tbtastebridgeeat well, anywhere

Field guide · 18 countries

What the world
actually orders.

One signature dish, one bakery staple, one coffee and one everyday drink from the countries travellers ask about most. Use it as a starting menu, then open any country in the finder for dishes, prices and dietary tags.

01 Signature dish 02 Bakery 03 Coffee 04 Other drink

01 / The short list

Menus worth planning a trip around.

Each card shows the first thing to try in four categories. Spice level, rice, halal awareness, vegetarian, noodles, seafood and budget filters live in the finder, so nothing here is the only option.

01East Asia

Japan

  • Signature dishShoyu ramenSoy-based noodle soup with pork, egg and spring onion.
  • BakeryMelon panSweet bun with a cookie crust scored like a melon.
  • CoffeeKissaten blendSlow-dripped dark roast from a traditional coffee shop.
  • Other drinkMatchaWhisked green tea, bitter and unsweetened.
Open Japan in the finder
02Southern Europe

Italy

  • Signature dishCarbonaraRoman pasta with egg, pecorino, guanciale and pepper.
  • BakeryFocacciaOlive-oil flatbread with rosemary and coarse salt, sold by weight.
  • CoffeeEspressoA single short shot, drunk standing at the bar.
  • Other drinkAranciataOrange soda, served cold with lunch.
Open Italy in the finder
03Southeast Asia

Thailand

  • Signature dishPad thaiStir-fried rice noodles with tamarind, egg and peanuts.
  • BakeryRotiSweet or savoury flatbread, cooked on a hot plate with egg or banana.
  • CoffeeOliangThai iced black coffee with condensed milk, served strong.
  • Other drinkCha yenThai iced tea with condensed milk, orange and sweet.
Open Thailand in the finder
04Western Europe

France

  • Signature dishBœuf bourguignonBeef braised in red wine with mushrooms and onions.
  • BakeryBaguetteLong crusty loaf with an open crumb, baked twice a day.
  • CoffeeEspressoShort coffee, taken standing at the bar.
  • Other drinkCitron presséFresh lemon juice served with a jug of water and sugar.
Open France in the finder
05North America

Mexico

  • Signature dishTacos al pastorMarinated pork with pineapple, onion and coriander.
  • BakeryConchaSweet bun with a crusty shell pattern on top.
  • CoffeeCafé de ollaCoffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo in a clay pot.
  • Other drinkAgua frescaFruit blended with water and sugar, sold everywhere.
Open Mexico in the finder
06South Asia

India

  • Signature dishMasala dosaCrisp fermented crepe with spiced potato and chutney.
  • BakeryNaanSoft leavened flatbread stretched and baked against the tandoor wall.
  • CoffeeFilter coffeeStrong decoction with frothed milk, served in a tumbler.
  • Other drinkMasala chaiBlack tea boiled with milk, sugar and cardamom.
Open India in the finder
07East Asia

China

  • Signature dishJiaoziBoiled dumplings with pork, chive or vegetable filling.
  • BakeryBaoziSteamed bun filled with pork, vegetables or sweet bean paste.
  • CoffeeEspressoItalian-style coffee in city cafes.
  • Other drinkJasmine teaScented green tea served with meals.
Open China in the finder
08East Asia

South Korea

  • Signature dishKimchi jjigaeKimchi stew with pork or tofu, served bubbling.
  • BakeryHotteokSweet pancake filled with brown sugar and nuts, sold in winter.
  • CoffeeAmericanoIced long black, drunk in enormous quantities.
  • Other drinkBarley teaRoasted barley infusion, served cold with meals.
Open South Korea in the finder
09Southeast Asia

Vietnam

  • Signature dishPhở bòBeef noodle soup with star anise broth and herbs.
  • BakeryBanh tieuHollow fried sesame bread, eaten plain or with condensed milk.
  • CoffeeCà phê sữa đáStrong drip coffee with condensed milk, served over ice.
  • Other drinkTrà đáIced green tea, served free at many street stalls.
Open Vietnam in the finder
10Southern Europe

Spain

  • Signature dishPaella valencianaRice cooked with rabbit, chicken and beans over fire.
  • BakeryChurrosFried dough sticks dusted with sugar, dipped in thick chocolate.
  • CoffeeCafé soloA single espresso, the standard order at any bar.
  • Other drinkHorchataChilled tiger-nut drink from Valencia, lightly sweet.
Open Spain in the finder
11West Asia

Türkiye

  • Signature dishDöner kebabMeat shaved from a rotating spit, served in bread or on a plate.
  • BakerySimitSesame bread ring, the morning street snack with tea.
  • CoffeeTürk kahvesiFinely ground coffee cooked in a cezve, served with lokum.
  • Other drinkAyranSalted yoghurt drink, served with almost everything.
Open Türkiye in the finder
12Southern Europe

Greece

  • Signature dishGyrosPork or chicken shaved from a spit, wrapped with tzatziki.
  • BakeryKoulouriSesame bread ring, the standard morning street snack.
  • CoffeeGreek coffeeFinely ground coffee boiled in a briki, served with foam.
  • Other drinkVisinadaSour-cherry syrup drink, served cold or with soda.
Open Greece in the finder
13North Africa

Morocco

  • Signature dishChicken tagine with lemonSlow-cooked chicken with preserved lemon and olives.
  • BakeryKhobzRound everyday bread baked in a communal oven.
  • CoffeeNous nousHalf espresso, half milk, the standard cafe order.
  • Other drinkMint teaGreen tea with fresh mint, poured from a height.
Open Morocco in the finder
14North America

United States

  • Signature dishSmash burgerThin beef patty seared on a griddle, with cheese and pickles.
  • BakeryBagelDense boiled and baked ring bread, usually with cream cheese.
  • CoffeeDrip coffeeFilter coffee, refilled freely in diners.
  • Other drinkRoot beerSweet sarsaparilla-flavoured soda, served cold.
Open United States in the finder
15Southeast Asia

Indonesia

  • Signature dishRawonEast Javanese beef soup darkened with keluak nuts.
  • BakeryRoti bakarGrilled white bread with butter, sugar or chocolate filling.
  • CoffeeKopi tubrukUnfiltered coffee brewed with ground beans and hot water.
  • Other drinkEs teh manisSweet iced tea, the default drink with any meal.
Open Indonesia in the finder
16Southern Europe

Portugal

  • Signature dishBacalhau à BrásShredded salt cod with potato, egg and olives.
  • BakeryPao de aguaSmall soft roll with a thin crust, served with soup.
  • CoffeeBicaSmall strong espresso, the Lisbon order.
  • Other drinkSumo de laranjaFresh orange juice, squeezed to order.
Open Portugal in the finder
17South America

Brazil

  • Signature dishFeijoadaBlack bean and pork stew served with rice, farofa and orange.
  • BakeryPao francesSmall crusty roll, the default bread for breakfast.
  • CoffeeCafezinhoSmall strong coffee served free after meals.
  • Other drinkAcaiThick acai pulp served with banana and granola.
Open Brazil in the finder
18West Asia

Lebanon

  • Signature dishHummusChickpea and tahini dip with olive oil and pita.
  • BakeryManakishFlatbread topped with thyme and sesame or cheese, baked to order.
  • CoffeeArabic coffeeCardamom coffee served in a small cup.
  • Other drinkJallabGrape and rose-water syrup drink with pine nuts.
Open Lebanon in the finder

02 / How to read a card

Four entry points into a menu.

Every country card follows the same order, so you can compare eating habits across borders instead of scrolling through a wall of text.

  • Signature dish — the plate locals ask whether you have tried yet, usually eaten at lunch or dinner.
  • Bakery — the morning bread, pastry or filled bun sold near offices and bus stops.
  • Coffee — the default order in a local cafe, from a standing espresso to a slow filter brew.
  • Other drink — tea, juice, yoghurt drinks or soda that arrive with a normal meal.
Spices piled in a market bazaar