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Dive into the exciting world of underrated and inexpensive food scenes in foreign countries, where culinary treasures await beyond the regular tourist traps. These often overlooked countries boast scrumptious dishes that reflect authentic local flavors and traditions.
From vibrant street stalls to cozy family-run eateries, you’ll enjoy visiting these hidden gems to experience some of these incredible meals that will tantalize your taste buds and enrich your soul. Embark on a delicious journey to discover the most underrated countries to visit, offering unexpected culinary delights that promise unforgettable flavors without breaking the bank.
1. Vietnam
Visitors celebrate Vietnam for its vibrant street food culture, where quick, delicious, and inexpensive meals entice both locals and visitors alike. The culinary landscape is rich in flavor, meaning you’ll find something to tickle your taste buds as a food lover. Here are some tasty, inexpensive dishes you must try:
- Pho: A fragrant noodle soup with thinly-sliced chicken or beef that’s a light yet satisfying addition for any time of day.
- Banh Mi: A fresh, crusty and delightfully crunchy baguette filled with an array of savory meats, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs and condiments of your choice.
- Gỏi cuốn: Fresh spring rolls packed with rice vermicelli noodles, pork and shrimp, served with lettuce and a peanut hoisin for dipping.
Slurping up a bowl of pho at a bustling Vietnamese street stall is not only a meal — it’s an unforgettable cultural experience.
2. Portugal
With its rich cultural history and diverse influences, Portugal offers a delightful mix of tasty, budget-friendly flavors. You will encounter a variety of affordable dishes that showcase the country’s culinary heritage, with the following among your must-try options:
- Bacalhau à Brás: A delicious mixed-up combination of salted cod, matchstick-sized fried potatoes and beaten eggs, garnished with olives and parsley to create a comforting dish.
- Pão com Chouriço: Savory golden brown bread rolls filled with Portugal’s famous spicy sausage and baked to perfection with olive oil, making it a popular snack.
- Pastéis de Nata: Translated as “cream pastry,” these iconic custard tarts, featuring a flaky crust and dusted with cinnamon, are simply irresistible.
Imagine enjoying a Pão com Chouriço or two while joining fellow fans in support of Cristiano Ronaldo on TV — an atmosphere that embodies the essence of Portuguese culture.
3. Taiwan
Taiwan’s budget-friendly, engaging market and street food scene is as captivating as it is historic. You’ll find yourself enchanted by the flavors that fill the country’s streets, with loads of foods perfect for a testosterone boost included. Here are some inexpensive must-try dishes:
- Lu Rou Fan: Stewed ground pork belly, slow-cooked and served over a fragrant bowl of hot rice, offering sweet soy-based comfort in every mouthful.
- Ô-á-chian: A savory oyster omelette creation filled with fresh oysters in a starchy sweet potato batter covered with a sweet and savory sauce for a filling and satisfying meal.
- Gua bao: A Taiwanese street burger folded like a taco and including braised pork belly, pickled mustard onions, cilantro and powdered peanuts. It features a balance of sweet, sour, savory and pungent flavors and different textures.
For an immersive experience, savoring the unique flavors of an Ô-á-chian at a bustling night market is an absolute must-do to get you in the mood to experience the hospitality of this wonderful country.
4. South Africa
South Africa’s rainbow nation boasts a diverse culinary heritage shaped by its array of cultures, presenting a range of inexpensive and unique dishes that excite and captivate the palate. You’ll be glad you sampled the following options when you have the chance:
- Bunny Chow: A hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with flavorful curry and sambals, proudly offered by the country’s Asian community in different levels of heat to suit every palate.
- Braai: A traditional BBQ experience featuring a variety of meats cooked to perfection on an open flame. Originally an Afrikaner tradition, you can now visit numerous Shisa Nyama venues throughout the country for the indigenous versions.
- Malva Pudding: A sticky, sweet dessert, often served warm and complemented with thick custard, to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Enjoying a braai or Shisa Nyama while mingling with locals at an outdoor social gathering is a genuine treat, offering a grassroots taste of South African life and culture.
5. Turkey
Turkey’s food offerings blend Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Central Asian influences to offer a decadent tapestry of flavors and inexpensive dishes, in line with the vast array of broad cultural influences in the country. Don’t miss these tasty Turkish options:
- Kebabs: Grilled meat skewers that are immensely popular on almost every Turkish street corner, coming in various delicious forms and flavors.
- Simit: A sesame-encrusted molasses-dipped circular bread that’s crunchy outside and soft within. Simit is a satisfyingly crisp “ring of flour” street food option eaten mainly for breakfast.
- Mantı: Turkish dumplings filled with the savory goodness of spiced lamb or ground beef and dressed in creamy yogurt and garlic sauce with spiced butter, making it a comforting steamed or baked dish.
Grabbing a simit or a kebab at an Istanbul market while soaking in the bustling, lively local atmosphere is a quintessential Turkish experience not to miss.
6. Colombia
Not only is Colombia one of the most recognized coffee-producing countries, but it also offers a deep culinary heritage enriched by its indigenous, African and Spanish roots. If any of these appeal to you, you will delight in these inexpensive Colombian dishes:
- Arepas: Cornmeal flatbread filled with a satisfying variety of ingredients, including cheese, meat, beans and avocado. Arepas are a staple in Colombian and Venezuelan cuisine, so they’re always available.
- Bandeja Paisa: A hearty platter including red beans, rice, fried plantains, chicharrón — crispy pork belly — fried egg and avocado, providing a filling traditional feast.
- Ajiaco: A comforting chicken, corn and potato soup hailing from Bogotá, and flavored with the guasca herb for a perfectly cozy meal experience.
You can enjoy an arepa anywhere in Colombia, but sampling a street vendor’s fare with a cup of coffee while exploring the colorful streets of Medellín or Bogotá will capture the grassroots heart of Colombian culture and cuisine.
7. Ghana
With a diverse tapestry of flavors, Ghana’s food scene seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary styles, offering an incredible variety of delicious options at budget-friendly prices to satisfy any foodie’s interests. Explore these inexpensive Ghanaian dishes:
- Jollof Rice: A beloved West African one-pot dish consisting of a spicy tomato base with onions, peppers and various spices, with the rice absorbing the flavors as it cooks. Take the recipe home and add your own high-protein vegetarian options to maximize your gains.
- Fufu: Also popular throughout West Africa, the locals typically make this starchy staple from cassava and plantains in Ghana, served with rich, flavorful soups to create a filling meal you won’t forget.
- Kelewele: Spicy deep-fried plantains seasoned with ginger and pepper give this well-known on-the-go snack a sweet, savory and spicy profile, perfect for nibbling on during warm Ghanaian evenings.
Snacking on kelewele as you stroll through the markets of Accra is a must, adding to the colorful and music-filled atmosphere and culture of Ghanaian life. You’ll miss the snack after you leave.
Savoring the Unsung Budget-Friendly and Tasty Food Scenes Across the Globe
It won’t take much encouragement for you to explore these amazing countries and their varying cuisines. You’ll often find some of the best culinary treats off the beaten track from many tourist hot spots. There, you can indulge in a multitude of incredible flavors at wallet-friendly prices.
Each destination offers a unique gastronomic journey that reflects its culture and history, so pack your bags and get ready to savor the hidden gems of a global feast that promises to exhilarate your taste buds!
