A sandwich is one of the simplest of dishes, and celebrating across the globe.
Combining bread and almost any filling under the sun, each country has their own spin on the classic.
Some, such as the Reuben sandwich or BLT, are universally known.
Meanwhile, other options are regional delicacies you might never have heard of.
Now, 25 of the world’s best sandwiches have been named by CNN – and many of them are worth travelling thousands of miles to try for yourself.
But one of the ranked sandwiches, Vietnam’s bánh mì, is embroiled in a controversy – it’s at the heart of a food poisoning outbreak.
Here are the top 25 sandwiches in the world, and the best places to find them.
Bánh mì, Vietnam
This typical Vietnamese sandwich combines shredded pork, chicken or other protein with a crusty roll, vegetables and a tangy sauce
This typical Vietnamese sandwich combines shredded pork, chicken or other protein with a crusty roll, vegetables and a tangy sauce.
It’s a popular option for street food and has been adopted in different countries around the world.
However, there have been many recent reports of food poisoning linked to the dish in Ho Chi Minh City, with more than 300 people hospitalised.
The delicacy is now subject to debate over food safety as a result.
Bocadillo de jamón Ibérico, Spain
This sandwich could not be simpler – Spanish bread combined with slices of ham
This sandwich could not be simpler – Spanish bread combined with slices of ham.
But it’s a favourite for a reason, and an absolute must-try whenever you find yourself in Spain.
The basic ingredients let the quality of the produce shine, so you’ll definitely want to ensure you source high-quality cured ham.
Torta ahogada, Mexico
Most popular in Guadalajara, the Mexican dish torta ahogada translated as ‘drowned submarine sandwich’
Most popular in Guadalajara, the Mexican dish torta ahogada translated as ‘drowned submarine sandwich’.
It’s easy to see why – the bread and fillings are quite literally drowned in the spicy sauce.
Traditionally made with birote salado, a type of Mexican sourdough, the sandwich is filled with shredded pork, refried beans and onions.
Tramezzino, Italy
Tramezzini are small, triangular sandwiches, often with the crust removed
Tramezzini are small, triangular sandwiches, often with the crust removed.
They can be filled with a range of options, including tomato and mozzarella, egg and tuna.
They’re a popular canape option, and were designed in 1925 as a spin-off from the classic English tea sandwich.
Shawarma, Middle East
From Lebanon to Israel, this popular street food combines the best of Middle Eastern flavours
From Lebanon to Israel, this popular street food combines the best of Middle Eastern flavours.
Cooked meat with hummus or tahina, fresh salad and a variety of other add-ons, it’s easily found inside markets and in busy areas in many countries in this reason.
It’s so popular that it’s even easy to find across European capitals now, especially in late-night joints and Middle Eastern restaurants in the UK and France.
Pambazo, Mexico
This Mexican dish is made with pambazo bread dipped and fried in a red guajillo pepper sauce
This Mexican dish is made with pambazo bread dipped and fried in a red guajillo pepper sauce.
The most important part? The bread.
There are different varieties of filling, but these sandwiches usually combine crispy chorizo and fluffy potatoes with cheese and coleslaw.
Muffaletta, New Orleans, US
Made popular in New Orleans, muffaletta is a type of Sicilian bread and sandwich
Given the fillings in this sandwich, it’s no surprise it was created by a Sicilian immigrant to the United States.
Made popular in New Orleans, muffaletta is a type of Sicilian bread and sandwich.
Traditionally, it is made with cured meats (ham and salami), provolone cheese and olives.
Chivito, Uruguay
Made of sliced beefsteak (churrasco), mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise and black or green olives, it’s a filling and delicious option
Hungry?
If so, Chivito, the national dish of Uruguay, might be for you.
Made of sliced beefsteak (churrasco), mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise and black or green olives, it’s a filling and delicious option.
If that weren’t enough, it’s also traditionally topped with a fried egg.
Pan bagnat, France
Popular in Nice, pan bagnat is like the sandwich equivalent of a salad Niçoise
France is known around the world for the quality of its bread, so it’s no surprise some of the country’s sandwiches make this list.
Popular in Nice, pan bagnat is like the sandwich equivalent of a salad niçoise.
It’s made of a whole wheat bread, with a salad containing raw vegetables, hard boiled eggs, anchovies, tuna, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Smørrebrød, Denmark
These traditional Danish open sandwiches are often considered a national dish
These traditional Danish open sandwiches are often considered a national dish.
They usually consist of buttered rye bread topped with a variety of ingredients.
For example, they might include pickled herring, roast beef, or eggs and shrimp.
Spatlo, South Africa
This stuffed bread is a South African street food popular in all provinces of the country
This stuffed bread is a South African street food popular in all provinces of the country.
It’s a simple construction – meat and french fries stuffed inside a bread roll.
Impressively sized, it’s usually eaten on the go, and is sometimes known as skhambane.
Montreal smoked meat sandwich, Canada
Smoked beef brisket on rye bread with yellow mustard – a winning combination
Smoked beef brisket on rye bread with yellow mustard – a winning combination.
The smoked meat is a type of kosher-style delicatessen meat made by salting and curing beef brisket with spices. It’s known for having a peppery, garlicky spice taste.
The mustard is key, though, providing a tangy balance to the thick piles of meat.
Po’boy, New Orleans, US
A Po’boy sandwich is a traditional dish from Louisiana, made with a long French roll with a crust
A Po’boy sandwich is a traditional dish from Louisiana, made with a long French roll with a crust.
It’s then filled with fried seafood – usually shrimp or oysters – and finished with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles and mayonnaise.
Its name comes from ‘poor boy’, because it was created after streetcar strikers in 1929 in New Orleans.
Fricassé, Tunisia
It’s savory, deep-fried dough often filled with tuna, hard-boiled egg, olives, harissa, preserved lemons, capers and mashed potato, with turmeric as a condiment
When you think or this north African country, it’s unlikely a sandwich will be the first delicacy to come to mind.
But Tunisia’s fricasse sandwich is a popular street food option.
It’s savory, deep-fried dough often filled with tuna, hard-boiled egg, olives, harissa, preserved lemons, capers and mashed potato, with turmeric as a condiment.
Cuban sandwich, Cuba/US
This sandwich is made with ham, (mojo) roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on bread
This sandwich is made with ham, (mojo) roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on bread.
It was popularised in the Florida communities of Key West and Tampa among Cuban immigrant workers.
The Cuban sandwich is also at the core of a long-running friendly rivalry between Miami and Tampa.
Cucumber sandwich, UK
Usually combined with a cream cheese filling on crustless bread, it’s a light option ten enjoyed alongside tea and small cakes and pastries
Brits might be confused at the inclusion of a simple cucumber sandwich on this list.
But it’s a classic option known around the world as the typical afternoon tea sandwich.
Usually combined with a cream cheese filling on crustless bread, it’s a light option ten enjoyed alongside tea and small cakes and pastries.
Chip butty, UK
A chip butty is something perhaps only Brits will understand
A chip butty is something perhaps only Brits will understand.
It’s essentially just french fries served on bread, with condiments such as ketchup often added.
But it’s loved nationally for a reason across the UK – and it incredibly simple to make.
Katsu sando, Japan
Japan is known for its many culinary delights, and this is among them
Japan is known for its many culinary delights, and this is among them.
A katsu sando is a Japanese sandwich which is made from Japanese-style cutlet (mainly tonkatsu) between slices of milk bread.
It originated in Japan in the 1930s, initially as a portable option for geishas who wanted to eat without smearing their lipstick.
Reuben, US
Arguably one of the most famous sandwiches in the world, the Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island or Russian dressing
Arguably one of the most famous sandwiches in the world, the Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island or Russian dressing.
There is debate as to its origin, though.
Some believe it was created by Arnold Reuben in New York City around 1914, while others believe it’s from Omaha in Nebraska a decade or so later.
Whatever the origins may be, it’s a popular treat to enjoy in the US.
Croque monsieur, France
Another French bread-based treat, the croque monsieur or croque madame is a classic afternoon snack.
A croque monsieur is a hot sandwich made with ham and cheese.
Adding a fried or poached egg on top, which resembles a woman’s hat, turns it into a croque madame.
Simple, classic – and delicious.
Philly cheesesteak, Philadelphia, US
A cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak (often rib eye) and melted cheese
Originally from Philadelphia, a cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak (often rib eye) and melted cheese.
It’s a popular fast food option in the area, it was developed in the early 1900s by Pat and Harry Olivieri.
It can include add-ons, such as onions, mushrooms, ketchup and hot sauce.
Broodje haring, Netherlands
Made with raw, salt-cured herring, onions and pickles, this Dutch sandwich is a little different
Made with raw, salt-cured herring, onions and pickles, this Dutch sandwich is a little different.
It’s a seafood delight, and is commonly served as street food. With strong flavours, it’s popular during the herring season, usually May to July.
This one won’t be for everyone, though…
Falafel, Middle East
Another popular Middle Eastern option, falafel is a chickpea-based vegetarian dish typically served in pitta bread
Another popular Middle Eastern option, falafel is a chickpea-based vegetarian dish typically served in pitta bread.
Like shawarma, it’s usually accompanied by salad and sauces such as hummus and tahina.
If you want to try an authentic one, head to countries such as Egypt, where the dish originates from, or anywhere in the Levant.
Choripán, Argentina
This Argentine street food combines grilled chorizo sausage with a crusty roll – topped with chimichurri sauce
This Argentine street food combines grilled chorizo sausage with a crusty roll – topped with chimichurri sauce.
Choripán is a staple of street food culture in Buenos Aires, and you can buy it from street stalls.
For sport fans out there, it’s also often eaten at football games.
Lobster roll, New England, US
This New England sandwich supposedly originated at Perry’s restaurant in Mildford, Connecticut
This New England sandwich supposedly originated at Perry’s restaurant in Mildford, Connecticut.
While there are varied versions of the sandwich we know today, the most common is lobster meat served on a grilled hot dog–style bun.
It is often topped with mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings, and is especially enjoyable during the summer at beachside restaurants.
#sandwiches #world #including #centre #food #poisoning #outbreak
