18 Comfort Foods That People Are Eating Around The World

Try a recipe out today.

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During this time of uncertainty, people are turning to comfort foods more than ever for a tiny slice of dependable joy.

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To vary our own comfort food rotation of grilled cheese sandwiches and Taco Tuesdays, we thought we'd explore what else is out there. From frikandel (fried sausage) and omurice (omelet with rice) to puff-puff (deep-fried dough) and beans on toast, here are 18 comfort food recipes you can try tonight.

1. Czech Republic: Smažený Sýr (Fried Cheese)

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What is it: This comfort food is popular both at home and as a street food. You can easily make it by coating a thick slice of cheese with flour, followed by some beaten egg and bread crumbs.

Recipe: Smažený sýr (breaded fried cheese)

2. Taiwan: Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice)

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What is it: This dish of braised pork on a bed of simple white rice thrives on the fact that umami (provided by the braised pork) plus carbs is the perfect, soul-soothing combination. Add a sliced boiled egg for extra heartiness.

Recipe: Lu rou fan (braised pork rice)

3. UK: Beans on Toast

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What is it: Literally, it's beans on toast. If you're lucky enough to live close to a grocery store that stocks the right beans (tomatoey, baked, in a Heinz can), then all you have to do is warm up the contents and dump them onto two slices of buttered toast. But no one will shame you for goin' fancy (recipe below).

Recipe: Beans on toast

4. Russia: Blini (Pancakes)

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What is it: Petite pancakes usually made of wheat or buckwheat flour. Top 'em with jam, sour cream, or even some savory ingredients like chicken and mushrooms.

Recipe: Blini (pancakes)

5. Netherlands: Frikandel (Fried Sausage)

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What is it: This fried, skinless Dutch sausage is often served with mayonnaise or ketchup, or cut like a hot dog bun and stuffed with chopped onions.

Recipe: Frikandel (fried sausage)

6. Denmark: Biksemad (Hash)

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What is it: A simple hash that lets you use up all your leftovers, which hopefully include pork and potatoes, and then put into action the old slogan "Just put an egg on it!"

Recipe: Biksemad (hash)

7. Canada: Poutine

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What is it: The Canadians have discovered the best combination of french fries + a secondary food + a tertiary food, and it is french fries mixed with cheese curds and topped with gravy.

Recipe: Poutine

8. Nigeria: Puff-Puff (Deep-Fried Dough)

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What is it: A pillowy, chewy, deep-fried dough that'll smooth over any bad day (or quarantine). If you let the dough rest longer, the result will be even chewier.

Recipe: Puff-puff (deep-fried dough)

9. Iran: Tahdig (Scorched Rice)

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What is it: We know, rice is a near-perfect ingredient on its own. But sometimes it needs a bit of texture. That's where tahdig comes in: It's a rice dish often cooked with saffron and turmeric, and made crispy using a special steaming technique (which you can mimic using a kitchen towel).

Recipe: Tahdig (scorched rice)

10. Serbia: Prebranac (Baked Beans)

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What is it: A classic comfort food of the Balkans, this hearty baked-beans dish will make a convert out of anyone who's shunned the ingredient since their broke university days.

Recipe: Prebranac (baked beans)

11. Sri Lanka: Kottu Roti (Shredded Flatbread)

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What is it: It's impossible not to like roti (chewy, delicious flatbread). By which logic, it's pretty impossible not to be obsessed with this Sri Lankan dish, which combines chopped-up roti, vegetables, egg, and sometimes meat.

Recipe: Kottu roti (shredded flatbread)

12. Germany: Käsespätzle (Cheese Noodles)

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What is it: Many Americans might refer to this as "German mac 'n' cheese," but German natives might actually correct them by saying that käsespätzle is the original mac 'n' cheese. Whatever its origins, it lands deliciously in your mouth, preferably with some fried onion or sauerkraut.

Recipe: Käsespätzle (cheese noodles)

13. Kenya: Pilau (Rice Dish)

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What is it: Popular in most of East Africa, this spiced rice dish takes your basic home staple and masterfully infuses it with pantry ingredients like beef stock cubes, cinnamon, and onion.

Recipe: Pilau (rice dish)

14. Bulgaria: Kyufte (Meatballs)

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What is it: Like a breakfast sausage or savory burger, these Bulgarian meatballs hit the spot every time. They're made with fragrant chopped onions and often fried, so it's no wonder.

Recipe: Kyufte (meatballs)

15. US: Grilled Cheese

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What is it: A simple sandwich made with two pieces of bread and a layer of gooey cheese. There are tons of variations to play around with here, but melted cheese, your choice of butter or mayo, and crispy toasted bread that scrapes the roof of your mouth are not up for debate.

Recipe: Grilled cheese

16. Japan: Omurice (Omelet with Rice)

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What is it: This omelet, filled with tomato-flavored fried rice, is just as soothing to eat as it is to look at.

Recipe: Omurice (omelet with rice)

17. Brazil: Feijoada (Black Bean and Meat Stew)

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What is it: This savory, inky black dish is a comforting sight to Brazilians, who consider it their national dish. If you want a way to turn that routine rice-and-beans dinner into something mouthwatering, then this recipe is for you.

Recipe: Feijoada (black bean and meat stew)

18. Italy: Minestrone (Vegetable Soup)

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What is it: A rare hearty soup that you can have as a main course and not feel like you missed out on a whole meal. It's made with pasta and vegetables and ideally garnished with excessive amounts of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Recipe: Minestrone (vegetable soup)

Did we miss your favorite comfort food? Tell us what it is in the comments!

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