As a home-cook and foodie I love taking inspiration from as many cultures as I can when I cook. One of my personal goals is to make at least 1 dish from every country and every major city around the world, and I've been compiling a list of my favorite dishes from each country to research and create versions of my own. I have tried and created many dishes from well-known countries, but I would love to know more about the culture and cuisine of places that are less talked about or less well represented.
So what are your favorite dishes and cuisines from your local city or country? Or local dishes you know of from other places? Or maybe you have your own list of your favorites?
My addition: Garbage Plates from Rochester NY. They sound strange at first but have become one of my comfort foods. When they are done well, they hit the spot like no other. As for a lesser known dish I absolutely love Roti Canai which is a type of curry and bread from Malaysia.
My list so far:
Japan: Spicy Miso Ramen
South Korea: Curry Tteokbokki
China : Lo Mein
Taiwan: Mongolian Beef
Thailand: Pad Thai
Malaysia: Roti Canai
Singapore: Singapore Street Noodles
India: Lamb Marsala
Syria: Maqluba
Libya: Couscous Bil-bosla
Turkey: Gozleme
Greece: Lamb over Rice
Russia: Stroganoff
Italy: Carbonara
Germany: Rahmshnitzel
Belgium: Liege Waffle
France: Croque Monsieur
UK: Lamb Tikka Masala
Sweden: Kottbullar
Iceland: Pylsur
Canada: Poutine
US: Garbage Plate
Mexico: Carne Asada Tacos
El Savador: Charamuscas
Trinidad: Dahl
Jamaca: Peanut Punch
Guyana: Pepper Pot
The Scottish Full English I think has a slight edge on the English when you've all the trappings.
Haggis > black pudding.
For other countries: 贵州 (Guizhou, China) - 恋爱豆腐/ Lover's Tofu Pouch - is a special tofu that's made with sun exposure and multiple mixing, that's then grilled and sliced open to be stuffed.
豆腐圆子/fried tofu balls - These are simpler. Big mouthful sized deep fried tofu balls that're sliced open and filled with a pickled radish, coriander, fish-mint, and chilli mix. 贵阳酸分/Guiyang Fermented Noodles - rice (iirc) noodles that are quite thick, and left to ferment slightly as part of the process. Normally eaten for breakfast.
Romania: I have amazing memories of a vegetable dish called givech, a thick vegetable mix that you eat with bread. Hearty, warming, and delicious.
Aka the Full Scottish :-)