Safe is the usual choice for global travelers when faced with a menu of unknown dishes. Paani-puri? Anago-meshi? Uova con tartufi? "Um, I'll take a burger."

But a great meal transcends all cultural boundaries, and sharing the food of your host country is the best way to connect with its people, culture and the land. Still, short of a personal chaperone, what to order? Even if you don't speak the language, take a cue from the locals when looking for the perfect dish to try. Look around. Smile. Point. To get the best quality, especially if you're indulging in a local delicacy, always head to the same restaurants or street vendors as the locals.

Here, a prejudicial list of the wonderful and curious dishes, with a bias toward uncovering hidden regional or national food gems. Bold and brave taste buds are essential; in some cases, an iron stomach is encouraged. One thing's for certain--take our advice and you'll come home with a whole new palate.

这里节选中国部分：

In Beijing the restaurants in the alleyways of Qian Men are renowned for hot pot, or huo guo, says Anita Lo, executive chef at Annisa in New York. Here you'll find the streets are lined with boiling pots filled with soup ingredients. Its excellent selections range from Mongolian specialties--best known for lamb and mutton dishes--and spicy Szechuan.

Some 600-plus miles away, Shanghai is best known for its street food, especially soup dumplings. But don't stop there, advises Lo. Shen jian bao, steamed pork bun, makes for a perfect for snack, while jian bing, egg-based crepes with a bean sauce or chili smear, is a local power breakfast.

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