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13 Unusual Foods of the World That Are Actually Very Popular

To celebrate HelloFresh’s 10 Year Anniversary, we’ve revealed the most unique and beloved dishes from the countries we cater for. Using search data to find out which recipes locals are looking for, we found the world’s most unusual favourite foods.
To celebrate HelloFresh’s 10 Year Anniversary, we’ve revealed the most unique and beloved dishes from the countries we cater for. Using search data to find out which recipes locals are looking for, we found the world’s most unusual favourite foods.

1. Australia: Cob Loaf

'Cob loaf recipe' average monthly searches: 14,200. An Australian party staple, Cob Loaf is a hollowed-out bread loaf filled with a gooey cheese and bacon dip.

2. Austria: Kaiserschmarrn

'Kaiserschmarrn rezept' average monthly searches: 12,100. Kaiserchmarrn translates to 'Emperor's Mess' (it was Franz Josef I's favourite) and consists of shredded, fluffy pancakes.

3. Belgium: Tartiflette (a French Alps stew)

'Tartiflette racette' average monthly searches: 6,600. Traditionally a French Alps dish, Tartiflette is a stew made with potatoes, lardons and lashings of reblochon cheese.

4. Canada: Meatloaf

'Meatloaf recipe' average monthly searches: 60,500. Meatloaf is a ground meat and breadcrumb mixture that's fashioned into a loaf and baked.

5. Denmark: Risalamande

'Risalamande opskrift' average monthly searches: 6,600. Risalamande is a Danish rice pudding made with whipped cream, almonds and cherry sauce.

6. France: Galette de Rois

'Galette de Rois recette' average monthly searches: 60,500. Translating to 'French King Cake', Galette de Rois is a almond pastry cake that's cooked with a hidden prize inside.

7. Germany: Flammekueche

'Flammekueche recept' average monthly searches: 40,500. Flammekueche is tart flatbread topped with creme fraiche, lardons and onions.

8. Netherlands: Stoofperen

'Stoofperen recept' average monthly searches: 12,100. Stoofperen translates to 'stewed pears', a dish that's typically seeped in jam or fruity wine.

9. New Zealand: Lolly Cake

'Lolly Cake recipe' average monthly searches: 2,900. Lolly Cake is a biscuit based cake that's filled with candied sweets or 'lollies'.

10. Sweden: Knäck

'Knäck recept' average monthly searches: 14,800. Served at every Swedish Christmas, Knäck is a soft toffee made from syrup, sugar and cream.

11. Switzerland: Zopf (Braided bread)

'Zopf recept' average monthly searches: 18,100. Zopf is a braided bread brushed with egg yolk to create a shiny crust.

12: United Kingdom: Toad in the Hole

'Toad in the Hole recipe' average monthly searches: 74,000. Toad in the Hole is a giant Yorkshire pudding that's baked with sausages inside.

13. United States: Cornbread

'Cornbread recipe' average monthly searches: 165,000. Originating from the deep south, Cornbread is a bread made from cornmeal instead of flour.

Weird and wonderful bread loaves were among the world’s unusual foods

Weird and wonderful bread loaves were among the world’s unusual foods

It turns out that many countries have their own take on the humble bread loaf. Australians like to hollow out their bread, fill it with gooey cheese and serve it as a party centrepiece: calling it Cob Loaf. Meanwhile, Germans have fashioned a flatbread-tart hybrid, lathered it in creme friache, sizzled it flames, and named it Flammekuche ("pie baked with flames"). In Switzerland, Zopf's dough is neatly braided and given a crust that's as shiny as possible, while the US’s cornbread is bright yellow and crumbly thanks to its key ingredient, ground corn.

With HelloFresh, you can take your pick from other popular American foods like tasty Lousianna salads and meatball subs.
The world is full of unusual sweet treats

The world is full of unusual sweet treats

It’ll come as no surprise that sweet treats are commonly searched for across the world, though the types of treats might strike you as strange. The Netherlands’ stewed pears, or Stoofperen, is not only a popular dessert, it’s also a common side dish to rabbit! Knäck, a soft toffee frequently made by Swedes at Christmas, consists entirely of heavy cream, thick syrup and sugar. And in France, the almond pastry cake, Galette de Rois, is made with a hidden trinket inside for eaters to find as a prize. As for New Zealand, it turns out that Lolly Cake is unheard of outside of the island!

If you have a sweet tooth like our worldwide searchers, you’ll find a selection of yummy treats to add to your HelloFresh meal.
New Zealand has some of the most unusual food in the world

New Zealand has some of the most unusual food in the world

Not only did New Zealanders love searching for Lolly Cake recipes, they favoured other unusual foods too. ‘Cheese rolls recipe’ receives an average of 1,600 monthly searches, as does ‘pavlova recipe’. Meanwhile, ‘cheese roll’, ‘whitebait fritters’ and ‘mince and cheese pie’ recipes received more searches in New Zealand than in any other country. Who would have thought New Zealand would have some of the world’s most unusual food?

If your tastebuds are typical of other New Zealanders, be sure to try one of our delicious pavlova recipes.
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Not sure what to make for dinner? Receive the most delicious easy-to-cook meals at your door every week. Packed to stay fresh, our meal kits fit perfectly into your fridge and come with super easy recipes that turn out amazing every time.