Sweet versus savory: Regional specialties that will surprise you

When it comes to food, there’s a long-standing debate between sweet and savory tastes. While some people have a preference for sugary treats, others are firmly in the savory camp. However, around the world, there are a number of regional specialties that blend both of these elements in surprising and delightful ways.

From unexpected combinations of sweet and savory flavors to unique twists on traditional dishes, these regional specialties challenge our expectations and create exciting culinary experiences.

Sweden: Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce

Sweden is renowned for its traditional meatballs, or “köttbullar,” typically made with beef and pork and served with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. What might surprise you, though, is the inclusion of lingonberry sauce, a tart and sweet preserve made from lingonberries. This combination of savory meatballs with a sweet and slightly tangy fruit sauce creates a satisfying balance of flavors. The sweetness of the lingonberries contrasts beautifully with the savory richness of the meat, making it a dish that exemplifies Sweden’s skill in pairing sweet and savory.

Mexico: Mole Poblano

Mole Poblano is a classic Mexican dish that combines deep, savory flavors with unexpected sweetness. This rich sauce, often served over chicken or turkey, is made with a variety of ingredients, including chili peppers, spices, and chocolate. While chocolate might seem like an unlikely ingredient in a savory dish, its addition helps create a complex and multidimensional flavor profile. The balance between the heat from the chilies and the sweetness from the chocolate, along with other ingredients like cinnamon and almonds, makes mole poblano a truly unique and surprising specialty.

Thailand: Pad Thai with Tamarind and Palm Sugar

Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most beloved dishes, and it showcases the perfect balance between savory, sweet, sour, and salty flavors. This stir-fried noodle dish features a tamarind-based sauce that is both tangy and slightly sweet, thanks to the addition of palm sugar. The sweetness from the sugar complements the saltiness of the fish sauce and the umami flavors from the peanuts and tofu, creating a harmonious blend that makes Pad Thai an unforgettable culinary experience. The contrast of sweet and savory is essential in bringing out the bold flavors that define Thai cuisine.

Japan: Teriyaki Chicken

In Japan, the teriyaki sauce is a beloved condiment that blends savory soy sauce with sweet mirin and sugar, creating a glaze that is both rich and flavorful. Teriyaki chicken, where the chicken is marinated in this sweet-savory sauce and then grilled or broiled, is a perfect example of how sweet and savory can be combined in a way that delights the palate. The sweetness of the sauce caramelizes on the chicken, while the soy sauce adds depth and umami, making for a dish that’s perfectly balanced in flavor.

India: Butter Chicken with Cashews

In India, butter chicken (or “murgh makhani”) is a popular dish that combines the richness of a creamy tomato-based sauce with a surprising sweetness. The sauce is made with butter, cream, tomatoes, and a mix of spices, including cinnamon and cardamom, which lend a subtle sweetness to the dish. To further enhance the sweet-savory balance, crushed cashews are often added, creating a nutty and slightly sweet texture that complements the savory flavors. This blend of sweet and savory creates a comforting and indulgent dish that has won fans all over the world.

France: Foie Gras with Fruit Compote

In France, foie gras—a luxurious duck or goose liver—is often paired with a fruit compote, typically made from figs, apples, or berries. The rich, savory, and fatty texture of the foie gras is perfectly balanced by the sweetness and tartness of the fruit compote. This pairing is a testament to the French culinary tradition of balancing contrasting flavors to create harmonious dishes. The sweetness of the fruit cuts through the richness of the liver, resulting in a delicate and indulgent dish that surprises many with its blend of flavors.

China: Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, offering a surprising twist on the typical sweet-savory combination. The pork is battered and fried to a crisp texture, then coated in a sauce made from vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce. The sauce provides both the sweetness and the acidity, giving the dish its characteristic tang. This juxtaposition of sweet and sour flavors with the savory pork makes for a dish that is both satisfying and refreshing, capturing the essence of Chinese flavor balance.

United States: Bacon with Maple Syrup

In the United States, one of the most surprising sweet-savory pairings is the combination of crispy bacon and maple syrup. Often enjoyed for breakfast, this pairing brings together the smoky, salty taste of bacon with the sweet, rich flavor of pure maple syrup. The sweetness of the syrup helps to cut through the richness of the bacon, creating a satisfying contrast that many find irresistible. It’s a combination that may seem odd at first, but the balance of salty and sweet has made it a beloved tradition for many.

Ethiopia: Doro Wat with Hard-Boiled Eggs

Doro Wat, Ethiopia’s national dish, is a spicy chicken stew that is rich in flavor, thanks to the use of berbere spice mix and niter kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter. What makes this dish even more interesting is the addition of hard-boiled eggs, which, when mixed with the sauce, absorb the savory and spicy flavors while providing a slight contrast with their mildness. The dish, while not overtly sweet, has a depth of flavor that is rich and complex, with subtle sweetness coming from the tomatoes and onions used in the base of the stew.