If you are looking for something that would give you cuisine memories of a country you are in, the best way is to try the most-popular dish that the locals enjoy. Here’s a list of 5 such!

SHAWARMA IN DUBAI
Most places in Dubai would have shawarma encompassing tomatoes, onions dotted with sumac, tahini, parsley and most certainly garlic aioli and pickles. At some places the shawarma is also stuffed with French fries. The best Shawarma undoubtedly is at The Address Fountain View and Em Sherif overlooking the majestic Burj Khalifa.

FONDUE IN SWITZERLAND
The Swiss cheese fondue is a local favourite, more so during the winters, but I would endorse trying it any time you travel. Melted cheese may sound strange to you as a first timer but this is something you should absolutely try. Fondue is essentially a blend of melted cheese (usually a blend of gruyere and vacherin fribourgeois) and white wine foaming over a tiny burner in which you dip bread and say cheese as you bite into the deliciousness. Enjoy a glass of white wine with your meal – the locals dash it with a flute of kirsch at the conclusion to relieve digestion.

PAD THAI IN THAILAND
These soaked dried rice noodles, are sauteed with eggs, sliced firm tofu and dried shrimp; seasoned with tamarind pulp, fish sauce, shallots, garlic, palm sugar and red chili pepper and served with lime wedges and chopped roasted peanuts. You will this staple nearly everywhere and can ask to add or delete ingredients as per your preference. Thip Samai restaurant in old Bangkok makes a mean one.

SAUSAGES IN GERMANY
One can’t not think of Germany when speaking of sausages, being the mecca destination of faithful meat lovers. Germany has a prodigious opulence in terms of gastronomic creations, the sausage to be precise is top of the list. There are over fifteen hundred arrays of sausages in the country and make for the most popular street food; most popular being the Bratwurst and currywurst. Interestingly, a common ancient saying in Bavari a goes ‘The weiwurste should not hear the noon bell ringing’ owing to the lack of additives to preserve. Most restaurants do not sell this sausage post midday.

BREAKFAST IN MALDIVES
This vigorous blend of tuna, chilli, grated coconut and onion usually eaten cold with tea and roshi which is quite like our Indian Chapatti is a preferred Maldivian breakfast. A resort breakfast will however comprise of a lot of tropical fruits, fresh juices, eggs and toast along with this staple.

– Rupali Dean is a food & travel writer based out of Delhi