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Have you ever wondered what makes a regional dish be celebrated globally? Why does a Bengali viewer jump with joy while watching their favourite Masterchef contestants whip up delectable chingri malaikari or dal bhaat dishes? Perhaps the fact that food is a mirror to society. It condenses in a bowl years of culture and tradition with local produce and a dash of nostalgia.
Every region in the world has at least one specialty to offer. Like America has hamburgers, Italy has its Neapolitan pizza and China has Sichuan pork. You can’t get any more British than fish and chips. Although they’re popular all over the British Isles, it is in London where you can lay your hands on the fluffiest fish fillets and the crunchiest potato fries. It has been a British staple meal since the 17th century, when Sephardic Jews brought their recipe for fried fish to British shores.
Similarly crêpes (and galettes) are the favourite local food in Paris. How interesting it is then, that crêpes originated not in Paris, but in Brittany. India has a national dish too, and it is not Biryani, Dosa or Paneer Butter Masala. It is the humble Khichdi that takes the crown.
So if you’re travelling to Mexico, and might want to taste authentic Mexican preparations, you might want to skip the lasagna and opt for tacos. You probably shouldn't visit Cambodia for pizza, and nobody goes to Italy for sushi. But if you already know that there are no beans in Texas chilli, you’re good to go. See if you can name the country based on the cultural dish.
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