Is there anything more satisfying than a perfect sandwich? No matter who you are or where you come from, we can guarantee that you’ve had a sandwich or two (thousand) in your life! In fact, sandwiches might just be one of the most universal foods. While every cuisine has a sandwich or sandwich-like offering, there are a few bready treats that stand out among the rest. Expat Explore has compiled a list of the best sandwiches in the world to help you find the perfect one for you! Below, in no particular order, you’ll find our favourite sandwiches from across the globe.
Read on to discover the world’s top 10 sandwiches:
1. Croque Madame, France
As the purveyors of fine dining, you can rest assured that France offers a mighty fine selection of sandwiches. Renowned for their excellent bread and pastries (baguettes and croissants are almost synonymous with French cuisine), the secret ingredient to France’s bready treats is usually butter. Le beurre makes everything la better!
Our pick for the best French sandwich is the Croque Madame. This elegant dish (she is a lady after all) takes the classic Croque Monsieur to the next level. To make a Croque Monsieur, two pieces of white bread are filled with ham and cheese and then fried to crispy perfection. What makes it a Madame? This already delectable sandwich is topped with a lightly fried egg. C’est magnifique!
Related: Here’s how to explore Paris on a budget!
2. Banh Mi, Vietnam
While it may be a long way from France to Vietnam, the famous Vietnamese Banh Mi was actually developed during the French colonial period. That’s why one of the main ingredients is a fresh, crisp French baguette. With its perfect fusion of Vietnamese and French ingredients, it’s truly one of the best things to eat in Vietnam!
While Banh Mi can contain a variety of fillings, the most traditional are chả lụa (Vietnamese sausage), coriander, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, paté, chilli and mayonnaise. Other popular toppings include barbeque pork, tofu, fish and egg. You’ll find street vendors all over the country selling freshly made Banh Mi. It’s cheap, fresh and oh-so delicious!
Related: Taste Bahn Mi and many more delicious Vietnamese eats on our Highlights of Vietnam tour!
3. Francesinha, Portugal
Heading back to the European continent for our next entry, we arrive in Portugal for a rather sizable sandwich. But first, Portugal deserves a few honourable mentions for its bread creations. The Bifana is deceptively simple with its crispy-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle roll filled with thinly-sliced pork marinated in garlic, white wine and spices. While the beloved Prego roll is similar, it features garlicky beef instead of pork. However, for this list, we’re tucking into Francesinha.
Originally from Porto, this hearty sandwich will keep you full all day. The key ingredient to the Francesinha is meat – and lots of it! Roast beef, steak, ham and sausage are stuffed between toasted bread, topped with cheese, smothered in an irresistible beer, wine and tomato sauce and sometimes even topped with a fried egg. Few can finish a whole Francesinha by themselves!
Related: Explore Porto when you embark on our Spain & Portugal Explorer tour!
4. Gatsby, South Africa
If you thought the Francesinha was a hefty sarnie, just wait until you discover South Africa’s great Gatsby! This is the king of all sub sandwiches and is best shared among multiple people. A Gatsby always contains thick-cut, soft french fries (known as slap chips) along with pretty much anything your heart desires. Popular toppings include masala steak, chicken, boloney, sausages and even fish like calamari – often all together!
The Gatsby was developed in Cape Town, South Africa in 1976. A food store owner wanted to create something quick and filling for those working in his store. One of the workers named it after The Great Gatsby film which was showing at a cinema nearby. It became so popular that the owner started selling it. Today, it is a go-to hangover cure for Capetonians!
Related: Visit Cape Town and the Garden Route on this unforgettable 9-day tour!
5. Kaya Toast, Singapore
Sometimes, simple is best. This is certainly demonstrated by Singapore’s favourite sandwich. Kaya Toast is the perfect breakfast or snack to indulge in at a kopi tam (coffee shop) or at one of Singapore’s renowned hawker centres. With just two slices of toast spread with thick butter and kaya (coconut jam), this sandwich shines with minimal ingredients. It is served alongside soft-boiled eggs (which the toast is dipped into) and kopi (strong coffee sweetened with condensed milk).
It is believed that Kaya Toast actually originated in Malaysia and was created by Chinese immigrants from the Hainan province. However, as a result of a Singapore Tourism Board marketing campaign, Kaya Toast has become widely regarded as a distinctly Singaporean snack. Today, it can be found at pretty much any food market or coffee shop in the country.
6. Reuben, USA
The USA is home to some pretty impressive sandwich creations. From Philly cheesesteaks to NYC bagels, the U.S. certainly knows how to make bread shine. While there are many American sandwiches that hold a special place in our hearts, for this list we’ve gone with the king of all deli sandwiches: the Reuben.
There are two possible origins of the Reuben. One is that the iconic dish is named after Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocery store owner from Lithuania who requested a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska. The son of the hotel’s owner worked in the kitchen and put the beef on rye bread, adding Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, making the Reuben we know today.
The other story accredits the invention to Arnold Reuben, owner of the famed Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. Today, the Reuben is probably most associated with New York. However, to whichever Reuben first created the sandwich – we are most grateful!
Related: Visit New York and try the best bagels and Reuben sandwiches on our Eastern USA & Canada Escape including New York!
7. Shawarma, Middle East
Leaving modern USA behind, we’re travelling back in time to the Ottoman Empire for our next dish. Shawarma can be found in countries all over the Middle East and is extremely popular all over the world. Shawarma typically contains thin slices of spiced meat which is cut from a vertical skewer. This style of cooking meat dates back to ancient times but the exact Shawarma technique was developed in 19th-century Turkey with the döner kebab. This famous dish further developed into the Lebanese Shawarma and gyros in Greece!
You can usually choose from a variety of meats for your Shawarma. The most common choices would be lamb, chicken, beef or veal. The bread can be pita, lavash or any sort of wrap which is then filled with salad, shredded vegetables and a choice of condiments. For vegetarians, falafel is an excellent meat alternative.
Related: These are some of the world’s best vegetarian dishes.
8. Bocadillo, Spain
As a country with incredible cheese, meat and bread, it’s no wonder that Spain makes a mean sandwich. Bocadillo are the most popular types of sandwiches in Spain and you’ll never struggle to find a spot that serves them. They are made with Spanish bread (usually a baguette-style loaf) and come with a variety of fillings. The best thing about them? They’re usually very cheap, filling and absolutely delicious.
When picking a type of Bocadillo, the Bocadillo de Jamón remains a firm favourite. All you need for this simple sandwich is Spanish dry-cured ham and a touch of olive oil. In Madrid, the Spanish capital, Bocadillos filled with fried calamari are a must-try. Other delectable fillings include omelettes, chorizo and cheese.
Related: Eat your way through culinary delights on our Taste of Spain tour!
9. Choripan, Argentina
Argentina is well known for its high-quality meat and vibrant barbecue culture. Asado is the name given to the grilling technique and social experience of barbecuing in a variety of countries in South America. Experiencing asado is a must when travelling in Latin America. As an appetiser at an asado, you may be fortunate enough to try Choripan. Or, you can most certainly find Choripan at a football game!
While it may look similar to a hot dog, a Chorpian is not your average street food. To make a Choripan, a chorizo sausage is taken fresh off the wood or charcoal grill and placed on a crusty bread roll, usually topped with chimichurri.
Related: Discover the delights of Argentina & Chile on this epic 13-day tour!
10. Sando, Japan
With its innovative culinary techniques and exquisite produce, Japan is widely regarded as a must-visit destination for foodies. One of the best things about Japanese food is that it can be found all over the country, at the same level of quality, whether it be at a 7/11 or in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The same goes for Japanese Sandos!
At a convenience store or café, you can find a variety of Sandos to curb your cravings. Some of the best-loved fillings between pillowy clouds of Japanese milk bread include tamago (egg), katsu (pork cutlet with curry sauce) and even fruit! At a more high-end restaurant, you may find a Wagyu sando on the menu featuring the highest quality beef on the planet!
Related: Here are the Japanese foods you have to try when visiting Japan!
In a world full of great bread, unique ingredients and diverse cuisines, there will always be a sandwich to satisfy your cravings! Are there any sandwiches we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments!
Taste your way through any one of the countries mentioned above when you embark on an unforgettable Expat Explore tour!