The World’s Must-Try Dishes

Certain foods achieve iconic status.

These dishes become synonymous with their locales — featured on every menu board, recommended by bartenders, and celebrated in travel guides — making it impossible for visitors to leave without trying them. From the melty cheese of pizza alla pala in Rome to the delightful slurp of shoyu ramen in Tokyo, the thrilling spice of golgappa in New Delhi, or the vibrant flavors of taco al pastor in Mexico City, these foods are woven into the essence of each city. While the term “destination” has become clichéd, it aptly describes meals that attract visitors just as much as historical landmarks or cultural exhibits.

When tourists design their itineraries around a cebicheria in Lima, a barbecue spot in Kansas City, or a patisserie in Paris, they engage in a lively exchange among local chefs, bakers, and food lovers regarding lasting culinary traditions. In these cities, a zesty lime fish dish, a smoky burnt end, or a light choux pastry serves as a symbol that shapes, affirms, and questions a collective identity — it’s also an open invitation.

For our summer adventures, we focused on cities renowned for their culinary landmarks, from Cincinnati chili to Puerto Rican mofongo, showcasing the Mytouries that excel in serving these iconic dishes. While these establishments may specialize in signature items, their offerings are diverse — they are destinations deserving of multiple visits.

Cincinnati Chili | Mexico City Tacos | Honolulu Poke | Seoul Barbecue | Paris Pastries | Tokyo Ramen | New Delhi Chaat | Rome Pizza | Lima Cebiche | San Juan Mofongo | Kansas City Barbecue | More Iconic Dishes

A diner adds hot sauce to a plate of spaghetti topped with chili and cheese. Next to it sits a carney (hot dog) heaped with cheese, accompanied by a styrofoam cup from Camp Washington Chili.

The view of a restaurant from the street corner features a towering spire labeled ‘chili’ rising from the roof. Cursive writing above the door states Camp Washington Chili.

A staff member stirs a large pot of chili with a long wooden spoon.

An antique clock encased in vibrant red neon lights. Above it, the wall displays Camp Washington Chili, and below reads Since 1940.

A ladle pours chili over two coney hot dogs already covered in mustard.

The Top 10 Chili Joints in

Cincinnati, Ohio

A map of the United States highlights Cincinnati with a red dot.

Since the Kiradjieff brothers began serving meat sauce over spaghetti a century ago, Cincinnati has innovated its beloved spiced chili. Chili parlors pile it on spaghetti with adventurous toppings in three-ways, four-ways, and five-ways. They slather it on coneys, fries, and chili cheese sandwiches. It's layered with lasagna, combined with goetta, and served over corn chips. One constant remains: it’s always delicious.

A chef grasps a hefty piece of meat, poised to drop it into a blazing pit.

Hands craft two tacos on a prep counter, filled with shredded meat and garnished with cilantro.

A chef uses tongs to position meat on a series of tortillas laid out on a plancha, all already drizzled with sauce.

A four-member band, featuring bass, guitar, accordion, and drums, stands in a spacious hallway. They are dressed in decorative suit jackets and cowboy hats.

A hand flips tortillas on a comal using a spatula.

The 19 Top Taquerías in

Mexico City, Mexico

A map of Mexico highlights Mexico City with a red dot.

Tacos are a daily delight in the vibrant streets of Mexico City. Start your day with live Norteño music and barbacoa slow-cooked overnight in brick ovens. Seek out a bicycle vendor selling tacos de canasta for a warm chicharron taco with salsa verde, or squeeze into a standing counter for suadero or tripe from a bubbling pot. Conclude your evening with late-night crowds gathered around trompos for al pastor tacos, loaded with fiery salsas from overflowing molcajetes.

Through the glass of a deli case, a worker scoops poke into a plastic container.

Five varieties of poke in plastic containers are arranged on a blue picnic table, with chopsticks poking out of several.

A customer waits at the deli counter for their poke order.

In a prep area behind the deli counter, two workers converse with a customer.

The interior of a grocery store showcases product shelves beneath a full-sized boat hull, adorned with the words ‘Tama Maru’.

The 11 Best Spots to Enjoy Poke in

Honolulu, Hawai‘i

A map of Hawai’i highlights Honolulu with a red dot.

Among the many myths surrounding poke—like its spelling or the idea that it should ever include kale—the greatest misconception is that the dish needs to be extravagant. You won’t hear someone say, “That liquor store has fantastic poke” on the Mainland, but in Honolulu, outstanding poke comes from the most unpretentious places: supermarkets, strip malls, piers. Choose the freshest option from the deli case and savor your takeout on the beach.

An employee uses tongs to transfer a hot coal from a pan to a furnace.

Hands wield tongs and scissors to cut meat over a grill, while other pieces roast nearby, as diners enjoy a table filled with banchan.

A spoon scoops into a fluffy, egg-like souffle adorned with scallions.

Chopsticks lift a piece of grilled meat topped with kimchi, resting on a plate surrounded by various banchan.

A steaming pot of stew bubbles over a gas flame.

The 14 Top Barbecue Spots in

Seoul, South Korea

A map of South Korea highlights Seoul with a red dot.

Get ready for a wait at Seoul's top barbecue joints, where times are measured in hours, not minutes—just remember that patience is rewarding. These esteemed meat destinations ignite grills to perfectly sear hanwoo beef and thin-sliced frozen pork belly, alongside other premium cuts. Finish off with traditional dishes like cold buckwheat noodles or kimchi jjigae, or try more creative options like omurice or instant rice stir-fried at your table with leftover banchan.

A pastry chef skillfully uses a piping bag to swirl decorative cream around a center of cooked strawberries.

Layered tartlets adorned with apricot slices are displayed, accompanied by a small sign in French indicating the price: 3,40.

Hands wield an offset spatula to spread a jelly-like topping over a small layered cake.

A bright pastry display features a basket of croissants, an array of pastries, bottles of sweet beverages, and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

The 14 Top Patisseries in

Paris, France

A map of France highlights Paris with a red dot.

Parisian patisseries showcase an intricate variety of French desserts: flaky viennoiseries like croissants and pain au chocolat, choux pastries such as éclairs and religieuses, rich sablés filled with ganache or paired with creamy cheesecake, glossy fruit tartes, and an array of cakes, cookies, and brioches. You might find it challenging to remember all of them, but finishing your sweet indulgence will be effortless.

A diner lifts a cluster of ramen noodles using chopsticks.

A chef operates a wok, surrounded by a dramatic burst of flames.

A chef folds his arms while serving noodles into two bowls of ramen.

In a bustling prep area, workers add noodles and toppings to bowls filled with noodles.

A vibrant bowl filled with bright red spice powder, with a metal spoon resting inside.

The Top 16 Ramen Restaurants in

Tokyo, Japan

A map of Japan featuring a red dot marking the location of Tokyo.

While diners often finish their ramen quickly, the 15-minute meal contrasts sharply with the years of dedication that top ramen chefs invest in perfecting their recipes. Savor the broth, which may derive richness from pork bones, shellfish, duck, miso, Parma ham, or sardines. Look for kodawari, special ingredients like artisanal soy sauce, unique chicken breeds, and noodles crafted from intricate flour blends. If one bowl doesn’t reveal it all, you’ll find yourself returning time and again.

Cooks prepare aloo tikki on a large tawa at a street stall, with customers gathered around.

Steam rises from a small tin plate of aloo chaat, captured from the side.

A lineup of vendors at their cooking stations on a busy street.

The Top 12 Chaat Stalls in

New Delhi, India

A map of India highlighting New Delhi with a red dot.

India holds chaat in high regard. In the capital, where chaat was historically introduced as a remedy, Dilliwalas boast their preferred vendors for golgappas and aloo tikkis, fiercely debate chaat masalas and chutneys, and share strong views on the spicy, tangy, and crunchy snacks that energize the city’s millions.

A pizza on a metal paddle being slid into an oven ablaze with large flames.

A worker ladles saucy chicken filling from a pot.

A pizza pocket filled with stewed chicken, resting in a unique metal holder with a cardboard sleeve labeled Trapizzino.

A baker works the dough on a generously floured surface.

The Top 20 Pizzerias in

Rome, Italy

A map of Italy pinpointing Rome with a red dot.

While Naples often steals the spotlight in the pizza scene, Rome boasts exceptional world-class pizza. The city features traditional styles such as pizza in teglia, pizza alla pala, and pizza tonda; Roman-Neapolitan hybrids that offer a crispy yet chewy experience; unique creations like trapizzino that have gained international fame; avant-garde pizzas prepared with precision; and pies that highlight the regional flavors of Lazio.

An overhead view of a ceviche bowl being prepared, topped with slices of avocado and capers over a mound of fish, accompanied by a chunk of cooked sweet potato and bowls of corn nuts.

An aerial perspective of a completed ceviche in a bright yellow broth, alongside a large oyster on ice in a separate bowl.

A gloved hand reaches for a bowl of limes resting on a tablecloth-covered surface, where various ingredients are arranged.

A chef adds the final touches to a plate using tweezers.

A server shakes out a tablecloth before laying it over a table adorned with vintage images and artifacts.

The Top 12 Cebicherias in

Lima, Peru

A map of Peru featuring a red dot marking Lima.

Cebiche gained popularity in the 2000s, becoming a fixture in high-end restaurants worldwide. However, nothing compares to the experience of enjoying cebiche in Lima. Locals prioritize the perfect harmony of acidity, temperature, and spice atop fresh, delicious fish without unnecessary embellishments or extravagant additions. It may seem simple, but it packs a punch of flavor.

A cook glances at the camera while peeling green plantains.

A diner enjoys a pork chop at a table that also features mofongo stuffed with shrimp and a whole fried fish accompanied by plain mofongo.

A cook uses a large mortar to mash plantains in a well on the kitchen counter.

A chef slices a green plantain using a long knife.

The exterior of a restaurant named El Platanal, featuring a palm tree design in place of the first L.

The Top 15 Places to Enjoy Mofongo in

San Juan, Puerto Rico

A map highlighting Puerto Rico with a red dot marking San Juan.

In San Juan, mofongo is served in countless variations. You can have it filled with toppings or as a side to a standout main dish. Options include ripe plantains, yucca, or breadfruit mashed with the classic green fried plantains. Pair it with camarones in salsa criolla, chuleta kan kan, chillo frito, or churrasco encebollado. And remember, mayo-ketchup is a must!

From above, a platter of grilled meats featuring a full rack of ribs, burnt ends, and pulled pork, accompanied by slices of toasted white bread.

A chef uses tongs to lift a rack of ribs from a smoker.

The exterior of a restaurant located within a Shamrock gas station, with the name Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Diners are queuing outside.

A brisket sandwich adorned with cheese, barbecue sauce, and onion rings on a thick bun, accompanied by a scattering of fries on a metal serving tray.

A chef carves brisket on a wooden board.

The Top 14 Barbecue Spots in

Kansas City, MO

A US map highlighting Kansas City with a red dot.

Kansas City is a meat lover's paradise. From burnt ends and brisket to beef and pork ribs, sausages, and pit ham, the city's pitmasters excel in all things barbecue, while locals eagerly enjoy every offering. Chefs also showcase their creativity, combining brisket and beans in handmade tortillas or infusing Thai elements like lemongrass and makrut lime into their pork sausages.