Okay I have tried foods from all around the world...

[RedRubyBlue]

Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, French, Morrocan, Spanish etc etc

Are there any hidden gems out there that are overlooked? Which country has a cuisine worth trying that is not widely known about?

Ah glad you're checking out Persian! It tends to be quite healthy and hearty, good for winter I think.

Second (third?) the love for Nepalese food. And Turkish.

Not a kimchi lover though

Southern US soul food - the creamy sweet potatoes, fried green tomatoes, pecans with everything, and fried chicken are all heart-attack-inducingly-awesome. I often open my Southern Living recipe book and drool at the pictures then cook something with vegetables in it from a UK cook book.

Kveta

I used to have a Deep South cookbook years ago and lost it. The cookies called Jacksonville Crisps were amazing and I have never found the recipe again.

I also love Clam Chowder served in a sourbread 'bowl'.

Redrubyblue, it was one experience only and tasted nice at the time (lots of garlic, sort of Greek esque) but I was suffered terribly afterwards and have never gone back to that restaurant!

Agree with Moroccan and Korean. Though my friend who lived in S Korea said that she was bored of the food after 1 month, very samey when you're there apparently.

RedRuby - this is the book. I haven't seen those cookies in it, but have just googled jacksonville crisps and got a host of recipes!

Yes to Malay food and Nonya food. Nothing like it. Nonya is success story of fusion cuisine. Try Malaysian Chinese as well. And regional Chinese cuisine. Spicy sichuan/hunan, sweet Shanghai, fresh ChaoZhou. And the persian-influenced halal food. Yum. Hungry now.

Oh chicken fried steak is lush. I had that when I was in Texas and managed to recreate it here. Must admit was expecting chicken though

Kimchi. Drool. My one pregnancy craving! And bibimbap! If you live in London OP, New Malden is the place to go. There's even an H-Mart (big Korean grocery store).

I loved the food in Georgia when I was there (the Republic of Georgia). Like Turkish food turned inside out and odd-ified. There was this salad of spinach with a chopped walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds that we were served everywhere that I have tried to recreate many times. And khachapuri bread stuffed with cheese is to die for.

Persian is still appealing to me. I might track down a cookbook.

Where do you live op?

Vietnamese my favourite too :) I don't see Japanese on your list?

South American. Ecuador/Colombian/Peruvian to be more specific. If you live in London i'll let you know where you can buy some cheap ingredients. If not, i'll give you good websites to order from. PM me though as sometimes these threads move fast!

p.s. it's better if you like garlic, meat and gluten! :D

definitely agree with vietnamese, lebanese and malay... hungry now!

Curiousmama how was the stew? Just looked at the recipe and it looks great.

swedish/scandi
Baltic and Eastern European - seriously lush

And you are talking about actually cooking all this stuff?!

That's what restaurants are for, my dears

Georgian food -- it's the best.

Hawaiian food sounds interesting

berri I ended up doing pork in cider and mustard sauce. Doing stew tonight, have already marinated the meat. I'd already eaten the spinach and couldn't be bothered going to the shop Anyway went today so have all the ingredients.

Stew was totally lush albeit very green

nepalese?? all they eat is dhal bhat, tho, surely!?

I have a lovely persian cookbook called Perisa in Peckham It's written from the perspective of cooking in Britain, so the recipes are approachable.

oooo sounds good thesurgeonmate

Another vote for Georgian food, it is sublime. If anyone is getting a bit jaded with their usual ethnic options, hunt down Georgian food.

Georgia is at global cross roads, and the food reflects this- Fresh vegetables from turkey, spices from india and china, techniques and ingredients from Russia and the middle east. Georgian food takes all these influences and turns into into something utterly different to anything you have tried before. Anyway, I'm raving because I loved it.

What a great thread.
I love Persian food, and have had one Georgian stewed something, pheasant maybe?, with walnuts and possibly prunes (I think from a Jane Grigson book?) and was surprised how different and delicious it was.
Went to a Korean restaurant once, fantastic meal.