1 International Journal of Culture and Modernity 1

ISSN 2697-2131, Volume 27 | Apr-2023

Food Around the World

Uwakwe C. Chukwu
Department of Engineering Technology South Carolina State University Orangeburg,
SC, USA

Janet O. Sadiku
Juliana King University Houston, TX, USA

ANNOTATION
Food is essential both for human growth and survival. It provides the body with energy,
which is vital for its existence. Food is one of the most important aspects of any culture. It
has a significant impact on our impression of place we visit. As the world gets smaller and
smaller due to globalization and digitalization, it becomes easier to enjoy food from different
countries. This paper compiles different popular cuisine one can expect in different nations. It
provides you with international dishes and helps you to travel around the world without
leaving your kitchen. These best dishes in the world are worth crossing oceans for.
KEYWORDS: food, culture, traditional food, food around the world, fast food.

INTRODUCTION
Food may be regarded as any plant or animal material, which can be consumed for nutrition
and sustenance. The production and consumption of food are processes that are common to
all human beings. Food is something to be protected and cherished. It has always been a key
indicator of our cultural values.
Food is often one of the most important and most common means of exchange between
people. When you travel to another country, your food experience has had an impact on your
overall travel experience. For many people, the best part of international travel is savoring
decadent local foods. The more we eat our way around the world, the better our
understanding of the world becomes.
GLOBAL ISSUES WITH FOOD
In this paper, we first consider global issues related to food and then cover different foods
from various countries. The global issues include food culture, food insecurity, food
security, food security index, hunger, obesity, street food, fast food, slow food, staple
food, strange food, food fraud, food waste, and babe food. We will consider some of these.
 Food Culture: Food and culture are interwoven. Food plays an important role in our
personal identity. Food is an evocative force that links us with our food systems, our
heritage, and our cultural traditions. Food culture may be regarded as the beliefs,
attitudes, and practices related to producing and consuming food. It explores what we

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consume, how we prepare it, and the people that we share it with. Food culture around the
world is influenced by factors such as the local tradition, local landscape, and weather [1].
 Food Security Index: This measures the ability of consumers to purchase food, their
vulnerability to price shocks and the presence of policies to support consumers when
shocks occur. It also measures agricultural production and on-farm capabilities, the risk of
supply disruption, national capacity to disseminate food, and research efforts to expand
agricultural output [2].
 Staple Food: A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population’s
diet. Food staples are eaten regularly, even daily. They are derived from plants that are
native to a region. For example, maize (also known as corn) is a staple food throughout
most of the world. Rice is a food staple for over 3.5 billion people around the world,
particularly in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa [3].
 Fast Food: Traditionally, eating involves slow food, which takes time to prepare. The
introduction and popularization of fast food has shifted our habits toward eating
efficiently. Fast is quick, busy, controlling, aggressive, stressed, superficial, impatient,
active, and quantity-over-quality. Slow is the opposite: fresh, calm, careful, still, intuitive,
unhurried, patient, reflective, and quality-over-quantity. These two concepts co-exist with
each other. Eating away from home is becoming increasingly common, and the use of fast
food restaurants is growing rapidly. Eating out is an outcome of changing food and eating
habits of the consumers towards convenience in the present time-starved societies. Some
of the fast foods are harmful to our health, For example, french fries are regarded as a
“junk food” or an accompaniment to a burger or sandwich in most countries [4,5].
 Baby Food: Around the world, baby’s first foods reflect any given culture’s native
cuisine. In some cultures, children are raised to eat what their families eat or a gentler
version of whatever their parents eat. Some consider certain foods as being
“inappropriate” for babies such as bitter vegetables, soups and broths, meats, and
spices. For example, in the United Kingdom, babes eat rice cereal, pureed vegetables,
fruit. Figure 1 shows a mother feeding her child with baby food [6].
FOOD FROM DIFFERENT NATIONS
The increasing world population has demanded the need to expand global food production.
Food production affects global food security as well as global food supply-demand
relationship. The global community is currently experiencing constraints imposed by our
resource system, which drives industry to find ways of improving existing processes or
finding new uses for waste. Food says so much about a nation’s history, climate, and culture.
We consider traditional foods from different parts of the world [7-13].
1. Food from North America: The popular traditional foods in North America includes
hamburger, French fries, bagel, shrimps, lobster, barbecue, cheesesteak, and pork. One pays a
lot for food in North America.
 United States is the home of immigrants from different nations. As a result, the US is
among the best because of the famous food of different countries where people
immigrated from. They have perfected the art of making pizza, hamburgers, French fries,
chocolate chips, cookies, etc. Most of their dinner dishes are dominated by meat such as
steak, chicken, or beef patty, that is served with potatoes or some other vegetables. The

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hamburger with French fries is a staple of American fast food. US burger is shown in
Figure 2 [8]. McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger Kings, and more are always readily
available 24/7. American-style fast food has spread to other nations as well. French fries
contain high fat and cholesterol which can lead to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. An
average American is taller and heavier when compared with Asians from China, Japan,
and Korea. In America, the main protein would be some sort of beef or chicken eaten
with bread. America is the home of the burger and fries combo.
 Canada’s national, favorite dish is Poutine. It consists of French fries with cheese curds
topped with gravy. Poutine is Canada’s national dish. Its origins date back to the 1950s.
Poutine includes French fries and cheese curds topped with traditional brown chicken
gravy. It is usually served at room temperatures. Restaurants all across Canada offer their
own version of poutine.
2. Food from South America: South American dishes tend to be exotic and tasty. They are
characterized with meat dishes, corn breads, and delicious fish recipes.
 Mexico is surely a go-to country if you are looking for delicious cuisines. Mexican
cuisine originates from Europe, Africa, and India. Mexicans have enchiladas, tacos,
beans, and the quesadillas, among others. To them, food is associated with love and
family bonding. The traditional method of cooking Cochinita Pibil is what also makes it
one of the country’s most foods. In Mexico City, one type of taco reigns supreme: tacos al
pastor. The taco consists of three components: a meat, a tortilla, and salsa.
 Brazil’s people typically eat yam, tapioca, or rice along with pork or beef stew. Feijoada
is the most traditional national dish in Brazil. It is a mix of black beans cooked on low
heat with beef and pork for hours and hours, stewed to perfection.
 Cuba has no official national dish. But Cuban flam is one dessert one will find on every
menu in the country. Every Cuban eats flan and grows up learning how to whip up this
easy recipe. Due in part to trade restrictions and food-supply issues, Cuban cuisine does
not tend to be as exciting as many of its Caribbean neighbors.
Ropa Vieja is a traditional Cuban dish which is made with shredded beef, tomato sauce,
onions, and peppers. Cubans usually try to reduce waste by reusing anything they can.
3. Food from Europe: Each country is Europe has a slightly different recipe. Bramboráky (a
pan-fried potato pancakes made of dough) is one of the most popular traditional dishes in
Czech Republic. The dish is common throughout Central Europe. In Europe, it is expensive
for travelers to eat out three times every day as can be done in most parts of Asia.
 Italy never misses on the list of the best countries for food. Italia proudly comes with a
wide range of the best food dishes in the world. Italian dishes are a favorite for millions of
people all over the world. Italian cuisine is a perfect mixture of colors and incredible
taste. Italians love to eat meat, fish, vegetables, pasta, pizza, spaghetti, rice, or bread for
dinner with passion for each dish that is served to them. Its popular dishes include pizza,
cheesy risottos, and pasta. A simple pasta meal by an Italian chef will be finger licking
sweet. Figure 3 shows Italian pizza [8].
 Britain has one of the most quintessential meals around. It’s beer-battered fried fish and
crispy French fries. For dessert, serve up a scoop of raspberry ripple, or another frozen
treat from around the world. Fish and chips constitute a fairly standard dish served
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with mushy peas. While this may not be everyone’s favorite food, it is certainly one of
the country’s most traditional.
 France is the home of French fries, which are a favorite for the majority of people all
over the world. Their staple food is cheese, while their famous delicacies include Bisque,
Macarons, and terrine. Beef bourguignon is a meal the whole family will love.
Traditionally cooked for hours, cassoulet recipe offers the same homey taste in less time.
One can describe French cuisine is one word: contemporary. France has its wide list of
first-class cheeses such as Munster cheese, Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort.
 Turkish cuisine is one of the most influ-ential in the world. Recipes that are based on
meat, rice and vegetables have become so attractive to the world that Turkish restaurants
can be found everywhere. For importing Turkish delights in the US and Canada, some
websites can be helpful such as Best Turkish Food. Authentic French garlic soup is made
of smashed garlic, salt, pepper, cloves, thyme, sage, bay leaves, olive oil, egg yolks,
shredded cheese, and baguette.
4. Food from Africa: Africa is home to incredible wildlife and all kinds of delicious foods.
Many African nations, especially those in South and East Africa, rely heavily on Ugali (corn
meal) as a staple food. Fufu is another popular traditional West African dish made from
boiled starchy root vegetables which are pounded into a dough-like consistency. It is typically
served with a soup or stew. Figure 4 portrays African cuisines in taste atlas [12]. Trying to
capture the entirety of the continent’s eating culture is next to impossible. We only use two
countries as typical examples.
 South Africa is a perfect destination for those who love exotic delicious food. Just
walking through the streets you will find numerous tasty treats and sumptuous meals in
various restaurants. South Africans are less strictly traditional and enjoy roast lamb, beef,
and chicken. They enjoy a wide range of drinks, from wine to beer. Local dishes can be
described as a mixture of Afrikaner, Zulu, and Indian cuisines. Bobotie is a popular South
African dish. It consists of minced beef meat that is spiced with slightly sweet curry and
baked with an egg-based custard on top. Giraffe meat can be found in some restaurants
and hotels and can only be sold by approved sellers.
 Nigeria is home to a tasty rice dish called jollof rice. It is made from rice, tomatoes,
spices, vegetables, and meat, all cooked in a single pot. Jollof rice is usually served with
fried plantains, steamed vegetables, salad, or moi-moi (a type of boiled bean pudding).
Jollof rice has its origins hotly contested by Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and a few other
West African countries. In the Nigerian version, the rice is added to a spicy tomato sauce
and simmered until ready. This is displayed in Figure 5 [11]. Other common foods in
Nigeria includes yams, spiced rice, cassava, plantains, and beans.
 Tanzania’s Ugali is considered to be the national dish of Tanzania. Ugali originated
in Kenya, but is popular in many East African countries and known under various
different names. Ugali is a simple dish made out of white cornmeal cooked in water. It is
served alongside most traditional Tanzanian.
5. Food from Asia: Asian cuisines are also very common today and are attractive for their
colorful dishes consisting of many ingredients and strong flavors. The cheapest foods around
the world are to be found in Thailand and Vietnam. In both countries, one can buy a good
meal for just $1 US.

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 India tops the list of food countries that have mouthwatering, finger licking dishes.
Indians are vegetarians because their meals do not include beef, considering that cows are
sacred for them. Indian food includes Chai and Dal, which combines several spices,
resulting in rich curries with a delicious, spicy pepper taste. Indian food is a great choice
for those who like vegetarian dishes with lots of spices. Indian food is ranked as in Figure
6 [13]. A traditional northern Indian is mutton korma, which is made with mutton, yogurt,
fried onions, and spices.
 China has diverse and sumptuous foods due to their large population. The Chinese are
among the few handfuls of nations that preserve their indigenous culture and tradition as
displayed in their way of life. Their favorite dishes include spring rolls, tofu, dumplings,
noodles, sweet, and sour chicken. When the rest of the world uses forks and knives, the
Chinese are still using chopsticks. Figure 7 depicts a traditional Chinese tea house in
Chengdu [1]. Chengdu is known for its flavored rabbit heads. This delicacy is loved by
many locals.
 Japan is popular known for being expensive. It is meticulous in everything they do
include cooking. They have also maintained their indigenous culture and traditions. Like
the Chinese, the Japanese are still using chopsticks. Their staple food is white rice, which
may be combined with other dishes. The favorite dishes include Sake, Ramen, Sushi,
Tempura, Unagi, and Sashimi. For example, Sushi tastes best when served with wasabi,
pickled ginger, and soy sauce. Ramen is a dish made of wheat noodles and served in the
broth along with vegetables and meat. A lot of people are willing to learn how to use
chopsticks just to enjoy Japanese cuisine. A typical Japanese dish is shown in Figure 8
[9]. The Japanese noodle soup, ramen has grown in popularity outside of Japan in the last
decade.
 Thailand is the home of “hot” food. Their foods literally bring the heat because they are
spicy, crunchy, chewy, slippery, sour, and salty. Their foods have five different tastes all
in one meal. It is amazing how one can experience sweetness, saltiness, chilliness,
slipperiness, and crunchiness with a single bite. Like most countries in Asia, rice is their
staple food. Thai’s cuisine is a combination of different flavors of other countries
surrounding it such as China, Indonesia, and Malaysia.. Thailand probably has the best
street food in the world. Figure 9 shows a typical Thai dish [9].
 Vietnam has the healthiest meals, compared with other Asian nations. Their dishes are
finger-licking. Their favorite dishes include herbs, rice, shrimp, fish, vegetables, and
fruits. A typical Vietnamese dish consists of rice, noodles, and meat (usually beef or
chicken) served in broth and topped with herbs. Pho is a popular street food item,
flavorful, and yet balanced in nature. It is perhaps the best known traditional Vietnamese
dish known worldwide.
CONCLUSION
In this paper, we have presented foods from all over the world. Food is more than just
sustenance. Every dish presents a story about different cultures, histories, and identities. The
dishes stick in our memories from our travels at home and abroad. The local, authentic street
food could be a good choice as the best food around the world. Rice is a staple everywhere.
Salad has the first place in the most eaten/popular foods category. Whether it is fruit salad,
tuna salad, egg salad, or even just plain green leafy salad. It’s one of the most popular foods,
in the world.
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With so many dishes around the world, it is impossible to cover all of them. This paper
covers the best and most popular dishes. More information about food around the globe can
be found in the books in [14-22].
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Copyright © Author(s). This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licenses.
Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial
and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms
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7 International Journal of Culture and Modernity 7
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16. J. Ridgwell and J. Ridgway, Food Around the World. Oxford University Press, USA,
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Matthew N.O. Sadiku is a professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas. He is the author of
several books and papers. His areas of research interest include computational
electromagnetics and computer networks. He is a life fellow of IEEE.
Uwakwe C. Chukwu is an associate professor in the Department of Industrial & Electrical
Engineering Technology of South Carolina State University. He has published several books
and papers. His research interests are power systems, smart grid, V2G, energy scavenging,
renewable energies, and microgrids.
Janet O. Sadiku holds bachelor degree in Nursing Science in 1980 at the University of Ife,
now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria and Master’s degree from Juliana King
University, Houston, TX in December 2022. She has worked as a nurse, educator, and church
ministries in Nigeria, United Kingdom, Canada, and United States. She is a co-author of
some papers and books.

Figure 1 A mother feeding her child with baby food [6].

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Figure 2 US hamburger with French fries [8].

Figure 3 Italian pizza [8].

Figure 4 African cuisines in taste atlas [12].

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Figure 5 Nigerian version of jollof rice [11].

Figure 6 Indian food is ranked [13].

Figure 7 A traditional Chinese tea house in Chengdu [1].

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Figure 8 A typical Japanese dish [9].

Figure 9 A typical Thai dish [9].

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