Every country has a host of snacks that keep locals going between meals. In fact,
it’s fair to say that these delicious creations exist not just to stave off hunger but also to put a smile on our faces.
Whether it’s breads, biscuits, buns, sausages or salted fish there’s something to tempt everyone, whatever the nation.
Argentina: alfajores
Alfajores are popular across South America though it’s Argentina that lays claim to being the largest consumer of these crumbly biscuits.
They are prepared differently, using butter or cornflour, and come with a variety of sweet fillings, such as jam and dulce de leche.
Though not strictly Argentinian, alfajores are unofficially the country’s biscuit of choice and are eaten at all times of the day.
Australia: lamingtons
Supposedly named after Queensland Governor Lord Lamington (1896–1901), or perhaps his spouse, this sponge cake covered in chocolate and decorated with desiccated coconut was made by the couple’s
French chef Armand Galland to feed unexpected guests. ‘Lammos’ are so revered in Australia that 21 July is now National Lamington Day.
Belgium: speculoos
Belgium is the home of frites and Belgian waffles, both of which can be easily sampled in other countries.
However, there is a lesser-known treat that is popular in Belgium called speculoos; these are spicy, crunchy cookies associated with the sixth of December, St. Nicholas Day.
The city of Hasselt is particularly renowned for its varieties.
Brazil: coxinha
Crunchy, soft coxinha are chicken croquettes found throughout Brazil.
These delicious fried appetizers, which shape balls or teardrops to mimic a chicken’s thigh, are wrapped in dough and include a filling of shredded chicken and cream cheese.
in breadcrumbs.
Canada: poutine
Canada gave the world poutine, for which lovers of carb-rich comfort dishes will be eternally grateful.
Originating in Quebec, this cuisine consists of French fries topped with cheese curd and gravy and dates back only about sixty years.
Today it’s eaten all over Canada in cafes, fast food joints and at sporting events.
Chile: completo
The hot dog has been appropriated and transformed by numerous nations. Chile’s take is the completo, a large hot dog topped with chopped avocado, tomatoes and lots of mayonnaise. Alternative toppings include green beans, sauerkraut, sauce américaine, fried onions, fried eggs and fries.
China: tanghulu
It’s nearly impossible to choose just one Chinese snack, but tanghulu is among the best and most common.
Candied haws (a type of fruit) are coated in red sweet-and-sour sugar syrup then skewered. They’re quite a sight and the hawkers who sell them are easy to spot.
Colombia: pan de yuca
Pan de yuca or Colombian yuca bread is a melt-in-the-mouth cheesy bread made from cassava starch. It’s attributed to southern Colombia but found all over the country in various shapes and forms and is eaten on its own, or with cheese or dips, and preferably hot.
Egypt: kunafa
Kunafa is a cake made with a fine noodle pastry and a cheese or cream filling. A sugar syrup is then poured over it before serving. The sweet is especially liked during Ramadan across the Arab world. Although it isn’t strictly Egyptian, the country’s own version is much loved by citizens.
France: pain au chocolat
There’s no shortage of snacks in France thanks to the innumerable patisseriesA popular dish in the nation is pain au chocolat, which is a delicate pastry made of flaky dough filled with a dark chocolate mixture.
It’s eaten at breakfast or as a mid-morning snack.
Germany: currywurst
The currywurst is fast food at its heartiest
Usually eaten with fries, it consists of a steamed and then fried bratwurst (pork sausage) seasoned with curry ketchup and sprinkled with curry powder.
It’seasily one of Germany’s favourite bites even though the recipes is less than 100 years old, having appeared just after World War II.
Harðfiskur, a snack mostly considered Iceland’s favorite, is made of strips of dried, salted fish slathered with butter.
It’s not only crunchy and savoury, making it the Icelandic equivalent of potato chips, but rich in protein and Omega-3.
India: pani puri
There are countless snack options in India, each one as mouthwatering as the next. Pani puri is also called golgappas, among other names, and the dish varies depending on the region. A typical pani puri is made from puffed, hollow dough stuffed with tamarind water (imli pani), tamarind chutney, chaat masala, chilli, chickpeas, potato and onions.
Indonesia: kue cubit
In Indonesia, kue cubit is a popular snack sold by street vendors in marketplaces and near schools. It is created with unique molds.
These little cakes – which some swear taste better half-cooked when they’re almost runny – are traditionally topped with chocolate sprinkles but nowadays come in several flavors.
Israel: Bamba
Bamba, a peanut butter-flavored snack made from puffed maize, is so loved in Israel – where it’s synonymous with childhood – that the brand supposedly dominates an estimated 25% of the country’s snack market.
