Sandwiches are the best thing humankind has come up with since sliced bread! If you are a foodie who likes to try an assortment of dishes, mainly sandwiches, you have indeed come to the right blog! Here we will look at 20 of the world’s tastiest and most popular sandwiches!
The most popular sandwiches worldwide are Banh Mi, Gyro, Shawarma, Falafel, Prawn Roll, Prego, Cucumber Sandwiches, Jambon-beuree, Meatball sandwiches, Sloppy Joes, and BLT sandwiches.
Over the years, everyone has grown to love sandwiches. This easy treat is quite similar to bread in many ways. Firstly, it is simple. Moreover, every country in the world has made a version of its sandwich that is just delicious.
So in this article, we will look at the 20 best sandwiches that stand tall above the rest of the options. These are all from various parts of the world, whereas a few are from the same country. Overall, the fillings are excellent, making these sandwiches as loved as they are!
The Tastiest and Most Popular Sandwiches In The World
Out of all the different sandwiches in the world, quite a few have stood out. There are versions of these sandwiches available everywhere now as they are trendy.
So, even if you cannot visit the countries mentioned here, you may get an understanding of each sandwich right around the corner! So, let us have a look!
1. Banh Mi
Vietnam’s baguette originated on the streets of Saigon and is one of the first things you should try in the country. Banh Mi sandwich is filled with various flavorful and savory ingredients and protein.
You can get this meal with sardines, fatty pate, or sweet minced pork. The Banh Mi sandwich is often combined with sour pickled daikon and carrots, cucumber, and spicy chilis.
2. Gyro
Greece’s gyro is one of the most famous sandwiches worldwide. This dish includes meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, much like shawarma and other sandwiches on this list.
The Greek gyro typically involves chicken or pork, but beef and lamb are common proteins to include. The protein is seasoned generously with spices, herbs, and salt and can be served in a sandwich or wrapped in pita bread.
3. Classic Street Dog
Iceland’s hot dogs, also known as Pylsa or Pulsa, are so popular that they have become known as the national dish. What makes Pylsa so good is that they’re made with Icelandic lamb, pork, and beef which is organic, free-range, hormone-free, and grass-fed.
With the addition of cooked and raw onions, sweet brown mustard, ketchup, a traditional mayo sauce, capers, and herbs, this delightful dish will be your favorite hot dog worldwide.
New Yorkers and Chicago citizens with their own popular version of street dogs may be surprised, but the idea of the delicious hot dog came from Europe.
When you take the time to read more about the history of hot dogs, you’ll know that it’s quite complex as many countries have claimed their version. Ultimately, each country has experimented with the classic and made love for hot dogs even greater.
4. Shawarma
Shawarma is made of thin slices of meat, combined and roasted on a vertical rotisserie. Aside from the fact that this dish is so delicious that almost every country in the Middle East has various versions, shawarma is also a healthy meal!
The grilled meat comes with freshly sliced vegetables and can be served with seafood, beef, chicken, or falafel and maintains an authentic taste.
5. Falafel
Speaking of falafel, also known as Ta’ameya, you can’t try a shawarma sandwich before trying Egypt’s falafel first. Many sources suggest the origins of the falafel sandwich came from Egypt; however, as mentioned above, many Middle Eastern countries have adopted this recipe as their own.
You’ll also find various versions in India and other countries that have added their authentic touches to the falafels’ unique flavors. Falafel’s key ingredient is dry fava beans.
Chickpeas, and peeled and split beans are also commonly found in this sandwich. This healthy dish is packed with herbs like parsley and cilantro and offers an array of spices from cumin and coriander to salt and pepper.
6. Prawn Roll
This sandwich is well worth a trip down under to taste Australia’s exquisite prawn roll. The prawn roll sandwich uses a soft white roll that’s about 15cm long and is stuffed with peeled prawns, lettuce, and remoulade.
These are then topped with a cocktail style or thousand island sauce. The prawn fishing industry is big in Australia, making this savory snack easy to get your hands on.
7. Bocadillo
Spain’s bocadillo, also known as bocata, is made with traditional Spanish bread called a tubular barra de pan, similar to a baguette. This sandwich was once the country’s humble food but is now an iconic treat for locals and tourists alike.
You can get a taste of this Spanish cuisine at tapas bars and cafes. Spanish bocadillo is a simple snack that can be filled with pork, cured ham, squid, cheese, tuna, or tomato and will satiate your taste buds.
8. Prego
This sandwich is a classic from Portugal. The name prego means nail. Although it is not certain, they named this sandwich so because of pounding or nailing the garlic slices into the steak.
So, as you may have guessed already, a prego sandwich has thin slices of beef or steak, which are flavored with a lot of garlic. It also consists of onions sauteed in wine and many versions with mustard and hot sauce. All of these are packed in a Portuguese bread roll.
9. Bagel and Lox
In the United States, Bagel and Lox is a classic from none other than New York City. This sandwich is a go-to breakfast meal for most New Yorkers and is just as popular as plain bagels. Most people also find this sandwich fancy because of the ingredients.
A bagel and lox sandwich consists of a freshly baked bagel split in half, then slathered with a decent amount of cream cheese. Further, it is topped with thin slices of cured salmon and, sometimes, capers.
10. Cucumber Sandwiches
If you think Bagel and Lox needed to be fancier, wait till you hear about cucumber sandwiches! This British staple, made with simple ingredients, is a classic that most people enjoy with their tea!
As the name suggests, this standard high tea sandwich only contains cucumber, salt, and lemon juice, all between two slices of bread. Although the sandwiches may seem simple, they pair well with a hot cup of tea!
This sandwich was famous during the Victorian period, especially amongst the high class. Several variations of this sandwich are available, including additions like tuna, cream cheese, eggs, and even mayonnaise.
11. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
This particular sandwich has a lot of nostalgia for most of us, if not all! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic from the United States that only needs an introduction.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are standard everywhere. While most Americans prefer smooth peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, there are now various versions of this sandwich with all sorts of jellies possible.
12. Croque-Monsieur
If you like ham and cheese sandwiches, you need to try a French upgrade of the same, the Croque-Monsieur. This sandwich is everything fancy that you could imagine happening with a simple ham and cheese sandwich.
This sandwich has freshly sliced spiced French ham and fancy cheese like gruyere. However, it does not end there! There is also bechamel sauce in this sandwich, which gives it a creamy texture, and finally, the sandwich is toasted and finished, providing a crispy and charred exterior.
13. Bacon Butty
The Bacon Butty is another classic sandwich from none other than the United Kingdom. This sandwich is a guilty pleasure for most people, as it is packed with thick slices of British bacon.
This sandwich is as simple as it gets, which is also one of the reasons why it is as popular as it is today. It consists of thick slices of bacon between two pieces of buttered toast, sometimes with additions like ketchup and brown sauce.
14. Jambon-Beurre
This sandwich is so famous in France that it has surpassed the sales of almost every other food in the country! The sandwich is ham and butter, but the quality French ingredients make it phenomenal!
This sandwich is made with the finest baguette, which has a crisp exterior and a soft and chewy texture on the inside. The ham is freshly sliced, and the baguette is loaded with soft, salted butter. That’s all that makes this sandwich!
15. Pastrami On Rye
This sandwich is trendy in New York and can be found at every other delicatessen. Pastrami on rye is the most common sandwich, primarily available at Jewish Delis in New York.
This sandwich was invented by a Lithuanian immigrant back in 1888. He also owned one of the first delis in New York, still considered the best delis out there. The sandwich is as simple as it gets: rye bread, a hefty portion of pastrami, and some mustard.
16. Welsh Rarebit
This is the most elite version of cheese on toast that you may ever get to enjoy in your life! The Welsh Rarebit contains gooey cheese on top of toast, is creamy, and is just plain delicious.
This sandwich pays homage to Welsh cheddar in the best way possible. It consists of a cheese mixture made with cheddar, butter, beer, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, topped on freshly made toast.
17. Meatball Sandwich
If you have seen the hit TV sitcom “FRIENDS,” you may remember when Joey tried to save his meatball sub from a bullet. If I were in his place, I would also let my inner Joey channel and end up doing the same!
Meatball sandwiches are standard in the United States, and most countries have also made versions. This sandwich is simple, with meatballs, tomato sauce, and two to three types of cheese that all melt perfectly to create this wonderful treat!
18. Sloppy Joe
A popular theory suggests that Sloppy Joes were invented by a man named Joe in 1930. He had some loose meat, to which he added tomato sauce, and then the rest was history!
As the name suggests, a sloppy Joe is a messy sandwich to devour. But there is no doubt that this meaty delight is highly delicious too! This sandwich is usually packed with onions and bell peppers and is one of the most popular cafeteria lunches in the US.
19. Vada Pav
Not everyone may have heard of this delicious vegetarian delight from India. However, this Indian sandwich is quite popular and can easily be found in countries like the US, the UK, and Canada.
It is more of an Indian version of a burger, loaded with spicy potatoes fried after being dipped in gram flour. The humble vada pav also contains spicy sauces and chutneys, all between a soft bun known as ‘pav.’
20. BLT
Everyone knows a standard BLT sandwich, the most simple and famous worldwide. It is hard to pin down where exactly the BLT sandwich comes from.
But most people believe this sandwich evolved from the classic British Bacon Butty. After World War 2, this sandwich gained massive popularity in the United States. Moreover, tomatoes and lettuce were readily available too, so they made a lovely version of a Bacon sandwich.
Conclusion
Sandwiches are indeed one of the best things ever, since sliced bread. There are so many versions of sandwiches available, but the ones mentioned above stand over the rest as the best of the lot! Have you tried all the sandwiches discussed above? If not, do try them out!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are all the sandwiches mentioned above only from the United States?
No, this list consists of sandwiches from various countries worldwide.
Does the Bacon Butty initially have anything other than bacon?
The original version of this sandwich is pretty simple, but now people add ketchup, brown sauce, and even eggs.
Is BLT the most popular sandwich in the world?
BLT is one of the most popular sandwiches in the world, for sure.
