National Dishes – List of

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
  Argentina  :  Asado  ;  Empanada
  Armenia  :  Harissa
  Australia  :  Meat Pie  ;  Roast Lamb
  Austria  :  Tafelspitz  ;  Wiener Schnitzel
  Bahamas  :  Crack conch with peas and rice
  Bahrain  :  Machboos
  Bangladesh  :  Biryani  ;  Rice and Fish
  Barbados  :  Cou-Cou and Flying Fish
  Belarus  :  Draniki
  Belgium  :  Moules-frites
  Bermuda : Bermudan Fish Chowder
  Bhutan  :  Ema datshi
  Bosnia and Herzegovina  :  Bosnian pot  ;  Ćevapi  ;  Pljeskavica
  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
  El Salvador – Pupusa
  Eritrea – Zigini, Injera
  Estonia – Verivorst with Mulgikapsad (sauerkraut stew)
  Ethiopia – Wat, Injera
  Finland – Mämmi
  France – Crêpe, pot-au-feu
  Gabon – Poulet Nyembwe
  Georgia – Khachapuri, khinkali
  Germany – Currywurst, Sauerbraten
  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
    Nepal – Dal bhat
  Netherlands – Stamppot, Hutspot
  New Zealand – Pavlova, Bacon and Egg Pie, Hangi, Meat Pie, Lamb
  Norway – Fårikål, Kjøttkaker
  Pakistan – Biryani, Nihari
  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
  San Marino – Torta Tre Monti
  Saudi Arabia – Kabsa
  Senegal – Thieboudienne
  Serbia – Ćevapčići ; Pljeskavica ; Ražnjići ; Proja ; Kajmak
  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
  Switzerland – Cervelat, Fondue, Rösti
  Syria – Kibbeh
  Tajikistan – O’sh (pilaf)
  Taiwan  :  Beef Noodle Soup
  Thailand  :  Pad Thai  ;  Som Tam  ;  Tom Yum Goong
  Trinidad and Tobago  :  Pelau
  Tunisia  :  Couscous
  Turkmenistan  :  Palaw
  Uganda  :  Matoke
  Ukraine  :  Borscht
  United Kingdom  :  Fish and Chips
  England  :  Roast Beef  ;  Christmas Plum Pudding
  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