What are the world's best foods? We thought we knew. Apparently we don't.
Our list of the
World's 50 best foods stimulated some impassioned debate about the conspicuous lack of French dishes and the merits of ketchup over mayonnaise.
“Ketchup? Pop Corn? Chips? Plenty of Thai but few Malay food? What about Chinese (Sichuan, Cantonese, etc)? No Brazilian or Argentinean?” queried commenter Max.
Reader
LoveFoods wrote, "OMG why are people hating? If you don't like the list, make your own! I love Thai and Japanese foods."
LoveFoods was right. So we threw it open to a vote on a
Facebook poll.
And now, after more than 35,000 votes, it appears we got it all wrong.
The world’s most delicious food is not Massaman curry, as we suggested, but a meaty, spicy, gingery dish from west Sumatra.
Couscous and lemon curd cake both took scores of votes, but didn't make the list. Some 439 people thought gelato deserved a place in online history.
The world's 50 best foods according to CNNGo readers are below. Bon appetit.
50. Little packages of delightful best food freshness.
50. Goi cuon, Vietnam
This snack made from pork, shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli and other
ingredients wrapped in rice paper is served at room temperature. It’s
“meat light,” with the flavors of refreshing herbs erupting in your
mouth.
Dipped in a slightly sweet sauce laced with ground peanuts, it’s wholesome, easy and the very definition of “moreish.”
49. Great tan, better taste.
49. Lechon, Philippines
Young pigs, chosen for their tender meat, are rotated and roasted
thoroughly over a fire pit for hours. The result is a thin layer of
crispy skin on juicy, succulent meat. Every mouthful makes you wonder
why you eat anything else.
Great way to kick off this list.
Also on CNNGo: The making of Bali's incredible pig roast
46. Canada's best food.
48. Parma ham, Italy
Possibly the most versatile and best food of all. You see it folded around melon, wrapped around grissini, placed over pizza, heaped over salad.
There’s good reason for that: these salty, paper-thin slices of
air-dried ham lift the taste of everything they accompany to a higher
level, following the same theory as the Italian guy who thinks carrying
around a copy of “Candide” makes up for the tiny Speedos.
Also on CNNGo: 11 artery-clogging and delicious Vietnamese dishes
45. A flippin' great dish.
47. Fettucini alfredo, Italy
Saying no to fettucini alfredo is like turning down Monica Bellucci. It's just wrong.
The main ingredients are butter and Parmesan cheese; it's rich and
creamy and it can be made in 15 minutes (consumption time included). A
good serving of this can turn dinner with the family into something you
actually look forward to.
42. Yes I love you. Now gimme a bite.
46. Maple syrup, Canada
With poutine and Montreal-style smoked meat not
making the top 50, maple syrup becomes the sole Canadian representative
in the list. But before selling you on its natural flavor and balanced
sweetness, we must give credit to its mentor, the waffle, playing Batman
to maple syrup's edgier, sexier Robin.
40. See, healthy food can taste good.
45. Roti prata, Singapore
The truth is curry wouldn't be curry if it wasn't for this dough-based pancake.
Looks and tastes like Indian naan, roti prata is
flipped and turned and flipped again before it's heated over a grill
plate. Its preparation is so theatrical you'll feel like dancing a jig
while you're eating it.
44. Laksa, Singapore
Whether it originates in Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia as reader
Bob Haris Mandela claimed, an authentic bowl of laksa always comes with slippery vermicelli, a spicy broth (the spicier the better), generous toppings of shredded chicken and fresh prawns.
One whiff of its pungent curry-coconut aroma and you'll be transported to all three countries. Best way to travel ever.
Also on CNNGo: 40 delicious Singapore foods
39. Breakfast for one billion people.
43. Fajitas, Mexico
This assembly kit of a dining experience is a thrill to DIY enthusiasts everywhere.
Step 1: Behold the meat sizzling on a fiery griddle. Step 2: Along
with the meat, throw side servings of capsicum, onion, guacamole, sour
cream and salsa into a warm, flour tortilla. Step 3: Promise all within
hearing range that you’ll have “just one more.” Step 4: Repeat.
