Calling all foodies! If you’re one of those who travels to find new and delicious food to devour, this list is sure to tickle your taste buds!
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UAE
Is it any surprise that the UAE is first on our travel bucket list for foodies? Not really! Comprising of seven emirates, all of which are unique in their own way, the UAE offers a Halal gastronomic experience like no other. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are more well-known in comparison to the other emirates, but Dubai truly takes the cake when it comes to offering something for every taste. From small road-side cafés to luxurious, fine-dining restaurants, Dubai has it all. Being a city home to numerous different cultures, Dubai’s culinary scene is also incredibly diverse. Embrace Dubai’s expat culture by dining at one of the Pakistani or Indian diners found pretty much everywhere, or dine at a fancy restaurant headed by a Michelin-starred chef! Dubai style shawarma with a side of hummus, tabbouleh and falafel is a must-try when in the city, and for those who are a little more adventurous when it comes to food, give stuffed camel a try!
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Malaysia
The next must-visit destination for those truly dedicated to exploring the world through their stomachs, is Malaysia - where food is a national obsession! Again, like Dubai, Malaysia is a mixture of cultures – Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern - from which results a truly divine Halal gastronomic experience. A variety of flavours and textures, Malaysian cuisine will keep you coming back for more. While the country’s capital; Kuala Lumpur, offers food options galore at an incredibly affordable rate, two of the best destinations in Malaysia for foodies is Penang and Langkawi. Penang is hailed as one of the top culinary spots in the world, let alone just in Southeast Asia. The hawker stalls at the pasar malam, or the night market, in Penang are the best places to sample a little of everything - from assam hae, to char kway teow. Also offering culinary delights, Langkawi serves some of the best local delicacies, along with some of the freshest seafood in Malaysia. Tourists looking for a little taste of home will also find restaurants serving an array of cuisines from around the world in Langkawi.
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Turkey
A delightful blend of flavours and ingredients used in Ottoman, Middle Eastern, Asian, Greek and Balkan cuisines, Turkish food ensures that even the pickiest of eaters will find something they love. Colourful, flavorful and aromatic, and more importantly; Halal, Turkish cuisine is fast becoming incredibly popular in the world culinary scene. From simit – a pretzel-like snack and börek – a baked filled pastry, to gözleme and the renowned döner kebap, tourists must taste it all! And for dessert, try what may possible be the most popular of Turkish foods - baklava! Layers of crunchy filo pastry, filled with sweet honey and a variety of nuts, baklava is sure to satisfy anyone’s sugar craving. End a delicious meal with a steaming cup of famous Turkish coffee.
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Egypt
Just like Turkey, Egyptian cuisine has been influenced by numerous different countries and cultures. Whether it be a combination of Greek, Ottoman, Middle Eastern and Persian however, Egyptian food is unique. Simplistic and rich in vegetables and legumes and not heavily relying on meats, Egyptian cuisine caters to all types of palates. Dishes you can’t leave without trying include hamam mahshi, or stuffed pigeon, kushari - probably one of Egypt’s most famous snack foods, dukkah - a dip made of spices, nuts and herbs, konafah - a sweet dish made of a pastry that’s thin and almost noodle-like, and last but not the least, ful medames - the most popular of Egypt’s dishes. Affordable, quick and easy to make, this fava bean dish can be found at eateries and restaurants throughout the country.
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Indonesia
Indonesia is a heaven for food lovers, and as an added bonus, because of its large Muslim population, Halal food is widely available. Cooking up some of the most flavorful and colourful dishes found anywhere in the world, Indonesians manage to incorporate food into any type of gathering, and when it comes to finding delicious food, you won’t have to search much. Whether it be at a fine-dining restaurant or a road-side vendor, you’re sure to get flavor-packed food which will make you wish you were Indonesian so you could eat it all day, every day! While Indonesian food is not all about nasi goreng, nasi goreng or what literally means fried rice, is probably one of the country’s most popular dishes. Other well-known dishes that have brought Indonesia's culinary credentials to the limelight include; satay, bakso, nasi padang, sambal, gado-gado and of course, Indonesia’s renowned rendang.
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Japan
When it comes to food, Japanese certainly know their way around it. In fact, Tokyo, popular amongst food critics, is said to be one of the world’s best places to eat. Using fresh ingredients, innovative techniques and precision that would amaze anyone, it is no surprise that Japan’s gastronomical delights are fast becoming tourist attractions in their own right. With Japan aiming to attract Muslim tourists by opening up more Halal restaurants and eateries, Muslims will be also be able to taste some of the country’s most iconic dishes. From delicious rice dishes and ramen, to soba, tempura, udon, sashimi, sushi, and pickles of all kinds, Japanese cuisine comes in all tastes, colours, forms and textures. Also an important part of Japanese food culture, is tea. So after a mouthwatering meal, don’t forget to enjoy a refreshing cup of green tea!
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Morocco
Moroccan food, with its diversity of influences – France, Andalusian Spain, and the Ottoman Empire - is intriguing and aromatic, and is truly a unique cuisine, and the heart of Morocco’s fascinating culture. Consisting of a medley of subtle spices, and nuts, and enhanced with fresh and dried fruits, Moroccan cuisine is a delicious combination of mouthwatering flavours. You cannot go to Morocco and not try out a couple of tajines. A mixture of meat, vegetables and spices, this slow-cooked dish can be found at top notch restaurants and even eateries found by the side of the road. Some other well-known Moroccan food include; couscous - which happens to be the country’s national dish, harira, kefta and briouats. Moroccans are known to complete their meal with a heavily sweetened cup of mint tea.
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India
India is probably home to some of the most fragrant, flavorful and rich food in the world. Just like its culture, Indian cuisine has been influenced throughout its eventful past. Each of the country’s states have their own signature dishes, as well as their own take on quintessential Indian dishes. Marked by the assortment of spices found in its dishes, Indian food promises to be a delight for your taste buds. With a gigantic Muslim population, Halal food can be found throughout the country. From mutton biryanis, to flavor-packed curries to slightly-charred tandoori-grilled meats, to soft breads, vegetarian delights, and sugar-syrup dipped sweet treats, Indian food has it all. India is in fact renowned for being a country that has some of the best food for vegetarians in the world! Must-try dishes include; butter chicken, chana masala, chicken tikka, rogan josh, idli with sambar, masala dosa, alu gobi, dal makhani, and keema - many of which are eaten with a side of fluffy white rice, or delicious, puffy bread. The best way to truly have an out-of-the-world gastronomic experience in Indian would be to sample the dishes and snacks sold by street vendors and at road side cafés.
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Spain
Packed with flavour and character, Spanish food is hard to overlook. Diverse, and varying by region, Spanish cuisine is unique and integral to the country. From delicious seafood paella and tortilla Española to cold soups - or gazpacho, croquettes, patatas bravas, pisto and mouthwatering tapas – served with a drizzle of olive oil - Spain’s gastronomical variety makes our stomachs rumble just thinking about it! For those wanting to make food the main focus of their travels, Spain makes sure that a satisfying meal is never too far away.
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South Korea
Visitors to South Korea are sure to remember the country’s delectable food long after returning from a trip. Unique and varied in tastes and textures, and a delight to look at, Korean food is a great reflection of the country’s history and its struggle to remain independent. Korean cuisine is renowned for being healthy - with plenty of fresh vegetable used in most dishes, for being spicy, and for being a served with numerous side dishes, such as; sauces to dip, soy beans and so on. While South Korean food is not a Muslim country, restaurants like ‘Eid’ offer authentic Korean dishes that are Halal, which is great news for Muslim tourists! Korean specialties that you can’t leave without trying include: kimchi, bulgogi, bibimbap, ramen, Korean-style fried chicken and ddukbokkie.
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Check out more of HalalTrip’s Best 10 lists of 2016 here!
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