The $2 meal that Aussies are travelling across the globe to try

We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep on shouting it from the rooftops: one of the best reasons to travel is to explore new cuisines.

Recent data from Booking.com found that 82 per cent of Aussie travellers choose destinations for specific food spots.

From steaming pad Thai in Bangkok and fresh sushi in Tokyo to creamy bowls of pasta in Rome and loaded burgers in the USA, there’s no shortage of food adventures to be had.

Travel is a great way to try new food. (Getty)

So, where are the best places to eat in the world?

This is in no way an exhaustive list, but we asked around the office to get people to share their favourite foodie memories from travel.

Vietnam

Vietnam is truly a foodie’s paradise.

Obviously, there is pho (noodle soup), goi cuon (rice paper rolls), and banh mi (baguette pork sandwiches) that are widely found in Australia.

But there are so many culinary gems hidden all over the country that are just waiting for food lovers to discover. Whatever you do, make sure you book onto a food tour in whichever city you visit first, to get a lay of the land and scope out your favourite dishes.

Obama Combo - bun cha, fried seafood roll, beer — The Obama Combo is made up of bun cha, fried seafood roll, and beer. (Tripadvisor)

Some standouts from my time in Vietnam were:

Bun cha – grilled pork and noodles
Banh xeo – rice pancakes
Bun bo hue – spicy beef noodle soup
Goi ga – chicken salad
Cao lau – noodles from Hoi An
Com tam – rice and meat/egg

The best place to visit for food in Vietnam? Bun Cha Huong Lien, Hanoi, where Anthony Bourdain and President Obama dined on bun cha and beer.

Surprising city crowned best food destination in the world

Italy

You can’t talk about good food without mentioning Italy.

Pasta, pizza, calzone, arancini, risotto, tiramisu, lasagne, osso bucco gelato, caprese salad… I could spend all day listing them.

But where to start?

Peppers — Pasta in Rome is a must-do. (Supplied)

In Italy, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing a spot for your next meal. Just try to steer clear of touristy areas (head a few streets back from main attractions), avoid places with photos in the menu and people standing outside trying to get you to come in.

Look for small, cosy spots – anything with a chalkboard menu and a piatto di giorno (dish of the day) is usually a good bet.

Obviously, pasta is a must – and if you find somewhere good, go back. Nine.com.au staffer Jess says that while visiting Rome, she went to Trattoria Da Enzo twice for pasta.

“We dined at a few other similar pasta places in the area, but the flavour and texture of the dishes didn’t compare. The classics were so good – amatriciana! Carbonara! Yum.”

Mexico

While Mexican food can be found across Australia, nothing compares to what they have in Mexico. Our attempts to recreate it fall far short of the real thing.

If you love food, a trip to Mexico City is an absolute must. This truly is the city that never sleeps, where you can find taco stalls set up on every corner from sunup ’til well past midnight.

Tokyo — Street food in Mexico is next-level. (Supplied)

My personal favourites that you must try are tortas (Mexican sandwiches with hot meat straight off the grill) and al Pastor tacos – spit-roasted pork served with pineapple.

And when one taco only sets you back a dollar or two, there’s no excuse to not try them all.

For a sit-down meal, you can’t beat chilaquiles, a breakfast dish of fried tortillas with salsa, cheese, and eggs.

Spain

Whether you love your dinners or you have a sweet tooth, you’ll find everything you want in Spain – plus a lot of great wine, too.

Embracing tapas culture is a must – heading out to restaurants and ordering a bunch of small share plates.

Amy — Ordering tapas in Spain is a must-do. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Some must-try tapas dishes:

Patatas bravas – roast potato, aioli and spicy tomato sauce
Pa amb Tomàquet – bread and tomato with olive oil
Tortilla Española – Spanish omelette
Choriz and Jamon Iberico – cured meats
Gambas al ajillo – garlic prawns
Padrón Peppers – fried green mild peppers
Croquetas – cheesy potato balls with ham or cod

Pinxtos, small snacks that are often served in bars, are also very popular.

“I had the best steak of my life pintxos-hopping in San Sebastian,” says Sindy. “The restaurant (Bar Nestor) only has three things on the menu – steak, peppers and tomato salad.”

“Simple flavours but so, so well executed. I still think about this steak months later.”

Bali — Spain does dessert just as well as it does savoury dishes. (Supplied)

And when you’re ready for dessert, you can’t leave without trying their iconic Basque Cheesecake.

Jessi recommends heading to La Viña in San Sebastián. “It was so delicious, and enjoying this sweet and fluffy baked good on the streets of Spain was one of my favourite memories.”

Bali

A trip to Bali often means a mix of local food at warungs (small family-owned stalls or cafes), fancy resort and beach club fare, and bougie cafes that were designed for Instagram.

There is a lot to be found in Bali, you just have to know what you’re looking for.

9Honey writer Amy says that if you go to one place, it’s gotta be Yuki, a Japanese restaurant in Uluwatu and Canggu.

best food in the world — The wagyu beef sando at Yuki is legendary. (Instagram)

“We went there for dinner one night and honestly, I would have gone back daily. Everyone at the table ordered a Wagyu Beef Sando, and then proceeded to order another…”

“I can’t say anything more than it was just insane how good it is and so simple too?”