It is often said that the best way to experience a culture and a country is by experiencing its food. Food is more than just the dinner we eat every night, it is interwoven into our lives and becomes and represents a part of our culture and heritage. Here are some hot new cuisines you should consider exploring:

1. Caribbean

The reason Caribbean cuisine is number one on this list is that it is a fusion of numerous cuisines, including African, Creole, Cajun, European, Latin American, amongst many others which were brought to the region. There are, however, recipes that have originated within the region itself. . Traditional non-veg recipes, including curries and stews, incorporate fish, chicken and pork as main ingredients. In addition to this, other staples include beans, rice, coconut, bell peppers, limes and several others. A unique feature of Caribbean dishes is that they can often include tropical foods, Caribbean spices, marinades as well as garlic, hot peppers, onions, tamarind. If this list does not make your mouth water, what else will? Some of the most popular regional dishes include the Caribbean goat stew, Ackee and saltfish. Black cake, which is a derivative of the English Christmas pudding is served often for Christmas.

2. Vietnamese

Apart from being one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, one of the most distinctive qualities of Vietnamese food is that it mirrors the culture’s desire for balance and the yin and yang. Hence, all Vietnamese dishes aim to find the perfect blend of spicy, sour, bitter, salty and sweet. All Vietnamese dishes heavily incorporate fresh herbs, including ginger, mint, lemongrass, coriander, cinnamon, chili, lime, and basil. Other common ingredients of Vietnamese dishes include soy sauce, shrimp paste, a fermented sauce called nuoc mam, rice, fruit, vegetables, and meat.

A very big part of Vietnamese food is that they aim to appeal to all five senses of our body. The arrangement of the dish is supposed to appeal to the eye while the sound of crisp ingredients appeals to our sense of hearing. Meanwhile the five spices are tailored to the tongue, the aroma for the nose and the texture of the food for the touch. All dishes, whether simple or complicated aim to strive for these.

3. Korean

Korean food is perhaps one of the most popular cuisines in the world and has been through several evolutionary cycles. While the history of Korea stems from agricultural and nomadic traditions, it has evolved over the years due to the social and political changes in the country. Most Korean dishes are built around rice, vegetables and meat and the foods can be grilled, steamed or even eaten raw. Most Korean dishes are heavily dominated by seasonings, including sesame oil, fermented bean and chilli pastes, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes. Side dishes such as kimchi also play a critical role in making your food even more delicious.

4. Polish

Commonly known in popular culture as the ultimate comfort food, Polish dishes are certainly warming and very hearty. You can try a plate of pierogi dumplings which seamlessly blend traditional and modern flavours together. Polish food is a meat lovers dream as most dishes are heavily meat based. Typical ingredients include sauerkraut, beetroot, cucumbers (gherkins), sour cream, kohlrabi, mushrooms and meat. Some must-try Polish dishes include, Bigos stew, decadent blueberry mazurka bars and Krakow-style cheesecake.

5. Indian

5 hot new cuisines

You’re probably wondering why Indian food is on this list as we live in India and eat it as a staple part of our everyday diets. Well, the reason Indian food is on the list is that we all know that cuisine in India differs regionally and while we tend to be inclined to eat the food that is native to our region there is a vast majority of undiscovered food culture in our very own country. Almost every region or state in India is home to a widely different food style and cuisine due to the variation in the local culture, geographical location which affects the availability of ingredients and economics. So next time you are about to head out to eat Indian food, don’t stick to the dal makhani you always have. Instead, maybe opt for a delicious Goan curry, thupka from Arunachal Pradesh or sondesh from Bengal to experience the diverse cuisines our country has to offer.

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