Our calendars are filled with holidays celebrating historical events, seasons, and people. We also have fun, informal “food holidays” for things like pizza or donuts. However, some entire global cuisines are so rich, culturally significant, and beloved that they arguably deserve their dedicated day or week of international recognition. Creating such a holiday would encourage culinary exploration, celebrate cultural heritage, and simply give everyone a great reason to cook and eat delicious food. Here are six incredible cuisines that are so special, they deserve their own holiday.
1. Thai Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: Thai food is a masterful balancing act of four key flavors: spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. This complex interplay makes every dish an exciting adventure. From the comforting embrace of a coconut milk-based green curry to the fiery, fresh punch of a green papaya salad (som tum), Thai cuisine is incredibly diverse. A “Thai Food Day” would celebrate this incredible flavor architecture. It would also honor the importance of fresh herbs like lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. It’s a cuisine that truly awakens all the senses.
2. Mexican Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: While Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with Mexican food in the U.S., the cuisine itself deserves a dedicated global holiday. Its foundations—corn, beans, and chilies—are ancient and profound. The regional diversity is staggering, from the complex moles of Oaxaca to the fresh seafood of Baja California. A “Mexican Cuisine Day” would celebrate the art of the nixtamalized corn tortilla, the slow-cooked perfection of carnitas and barbacoa, and the vibrant freshness of its many salsas and guacamoles. It’s a cornerstone of world culinary heritage.
3. Ethiopian Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: Ethiopian food is a unique and deeply communal dining experience. The centerpiece is injera, a spongy, tangy flatbread made from teff flour. It serves as both the plate and the utensil. Diners use pieces of injera to scoop up a variety of flavorful stews (wats), which can be meat-based or, very often, rich and complex vegetarian or vegan dishes. A “Day of Ethiopian Food” would celebrate this communal eating style, the unique flavor of injera, and the incredible depth of its spice blends like berbere.
4. Korean Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: Korean cuisine is known for its bold, pungent, and deeply savory flavors. It’s a celebration of fermentation, most famously with kimchi, of which there are hundreds of varieties. The concept of “banchan”—a collection of small side dishes served with every meal—showcases an incredible diversity of vegetable preparations. A “Korean Food Day” would honor the sizzle of Korean BBQ (galbi and bulgogi). But it would also highlight the comforting warmth of stews (jjigae) and the essential, healthful role of fermented foods.
5. Peruvian Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: Peru is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, and its cuisine reflects this incredible richness. It’s a fusion of indigenous (Incan) traditions with influences from Spanish, African, and Asian immigrants. This results in unique dishes like ceviche (citrus-cured fish), lomo saltado (a beef stir-fry with Chinese influences), and ají de gallina (a creamy chili chicken dish). A “Peruvian Food Celebration” would showcase the amazing variety of potatoes, corn, and chili peppers (ají) that form the backbone of this vibrant and diverse cuisine.
6. Lebanese Cuisine
Why it deserves a holiday: Lebanese food is the heart of Levantine cuisine, known for its fresh, vibrant, and healthful dishes. It’s built around the concept of “mezze,” a style of dining where numerous small plates are shared. Think creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, fresh tabbouleh salad, savory kibbeh, and tender grilled meats. A “Lebanese Mezze Day” would celebrate this social and generous style of eating. It honors the core ingredients of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs that make the cuisine so light and appealing.
A World of Flavors to Celebrate
These six cuisines are just a starting point. The world is full of rich culinary traditions that deserve celebration. Creating holidays around them would be a fun and delicious way to encourage cultural appreciation and culinary exploration. It would prompt people to try new restaurants, cook new recipes, and learn about the history and people behind the food. So until these holidays are official, consider creating your celebration of these incredible global flavors. Your taste buds will thank you.
Which global cuisine do you think most deserves its dedicated holiday, and why? What dishes would be essential to celebrating it? Share your culinary nominations below!
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