The truth is that you haven't really lived until you've eaten your way around the world, right? Obviously, this is only a dream for most of us... But that doesn't mean we can't still find the best foods from around the world and drool over them.

It's fascinating to see what each country brings to the world of food, and that's why food culture is so important: It brings people - locals, tourists, and generations - together in celebration of flavors that have been long-heralded.

We've taken both a visual and researched account (and by researched, we mean eaten) of the best foods from around the globe. Some might be completely unfamiliar territory, and that's a good thing - trying something new is adventurous.

Others might be near and dear to our hearts, and that's a good thing, too - it means they're worth the attention. Here are 20 foods that are totally vacation-worthy.

20 Fresh Poke From Hawaii Is From Beach To Table

enjoying a fresh poke bowl with a beer on the beach in hawaii
via Twitter

You can find poke in many countries, but none really compare to the fresh poke that comes from Hawaii. The state is known for this combination of unbelievably fresh seafood mixed with a tangy, savory sauce, herbs, and spices, and every bit of texture and crunch is reminiscent of that island vibe.

19 Aguachile, Specifically From Playa Del Carmen In Mexico

a traditional mexican dish aguachile, served with guacamole
via Charlestowne Hotels

Ceviche is popular in Mexico, but so is aguachile. Here, fresh shrimp is submerged and marinated in lime juice, then topped with chili peppers, cilantro, salt, cucumbers, and red onion. The combination of the zippy shrimp and fresh, crunchy veg is unbelievable.

18 Kobe Beef From Japan Is The Only Beef That Matters

kobe beef from japan grilled and raw
via MATCHA

Kobe beef has long been regarded as one of the best cuts in the world, and its origins span back to Japan. It comes from the Japanese Black cow, and one ribeye can cost us nearly $150 on this side of the world. For melt-in-your-mouth, delectable, buttery steak flavor, there is no rival.

17 Gujarati Thali From India Is Packed With Veggie Flavor

a full plate of Gujurati Thali
via Dallas Observer

Indian food is interesting because it seems that people will either love or hate it. Packed with spices, overflowing with flavor, and appealing to many of our taste glands, Gujarati Thali is actually a collection of small dishes, such as fenugreek-cooked eggplant, lentils, multiple curries, mixed veg, basmati rice, dal, and chutney.

16 Steamed Clams With Lemongrass, AKA Nghêu Hấp Sả, From Thailand

Nghêu Hấp Xả, clams with lemongrass, is a traditional thailand dish
via Twitter

The trick here lies in the lemongrass. While we can always just steam clams with a bit of lemon, lemongrass has an earthy, tangy, and subtly sweet flavor and scent that marries a clam like no other. It makes all the difference in this traditional Thai dish.

15 A Real Reuben From Katz Deli In NYC

a delicious reuben from katz deli in nyc

Katz Deli has a long-standing reputation with New Yorkers and tourists alike and while many come close, there's no Reuben that exudes New York flair such as this. Slightly salty, fatty and seasoned pastrami meets gooey swiss and 'kraut for the perfect sammie.

14 Shoyu Pork Noodle Ramen From Tokyo Is Straight From An Anime Scene

traditional shoyu pork noodle ramen from tokyo
via Reddit

Many shops have tried, and many have come close to what eating ramen is like in Japan. A traditional food for Japan and a comfort food for the rest of the world, Shoyu Pork Noodle is one of the most popular types of ramen you can order. What makes it are the soy-marinated eggs... Deliiish.

13 Pastel De Nata From Portugal Are Delicious Sweet Treats

a traditional pastry is pastel de nata from portugal
via family food around the clock

Not every food from around the world must be a savory one, and Portugal is proving that pastry is just as important as meat and potatoes. Pastel De Nata are tiny custard-like treats that are traditional in Portugal, and they taste as heavenly as they look.

12 Meze From Turkey Is Similar To Cheese And Charcuterie

meze from turkey is a traditional appetizer
via Wikipedia

It seems that most countries have their version of an appetizer, and meze is a great community-oriented meal that allows for a taste of everything. Turkish meze will typically contain dishes such as marinated feta, a spread, seasoned bread, marinated bites, or yogurt dip.

11 An Australian Specialty: Potato Wedges With Sweet Chili Sauce And Sour Cream

potato wedges with sour cream and sweet chile sauce are yummy australian snack
via RecipeTin Eats

America has tried to do potatoes the right way, even Canada has attempted it with their poutine, but nothing is as good as an Australian potato wedge. These crispy, lightly-seasoned potatoes are a mandatory snack, accompanied by sweet and sour sauce and sour cream.

10 Truffle Pasta From Tuscany, Your Mouth Will Thank You

black truffle pasta is a delicacy in tuscany, italy
via Map and Magnets

This is a dish that has been recreated worldwide but doesn't ever come close to how it tastes in Tuscany. Italy is known for its truffles (and truffle-hunting pigs), and the black truffle is flawless over creamy, slightly salty, buttery linguini.

9 No Hot Pot Is Better Than That Of Sichuan's In China

hot pot is a traditional dish throughout china
via Eater NYC

Yes, it is literally a 'hot pot'. China's traditional hot pot is something that's catching on in the western half of the world as we become more attracted to group meals. This method of cooking and spicing up food is not only filling, but it's also super fun and tasty for your tastebuds.

8 The Hot Dogs In Iceland Are Made With Lamb And Are The Best You'll Ever Eat

an icelandic hot dog is made with lamb meat and are considered the best
via Pinterest

Sorry, major league baseball... Hebrew National doesn't even come close to these babies. Iceland has a different opinion on how hot dogs should be eaten and, unlike America and the rest of Europe, they create theirs with Icelandic lamb. The flavor is unique but bold and wonderful.

7 A Pie Floater, The Instant (Tasty) Australian Hangover Cure

an australian pie floater is considered a great hangover cure
via Reddit

If Australia knows how to do any food, it's surely comfort food. A pie floater is traditionally any sort of hand pie that sits in a bath of split peas. This is a photo of a modern take on one, complete with mash and gravy - like a Thanksgiving dinner all in one box.

6 Wiener Schnitzel, Where It Originated In Austria

Wiener Schnitzel is a traditional austrian dish
via Yelp

Traditionally, Wiener Schnitzel is eaten with a few squeezes of lemon, possibly some red cabbage, and a potato side dish. While many places recreate it, Austria is the only place that doles it out as it was originally intended to be made. Furthermore, it's classically done with veal and not chicken.

5 Asado Is Argentina's Version Of Savory Grilled Meats

asado is a wide array of grilled meats from argentina
via South America Wine Guide

It's funny that you thought your BBQ weekends were the best... Just kidding. In Argentina, it's BBQ all-year-round as their open grills rival anything we could get our hands on. Any type of meat you want is thrown on these bad boys, and they call it asado.

4 Moules-Frites Should Be Splurged On, And You Should Do So In Belgium

moules frites are the best from belgium
via So There's This...

If you're not about to dip your frites in your mussel sauce, then you shouldn't really eat moules-frites. This is the official national dish of Belgium and it's easy to see why. With perfectly-cooked, tender mussels and crispy, brown potatoes, no one in their right mind would turn this down.

3 It Wouldn't Be Right If We Didn't List Canada's Poutine

canada is famous for its cheesy poutine
via la-poutine.com

Of course, Canada had to make the list in one way or another, and it's their poutine that sets them apart. In Montreal, you can prepare your stomach to ingest any type of poutine you can dream of. However, cheese curds and gravy are traditional, and that's what we're sticking with.

2 Xiaolongbao Are Simply Soup Dumplings, And China Has The Best

in china, Xiaolongbao is a comforting dish of soup dumplings
via Serious Eats

These puffy little bites of heaven are everything a dumbling should be. With perfectly fried bottoms and pillowy dough that has just enough chew, we were in love with xiaolongbao before we could even pronounce it correctly. Add some soup and stick a fork in us... or them.

1 Paski Sir Cheese From Croatia Is Basically A Religion Experience For Cheese-Lovers

paski sir is a nutty, salty hard sheeps milk cheese made in croatia
via Twitter

Last but not least is a unique option for a snack: Cheese. Once you get a slice of Paski Sir, though, you'll never look at cheese the same way again. This sheep's cheese is a game-changer and is made solely in Croatia, making it a life-changing score if you can find it in another country's cheese shop.