Although dessert is supposed to be an occasional meal, it’s arguably the most important meal of the day. Anyone with a sweet tooth knows the classic desserts like cookies, brownies and ice cream sundaes. However, there are hundreds of desserts around the world just waiting for you to devour them.
French macarons, rolled ice cream and green tea cake? Yes, please! From traditional to trendy, you’ll want to get on the next international flight to try these sweet treats. If you love Insta-worthy food porn, then you need to try these 20 international desserts from around the world.
1. Creme Brulee (France)
Creme brulee is a classic French dessert consisting of rich custard base topped with a layer of hard caramel. This traditional dessert’s contrasting consistency makes for a delicious dessert.
2. Gelato (Italy)
Gelato is essentially Italian ice cream. What sets gelato apart from your everyday ice cream is that is has less air and more flavor, making it more dense and rich (aka more delicious).
3. Tres Leches (Mexico)
Tres leches is a light, airy sponge cake soaked with a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. You can find authentic tres leches in Mexico.
4. Rolled Ice Cream (Thailand)
Rolled ice cream is one of the latest dessert trends to hit the US and can be found on lots of foodie Instagrams, but this dessert originated in Thailand. This Asian dessert is exactly what is sounds like: small rolls of ice cream packed into a cup, with your choice of toppings. Not only is it delicious, it’s also visually appealing. If anything, do it for the ‘gram.
5. Dulce de Leche (Cuba)
Dulche de leche is a caramel spread that originated in Argentina and Latin American countries. This sweet spread is used for toffee, cookies, cakes and more. Try literally anything dulce de leche flavored and you will not be disappointed.
6. 20k Nutella Shake (Australia)
Yes, you read that correctly. You can get this 20k Gold Nutella and Kinder shake only at 50sixone in Australia. This insane dessert is probably worth however many miles it takes to get to this dessert bar.
7. I-Scream Shakewich (Germany)
Milkshake enthusiasts, after you get back from Australia, you’ll need to book your next trip to Frankfurt, Germany where they make this insane milkshake that has an entire burger on top of it.
8. Black Pearl (Maui)
At Mama’s Fish House in Hawaii, their Black Pearl dessert is described as a Liliko’i chocolate mousse in a pastry shell. Liliko’i is passion fruit with a tart, yet sweet flavor. The pearl itself is a decadent mousse in a wafer clamshell. The presentation is a masterpiece itself that you may not even want to ruin by eating.
9. Macarons (France)
French macarons may seem so 2012, but they are a quintessential French dessert. The trend came and went, but in case you missed it, they are delicious cookies made with almond meal and egg whites, sandwiched with ganache or a cream-based filling.
10. Waffles at Wafflemeister (London)
UK-based joint, Wafflemeister claims to have the best waffles in the world and based on the photos, they may be right. These are not your typical waffles, rather waffles with everything you love artfully thrown on top. You can also try similar desserts in Belgium.
11. Green Tea Cake (Japan)
If giant milkshakes and heavy desserts aren’t your thing, this Japanese dessert is a must-try. Green tea cake is light and moist with a refreshing green tea fragrance. Plus, isn’t it fun when food is colorful?
12. Dorayaki (Japan)
Dorayaki is another Japanese dessert consisting of two honey pancakes wrapped around a filling of sweet Azuki red bean paste. This simple dessert is great for anyone who doesn’t like eating anything overly-sugary.
13. Flan (Spain)
Flan is a Spanish dessert that is basically a variation of custard. You must find this classic dessert if you ever find yourself wandering around the streets of Spain.
14. Picarones (Peru)
Picarones are most easily described as a mix between a doughnut and beignets, but this Peruvian dessert is one of a kind. The main ingredients are squash and sweet potato, which make it unique. They are served with syrup, just for good measure.
15. Melktert (South Africa)
Melktert, which is Afrikaans for “milk tart,” is a South African dessert that consists of a milk custard set in a crust. This traditional South African staple is the perfect sweet treat if you want to try something new.
16. Gesztenyepure (Hungary)
Although it looks like spaghetti, Gesztenyepure is a Hungarian chestnut purée served with whipped cream. If we’re being real, anything topped with whipped cream is bound to be delicious.
17. Ptichie Moloko (Russia)
Ptichie Moloko is a soft chocolate-covered candy, filled with soft meringue or milk soufflé. This treat is a classic in Russia. The contrast between the mousse-like creamy base and candy coat sound like an absolute dream in your mouth.
18. Hwangnam Ppang (Korea)
Hwangnam Ppang is a small pastry with a red bean paste filling — a classic ingredient in Asian desserts. Hwangnam bread is a local specialty of Gyeongju City, South Korea, so if you like to eat local while traveling, you definitely must try this.
19. Kunafeh (Egypt)
Knafeh is a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in a sugar-based syrup. Cheese and sugar are two of many people’s (hello! me!) favorite things, so putting them together sounds amazing.
20. Baklava (Middle East)
Baklava is a sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts, held together with syrup or honey. This flaky dessert is one to try if you like nuts. You’ll literally go nuts over it. While many attribute this yummy sweet to Greece, it’s true origins were actually in the Turkish region of the Ottoman Empire.