Heaven on a Bun: The Best Sandwiches Around the World

When visiting a new place, few things can help you learn more about a destination and its culture as much as the food. After all, food tells the story of a community, reflecting its history, values, and way of life in every bite and every carefully measured pinch of salt.

And, of all the culinary delights you can try on your travels, sandwiches in particular are an amazing way to get to know a new place. Inexpensive and convenient to eat both on the go and at a sit-down restaurant, sandwiches are a window into a destination, showcasing long-established traditions and introducing visitors to unexpected flavor combinations.

The following destinations top our list of the best spots where food-loving globetrotters can experience the tastiest and most popular sandwiches in the world.

Germany

Globetrotters heading to historic Germany have plenty of interesting dishes to try, including mouthwatering leberkäsesemmel and mettbrötchen sandwiches. A classic part of Bavarian cuisine, leberkäsesemmel is made from a loaf of ground beef, pork, and bacon known as leberkaese and served on a hard Kaiser roll. Usually topped with mustard and pickles, leberkäsesemmel can be found at most every Bavarian beer garden.

Mettbrötchen is a favorite dish in Northern Germany, most notably in the butcher shops and fast-food stalls of Berlin. Regarded as a delicacy by most German foodies, mettbrötchen is a raw pork sandwich served open-faced with salt, pepper, and raw onions. You heard that right: raw pork. However, the meat used in mettbrötchen is of the highest quality, sourced from reputable butchers who follow stringent safety standards. The pork is finely minced and prepared fresh, often on the same day, ensuring it is safe to eat. Additionally, the cold climate and quick consumption help maintain the pork’s freshness, further reducing any potential risks.

Puerto Rico

The island of Puerto Rico is home to some of the most fantastic flavors of the Caribbean, a fact born out in two of its most amazing creations, the tripleta and sandwich de mezcla. The tripleta is a medley of three types of grilled meat, usually roast pork, pan-seared steak, and ham, served on a pan saboa bun. Often so large that one sandwich can feed two people, tripletas are also loaded with vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce and topped with Puerto Rican mayo-kechu sauce.

The sandwich de mezcla is Puerto Rica’s perfect finger sandwich. Made with canned ham, a cheese spread, and roasted red peppers, the sandwich de mezcla is often served on plain white bread with the crust cutoff. Typically eaten as an appetizer, sandwiches de mezcla are standard party fare at most social gatherings.

Cuba

Here’s a testament to the traditions and culinary expertise of the Caribbean’s most populous nation: Cuba. A wonderful collection of flavors, authentic Cuban sandwiches are made with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles. Best served on a roll of soft, flaky Cuban bread, Cuban sandwiches are often pressed, which makes the bread crispy and brings out more of the sandwich’s incredible flavors. A lunchtime favorite, Cuban sandwiches are often eaten with a light salad.

Dominican Republic

Visitors to the Dominican Republic eager to check out the Caribbean nation’s exciting street food scene should try a delicious chimichurri burger, which are simply known as “chimis” at most vendors. At the heart of any authentic Dominican chimichurri is a patty of ground beef seasoned with spices like garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Chimichurri burgers are best served on a roll of pan de agua with cabbage, tomatoes, and onions. The sandwich is often rounded out with a wonderful pink sauce of mayonnaise and ketchup, which adds to its incredible medley of flavors.

France

Croque monsieur is France’s take on the simple joy of a ham and cheese sandwich. Delighting culinary enthusiasts since the early 20th century, croque monsieur is made with baked or boiled ham and Gruyère cheese mixed with béchamel. Served on a bun of sweet-tasting pain de mie, croque monsieur is sautéed with butter and either baked or grilled to give the sandwich a crispy texture. The croque monsieur can be found at most every restaurant and eatery in Paris, and you’ll often find it paired with French onion soup or a garden salad.

South Africa

With a name inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s larger-than-life millionaire party king, the Gatsby is South Africa’s most famous street food. Created in 1976 by a Cape Town shop owner, the Gatsby has a reputation for offering gourmands a hearty, filling meal and can be made with any variety of ingredients. Among the most common are bologna, French fries, and ketchup. Less common ingredients include calamari, steak, and sausages. Usually served on a hoagie-style French bread bun, Gatsbys are massive sandwiches and are often split into several pieces to feed multiple diners.

Vietnam

Reflecting the complicated history of Vietnam’s colonial past, banh mi is Vietnam’s signature dish and one of the most versatile sandwiches in the world. The name refers to the baguette roll that houses the sandwich rather than the ingredients on the inside. The use of the baguette itself is a direct result of French colonial influence in Vietnam, where the traditional European bread was adapted to local tastes and ingredients. The bread is the dish’s most important component and is celebrated by chefs and foodies alike for its crispy exterior and soft center. The interior of a banh mi can be filled with almost anything, with ingredients running the gamut from fresh vegetables like cucumbers and carrots to meats like barbecue pork.

Italy

Along with Michelangelo’s David and the Sistine Chapel, Italy is synonymous with great food, a fact that is given new life in Italian panini. Literally translated as “small bread,” panini took Italy by storm in the 1960s, when they were first introduced in Italian sandwich shops. As the name suggests, bread is a very important component of panini. The sandwich’s exterior bun often differs by region but is mostly made with high-quality bread like focaccia or ciabatta. The panini interior can be loaded with any variety of ingredients, including traditional Italian meats like prosciutto and mortadella, as well as vegetables and cheese.

Australia

Although more or less unknown outside of the Land Down Under, Vegemite sandwiches are as Australian as koalas, kangaroos, and Crocodile Dundee. A spread made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract and a lot of different vegetables and spices, Vegemite is often served on toast for breakfast but is more popularly known as a sandwich topper. Commonly seen as an Australian version of peanut butter and jelly, Vegemite sandwiches are a favorite item in the lunchboxes of school children. Regarded as more of an acquired taste, Vegemite sandwiches boast a thick, gluey texture and a salty flavor.

Katsu Sando, Japan

Those visiting the Land of the Rising Sun will not want to miss the katsu sando, Japan’s most popular sandwich, which exudes influence from Asian and Western culinary traditions. Composed of crispy pork cutlets served on sweet and fluffy Japanese milk bread, katsu sando is loaded with thin-sliced green cabbage and lathered with sweet and savory tonkatsu sauce. A popular food to eat on the go, katsu sando can be enjoyed at most any fast-food stall or convenience store in Japan and is best paired with a glass of cold beer.

Turkey

Doner kebab is Turkey’s signature street food and an exciting assortment of flavors that reflect the storied culture of the its people. The main ingredient of doner kebab is grilled lamb or beef shredded from a vertical skewer and seasoned with fresh herbs and spices. Doner kebab is usually served on a pita or flatbread with a variety of different vegetables, including lettuce, tomato, and cabbage. Most vendors serving doner kebab individualize their sandwiches with their own special sauces, which range from savory and sweet to spicy chili concoctions.

Spain

Visitors to Spain can delight in a tasty bocadillo de calamares, a traditional treat most associated with the city of Madrid. Particularly popular as a bar snack, bocadillo de calamares is a fried calamari sandwich served on a crusty roll of barra de pan. The sandwich’s crunchy calamari rings are often augmented with a splash of Spanish alioli (from the Catalan ali and oli, or garlic and oil) or a touch of fresh lemon juice to create a really special food you need to try when visiting Spain’s capital. A favorite meal for any time of the day, bocadillo de calamares is best served with a caña — a small cold glass draft beer.

You Might Also Enjoy: ¡Buen Provecho! Unusual Foods You Need to Try When Visiting Spain

India

Foodies visiting India will want to try vada pav, a street food that first gained prominence in the 1970s in Mumbai. Friendly to vegetarian travelers, vada pav is made with mashed potato dumplings deep-fried in chickpea batter and served on a white bread bun. Known for its savory, spicy taste, vada pav is typically enjoyed with chutney and a green pepper. Although it was mostly associated with India’s working class, vada pav is now one of India’s most famous culinary treats and can be found at establishments ranging from fast-food stands to high-end restaurants.

FAQs:

Q: Are there vegetarian or vegan alternatives for these sandwiches?
A: Many destinations offer vegetarian or vegan versions of their signature sandwiches. In India, vada pav is already vegetarian. In other places, you might find options like tofu or vegetable-based fillings.

Q: Can I find gluten-free options for these sandwiches?
A: Some destinations provide gluten-free alternatives, like gluten-free bread for paninis in Italy or rice paper wraps in Vietnam for banh mi. Always ask local vendors or check restaurant menus for specific options.

Q: How much should I budget for trying these sandwiches?
A: Prices vary by location. Street food sandwiches, like vada pav in India or chimichurri in the Dominican Republic, can cost $1 to $5, while sit-down options, like croque monsieur in France, may cost $10to $15 or more.

Q: Are these sandwiches typically available all day, or only at certain times?
A: Most sandwiches are available throughout the day, especially from street vendors. However, some, like the Cuban sandwich or banh mi, are most popular around lunch hours. Check local dining hours for specific availability.

Q: Do I need to speak the local language to order these sandwiches?
A: Not necessarily. In tourist-heavy areas, English is often understood. Learning a few local phrases, like “I would like” or “thank you,” can enhance your experience and show respect for the local culture.

Have you discovered any other traditional sandwich on your travels around the world? Let us know in our comments section below!