It’s time to take a trip around the world without leaving your snack drawer, of course! We’ve done the work to give you 10 crave-worthy snacks inspired by bold and unique flavors from around the globe. The best part? You can find all these in local US stores (or restaurants). Now, let’s get on with the global food tour!
10. Tortas (Mexico)
In Mexican cuisine, torta is not just a sandwich, it’s a street food staple that reflects the layered flavors of Mexico. Tortas are often savory, loaded with meats, cheeses, and beans. However, in Spain and other Latin American countries, tortas are usually sweet, almost like a milky cake. US cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix have torterías or shops that specialize in tortas.
9. Hummus (Middle East)
In Middle East, hummus is served as part of a mezze platter (a shared table of small dishes), so this dip/spread/side dish is a symbol of connection and gathering. As you may already know, it’s easy to find hummus in the US. It’s widely available in supermarkets, and house-made versions are also offered in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants as well as vegan cafes.
8. Mung Bean Cake (Asia)
Mung bean cake is a traditional sweet treat enjoyed across several Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Japan. The beans are cooked, mashed, and sweetened, and then turned into decadent crumbly cakes that evoke nostalgia. You can find mung bean cakes in Asian grocery stores or Asian bakeries in cities with large Asian communities like San Francisco and Chicago.
7. Neapolitan Pizza (Italy)
Pizza for snack, anyone? Make the most of it by choosing Neapolitan pizza, which is widely known for its simplicity. It’s made with wheat dough, mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil, and tomatoes. Despite being so simple, it’s part of everyday life in Naples, where it originated. Some of the popular US cities with fantastic Neapolitan pizzas include San Francisco, New York, and Portland.
6. Tacos (Mexico)
Of course, who doesn’t know about the ever-present tacos? Both in Mexico and the US, tacos are served everywhere from street stalls to high-end restaurants. For the Americanized version of tacos, the most popular chains to visit are Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco, and Chipotle. Taco trucks serve regional specialties, while authentic taquerías remain the best spots to get this loaded Mexican dish.
5. Tim Tam (Australia)
Tim Tams in Australia are like OREOs in the US; you can find them in lunch boxes, party platters, and break rooms. Tim Tams have two layers of malted chocolate cookie (biscuit) and a creamy filling in the center. All these are coated in a chocolate shell, and yes, they melt in your mouth, too! Tim Tams are available in many parts of the US, including retail chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger.
4. Takis (Mexico)
Takis is a rolled corn snack known for its fiery heat and crunchiness. Its most iconic flavor? Fuego, which features a blend of chili pepper and lime. While not a traditional Mexican food, Takis is inspired by the Mexico’s boldest flavors, including chili-lime seasoning. If you can take the heat, grab some Takis in the chip or snack aisle of US supermarkets and convenience stores.
3. Souvlaki (Greece)
Souvlaki comes from the Greek word “souvla,” which means “skewers.” Hence, this Greek dish is made with skewered pieces of meat, served with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, fresh veggies, and lemon. The dish represents the Greek culture, which emphasizes freshness and simplicity. In the US, great spots for souvlaki and other Greek food options are Nick the Greek and CAVA.
2. Mochi Ice Cream (Japan)
While mochi itself is a traditional Japanese food (sticky glutinous rice), mochi ice cream is a modern creation that was actually born in the USA. It combines Japanese culinary tradition with Western-style ice cream, creating a dessert that’s fun, colorful, and poppable. You can’t miss the mochi ice cream in grocery stores—balls of ice cream wrapped with pastel-colored chewy rice dough.
1. Liège Waffles (Belgium)
Think Belgian waffles but richer, more chewy, and comes with pearl sugar that caramelizes. That’s a Liège-style waffle for you! This is a popular grab-and-go snack in Belgian food culture that also makes appearances during holidays and festivals. In the US, you may find frozen Liège waffles in grocery stores, but right now, everyone’s talking about KFC‘s returning Chicken & Waffles (Liège-style).