A national dish is a dish, food or a drink that is considered to represent a particular country, nation or region. A dish can become a national dish for a variety of reasons.
- It can be the national dish because it is a staple daily food for the majority of the population.
- It can also be the national dish because it represents the regions and ethnicity of the whole country.
- In addition, it can be the national dish because it incorporates locally produced ingredients.
Food and cultural identity
National dishes are part of a nation’s identity and self-image. During the age of European empire building, nations consciously developed a national cuisine as a matter of distinction from their rivals.
National dishes and foods by country
As mentioned above, this is not a definitive list of national dishes, but rather a list of some foods that have been suggested to be national dishes.
Afghanistan : Kabuli Pulao
Algeria : Couscous
Angola : Muamba de galinha
Anguilla : Arroz con Gandules
Armenia : Harissa
Australia : Meat Pie ; Roast Lamb
Austria : Tafelspitz ; Wiener Schnitzel
Bahamas : Crack conch with peas and rice
Bangladesh : Biryani ; Rice and Fish
Belarus : Draniki
Belgium : Moules-frites
Bermuda : Bermudan Fish Chowder
Brazil : Feijoada
British Virgin Islands : Fish and Fungi
Brunei Darussalam : Ambuyat
Burma : Mohinga
Bulgaria : Bob Chorba
Cambodia : Amok trey
Cameroon : Ndole
Canada : Peameal Bacon ; Nanaimo Bar ; Tourtiere ; Poutine ; Butter tarts
Chile : Empanada : Cazuela ; Curanto ; Pastel de choclo
China : Peking Duck, noodles (such as lo mein, chow mein and lamian), fried rice, dumplings.
Hong Kong : Char Siu ; Dim Sum
Macau : Minchee
Colombia : Ajiaco ; Bandeja paisa
Costa Rica : Gallo Pinto
Cuba – Platillo Moros y Cristianos, Ropa vieja, Puerco asado, Yuca con mojo
Czech Republic – Vepřo knedlo zelo (roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut), Svíčková
Democratic Republic of the Congo – Poulet Moambé
Denmark – Frikadeller, Wienerbrød (Danish pastry), Smørrebrød
Dominican Republic – La Bandera (“The Flag”) rice, red beans, meat (beef, chicken, pork, or fish).
Ecuador – Deep fried Guinea Pig
Egypt – Ful medames ; Kushari ; Molokhia ; Falafel
Eritrea – Zigini, Injera
Estonia – Verivorst with Mulgikapsad (sauerkraut stew)
Finland – Mämmi
France – Crêpe, pot-au-feu
Gabon – Poulet Nyembwe
Greece – Fasolada, Moussaka
Grenada – Oil Down
Guyana – Guyana Pepperpot
Honduras – Baleada, Carne Asada, Sopa de Caracol
Hungary – Gulyás
Iceland – Hákarl
India – No official national dish
Indonesia – Gado-Gado, Nasi Goreng, Sate, Soto
Iran – Chelow kabab, Ghormeh sabzi
Iraq – Samak masgouf
Ireland – Colcannon, Irish Stew
Israel – Hummus ; Falafel ; Israeli Salad
Italy – Pizza ; Pasta ; Polenta
Jamaica – Ackee and Saltfish
Japan – Japanese curry, Ramen, Sushi
Jordan – Mansaf
Kazakhstan – Beshbarmak
Kenya – Nyama choma
Kuwait – Machboos
Kyrgyzstan – Beshbarmak, laghman
Laos – Larb with sticky rice
Lebanon – Kibbeh, Tabbouleh
Lithuania – Cepelinai
Luxembourg – Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked neck of pork with broad beans
Macedonia – Tavče Gravče
Madagascar – Romazava
Malaysia – Nasi Lemak
Malta – Pastizzi
Mexico – Mole poblano, Tacos
Mongolia – Buuz
Montenegro – Kačamak, Raštan
Morocco – Couscous, Tagine, Pastilla
Nicaragua – Gallo Pinto
Netherlands – Stamppot, Hutspot
New Zealand – Pavlova, Bacon and Egg Pie, Hangi, Meat Pie, Lamb
Norway – Fårikål, Kjøttkaker
Paraguay – Sopa paraguaya
Peru – Ceviche
Philippines – Adobo, lechon, Sinigang
Poland – Bigos, Pierogi, Kotlet schabowy, Żurek
Portugal – Bacalhau, Cozido à Portuguesa
Puerto Rico – Arroz con Gandules with Lechon
Republic of the Congo – Poulet Moambé
Romania – Mămăligă ; Sarmale ; Mici
Russia – Shchi and Kasha, Pelmeni
Senegal – Thieboudienne
Slovakia – Bryndzové halušky
Singapore – Chilli crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice
South Africa – Bobotie
South Korea – Kimchi, Bulgogi
Spain – Paella, Tortilla española
Sri Lanka – Rice and Curry
Sweden – Köttbullar, Kräftskiva, Surströmming
Tajikistan – O’sh (pilaf) Taiwan : Beef Noodle Soup
Thailand : Pad Thai ; Som Tam ; Tom Yum Goong
Trinidad and Tobago : Pelau
Tunisia : Couscous
Turkmenistan : Palaw
Ukraine : Borscht
United Kingdom : Fish and Chips 
Northern Ireland : Ulster Fry
Scotland : Haggis
Wales : Cawl
United States : Apple Pie ; Hamburgers ; Roast Turkey.
Uruguay : Asado ; Chivito
Uzbekistan : O’sh
Venezuela : Pabellón criollo
Vietnam : Phở
Yemen : Saltah
Test your skills by attempting our National Dishes Crossword – it’s diabolical
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