19 Must-Eat Local Specialties From Every Corner of the World
Many households grew up with traditional food, common dishes that speak to a certain culture or region of the world. We love these family recipes as they get passed on from generation to generation, but sometimes, it's good to expand your culinary horizons.
Though you may have an affinity for classic dishes from a certain part of the world, others may delight in their bounty of unique flavors and regional seasonings.
In this post, we're traversing the globe with 19 regional recipes from around the world that will please even the most discerning palates. Just under 20 recipes may seem like a good amount, but these are just a fraction of what the world has to offer.
Green Borscht (Ukrainian Spinach Soup)

Green borscht is a great recipe that every Ukrainian homemaker has in frequent rotation. Do yourself a favor and prepare this soup this summer. I'm sure it will soon become a favorite in your house, even during the cold winter months.
Traditionally, green borscht is cooked with sorrel. Since that can be difficult to find in regular grocery stores, we replaced it with spinach and tweaked the recipe just a bit to accommodate the new flavor.
Get the Recipe: Green Borscht with Spinach.
Libritos de Lomo (Spanish Pork Chops)

Try these scrumptious Spanish libritos de lomo. Stuffed, breaded, and then cooked to a crispy golden brown perfection, they're the most delicious pork chops you'll ever make.
This recipe is a hit with kids and adults, making it a fantastic choice for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Libritos de Lomo (Spanish Pork Chops).
Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad

Salad niçoise is a classic French recipe that originated in the city of Nice. It traditionally includes hard-boiled eggs, Niçoise olives, anchovies, and olive oil. Nowadays, there are many variations of salad niçoise, and this recipe is one of them.
The salad is very popular in France and can be found at nearly every brasserie. It can be made as a beautiful, crowd-pleasing appetizer or as a healthy, protein-packed dinner.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad.
Loubia (Moroccan Slow Cooker Bean Stew)

Loubia is a traditional Moroccan recipe that is simple yet delicious. What can be better than protein-packed cannellini beans cooked slowly along with the onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices?
This recipe is easy to make, especially since you might already have the ingredients in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Loubia (Moroccan Slow Cooker Bean Stew).
Zuppa Ogórkowa (Polish Dill Pickle Soup)

This tangy, delicious soup is made with really simple ingredients that everyone should have in their pantry. It's always comforting, satisfying, and full of amazing flavor.
Polish dill pickle soup is easy and quick to make. In fact, you only need 30 minutes from start to finish to enjoy this yummy soup.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Ogórkowa (Polish Dill Pickle Soup).
Indian Butter Chicken

Butter chicken, also known as chicken makhani or murgh makhani, is a mildly spicy, creamy chicken curry from India. It was invented in a restaurant named Moti Mahal in Delhi. For this recipe, the restaurant used the leftovers of dry tandoori chicken.
You'll love making this recipe for family dinners. With easy-to-follow instructions, you'll have a delicious meal ready in just 35 minutes. Enjoy the authentic flavors of Indian cuisine without leaving your house.
Get the Recipe: Indian Butter Chicken.
Creamy Kale and Mushroom Lasagna

Lasagna is a traditional Italian dish made from meat, pasta sheets, two delicious sauces, and a lot of cheese. It's always an amazing, fool-proof choice, but how about a vegetarian version? It's really mouth-watering!
Although this particular lasagna doesn't include meat, it's full of another great protein source: mushrooms. Go ahead and prepare this lasagna for your main course, and your family will ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Kale and Mushroom Lasagna.
Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)

Lohikeitto is a popular Scandinavian soup, and it's truly the easiest salmon soup. It's somehow similar to salmon chowder, which many fish connoisseurs love, but the list of ingredients for Lohikeitto is much simpler.
You only need seven ingredients, many of which you probably have at home. Finnish salmon soup is usually cooked in fish broth, which can be easily prepared from salmon skin and bones, but it can also be made with vegetable broth.
Get the Recipe: Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup).
Vegetable Lo Mein

Lo mein is a traditional Chinese dish that’s loaded with goodness! It’s made with chewy, bouncy noodles and crisp veggies cooked in a savory umami sauce with a tender protein — yummy!
This easy-to-make and very delicious recipe is even better than your favorite takeout.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Lo Mein.
Vinegret (Ukrainian Beet Potato Salad)

Although vinegret is most commonly served as a side dish on a Christmas or New Year's Eve table, this salad is great at any time of the year. Its simplicity makes it one of the most popular dishes, and everyone loves it.
Up until the 19th century, vinegret was dressed with a vinaigrette sauce consisting of vinegar, oil, and mustard. Nowadays, the most popular dressing is either sunflower oil or mayo.
Get the Recipe: Vinegret (Ukrainian Beet Potato Salad).
Tuna Rillettes (Tuna Pâté)

Whether you love tuna or not, I guarantee you will enjoy tuna rillettes, a rustic French spread made from baked tuna, crème fraîche, and herbs. It's so easy to make and tastes incredible.
It works best as an appetizer on a crusty baguette or toast for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Rillettes (Tuna Pâté).
Austrian Garlic Soup

If you're obsessed with all things garlic, you'll be amazed by this creamy soup's intense flavor and taste. You'll want to eat it until there's not a single drop remaining in a bowl, and then you'll want some more.
This garlic soup is a must-try. It's a bowl of comfort that you can enjoy at any time of the year.
Get the Recipe: Austrian Garlic Soup.
Chicken Riganati (Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken)

When we made this Greek chicken riganati, we were pleasantly impressed by how few ingredients produce such a delicious and succulent meal.
This easy recipe comes together super quickly, which we love the most. Your oven will do the rest of the job as flavors marry together for a Meditteranean delight.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Riganati (Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken)
Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)

Japchae is a Korean sweet potato starch noodle dish packed with stir-fried veggies, protein, and a delicious homemade sweet soy sauce.
This recipe has tofu as the primary protein source to keep the dish plant-based. Note that japchae is traditionally made with meat and eggs, but this plant-based iteration is a healthier take on a traditional Korean meal.
Get the Recipe: Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles).
Solyanka Recipe (Russian Meat Soup)

Solyanka Soup is a delicious meat soup perfect for colder weather or when you just crave a bowl of flavorful comfort food. Some people say solyanka is a hangover soup, and this can be true due to the large amount of pickle juice that goes into the recipe.
Traditionally, the main ingredients are different types of meat. That's what makes solyanka soup so hearty and rich in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Solyanka (Russian Meat Soup).
Authentic Lecsó (Hungarian Pepper Stew)

Lecsó is a traditional Hungarian comfort food perfect for summer and early fall. It is a tomato and pepper stew similar to French ratatouille and is usually cooked in a cauldron on an open fire.
This delicious Lecsó recipe is easy to make with basic ingredients. It can be whipped up in one pot within 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Lecsó (Hungarian Pepper Stew).
Georgian Shashlik (Mtsvadi)

Shashlik is a hearty dish consisting of skewered and grilled chunks of meat. It originated in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Each country has its own name for this dish. We call it shashlik in Ukraine, and in Georgia, it's mtsvadi.
Originally, lamb was the main ingredient for Mtsvadi. Nowadays, people can make it with pork, beef, or even chicken. Try this simple recipe for a flavor-packed spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Georgian Shashlik (Mtsvadi).
Mushroom Shawarma with Homemade Sauce

Traditional Middle Eastern shawarma is made with marinated meat (often lamb) that is slow-roasted on a spit and served in a wrap or pita bread.
If you want to take a break from meat or try something new, make this tasty and satisfying plant-based shawarma recipe. It is packed with flavor and nutrients and served with a homemade garlic yogurt sauce. It really is a real crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Shawarma with Homemade Sauce.
Cuban Ropa Vieja (Carribean Beef Stew)

This lovely Cuban beef dish is so popular because it offers lots of flavor, easy-to-find ingredients, and impossibly tender braised beef with a rich sauce.
The recipe is really easy, and the result of your work is scrumptious, so don't hesitate to make it for your family dinner or any other occasion.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Ropa Vieja (Carribean Beef Stew).