, you can enjoy key lime pie and Cuban sandwiches. In southern states like Georgia and Alabama, soul food is popular. Soul food includes dishes like mac and cheese, fried catfish, fried okra, red beans and rice, and collard greens.