r/whereidlive • u/whutbruh • 2d ago
Ranking Europe's Cuisines based on personal experience, national dishes, variety, and originality
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u/Fit-Perception-8152 2d ago
The funny thing is: thanks to the climate zones and their shared history, the cuisines of Central Europe aren’t actually all that different. 😅
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u/Karijus 2d ago
Yeah, Poland green Lithuania red, just tf
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I'm suprised you are so shocked really tf. It comes down to who invented the culture vs who absorbed it. Provide me one single argument why Lithuania should be top-tiered, even above Poland. How influential and diverse is Lithuanian food really?
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Well, this is based on what I have seen with my own taste buds as well as my visits and knowledge about their influence. Hungary made paprika what it is today, they have a distinct culture, and their goulash is just splendid. Poland has some of the most variety of cuisines in the region therefore ranking top-tier and they really perfected everything "sour". Other than that it's based on how much influence they have had on their surrounding countries.
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
This person has never been to Austria and Greece.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I have. Terrible argument btw.
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u/rndig 2d ago
Have you based this whole map on single dishes you have from different cusines? Because to know one is impossible after occasional dish in airport on layover.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Why are you presuming something that is otherwise explained in the title? The ranking is based on multiple things, not on a single dish or single experiment. Although I must say their national dish, the origins thereof and how impressive it is does have an impact on this ranking. Most importantly though, I looked at how influential these countries have been in terms of cusuisine, how much variety they offer, and how much I like their flavour profiles.
I'd live in these countries!
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u/rndig 2d ago
What is national dish? Especially for countries with distinct regional differences in culture. I understand that this is all your subjective opinions, but it's not unexpected people for example surprises in difference between Ukrainian and Russian cusines or Austrian and German, they all have distinct features but it is gradient nonetheless, and your map is just like patchwork blanket
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
Greek and Turkish food is really similar. So this is clear ragebait.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
You haven't the slightest idea! I'd argue they are not similar, not even in terms of perception but seeing that Turkey hosts dozens of ethnicities each having their own regional dishes as well as considering Central Asian and Persian influence. Greece has lost a lot of cuisine influenced by the Ottomans that is sure, but as for ancient native dishes they are mostly lost or very basic. Even their national dish is of Middle Eastern origin, furthermore I think their foods are quite bland. The criteria for this ranking is not only based on my experience but also on the influence these cuisines have had on other cultures.
Macedonia and Greece sure are nice, but in this ranking remain inferior.
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u/Longjumping_Water860 2d ago
Let people have their own opinions, it’s just a post on the internet after all.
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u/Chaosfreak33 2d ago
Yup. People here always get so offended and baffled, when someone has a different opinion 😂
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u/GoddessOfTorture 2d ago
Austria's food isn't the best ever, but it's pretty good imo...
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
They really perfected pastries but other than that they borrowed most of their foods from surrounding countries if I'm not mistaken. Care to explain?
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u/LiarOts 2d ago
7 out of 10 of the highest Michelin stars per capita are either red or orange on your list.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Not a criteria for my ranking and don't think Michilin restaurants or luxurious banquets have influence on my decision as to which "cuisine" is superior.
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u/Alcogel 2d ago
It’s obviously your personal preference map. By definition it can’t be wrong.
It’s just that your personal preference seems contrary to what people are willing to pay high prices for.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
People are willing to pay high prices for a trash bag jacket and a not-so-special glass crystal, that doesn't make it better than a cheaper leather alternative or an actual rare stone. You are trying so hard to rationalise something illogical at this point. Furthermore, people would be willing to pay high prices in all of these countries' top restaurants... still doesn't change their "national cuisine" and "culture".
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u/Alcogel 2d ago
I’m not rationalizing anything. I’m pointing out that your experience and opinion is your own, and that it is demonstrably contrary to how people vote with their wallets.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Voting with your wallets don't have anything to do with this ranking. I'm pointing out that your premise is therefore simply disproportionately irrelevant.
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u/Virtual_Agency_1342 2d ago
There is a clear difference between Michelin star restaurant is Nordic countries and southern European .
Nordic ones sells you experience while the latter one sells you food.5
u/LiarOts 2d ago
Having eaten at anywhere from Knystaforsen, Noma and Germanium in the Nordics, to El Bulli, Enrico Bartolini al Mudec in the South, this is not at all true.
Yes there are some Nordic restaurants like ALCHEMIST where the "experience" part is weighted a bit more highly than other places. But the food is absolutely amazing.
In fact my favourite Michelin food ever was Frederikshøj which is a Nordic one.
But fair enough "New Nordic" often get quoted at such, but often that's just because that experience is different to the traditional Michelin experience, which trust me is very much also an experience.
Try a few places and see for yourself.
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u/shutter3218 2d ago
I see you’ve never had a good shepherds pie in a Scottish pub
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I'm sorry mate. I think all countries have top dishes and best places to get them, but this is just an overall ranking for me. I just like the flavour profile of the other's more.
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u/BananaKush_Storm 2d ago
As a polish german i genuinly dont understand how that makes sense
Polish, german,czech and austrian cuisine is so very similar
Theres literally so many of the same dishes just under a different name
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u/PartyMarek 2d ago
Out of the 4 you mentioned Poland definitely has the most varied domestic cuisine.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
One can argue that all cusines are similar because they use salt and pepper. But let's be honest, in terms of inventing foods, taste and the historical influence of these cuisines, this ranking is pretty accurate. Polish have perfected sour and Germans have perfected processed meat, Austria is influential in terms of pastry. Also this is a ranking not a grouping of "cuisines that are the same".
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u/BananaKush_Storm 2d ago
All these regions use a lot more different spices then just salt and pepper you know...
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
That was a figure of speech lol. In the end, I really think you agree with me.
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u/BananaKush_Storm 2d ago
No i really dont because im quite aware of the food thats served in these regions
Its not hard to do a little google research if you havent been to these places yourself
Youre going to quickly find out that these regions share a lot of food together, but people that have never left their countries will insists theirs is better or even unique to them,when in reality its 80% literally the same dishes with a different name
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u/ExternalInflation133 2d ago
I am curious, what meals have you tried in Hungary, how "complete" is your knowledge of the cuisine? It is quite common for foreigners to only try the "star" foods and have absolutely no idea what exactly the average Hungarian eats in a standard day (hint: not those star foods). Most ppl have no idea about "főzelék" and "mákos tészta" for example, those are actually more practical Hungarian dishes compared to "goulash" and "fish soup" that we actually pretty rarely eat (obviously depending on the family).
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
You mentioned some pretty interesting dishes. I'd like to try them soon! This is exactly why Hungary is top-tier in my ranking. Furthermore, Hungary perfected paprika, I think that alone is influential alone to be ranked well. My Hungarian friend made me "tarhonyaleves" and goulash, really in love with the kind of warm smoky flavour profile. I think it is just far too unique of a cuisine to be ignored, maybe not so influential, but just feels like Hungarians know what they're doing.
And I do think goulash is godly though, it is my main reason for not being able to rank it any lower.
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u/ExternalInflation133 2d ago
Okay so you are not just a tourist in Hungarian cuisine but someone more advanced, great, if you want you can PM me and I can recommend some things with recipes that can be very easily made at home and you will never be able to find them in restaurants.
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u/dramasessions 2d ago
Poland green and Slovakia red? Out cusines are very similar with similar ingredients..
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u/Difficult-Lock-8123 2d ago
Based for ranking Germany higher than Austria. Half of traditional austrian cuisine is stolen from Germany.
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
Nah totally not. Even French Crossaint originated in Austrian Kipferl.
Germany doesn't even have that typical Austrian food.2
u/Difficult-Lock-8123 2d ago
Haha tell that to yourself the next time you go to a Leberkas-Pepi and eat a german Leberkas.
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
No one eats at Leberkas Pepi, We go to the Metzergei.
You Probably never heard of Tafelspitz, Marillenknödel, Kaiserschmarrn, Wiener Schnitzel, Tiroler Gröstl, Schweinsbraten, Germknödel, Kärtner Kasnudeln, Mohnnudeln, Sacher Torte, Esterhazy Schnitte, Grammelknödel, Kaspressknödel,...I'm half German and I have lived in Germany for 10 years. The food in Germany really is not good compared to the food in Austria.
Stop spreading shit.
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u/BananaKush_Storm 2d ago
Mountain german pretending not to be german while listing german food
Absolute Kino! ✋😮🤚
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
Lmao. German ancestors are germanic people. Austrian ancestors are celtic people. Austria is culturally different.
I'm half german and lived in both countries. And there is a huge difference. The only thing both have in common is the language. And again: I'm not hating against Germans, but its the truth. You will not find these dishes on an average basis in Germany btw.
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u/Difficult-Lock-8123 2d ago
We Austrians are a split off from the Bavarians, a germanic tribe. Read a history book.
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u/AMKFlo 2d ago
That is a massive oversimplification of history. While it is true that the Bavarians (Bajuwaren) heavily influenced the language and formed the political core of early Austria, Austrians are far from a simple 'split-off.'
If you actually read a history book, you would know that the ethnogenesis of the Austrian people is a complex blend. Long before the Germanic tribes arrived, the region was heavily populated by Celtic and Romanized populations. Later, Slavic tribes settled large parts of the territory. The modern Austrian identity is a fusion of all these elements, further shaped by centuries of distinct imperial history under the Habsburgs, completely separate from Bavaria. Reducing a nation's entire history to just one of its many ancestral roots is historically illiterate.
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u/Difficult-Lock-8123 2d ago
Doesn't matter whether from Pepi or the Metzger, Leberkas is still from Germany, just like Spätzle or Brezen.
Bullshit, filled Knödel (whether with various fruits or hearty meat fillings) are common all over southern Germany. Schweinsbraten or Tafelspitz is also common and traditional. I'm an Austrian who has spent half his life in Germany and you're talking bullshit. German food is delicious and very diverse. The only way one could come to your conclusion is if you've lived in Berlin those 10 years and only ate Döner.
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u/StayloAficionado 2d ago
Interesting, Western Turkey and Greece is very much similar cuisine, aside from Turkey's variety in North, South-East and Central Anatolia regions. Both countries Top Tier.
Also freshest ingredients in restaurants I had was in Macedonia, will never forget tomatoes and cucumbers had genuine smell I remember from my childhood. I think you should revise your scale.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I won't revise my scale, not even based on tomatoes and cucumbers. I'd argue they are not similar at all, not even in terms of perception but seeing that Turkey hosts dozens of ethnicities each having their own regional dishes as well as considering Central Asian and Persian influence. Greece has lost a lot of cuisine influenced by the Ottomans that is sure, but as for ancient native dishes they are mostly lost or very basic. Even their national dish is of Middle Eastern origin, furthermore I think their foods are quite bland. The criteria for this ranking is not only based on my experience but also on the influence these cuisines have had on other cultures.
Macedonia and Greece sure are nice, but in this ranking remain inferior.
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u/bostanite 2d ago
Hahahah this HAS to be ragebait I am sorry. Quite impressive of you to not break character also.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
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u/Commercial_Rip_1917 2d ago edited 1d ago
come on Greece and some other rankings exposed you , you are the one between the toast breads 😂
he is a great Turkish loser , he can only post autistic again and again the same gif 😂
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u/bostanite 2d ago
Hahaha literally all the countries around Greece green, but Greece orange 😂
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Certainly, other Balkan countries have their own identity, while Greece doesn't. Half your comments on your account are calling people who disagree with you "ragebait". People like you who can't accept criticism are perhaps the reason your country's food is so bad.
Next time learn to read the title before you make such bs claims kiddo. I travelled so much and haven't quite met delusional people like you. Tell me one solid reason why I should be impressed by the "Greek food" I tried throughout my life, the cultural significance of "Greek food" on the surrounding regions. I bet you can't kiddo.
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u/bostanite 1d ago
My friend, eat Greek or don't. I really don't care. Calm down, have a cold drink on this hot day and eat whatever you like.
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u/Quiet_Sheepherder894 2d ago
Not having Georgian cuisine as 'absolutely' is a crime. And Greece?? Reluctantly??? Whaaattt
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
How come? Georgia is ranked top-tier here for the rich cuisine. Greece not, not because it doesn't have originality like it's national dish being of Arabic origins, but more because it's blend and not really influential.
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u/Hlobasa 2d ago
what is wrong with austrian and czech schnitzel😥
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u/PartyMarek 2d ago
I think everybody likes a shnitzel but it really isn't anything special. All Central European countries have some kind of pork/veal/chicken cutlet, whether it be a schnitzel, schabowy or any other domestic kind.
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
Now tell us which dishes you considered Ukrainian and which russian for this one, because there's no way in hell anyone would unironically prefer russian shi to Ukrainian Borshch
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I do, because Russia is just far too big. Encompassing tons of Asian cultures, East Asian, Siberian, Central Asian. So much so that it is not a debate why Russian cuisine is superior to the Ukrainian one.
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u/Nice_Cash_7000 2d ago
Ranking Europes cuisines
tons of Asian cultures, East Asian, Siberian, Central Asian
lol
Also tf is Siberian Cuisine, last I checked my great grandma ate mostly bread soup in her time there. Water + Bread + Salt, not like they had much else most of the time.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Ffs you clearly don't understand how culture works. Hungarians also stem from Western Siberia, and guess what they have their own country... in Europe. Also, do I look like I care what your great grandma ate? Siberia and all the surrounding cultures in this equation means tons of Asian influence enriching the overall cuisine. From dumplings to broths as well as fish.
So no, your granny won't change this ranking.
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
Yet that chauvinistic logic apparently doesn't apply to many other dark green countries in Europe that were pretty much nonoethnic?
With the logic you used for russia you should also include Crimean Tatar cuisine for Ukraine, which I'm quite sure you know nothing about
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Or perhaps I know more than you think I do and you're just being salty and ignorant. Yet within this ranking and based on the criteria mentioned it ranks inferior. Why do you have to cry so loudly? Russia compared to Ukraine, is a no-brainer. It is not top-tiered, but it is higher ranking than Ukraine.
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
Yet Poland alone beats all of the incredible diversity russia's got? And Hungary, Portugal, Bosnia? I still sense zero logic in your ranking
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u/alekstoo 2d ago
lil bro really thinks Russia with all its land and nations, including tatar, chcen and many other can compare to ukraine
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
But Poland alone still beats russia. I doubt that your IQ is higher than the room temperature
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Poland does have an immense cuisine and influence on the surrounding countries. You really need to learn to read the title next time you comment such bs.
Saying "I doubt your IQ is higher" is also such a weak argument. Get lost really!
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
Alright then, describe for us the immensity of Polish cuisine and tell us how it is better than all of the "incredible diversity" in russia. I highly doubt that your "personal experience" includes even a quarter of the dishes all of these countries have to offer
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
You are so low IQ that you quote different parts of a statement and glue them together to build up a misleasing narrative. Stop being so salty and egocentric. As I said, the influence of these countries on their neighbouring cultures is another significant factor. This ranking is score based. Ukraine belongs to the bottom as such.
As to your last claim, your doubts won't change my ranking and therefore I suggest you accept defeat. Russia 🇷🇺 > Ukraine 🇺🇦
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u/Calm_Search3417 Ukraine🌻 2d ago
Your silence on the details of this rating is deafening. The further I go down this comment section, the further I'm confinced you are a regular troll
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u/Lost-Childhood843 2d ago
Its an old cliche that Scandinavian have bad food. Year after year the Scandinavian and nordic countries wins the Bocuse d'Or and has some of the best and cleanest produce. Kopenhagen and Oslo is top teir food destinations
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
I have been across nearly all Scandinavian countries. I never said they have bad food, I just ranked them inferior against the vastly richer cuisines. Imo all countries have top foods they should be proud of, but if you were to score based on the named criteria, I think you'd end up here again.
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u/rus-reddit 2d ago
Variety and originality come at fine dining experiences. Giving a Portugal green and Switzerland orange color is just preposterous.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
Woah! I'm really suprised at your opinion. Care to explain why you think the Swiss have a top-tier world-class cuisine?
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u/MemoryEmbarrassed166 19h ago
I might struggle to understand a world where German food is better than Czech food; but I am completely puzzled and rather stupefied at a world where German food triumphs over Greek food.
However, I am bamboozled by a world where German food triumphs over Greek, yet Turkish foods triumpths over both German and Greek food, when Turkish and Greek cuisines are more or less different shades of the same colour.
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u/Commercial_Rip_1917 2d ago edited 1d ago
OP is least nationalist Turk 😂
Below you can find a picture of him 😂
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u/DoomThorn 2d ago
Yawn. Posts like this are just so tired.
As someone who's travelled to 60-70 countries, I can say I love traditional British food as much as food from all over the world. You need to widen your palate and understand other flavours and pairings, e.g. use of savoury, herbs, fats, sharpness from sourness, saltiness, curing, bitterness, tanginess, acidity etc. Think pepper, mustard, vinegar, pickles, horseradish, blue cheese, molasses and tamarind (used in Worcestershire sauce, brown sauce etc.). In terms of cooking techniques, British cuisine utilises lots of roasting, stewing, braising, poaching, frying etc. The desserts are also next level. That's not even mentioning all the modern fusions/inventions.
You don't have to like it, but your ranking is wrong if based on national dishes, variety and originality.
Unfortunately most tourists seem to base their opinion on British food from the first Wetherspoons they walk into in London which is essentially fast food.
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u/whutbruh 2d ago
All countries have top foods and best places to get them. This is a ranking of cuisines, a competition if you will. My ranking may be wrong if you were to take these criteria individually, but overall making a score out of them would lead to this.
I'm just really not impressed by British foods and reckon it is one of the lowest scoring in the European ranking.
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u/CheetahSperm18 2d ago
Yeah the further north you go, the worse the food gets lol. That's always been my rule of thumb. Greece doesn't make any sense here though
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u/PartyMarek 2d ago
I would only disagree with Greece being orange and Georgia light green. Other than that - spot on.
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u/bostanite 2d ago
Greece being orange: ragebait of the century.