Dishy destinations: Five of the classics

France

Tourists have been visiting France with the sole purpose of eating pretty much since the advent of the croissant. And with good reason. It’s not just the food that’s great about France, but the food culture: the sidewalk cafes, the cozy brasseries, the Michelin-starred fine-diners and the tiny wine bars. Magnifique.

If you manage to visit Italy and not gain a couple of kilos . . . well, you’re doing it wrong. This is, after all, the home of pizza, pasta, arancini, risotto, parmigianoreggiano, prosciutto, gelato, and about a million other delicacies that every Italian knows intimately, and is convinced that their mothers cook best.

It’s all about street food in Thailand – cheap, delicious street food. We’re talking noodles tossed in a wok, or savoury omelettes laced with oysters and cooked to order, or lemongrassscented sai krog sausages roasted over hot coals, or chicken skewers drowned in satay sauce. Hungry?

Thanks to the ubiquity of Indian restaurants, travellers are already well versed in the cuisine when they arrive. But what comes as a surprise is how regional Indian food is. From the vegetarian thalis of the south to the rich, creamy curries of the north, a journey through India is a journey through a whole continent’s worth of good food.

There’s no such thing as a bad meal in Japan. Food is taken so seriously in this country, each dish treated with such care and attention, that you really can’t go wrong. That’s probably why this has long been such a popular destination for foodies, who appreciate that shared love of an amazing meal.

Italy Thailand India Japan