15 Must-Try Delicacy Foods from Around the World
Food is one of the best ways to explore a foreign culture.
Every country has its own specific meal that are exclusive, rare, or inherently traditional to them.
From mouthwatering flavours to surprising textures, these dishes are must-eats for foodie travellers.
Here are 15 yummy food items from around the world that need to be on your culinary bucket list.
1. Wagyu Beef – Japan
Renowned for its superb marbling, Wagyu beef ranks among the most sumptuous meats in the world.
Its bite is remarkably tender, dissolving into your mouth with earthy, buttery flavors that offer an irresistibly juicy kick.
It’s frequently presented as steak, grilled over an open flame or seared at high-end sushi restaurants.
A TRUE dining experience with REAL Kobe or Matsusaka Wagyu from Japan!
2. Black Truffle – France & Italy
Black truffles hold one of the rarest and priciest ingredients on the planet.
Truffles are used by gourmet chefs to bring nuance and complexity to pasta, risotto, and other gourmet preparations.
Hunted with trained dogs or pigs, these delicacies are often found deep within forests.
Even a simple course can be instantly elevated by a few wisps of fresh, grated truffle.
3. Balut – Philippines
A rare delicacy for adventurous eaters, balut is a fertilized duck egg that contains a developing embryo.
It’s boiled and eaten out of the shell with salt and vinegar.
These have creamy yolks, tender meat, and flavorful broth.
Balut is characterized by its salty taste and unique appearance and is an iconic street food.
4. Caviar – Russia & Iran
Caviar is one of the most luxurious delicacies in the world.
Chilled, served on little blinis or on spoons, it bursts delicately and brinily with flavor.
Caviar harvested from rare species in the Caspian Sea is high on the list of most sought-after.
Serve it with a champagne cocktail for the complete fine dining experience!
5. Hákarl – Iceland
Hákarl, or fermented shark flesh, has an ammonia-like odor and overpowering taste.
First, the meat must be buried under the ground for about six months and dried.
Locals serve this dish with Brennivin, the schnapps of Iceland.
But trying this tradition is worth losing your taste — the flavor can be extreme.
6. Foie Gras – France
Rich, made from the liver of a fattened duck or goose, it is often regarded as haute cuisine.
Buttery, silken, and smooth, it’s typically served as pâté or seared with fruit compote.
Foie gras is a staple of French fine dining and is served at many Michelin-starred restaurants.
Serve it alongside a dessert wine such as Sauternes—voilà, the ideal flavor match.
7. Peking Duck – China
Peking duck is a quintessential Chinese dish with a crispy skin and succulent meat.
The duck is roasted until it’s golden brown, then sliced and served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
Each bite is the right mix of crunchy, sweet, and umami flavors.
Everyone would highly recommend trying it out when you are in Beijing!
8. Escargot – France
Escargot are cooked land snails, a French delicacy known for their distinctive texture and flavor.
They’re usually baked in garlic butter, parsley, and white wine.
These are bite-sized morsels that soak up all the rich flavors, giving a soft, chewy texture.
Escargot is a timeless fixture of French cuisine, served in their wee shells.
9. Sannakji – South Korea
Sannakji is a daring seafood delicacy with live octopus cut into small pieces for immediate consumption.
The tentacles are served alive, which will surely be worth the experience.
Sannakji, which is dipped in sesame oil and salt, has a fresh, gently briny taste.
For the seafood lover looking for something a little braver, this is a must-try!
10. Chocolate-Covered Churros – Spain
Churros are sticks of fried dough rolled in sugar and cinnamon, crispy on the bite.
They are best paired with thick, luxurious hot chocolate.
A popular street food, churros make for an ideal breakfast or late-night snack.
They are irresistible for their crunchy outside and savory chocolate pairing.
11. Jamón Ibérico – Spain
One of the finest delicacies is dry-cured ham from Spain known as Jamón Ibérico.
Made from Iberian pigs and aged for years, it acquires a deep, rich scent.
Each slice is paper-thin, a buttery melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Quintessentially lavish, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota.
12. Mole Poblano – Mexico
Mole Poblano is an earthy Mexican sauce with chocolate, chilies, and spices.
It’s classically spooned over chicken, and it has deep, smoky-sweet flavors.
A winning combination of heat, sweetness, and earthiness renders it a standout dish.
Every family recipe has its own twist, handed down from generation to generation.
13. Smørrebrød – Denmark
In Denmark, open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød) are made with everything from fresh fish to meats or cheese.
It’s served on dense rye bread, an ideally contrasting texture.
Toppings include pickled herring and roast beef with remoulade sauce.
A Danish classic, beautifully plated.
14. Fugu – Japan
Fugu, or pufferfish, is one of the most dangerous delicacies in Japan because of its poisonousness.
It is only prepared by expert chefs who can safely remove the poisonous parts.
Eaten as sashimi, its delicate, mild taste is savored in thin slices.
It really can be a bucket list experience for a daredevil!
15. Pastel de Nata – Portugal
These egg tarts have a crispy flaky crust and creamy custard filling and they are famous in Portugal.
Best served warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar.
It’s rich and creamy, with a caramelized surface in every mouthful.
Pair with an espresso to have the ultimate Lisbon café experience.
