4 Delicious Cuisines Around the World, a particular joy in discovering something new at the dinner table. Food is more than just fuel—it’s a celebration of history, family, and tradition. It’s a passport that lets us travel the world, even on a weeknight, from the comfort of our own homes. If you’re looking to make meals more meaningful, exploring delicious cuisines around the world is the perfect place to start.
Join us on a culinary journey from the golden beaches of the Mediterranean, through the festive plazas of South America, to the bustling city lights of South Korea and the cozy kitchens of Poland—plus a special stop in Venezuela. Along the way, we’ll savor the stories, traditions, and iconic dishes that make each cuisine unforgettable.
The Mediterranean: A Feast for All Senses
Imagine yourself at a seaside taverna in Greece (Ελλάδα, Elláda), where the aroma of grilled fish blends with the salty air. Or at a family table in Lebanon (لبنان, Lubnān), where the laughter is as hearty as the food. This is Mediterranean cuisine—a celebration of sun, sea, and the simple pleasures of sharing a meal. It is considered the healthiest cuisine in the world; mediterranean food is heart-healthy.
A Table Set With Memories
In the Mediterranean, mealtime is a sacred occasion. Lunch is often the main event, with families lingering over several courses, relishing each other’s company. The food is fresh, colorful, and deeply satisfying.
Start your meal with a plate of hummus (حمص, ḥummuṣ), a creamy blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. Scoop it up with soft, pillowy pita bread (خبز, khubz), still warm from the oven.
Next, try falafel (فلافل, falāfil)—crispy, spiced chickpea or fava bean balls, golden brown outside and fluffy inside. Kids love dipping them into tangy tahini (طحينة, ṭaḥīna) or garlic sauce.
Kabobs (كباب, kabāb or souvlaki, σουβλάκι in Greek) are the stars of many Mediterranean grills—skewers of marinated lamb (αρνί, arní), chicken (دجاج, dajāj), or fish, kissed by smoke and flame.
Tabbouleh (تبولة, tabbūla)—a vibrant salad of parsley, tomatoes, bulgur, mint, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon—is a staple on every table in Lebanon. Its freshness balances heartier dishes.
For something smoky, try baba ghanoush (بابا غنوج, bābā ghanūj): roasted eggplant mashed with tahini, garlic, and lemon, drizzled with olive oil.
Dessert is pure celebration. Taste baklava (بقلاوة, baqlāwa; μπακλαβάς, baklavás), layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and honey syrup, or sample Greek-style yogurt (γιαούρτι, giaoúrti) topped with honey and walnuts.
Bringing the Mediterranean Home
Recreating a Mediterranean feast is easier than you think. Lay out a mezze (μεζέδες, mezédes) spread with dips, cheeses, olives (ελιές, eliés), and veggies. Grill kabobs or roast fish with lemon and herbs. Let everyone build their own pita sandwiches or rice bowls.
Family tip: Mediterranean meals are meant to be shared and enjoyed together. Get everyone involved, from chopping vegetables to mixing the salad dressing. Savor the experience together.
In Houston, Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine serves authentic dishes made daily—perfect for your next family meal or special event.
Mediterranean diet cuisine served on the table
Bringing the Mediterranean Home
Recreating a Mediterranean feast is easier than you think. Lay out a mezze (μεζέδες, mezédes) spread with dips, cheeses, olives (ελιές, eliés), and veggies. Grill kabobs or roast fish with lemon and herbs. Let everyone build their own pita sandwiches or rice bowls.
Family tip: Mediterranean meals are meant to be shared and enjoyed together. Get everyone involved, from chopping vegetables to mixing the salad dressing. Savor the experience together.
In Houston, Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine serves authentic dishes made daily—perfect for your next family meal or special event.
Peruvian ceviche with maize
South America: A Carnival of Color and Flavor
South American cuisine is vibrant, passionate, and alive with history. Every country, every city, every grandmother has a twist on a classic recipe. Whether you’re wandering the markets of Lima (Perú), savoring a steak in Buenos Aires (Argentina), or sharing empanadas in Caracas (Venezuela), you’ll find that South American food is always about joy and togetherness.
Peru (Perú): Tradition Meets Innovation
Peruvian cuisine, or cocina peruana, is a rich blend of ancient Inca heritage and influences from Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. It’s no wonder that Peru’s capital, Lima, is considered the culinary capital of the world.
The most famous dish? Ceviche (cebiche). Fresh fish or shrimp “cooked” in lime juice (limón), tossed with red onion (cebolla), cilantro (culantro), and fiery aji peppers. The result is bright, tangy, and utterly addictive.
Another favorite, lomo saltado, is a beef stir-fry inspired by Chinese immigrants—beef strips sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and French fries, splashed with soy sauce (sillao) and served with rice.
Don’t miss ají de gallina—shredded chicken in a creamy yellow pepper sauce thickened with bread and walnuts.
Sweet ending: Sample suspiro limeño, a caramel and meringue parfait, or mazamorra morada, a purple corn pudding flavored with cinnamon and dried fruit.
Brazil (Brasil): Party on a Plate
In Brazil, food is joy. Markets overflow with tropical fruits like mango (manga), papaya (mamão), and passion fruit (maracujá). Street vendors sell skewers of churrasco—grilled beef (carne), chicken hearts (coração), and sausage (linguiça).
Feijoada is the soul of Brazilian cuisine: a slow-cooked black bean stew (feijão preto) with pork (porco), sausage, and beef, served with rice, collard greens (couve), and orange slices (laranja).
Snack on pão de queijo, little cheese breads with a chewy texture thanks to cassava flour (polvilho). On the coast, try moqueca, a seafood stew simmered in coconut milk (leite de coco), tomatoes (tomate), and palm oil (azeite de dendê).
Dessert? Brigadeiro—fudgy chocolate truffles rolled in sprinkles—are a must-have for birthday parties.
Argentina (Argentina): The Land of Beef and Tango
Argentine cuisine, or cocina argentina, is famous for its devotion to beef (carne de res). Asado isn’t just barbecue—it’s an event, with friends gathered around the parrilla (grill), sharing steaks (bife de chorizo), ribs (costillas), and chorizo sausage.
Empanadas are beloved hand pies (empanadas de carne, pollo, or jamón y queso), baked or fried and filled with meats, cheese, or corn (humita).
No meal is complete without chimichurri—a bright green sauce of parsley, garlic, oregano, and vinegar.
Sweet treat: Dulce de leche (caramelized milk) appears in everything from pastries to pancakes (panqueques) and alfajores (sandwich cookies).
Colombia (Colombia): Big Plates, Big Hearts
Colombians love generous portions and rich flavors. The arepa (corn cake) is the everyday hero, split and filled with cheese (queso), scrambled eggs (huevo), or shredded beef (carne desmechada).
Bandeja paisa is a platter for champions: red beans (frijoles), rice (arroz), chicharrón (crispy pork belly), sausage (chorizo), plantain (plátano maduro), avocado (aguacate), and a fried egg (huevo frito).
Don’t skip ajiaco, a potato and chicken soup, or sancocho, a comforting stew brimming with vegetables and meat.
Chile (Chile): Comfort on Cold Nights
The sea and the Andes shape Chile’s cuisine. Pastel de choclo (corn casserole) layers ground beef (carne molida), onions, olives, hard-boiled egg, and raisins under a golden crust of sweet corn.
Cazuela is a rustic stew of beef or chicken, squash (zapallo), corn, potatoes, and green beans (porotos verdes).
Snack: Try empanadas de pino (beef, onions, egg, olives) or sopapillas (fried pumpkin dough).
Venezuela: Food That Celebrates Family
Venezuelan cuisine, or cocina venezolana, is a celebration of home and heritage. It’s vibrant, full of color, and made for sharing with loved ones.
The Star of the Table: Arepa (Arepa)
The arepa is Venezuela’s most iconic food—a golden corn cake, crisp on the outside, fluffy within, split and stuffed with anything your heart desires. Try reina pepiada (chicken and avocado salad), domino (black beans and cheese), or carne mechada (shredded beef).
On holidays, families gather to make hallacas—corn dough filled with stewed beef, pork, olives, and raisins, then wrapped in banana leaves (hojas de plátano) and steamed. The process is as necessary as the result—everyone gets involved, sharing stories and laughter.
Breakfast favorite:Cachapa—a thick, sweet corn pancake, often stuffed with cheese (queso de mano) and served hot.
Sweet treat:Quesillo (caramel flan) or tres leches cake (pastel de tres leches) for a delicious finish.
Family tip: Try a “build your own arepa” night, with bowls of shredded meats, cheese, beans, and avocado. Let everyone stuff their arepa just the way they like.
Kimchi cabbage, a popular Korean cuisine
Korea (대한민국, Daehan Minguk): A Symphony of Flavor and Togetherness
Korean cuisine, or hansik (한식), is a vibrant blend of tradition, innovation, and community. Every meal is an opportunity to connect, share, and savor bold flavors.
The Joy of Banchan and Beyond
Meals in South Korea start with a rainbow of banchan (반찬)—little side dishes that fill the table. These might include:
Kimchi (김치): Spicy, fermented cabbage or radish, alive with probiotics.
Oi Muchim (오이무침): Spicy cucumber salad.
Gyeran Jjim (계란찜): Steamed egg custard.
Namul (나물): Seasoned greens like spinach or bean sprouts.
At the center of the table, there’s always rice (밥, bap) and usually a main dish to share:
Bibimbap (비빔밥): A colorful rice bowl with seasoned vegetables (namul), beef (소고기, sogogi), a fried egg (계란, gyeran), and spicy gochujang (고추장) sauce.
Bulgogi (불고기): Marinated beef or pork, grilled or pan-fried, slightly sweet, always juicy.
Dakgangjeong (닭강정): South Korean fried chicken, twice-fried and coated in sticky, spicy-sweet sauce.
Japchae (잡채): Glass noodles stir-fried with beef, mushrooms (버섯, beoseot), carrots (당근, danggeun), and spinach (시금치, sigeumchi).
Tteokbokki (떡볶이): Chewy rice cakes in a fiery, slightly sweet gochujang sauce—a street food classic.
Family tip: Host a South Korean BBQ night at home. Marinate beef or pork, grill at the table, and let everyone wrap their own meat in lettuce leaves (상추, sangchu) with rice, garlic (마늘, maneul), and dipping sauces. Serve with plenty of kimchi and banchan for an interactive feast.
Fun Fact: South Korean food is about harmony and balance—spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and umami in every meal. The ritual of sharing food is an expression of love
Bigos stew, a traditional Polish dish with cabbage
Poland (Polska): A Warm Embrace in Every Bite
Polish cuisine, or kuchnia polska, is a celebration of comfort, tradition, and togetherness. Every dish is designed to warm the body and soul, especially during long winters.
The Comfort Classics
Pierogi (pierogi): Dumplings filled with potato and cheese (ruskie), meat (mięsne), mushrooms (z grzybami), or even blueberries (z jagodami), boiled then sautéed in butter (masło) and onions (cebula).
Kielbasa (kiełbasa): Smoky sausage, grilled or stewed, often served with sauerkraut (kapusta kiszona) and mustard (musztarda).
Bigos (bigos): A hunter’s stew of sauerkraut, cabbage, pork, beef, and sausage, simmered for hours to deepen the flavors.
Zurek (żurek): Sour rye soup with sausage, potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs (jajka).
Placki ziemniaczane: Potato pancakes, crisp and golden, served with sour cream (śmietana) or applesauce (mus jabłkowy).
Szarlotka: Apple cake, lightly spiced with cinnamon, sometimes topped with a crumble.
Pączki: Jam-filled doughnuts, especially popular before Lent.
Family tip: Polish meals are deeply rooted in tradition and family. Make pierogi together (kids love pinching the edges shut), share a big bowl of soup, and end with sweet pączki and tea.
Fun Fact: In Poland, soup (zupa) is almost always the first course, and recipes are often handed down through generations.
Why Your Family Should Explore World Cuisines
Trying new cuisines is an invitation to adventure, empathy, and understanding. You’ll discover new favorite flavors, laugh together over kitchen experiments, and teach kids to be curious and open-minded. Food is geography, history, and culture—delivered most deliciously.
Tips for starting your journey:
Pick one night a week as “World Night”—choose a country, find recipes, and cook together.
Visit international markets for authentic ingredients.
Let each family member research a traditional dish or food story to share at dinner.
Take notes on what you love and build your own “around the world” recipe book.
Begin Your Culinary Adventure in Houston
If you’re in Houston, you don’t need a passport—just an appetite. Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine brings the flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your table, with classic dishes made fresh daily.
The world is full of delicious stories, and your family is just one meal away from discovering them. Let every dinner become a journey—around the table and the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions: Delicious Cuisines Around the World
1. What are the most delicious cuisines around the world for families to try in Houston? Houston is renowned for its diverse and multicultural dining scene. Some of the most delicious cuisines for families include Mediterranean, South American, South Korean, Polish, and Venezuelan food. These cuisines offer unique flavors, healthy ingredients, and plenty of dishes for sharing—making them perfect for family meals and exploring new tastes together.
2. What is Mediterranean cuisine, and where can I find the best Mediterranean restaurant in Houston? Mediterranean cuisine originates from countries such as Greece, Lebanon, Italy, and Spain, and features fresh vegetables, olive oil, grains, legumes, seafood, hummus, kebabs, and baklava. For the best Mediterranean restaurant in Houston, visit Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine for dine-in, takeout, or catering.
3. What are the most popular South American dishes, and where can I try them in Houston? Popular South American dishes include Peruvian ceviche, Brazilian feijoada, Argentinian asado and empanadas, Colombian arepas, Chilean pastel de choclo, and Venezuelan arepas. Houston offers top-rated South American and Venezuelan restaurants for these dishes—perfect for family dining or trying something new.
4. What makes South Korean food unique, and what are the best Houston Korean BBQ spots? South Korean cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fermented foods like kimchi, and interactive dining experiences featuring dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi, tteokbokki, and fried chicken. Houston’s Korean BBQ restaurants are renowned for their grill-at-your-table experiences, making them ideal for group meals and celebrations.
5. What is Polish cuisine and where can I find authentic Polish food in Houston? Polish cuisine is hearty and comforting, featuring classic dishes such as pierogi (dumplings), kielbasa (sausage), bigos (hunter’s stew), zurek (sour rye soup), and paczki (jam-filled doughnuts). Houston is home to authentic Polish restaurants and bakeries, making it an ideal destination for family meals and trying traditional European comfort food.
6. What are arepas and why are they so important in Venezuelan cuisine? Arepas are Venezuelan corn cakes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, split and filled with meats, cheese, beans, or eggs. They’re a daily staple in Venezuela and hugely popular at Houston’s best Venezuelan restaurants.
7. How can families in Houston start exploring delicious cuisines around the world? Families can explore by visiting Houston’s top international restaurants, cooking easy recipes together, shopping at local international grocery stores, or attending family-friendly food festivals. Let each family member choose a cuisine or dish to research or prepare together for fun and learning.
8. What are some easy international dishes to cook with kids in Houston? Try Houston-style Mediterranean mezze platters, South American empanadas, South Korean bibimbap bowls, Venezuelan arepas, and Polish pierogi. These interactive dishes are perfect for family cooking nights and introducing kids to a variety of world flavors.
9. Why is sharing meals important in these world cuisines and in Houston’s dining culture? Sharing meals is a tradition in Mediterranean, South American, South Korean, Polish, and Venezuelan cultures—and a big part of Houston’s dining scene. It builds connection, encourages conversation, and makes every meal a celebration. Family-style eating is especially popular in many Houston restaurants.
10. How does trying new cuisines help children and families grow, and what are the health benefits? Trying new cuisines builds curiosity, respect for cultures, and healthy eating habits in kids. Many international cuisines popular in Houston—such as Mediterranean and South Korean—are rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and fermented foods, which support heart and gut health, while making family meals more enjoyable and educational.
