Culinary Tourism

Best snacks you have to try around the world

snacks1

I have an obsession with grocery stores.

I enjoy peering into people’s carts to try to guess what they’re making while marveling at the mountains of vegetables and strolling through the icy freezer aisle. Where else can you see such a large amount of food at once?

I’ll find a reason to stroll the aisles even if my fridge is already full. The international aisle is the best since it has everything unfamiliar, from mango chutney to seaweed crackers. This section also contains all of the wonderful snacks, which, while not necessarily healthier than American junk food, give the impression that they are. Some are obviously an acquired taste (durian candy, anyone?) while others are worth adding to your shopping basket. Here are five of my all-time favorite munchies from throughout the world:

Bamba (Israel)

Bamba is what you’d get if cheese puffs and peanut butter had a love child. (They are exactly as amazing as they sound.) Peanut butter dust coats these popped corn puffs, making them extremely addicting. They’re slightly sweet but also salty, and they’re ideal for when you get home late or a little tipsy.

bamba

Happy Hippo (Italy)

This adorable wafer hippo is filled with chocolate cream, dipped in meringue icing, then sprinkled on top. It will fulfill your sugar craving and make you feel like a five-year-old.

happy hippo

Hello Panda (Japan)

Panda biscuits, unlike other cute meals, look better than they taste. These lovely cookies are filled with luscious chocolate and imprinted with pandas (more chocolate than your average cookie, which is always a bonus). They’re also small, which means you can eat a lot of them in one sitting, which I think is a good thing.

hello panda japan

Plantain Chips (Mexico)

Chips are the best junk food there is. Plantain chips are slightly sweet, salty, and very crunchy, unlike tortilla and potato chips. They’re ideal for guacamole and salsa, as you might expect.

plantain chips mexico

Bombay Mix (India)

It’s crunchy, spicy, salty, and sweet, and it’s made to fill you up. What could be better in a snack? Nuts, spices, dry lentils, puffed rice, and even raisins can be used in a variety of ways. Drink a cool beer while eating it.

bombay mix india

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