While others have already set their new year’s resolution, foodies like you and me are better off making a food bucket list. Why, you ask? Because life is too short to deprive ourselves of all the good stuff out there. Remember, you can do so much more than trying the latest fast food deals and innovative menu items in quick service restaurants.
That said, we present to you the 12 best foods you should try in this lifetime. We tried to keep this list as diverse as possible, covering dishes from different parts of the world. Get motivated and set the foundation for a life well lived by getting your hands on these must-try dishes.
12. Chicken Biryani
Let’s start the list with a bang, aka flavor explosion from Chicken Biryani. This Indian dish is a celebration of many flavors from a complex blend of spices, basmati rice, and tender chicken. The satisfying flavor profile will give you notes from turmeric, mint, ginger, garlic, and many other herbs and spices. As one fan puts it, the first bite makes the mouth hot and eyes emotional.
11. Biscuits and Gravy
This could be one of the easiest dishes to find on this list, considering its simplicity and affordability. Biscuits and gravy’s history can be traced back to the post-American revolutionary war, when people relied on readily available ingredients to make meals. Biscuits and gravy ticked the boxes and became a hearty dish for many. Now, it graces breakfast tables, reminding us of the comforts of home cooking. Flavor-wise, it’s creamy and savory, with a hint of spice from black pepper.
10. Lobster Thermidor
Perhaps one of the most luxurious dishes in France is the Lobster Thermidor. This will give you lobster shells filled with lobster meat cooked in white wine sauce. The meat is cooked separately, stuffed back into the shell, and then grilled or broiled, often with parmesan cheese. In San Jose, California, you’ll find premium restaurants serving this French dish, like LB Steakhouse Santana Row and Scoma’s Restaurant. Fans love the natural sweetness of the lobster, made better by the creamy sauce and warmth of white wine.
9. Paella
Originating from the Valencia region of Spain, Paella is a dish renowned for its colorful presentation. Its special short-grain rice gets the golden hue from saffron, as well as its earthy and slightly musky flavor. And if you think that the rice is already tantalizing, wait until you find other healthy ingredients from Paella. Valenciana Paella contains chicken, rabbit, green beans, and artichokes, but other variants may use different ingredients. For instance, Mixed Paella would have a combination of chicken, seafood and other crustaceans.
8. Neapolitan Pizza
Remember the saying “less is more?” Well, it turns out that it applies to the true Neapolitan pizza, a kind that originated in Naples, Italy. This pizza is stripped off of all things fancy; it’s made with a basic dough, mozzarella cheese, raw tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh basil. Neapolitan pizzas are generally small in size because there’s more sauce than cheese, making it unsuitable to serve by the slice. Overall, this pizza offers a savory and aromatic bite.
7. Truffle Pasta
There’s a reason why truffle pasta is a common menu item at high-end restaurants: it offers a gourmet pasta experience like no other. The truffles are, of course, the main star in the dish. These edible spores lend an intense aroma to the pasta, while also giving it an earthy flavor with musky and slightly nutty flavor notes. Truffles are a scarce ingredient, adding a luxurious air to the pasta meal.
6. Bunny Chow
Bunny Chow is a dish that originated in South Africa, and is considered a wildly popular fast food item in the area. Basically, it’s a kind of bread bowl filled with curry, and comes with a serving of salad on the side. It’s also worth noting that no bunnies were harmed in the creation of this dish. It’s traditionally made with mutton, but lamb, chicken, beef, or even beans can be a protein source. Depending on the spices used, a Bunny Chow can be spicy or not at all.
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5. Pierogies
Pierogies are pillows of dough stuffed with sweet and savory fillings. Think of them as dumplings with a crescent shape, which makes them easy to pick up and enjoy. Pierogies are a staple in Polish cuisine, often served with butter and sour cream for added richness. These doughy bites have reached comfort food status, so you can’t possibly ignore the gooey cheese or mashed potato filling, especially when topped with sour cream and fried onions!
4. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a wildly popular dish in Thailand that hits all the right spots. That’s because it’s got everything: sweet, sour, and salty flavors. The dish is made with rice noodles, peanuts, scrambled eggs, shrimp, and bean sprouts, tossed in a unique sauce. This sauce is created using tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar to achieve a flavor profile like no other. You can also expect a satisfying textual contrast when eating Pad Thai, thanks to the combination of soft noodles and crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, or other chopped veggies.
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3. Beef Rendang
Beef Rendang is a beef curry that has been slow cooked in coconut milk and other spices like chili, garlic, lemongrass, and galangal. The slow cooking process is essential to ensure the meat is incredibly tender and the flavors intense. Rendang has been proclaimed as one of the world’s best foods by CNN and is recognized as a national dish of Indonesia since 2018. In terms of flavor, expect a combination of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet notes from the coating on the meat.
2. Wagyu Beef
Wagyu is a type of beef that has a unique, melt-in-your mouth texture. It’s taken from a specific breed of Japanese cow known for their marbling or white streaks of fat within the meat. This marbling gives the meat a rich buttery flavor and unmatched tenderness. Wagyu beef can be grilled or pan-seared, but for a true Japanese dining experience, cook it on a tabletop grill in a restaurant, yakiniku-style!
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1. Peking Duck
Peking Duck is considered the most delicious duck dish in the world, according to Taste Atlas. It’s a classic Chinese delicacy that calls for 24 to 72 hours of preparation to produce a combination of tender meat, crispy skin, and rich flavor. The dish also offers an opportunity for interactive dining, as it is served with thin wheat-flour pancakes. You just need to take one thin pancake, spread some hoisin sauce on it, add slices of the crispy duck skin, and then roll it up as a wrap. The savory depth of the meat itself is enhanced by aromatic spices like Sichuan peppercorns and star anise.
From The Club
The world of food is getting bigger by the day so it’s helpful to know some of the best ones to have in your lifetime. By trying each entry on this list, you’ll also set up yourself for a gastronomic adventure around the world! Don’t let this new year slip by—fill it with fun not just from exciting fast food deals but also from unforgettable dining experiences.