Food is an integral part of travel. Whether you're slurping up a bowl of ramen noodles in Japan or nibbling on fine French cheese and baguette, sampling the local cuisine offers a way to truly understand the local culture.
Hotels.com surveyed about 27,000 travelers from all over the globe in the month of June to find the best destinations for food. The results confirm what many global travelers already know: Italy is the world's best destination for food.
According to the survey, Italy reigns as the number one foodie destination, with 32% of the respondents voting for Italian pizzas, pastas, gelato and more. France came in second with 24% of the votes, followed by Japan with 18% of the votes.
We've found the foods that most define the cuisine of each of the top 10 countries in the Hotels.com survey. Be warned: you may want to book your next trip after you've read this slideshow.
#10 India
Within India, the food varies tremendously based on the region you're in: the south of India is known for its incredibly spicy and predominantly vegetarian dishes while the north uses lots of potato and meats (goat, chicken and lamb but no beef) with more mild curries.
There are wonderful breads like naan, dosa, and chapati to accompany every meal. Wash it all down with a lassi (a yogurt-based beverage) to cool off the intense heat.
While it's hard to choose one dish that represents India, samosas are often found around the country. A samosa is a fried pastry that's usually filled with potatoes, onions, peas, lentils and spices.
Food: Samosas
Where to find it: This dish is found all over the country, but it varies in size and filling based on the region you're in.
#9 Taiwan
Taiwanese food is somewhat similar to that found in the mid and southern provinces of mainland China, but it also has some influences from Japanese cuisine. The cuisine uses lots of seafood and fresh tropical fruit—ingredients that are readily found on this small, tropical island just off the coast of mainland China. Yet the country still employs lots of meat in its dishes, and one of the most popular dishes in Taiwan is beef noodle soup.
Food: Beef noodle soup
Where to find it: You can find beef noodle soup all over the island, but one of the best places to slurp up a bowl is in Taipei, at the noodle shops and stalls in the Shilin Night Market.
#8 Thailand
Thai cuisine has very unique, aromatic and strong flavors, probably based on the spices and condiments used in making these dishes, like lemongrass, peanuts, fish paste and spicy chili peppers. There are lots of curries, spicy soups, noodle dishes, fragrant fruits and fresh crisp vegetables.
Food: Curry (massaman curry, red curry, green curry and more)
Where to find it: All over the country.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider