There’s something beautiful about how food connects us across borders. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, a good meal can make you feel at home — even on the other side of the planet.

Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to visit dozens of countries for Explore With Kojo, and I’ve come to realize that while ingredients and flavors may change, our love for food doesn’t. So, I decided to dive deep into the world’s favorite dishes — the meals that dominate street food stalls, fine dining tables, and late-night cravings.

1. 🍕 Pizza (Italy)

Is there a more universally adored food than pizza? From the smoky, thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas in Naples to the cheesy, foldable slices in New York, pizza has become a culinary ambassador for Italy — and an icon of casual dining around the world.

What makes pizza so special is its flexibility. You can keep it simple with just tomato sauce and mozzarella or load it with everything from pineapple to pulled pork.

Kojo’s note: I once had a slice of wood-fired margherita in Naples that was so good, I nearly booked an extra night just to have it again.

💡 Fun fact: The classic Margherita pizza, with tomato (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green), was designed to reflect the Italian flag.

2. 🍣 Sushi (Japan)

Elegant. Minimalist. Bursting with umami.

Sushi isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. What began as a way to preserve fish centuries ago has evolved into a global fine dining phenomenon. Whether you’re enjoying fresh nigiri in Tokyo or spicy tuna rolls in Los Angeles, sushi offers something for everyone.

There’s an artistry to sushi — in the way the rice is shaped, the fish is sliced, and the flavors are balanced. It’s a quiet celebration of nature’s purity and human precision.

Kojo’s moment: I once sat at a 6-seat counter in Osaka and watched a sushi chef craft each bite with almost meditative focus. It felt like food and theatre rolled into one.

3. 🍔 Hamburger (United States)

You can find it on street corners and in Michelin-star restaurants. The hamburger is a symbol of modern food culture — a handheld powerhouse of flavor.

While its roots are debated, the modern hamburger as we know it was popularized in the United States. It’s endlessly customizable: beef or veggie patties, sharp cheddar or gooey American cheese, pickles or no pickles — every burger tells its own story.

Fast food chains may have taken burgers global, but artisanal burger joints and home cooks continue to elevate it.

Kojo’s favorite: A double smash burger with crispy edges, caramelized onions, and a toasted brioche bun. Simple. Honest. Irresistible.

4. 🍝 Pasta (Italy)

Italy takes another spot on this list — and rightly so. Pasta is beloved for its versatility, comfort, and simplicity.

Whether it’s a creamy carbonara in Rome, a spicy arrabbiata in Naples, or a humble plate of buttered noodles at home, pasta fits any mood, any budget, and any time of day. There are over 300 shapes of pasta in Italy alone — and every region has its specialty.

Kojo’s tip: Try cacio e pepe — a Roman classic with just three ingredients: pecorino cheese, black pepper, and pasta. It’s proof that simplicity can be divine.

5. 🌮 Tacos (Mexico)

Tacos are more than food — they’re a way of life in Mexico.

Folded into soft corn tortillas or crunchy shells, tacos deliver bold flavor in a bite-sized format. Whether it’s marinated carne asada, slow-cooked carnitas, fresh grilled fish, or even cactus (yes, nopal tacos are a thing), each taco tells a story of local tradition and flavor.

Walk through a Mexican market and you’ll hear the sizzle of grills, the chop of cleavers, and the comforting rhythm of tortillas being hand-pressed.

Kojo’s experience: The best tacos I ever had came from a tiny roadside cart in Tulum — smoky meat, fresh lime, and salsa that nearly made me cry (in a good way).

6. 🍛 Curry (India)

If you’ve ever had a spoonful of rich, spicy curry, you know why this dish has become a global comfort food. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, curry is now a beloved staple across the UK, Southeast Asia, and beyond — each region putting its own twist on it.

In India, curry isn’t one thing — it’s hundreds of variations. You’ve got butter chicken from Delhi, vindaloo from Goa, and creamy korma from Hyderabad, just to name a few. The use of spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and garam masala creates flavor profiles that are bold, complex, and unforgettable.

Kojo’s moment: In Mumbai, I tried a spicy prawn curry by the coast, and the aroma alone made my eyes water. But that first bite? Total fire and flavor harmony.

🧠 Did you know? The word “curry” was popularized by British colonizers to describe Indian gravies — but locals usually call each dish by its specific name.

7. 🍗 Fried Chicken (United States & Korea)

Golden, crispy, juicy, and wildly addictive — fried chicken is more than a meal; it’s a universal love language.

In the U.S., it’s a Southern classic, served with biscuits, gravy, and coleslaw. But head over to South Korea, and fried chicken takes on a double-fried, sticky-glazed, beer-loving personality known as chimaek (chicken + maekju = beer).

Different continent, same obsession.

Kojo’s take: I’ve had fried chicken in New Orleans and Seoul, and honestly, they’re both amazing in their own way. One brings soulful heat, the other brings crackling crispness.

8. 🥟 Dim Sum (China)

Dim sum isn’t just a meal — it’s a cultural ritual. Originating in southern China, especially in Guangdong province, dim sum refers to a variety of small plates (think dumplings, buns, spring rolls, and more) served with tea.

It’s all about sharing. Families and friends gather over steaming bamboo baskets and choose dishes as carts roll by. From har gow (shrimp dumplings) to char siu bao (BBQ pork buns), every bite feels like a discovery.

Kojo’s tip: Go with a group, arrive hungry, and don’t rush. Dim sum is best when it’s slow, social, and paired with hot jasmine tea.

9. 🍜 Pho (Vietnam)

Few dishes are as comforting as a bowl of pho — Vietnam’s signature noodle soup. With its rich, slow-simmered broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and thin slices of beef or chicken, pho is a national treasure that has won the world over.

What makes pho special is the balance — between sweet and salty, spicy and fresh, soft noodles and crunchy bean sprouts. It’s nourishing and deeply aromatic.

Kojo’s experience: I had my first bowl of pho in Hanoi at sunrise, sitting on a tiny plastic stool, watching the city wake up. That broth felt like a warm welcome into the soul of Vietnam.

10. 🥘 Paella (Spain)

Vibrant, rich, and steeped in tradition, paella is the pride of Valencia, Spain — but has found fans all over the world.

This rice-based dish is traditionally cooked in a wide pan and features saffron-infused rice with a mix of seafood, chicken, or rabbit, plus green beans and peppers. There are variations like paella de mariscos (seafood) or paella mixta (mixed), each offering a mouthful of Mediterranean sunshine.

Kojo’s tip: If you hear the bottom layer of rice referred to as “socarrat,” that’s a good sign — it’s the crispy, caramelized crown jewel of real paella.

11. 🥐 Croissant (France)

Flaky. Buttery. Sophisticated.

The croissant is France’s culinary hug in pastry form — light yet rich, simple yet refined. Its iconic crescent shape and golden, layered crust are instantly recognizable around the world, from Parisian cafés to Tokyo bakeries.

Despite its widespread fame, a well-made croissant is an art form. It’s the result of laminated dough — folded and rolled with butter again and again — baked until it shatters at the touch.

Kojo’s favorite way to enjoy it: Fresh from a boulangerie in Paris with a café crème. And maybe a second one for “research purposes.”

12. 🍜 Ramen (Japan)

Forget instant noodles. Real ramen is a soul-soothing bowl of perfection — with deep, slow-cooked broth, hand-pulled noodles, soft-boiled egg, and layers of toppings that tell a regional story.

From tonkotsu (rich pork bone broth) in Fukuoka to shoyu (soy sauce-based) in Tokyo, ramen is beloved not only in Japan but around the world for its balance of heartiness and elegance.

Kojo’s travel tip: Head to a local ramen bar in Kyoto, sit at the counter, and listen to the slurp — it’s how you know they’re doing it right.

🍥 Bonus bite: That cute little spiral fish cake? It’s called narutomaki.

13. 🥩 Steak (Argentina / United States)

A perfectly grilled steak isn’t just food — it’s a statement. And depending on where you are, it’s a cultural icon.

In Argentina, beef is practically sacred. Steakhouses (parrillas) serve tender cuts like bife de chorizo with chimichurri sauce, cooked slow over open flames. In the United States, steakhouses go big — thick ribeyes, T-bones, New York strips — charred on the outside, juicy inside.

What unites them? Fire, precision, and the simple magic of salt and time.

Kojo’s pick: I’ll never forget the grilled ribeye I had in Buenos Aires. Paired with Malbec. Chef’s kiss.

14. 🧆 Falafel (Middle East)

Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and full of spice — falafel is the vegetarian street food champion of the Middle East.

Made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, seasoned with herbs and spices, and deep-fried until golden, falafel is typically stuffed into pita bread with fresh veggies and tahini or hummus.

It’s cheap, filling, and loved across Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and now, just about everywhere.

Kojo’s insight: I had the best falafel in a small shop in Amman, Jordan — made fresh to order, wrapped in a warm pita with pickles and mint yogurt.

15. 🐟 Ceviche (Peru)

Fresh, acidic, and refreshing — ceviche is Peru’s gift to the world. Made with raw fish “cooked” in citrus juice (usually lime), and mixed with red onions, cilantro, and chili, ceviche is as vibrant as it is flavorful.

It’s the perfect balance of cold, spicy, and tangy — especially popular in coastal cities across Latin America.

Kojo’s tip: Eat it fresh, and don’t wait too long. Real ceviche is all about timing. I had mine seaside in Lima with a cold Inca Kola — game changer.