When the long, light days of summer arrive, there’s nothing better than tucking into a refreshing dish that’s bursting with colour and flavour. Whether you’re going abroad and are looking forward to trying a new cuisine or you just want to recreate delicious foreign flavours at home, summer is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen.
From chilled soups that are the perfect refresher on a hot day to spicy flavours that will help you beat the heat, there’s a summer dish for every diet and taste preference! To get you inspired, here are 13 summer dishes from around the world.
1. Gazpacho, Spain
On a hot summer day, enjoying a cold and refreshing bowl of gazpacho is a wonderful way to cool off.
Originating in Andalusia in southern Spain, this chilled soup is jam-packed with mouthwatering summer flavours (ripe tomatoes, piquant peppers, and cooling cucumbers) and then bulked out with stale bread.
Making gazpacho is simple: you just blend the vegetables with crushed garlic and olive oil, soak the bread for 20 minutes or so until it’s soft, then tear it into pieces, and add it to the mixture. Then blend again. Next, simply pass it through a sieve and chill. The trick to perfect gazpacho is to make sure your veg is beautifully ripe.
To make authentic Andalusian gazpacho, try this recipe from Spanish Sabores.
2. Summer rolls, Vietnam
Most of us are familiar with spring rolls, but in summer, few things are as satisfying as tucking into a plate of Vietnamese summer rolls.
Also known as fresh spring rolls, summer rolls are light, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Crunchy veg is paired with thin vermicelli noodles, aromatic fresh herbs, and a cold protein, and then wrapped in featherlight rice paper.
What’s great about summer rolls is that they’re endlessly versatile. For your protein, you can opt for tofu, chicken, pork, or prawns, and for your veg, carrots, peppers, cucumber, lettuce, and radish all work well. Dipped in spicy peanut sauce, each bite is squidgy-yet-crunchy and spicy-yet-cool.
Why not try making these fresh Vietnamese summer rolls from Cookie + Kate?
3. Kolokithokeftedes, Greece
Greek salads might be synonymous with summer, but so are kolokithokeftedes – otherwise known as courgette fritters.
Courgettes come into their own during the summer months. Plus, when paired with aromatic fresh herbs and tangy feta cheese, and served with a dollop of creamy, refreshing tzatziki, they taste like summer – or more specifically, like a Greek summer.
Making kolokithokeftedes is simple. You just grate courgettes, salt them, squeeze out excess liquid, and then mix in chopped onions and fresh herbs like mint, dill, and chives. You add eggs and feta cheese, mix well, and add some flour before shaping into patties. Fry in olive oil until each side is golden and serve with a generous helping of tzatziki.
To make Greek kolokithokeftedes, try this recipe from Eating European.
4. Ceviche, Peru
Fish and chips might be a summer staple in the UK, but if you want to inject some more international flavours into a fish dish, why not make ceviche?
While it originated in Peru, ceviche is eaten throughout Latin America, and this light, refreshing fish dish is absolutely packed with zingy, punchy flavours. Plus, it’s also one of the healthiest fish recipes around!
What makes ceviche perfect for summer is that the fish isn’t actually cooked; it’s marinated in what’s locally known as leche de tigre or ‘tiger’s milk’ (which is made with limes, chilli, onion, salt, and pepper). The acid in the lime ‘cooks’ the fish, and once it’s marinated, just add a dash of olive oil and coriander. If you don’t eat fish, you can make a vegetarian version of ceviche using tofu!
To make traditional Peruvian ceviche, try this recipe from Eat Peru.
5. Falooda, India
If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to try falooda, which is a frozen dessert drink that’s hugely popular in India.
In summer, it’s sold in just about every restaurant and ice cream shop on the subcontinent, as well as from street food stalls. It’s made with rose syrup, basil seeds, vermicelli noodles, nuts, milk, ice cream, and sometimes jelly and is deliciously different!
Adding noodles to a dessert may sound odd, but vermicelli noodles are flavourless, so they take on the fragrant, sweet flavours of the rose syrup and ice cream. The squidgy texture of the noodles is also beautifully offset by the crunchy basil seeds (similar to chia seeds).
To make authentic Indian falooda, try this recipe from the Ministry of Curry.
6. Panzanella salad, Italy
Italian food is celebrated all around the world, and while pasta and pizza may be the most famous exports, the salads are just as delicious.
Originating in Tuscany, panzanella is a classic Italian salad that’s made from juicy, ripe tomatoes, a tangy vinaigrette, and crispy, olive oil-soaked bread. Though this dish uses stale bread, soaking up the oil and tomato juices breathes new life into any loaf!
To make panzanella, you need to make sure you’re using perfectly ripe, plump tomatoes. Then, chop and salt them to bring out the juices and make them even tastier. Whip up your dressing (olive oil, garlic, shallots, dijon mustard, and vinegar), then pour it over your tomatoes and stale (or toasted) bread. Season, add fresh basil, and leave to soak for 30 minutes before eating.
For more on making perfect panzanella, check out this recipe from Serious Eats.
7. Jollof, Nigeria
Jollof is a rice dish that’s eaten across West Africa, though it’s said to originate in Nigeria. Every country has their own version of Jollof, but at its core, it’s simple: rice, a tomato sauce, and plenty of seasoning. Though there’s nothing simple about the taste of Jollof! Seasoned with scotch bonnet chillies, onion, garlic, thyme, and curry powder, every mouthful is an explosion of summer flavours.
The secret to the perfect Jollof lies in the flavoursome sauce, so take time to source the best tomatoes, peppers, and chillies you can find; then, blend them until smooth. Fry your onions and garlic until soft, add the tomato sauce, and simmer. Finally, add your seasoning, stock, and rice. For maximum authenticity, turn up the heat for the last few minutes so that the rice scorches!
To make Nigerian Jollof, try this recipe from Ev’s Eats.
8. Kimbap, Korea
Korean kimbap might look like sushi, but these seaweed and rice rolls are actually pretty different.
Whereas sushi is made with vinegar-seasoned rice and raw fish, kimbap uses cooked meat and veg, and the rice is seasoned with sesame oil. Kimbap is also paired with kimchi and pickled vegetables, rather than soy sauce or wasabi.
In Korea, kimbap is the perfect sunny day snack, and because it’s easily portable, it’s a popular picnic dish. You might need to seek out an Asian supermarket to get all the ingredients, but this tasty and refreshing dish is definitely worth it – plus, it’s fun to assemble too. You can make meat or veggie kimbap (or a mixture of both). Just be sure to slice your ingredients thin and long.
To make Korean kimbap, try this recipe from My Korean Kitchen.
9. Nicoise Salad, France
On a hot day, tucking into a crisp and refreshing salad is one of life’s simple pleasures – but some days you might fancy something a bit more substantial than a leaf-based salad. If that’s the case, why not make a Nicoise salad?
Originating in Nice, in sunny Provence in the South of France, a Nicoise salad is hearty enough to fill you up, yet light and refreshing enough to be perfect for hot weather.
There’s a lot of debate about what should actually go into a Nicoise salad, but most versions contain green beans, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes, and fish (anchovies were traditionally used, but these days canned tuna is more common). Pair with a classic vinaigrette, or add some mayo if you prefer things a bit creamier. Serve with a glass of rosé for maximum authenticity!
To make traditional Nicoise salad, try this recipe from Snippets of Paris.
10. Vatapá, Brazil
You can’t have an article about summer dishes without featuring a recipe from the land of eternal summer – Brazil.
Vatapá is a Brazilian shrimp stew that originates in the state of Bahia, where Iberian, indigenous, and African cultures merge, resulting in local cuisine that’s as dynamic as it is delicious. Nuts, shrimp, and coconut find their way into most Bahian recipes, and vatapá is no exception.
Vatapá is very adaptable: some versions use bread to thicken the stew, others use flour; some use peanuts, while others favour cashews. The protein is usually shrimp, but sometimes it’s subbed for cod or monkfish. However, coconut milk and local palm oil always go in, and it’s these two ingredients that give vatapá its signature velvety texture and floral notes.
To make traditional Bahian vatapá, try this recipe from Sabor Brasil.
11. Som tam, Thailand
Thai food is packed with fresh and fragrant summer flavours, but if you don’t fancy eating a Thai curry or noodle dish, why not make som tam?
Som tam (also known as green papaya salad) is the most popular salad in Thailand. And not only are its zingy, tart flavours, and chilli kick the perfect antidote to summer lethargy, but it’s also super healthy and virtually fat-free.
The key ingredient is unripe papaya, which you can buy from Asian supermarkets, and the flavour comes from the dressing, which contains Thai chillies, garlic, tamarind, lime juice, palm sugar, and fish sauce. There’s plenty of crunch from the raw carrots, green beans, peanuts, and papaya, and while the dish is often served with rice, it’s also tasty by itself. Just leave out the fish sauce to keep it veggie.
To make Thai green papaya salad, try this recipe from Hot Thai Kitchen.
12. Borscht, Ukraine
Borscht is eaten throughout Eastern Europe, but its origins are in Ukraine, where it’s the national dish.
You might think this deep-red soup is best eaten in winter, but borscht can be eaten hot or cold – so if you like the idea of a chilled soup but don’t fancy gazpacho, borscht is an obvious choice.
In Ukraine, there are many variations of borscht, but all are sweet-yet-sour and beetroot-based.
While the warm version of borscht is heartier and usually contains meat as well as root vegetables, the summer version is stripped down. Beets are cooked, shredded, and cooled, and sugar and lemon juice (or vinegar) provide the signature tang. A dollop of sour cream is usually scooped on top (turning the red soup a vibrant pink), and diced potatoes and hard-boiled eggs are often added too.
To make Ukrainian borscht, try this authentic recipe from iFOODreal.
13. Halo-halo, Philippines
A final dish for people with a sweet tooth: Filipino halo-halo. We’ve already featured falooda in this article, the Indian ice cream sundae-style drink – and if you think that dessert has a lot going on, halo-halo takes things up a notch.
Halo-halo means to mix, and that’s just what this dish is: a mish-mash of sweet and colourful ingredients that when mixed up makes the ultimate summertime treat.
Ingredients vary, but it’s all about contrasting textures (chewy and crunchy, creamy and sticky) and a jumble of vivid colours. The most commonly used ingredients include sweetened red beans, ice cream, jelly, fresh fruit (e.g. mango, banana, and strawberries), flan, condensed milk, and shaved ice. You can use whatever you like – just serve it in a tall glass with a long spoon so you can reach it all!
To make Filipino halo-halo, check out this guide from Serious Eats.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re jetting off this year or staying at home, recreating the unique tastes of summer dishes from different countries is easier than you may think – and the beauty of summer food is that it’s wonderfully diverse.
If you fancy something cold, why not try making chilled soups like Spanish gazpacho or Ukrainian borscht, or knocking up some refreshing salads?
Or, if you’re looking to make something warm, you can’t go wrong with Greek kolokithokeftedes, Brazilian vatapá, or punchy Nigerian Jollof. For something sweet, why not try making Indian falooda or Filipino halo-halo? They both make delicious and wonderfully colourful ways to cool down this summer.
For more summer cooking inspiration, you might want to check out our articles; 7 sunshine-inspired recipe ideas and 8 sizzling barbecue recipe ideas.
Have you made any of these dishes before? Or do you have your own suggestions for the best summer dishes from around the world? We’d love to hear about your culinary adventures in the comments below!