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Top 100 Appetizers in the World

Last update: Thu Feb 13 2025
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The pan-fried variety of the Chinese jiaozi dumpling, known as guotie, is a Northern Chinese dumpling typically filled with minced pork, Chinese cabbage, scallions, ginger, rice wine, and sesame seed oil. Crunchy and soft textures are achieved by a special method of preparing; while the bottom of the dumpling is frying, a small amount of liquid is added to the pan which is then covered, thus allowing the rest of the dumpling and the filling to steam.


When it comes to the shape, guotie should always be long and straight as it can stand more easily and it does not fall over during cooking. Goutie can be literally translated as pot sticks, so these dumplings are often nicknamed potstickers, especially in North America. 

MOST ICONIC Guotie

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02

Cheese Dish

SOUTHERN AND EASTERN SERBIA, Serbia
4.7
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Belmuž is a traditional shepherd's dish originating from eastern Serbia. This simple dish consists of only three ingredients – cheese, flour, and a bit of salt. The key ingredient is cheese, that should be fresh and full-fat cow's or preferably sheep's cheese.


Once cut into pieces, the cheese is placed in a big pot over low heat. As it melts, salt and flour are added until a homogenous mass is formed. The mixture is continuously stirred with a big wooden spoon until the fat separates and starts to float on the surface. 
03
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Beyaynetu is a colorful Ethiopian assorted dishes platter that is traditionally arranged on top of injera flatbread. It is essentially a sampler plate that has meat and vegetables (or just vegetables, when it's called yetsom beyaynetu), and the choice of small dishes depends on the restaurant serving the dish.


In most cases, bayenetu includes meat stews, shiro, puréed red lentils in berbere sauce, yellow peas, spiced collard greens, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in a flavorful sauce. It is recommended to pair the dish with tej – Ethiopian wine made from fermented honey.

04
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These Chinese dumplings known as jiaozi, consisting of a thinly rolled piece of dough which contains either meat or a vegetable filling, are one of the most popular and most commonly eaten dishes in China and East Asia. They can be served either as an appetizer or as the main course, always with a side of soy sauce-based dipping sauce.


Traditionally, jiaozi are always eaten for Chinese New Year. Depending on how they are cooked, jiaozi dumplings can be classified into three categories: boiled, steamed, and pan-fried, but when it comes to folding techniques, there are many, and the most popular one is known as pinched-edge fold, which results in crescent-shaped jiaozi, the most popular shape in China. 

MOST ICONIC Jiaozi

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05
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The name tangbao or tangbaozi refers to a broad group of steamed Chinese soup-filled dumplings. Depending on the origin, dumplings can be made with leavened or plain dumpling dough which is usually wrapped around a gelatinous filling, twisted and sealed at the top, and then steamed.


While they steam, the firm filling (usually made with minced pork or crab meat) transforms into a flavorful soup, which stays safely secured inside the bun. Due to the nature of this Chinese delicacy, they are always served immediately after steaming, so the soup stays liquid and hot. 
VARIATIONS OF Tangbao

MOST ICONIC Tangbao

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06
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Antojitos (lit. little cravings) refers to a variety of Mexican foods that are prepared in market stalls and on the streets. Due to the fact that formal, substantial meals are consumed in the mid-afternoon, most antojitos are eaten either in the morning or the evening.


Typical antojitos include fajitas, tortas, tamales, tacos, tostadas, tlayudas, elote, chalupas, gorditas, empalmes, quesadillas, cemitas, empanadas, pambazo, chilaquiles, and nachos. However, vegetables, fruits, and soups such as pozole and menuda are also classified as antojitos. 
07

Appetizer

SOUTH KOREA
4.6
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Yukhoe is the Korean version of steak tartare, consisting of thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar. The concoction is then seasoned with salt and pepper. The dish is always served with a raw egg yolk on top, while thinly sliced Korean pear is an often-seen addition served on the side.


The name of the dish is derived from two words: yuk, meaning meat, and hoe, meaning sashimi. No one is yet sure about the origins of yukhoe, but some say it originated in China, while the others claim it was first served at the Korean Royal Court. 

MOST ICONIC Yukhoe

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08

Dip

VENEZUELA
4.6
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Guasacaca is Venezuela's version of guacamole, although it is not as thick. This simple combination of avocado, coriander, parsley, bell peppers, onions, garlic, salt, oil, and vinegar is typically consumed with barbecued meats such as beef, chicken, sausages, and morcillas.


It is used as a dip with fried plantain and yuca, but it can also be drizzled on empanadas. The sauce is usually made in a blender, resulting in a creamy sauce, while some prefer the mashed version, resulting in a chunkier sauce.

09
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A quintessential seafood delicacy of the Greek island of Symi, simiako garidaki or Symi shrimp is a unique variety of tiny shrimps that inhabit the sea around the island. Bright red, delicate, and sweet, the small crustaceans are packed with flavor, which has made them famous throughout the whole country and beyond.


The most common way to enjoy these tiny crustaceans is crispy-fried in olive oil and garlic, typically seasoned with nothing else than salt and pepper. Due to their delicate nature, the fried shrimps are usually eaten whole, including tails, shells, and heads. 
10
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The famous Japanese gyoza are crescent-shaped dumplings that have originated from the traditional Chinese jiaozi dumplings. The recipe was slightly altered to accommodate the Japanese taste, and gyoza soon became one of the favorite Japanese meals.


They consist of a thin wrapper made with wheat flour, eggs, and water, which is then stuffed with a mixture of meat and vegetables. The ingredients used in the stuffing are regionally influenced, but most commonly include minced pork or chicken, cabbage, chives, a substantial amount of garlic, ginger, and green onions. 
VARIATIONS OF Gyoza

MOST ICONIC Gyoza

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Dumplings
SUBCARPATHIAN VOIVODESHIP, Poland
4.5
15
16
Appetizer
CRETE, Greece
4.5
17
Salmon Dish
NORTHERN EUROPE
4.5
18
19
20
Bread
MADEIRA, Portugal
4.5
21
22
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25
26
27
Flatbread
SANTO DOMINGO PROVINCE, Dominican Republic
4.5
28
29
Dip
LEBANON
4.4
30
31
Fish Dish
HAWAII, United States of America
4.4
32
33
Pancake
SOUTH KOREA
4.4
34
35
36
37
Snack
GUANGDONG, China
4.4
38
Barbecue
GUANGDONG, China
4.4
39
40
Pork Dish
GUANGDONG, China
4.4
41
42
Appetizer
CANTABRIA, Spain
4.4
43
44
Lamb Dish
AEGEAN REGION, Turkiye
4.4
45
46
47
Dip
LEBANON
4.4
48
49
50
Shrimp/Prawn Dish
NEW ORLEANS, United States of America
4.4
51
Stir-fry
GUANGZHOU, China
4.4
52
Pancake
SOUTH KOREA
4.4
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
Appetizer
VALTELLINA, Italy
4.4
60
Dip
BEIRUT, Lebanon
4.4
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
Salad
CAPRI ISLAND, Italy
4.3
68
69
70
71
72
73
Appetizer
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam
4.3
74
75
76
Dumplings
KATHMANDU, Nepal
4.3
77
Snack
SICILY, Italy
4.3
78
79
Snack
GUANGDONG, China
4.3
80
Dip
TURKIYE
4.3
81
Appetizer
LOS ANGELES, United States of America
4.3
82
83
Pancake
SOUTH KOREA
4.3
84
85
86
87
Appetizer
SINALOA, Mexico
4.3
88
89
Stew
BAHIA, Brazil
4.3
90
91
92
93
Appetizer
PERNAMBUCO, Brazil
4.3
94
Appetizer
BASQUE COUNTRY, Spain
4.3
95
96
97
98
Snack
LOS TEQUES, Venezuela
4.3
99
100

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Appetizers in the World” list until February 13, 2025, 61,813 ratings were recorded, of which 37,362 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.