Culinary Identity: What makes a dish attain national status?

What food comes to your mind when you think of India? Biryani, tandoori chicken, masala dosa or some other? Many countries have a unique dish that establishes its culinary identity. So strong is the link that the dishes have become the de facto national dishes.

Here we offer, figuratively, some of them that might titillate your taste buds:

Paella | Spain

This rice dish includes whatever is in season: vegetable paella is cooked with beans, peas and onions, meat paella is made with wild hare and venison and seafood paella is loaded with whatever the catch of the day is.



Poutine | Canada

Assembled just prior to serving to avoid soggy fries, it comprises of French fries topped with a chicken or turkey gravy and fresh cheese curd.



Irish Stew | Ireland

A staple of Ireland and Irish pubs worldwide, it is a thick broth of slow-boiled mutton with onion, potato, carrot and parsley.



Pot-au-Feu | France

Originally a rustic dish which means pot-on-the-fire, it is made of stewing steak, root vegetables and spices.



Taco | Mexico

This traditional Mexican dish is composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling.



Ackee and Saltfish | Jamaica

Originally a slave food, the dish has now been reclaimed as the national food. Ackee is a fruit that resembles scrambled eggs and is sautéed with salt fish along with other flavours.



Hamburger | The US

Ground meat patty between two sesame buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and others.



Peking Duck | China

Maltose syrup glazed-duck is roasted in an oven till it turns brown.