My Favorite Local Dishes Around the World (and Where to Try Them)

One of the best parts of travel? The food. Always the food. Every country has its own flavor, its own rhythm, its own way of bringing people together around a table. And if you ask me, there’s no better introduction to a culture than through its cuisine.

From sizzling street food to long family lunches, here are some of my all-time favorite local dishes around the world—and exactly where you should try them.

🇵🇰 Pakistan – Mutton Karahi

Let’s start strong. If you haven’t had mutton karahi in Lahore, you haven’t lived. It’s rich, spicy, cooked in a wok-like pan with tomatoes, green chilies, garlic, and heaps of love (and ghee). Served bubbling hot, with naan to scoop it up—it’s a life-changing experience.

Where to try it: Butt Karahi, Lakshmi Chowk, Lahore. Iconic, bold, and gloriously messy.

Pro tip: Bring napkins. And stretchy trousers.

🇱🇧 Lebanon – Hummus & Manakish

Lebanon was where I learned that breakfast can be a spiritual experience. A warm manakish (flatbread topped with za’atar or cheese) fresh from the oven, and a bowl of silky, rich hummus? Divine.

Where to try it: Al Soussi Restaurant, Beirut. Ask for extra olive oil. Trust me.

And yes, I considered moving there just for the hummus. No regrets.

🇹🇷 Turkey – Iskender Kebab

If heaven served comfort food, it might look a lot like Iskender kebab. Thin slices of lamb over bread, soaked in tomato sauce and butter, topped with yogurt. It’s indulgent. It’s unapologetic. It’s beautiful.

Where to try it: Bursa, the dish’s birthplace. But you can find excellent versions across Istanbul, especially at Kasap Osman.

Bonus points for ending the meal with Turkish tea and baklava.

🇴🇲 Oman – Shuwa

Shuwa is not just a dish—it’s a celebration. Marinated meat slow-cooked underground for up to 48 hours. It’s smoky, tender, and feels like a warm hug from an Omani grandmother (even if you’ve never met one).

Where to try it: Try traditional shuwa in Nizwa during Eid, or head to Bait Al Luban in Muscat for a year-round treat.

It’s the kind of meal that makes you pause and appreciate the art of patience.

🇲🇾 Malaysia – Nasi Lemak

If a country could be summed up on a plate, Malaysia’s nasi lemak would be it. Coconut rice, sambal, crispy anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, and sometimes fried chicken or rendang—all balanced on one glorious plate.

Where to try it: Village Park Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur. Go early. It gets packed, and for good reason.

Also: Malaysians take their sambal very seriously. Respect the spice.

🇬🇧 A Quick Word on English Food

Look, English food has its charms—but let’s just say it’s more about endurance than flavor. It takes a special kind of optimism to call beans on toast a national treasure. Still, they gave us sticky toffee pudding, so we forgive them.

Final Thoughts

Food is more than fuel—it’s memory, tradition, and connection. Every dish on this list carries a story, and trying them in their country of origin makes the experience even richer.

So pack your appetite, bring an open mind, and never say no to second helpings.

With flavor and gratitude,
Jay