Eat Your Way around The World

Thanks to the Valley’s U.N. of international eateries, you can be well-traveled – gastronomically – without ever leaving home.

Mexico (Jalisco)
Tacos Jalisco
Tasty tacos abound at this 17-year-old south Scottsdale stalwart, but on weekends, slide a fork into birria de chivo (chile-braised goat) for a taste of Guadalajara, or, on any day, a torta ahogada (pork sandwich “drowned” in fiery chile de árbol sauce). And the salsas: excelente. 3060 N. 68th St., Scottsdale, 480-941-9095, facebook.com/theoriginaltacosjalisco

Mexico (Hidalgo)   
El Tlacoyo
Never mind the ungainly and border-blind menu (Hawaiian torta?). The fiery verde sauce tastes fabulous on anything, especially huitlacoche corn quesadillas. On weekends, regional specialties like barbacoa de Borrego (pit-barbecued lamb) and mixiotes (lamb wrapped in maguey leaves and steamed) transport you to rustic central Mexico. 2535 E. University Dr., Tempe, 480-894-9543

El Salvador
Restaurante Salvadoreño
Lots of little gems populate the menu, but all you need to know is one word: pupusa. The griddled corn patties, made to order, come stuffed with cheese or meat or beans, and they are muy bueno, especially the frijol con queso (black beans with cheese). Four family-owned Valley locations, salvadorenorestaurant.com

Ecuador
Mi Comida Restaurante Latino   
The menu veers all over Latin America with great success, but the dinero in the banco is the fresh-tasting shrimp ceviche with popcorn and the pork tamale steamed in a banana leaf. The marinated, roasted pork sandwich with yucca fries is great bang for the buck, too. 4221 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-548-7900

Jamaica
Jerk Hut
So much more than jerk chicken is happening in this vibrant little storefront. It might be rich oxtail stew, sublime brown chicken stew, or, if you get there early enough, spicy curried goat. Two kinds of rice make tasty beds for soaking up the spicy broths. 4115 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, 602-279-8444, facebook.com/Jerkhut-Jamaican-Grille

Puerto Rico
El New Yorican
A generous dose of hospitality is served alongside the national dish, pernil – slow-roasted pork marinated in vinegar, oregano, garlic and spices. Just as delicious is mofongo chicharrones de pollo, batter-less fried chicken served with a ball of garlicky mashed plantains. Wash it down with Malta, a fizzy, molasses-tasting soda. 2714 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, 602-314-4330

Venezuela
My Arepa
Corn is king at this no-frills storefront. Arepas (tender, bread-like “sandwiches” made with cornmeal) are stuffed with everything from spicy shredded beef to black beans and melted cheese, then griddled to perfection. Half-moon-shaped sweet corn cachapas are practically dessert. 2057 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, 480-838-4588, myarepa.com

Peru
Tumi Fine Peruvian Cuisine
For all the chiles in its arsenal, Peruvian cuisine is mildly spiced, especially dishes graced with aji Amarillo. Start with creamy papa a la huancaína (chilled potato puree layered with a mild cheese sauce) or be adventurous and try the anticuchos de corazon, skewers of grilled beef heart marinated in a vinegary chile paste. 2160 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-821-1717, tumi-restaurant.com


Poland
Polish Goodies - TOP PICK
Danuta Zablocki started selling her ethereal, handmade pierogi at farmers’ markets, and still does, but she recently opened a storefront in north central Phoenix, serving cabbage rolls, sausages, and sauerkraut as well. Try the potato-and-cheese-stuffed pierogies topped with crisp bacon and caramelized onions. Otherworldly delicious. 8903 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-617-4095, polish-goodies.com

Bosnia
Caffe Sarajevo
Bosnian cuisine, heavily influenced by Austria, is hearty and homey. Cevepi (Bosnian sausages), served on excellent homemade lepinja bread with red pepper relish and sour cream, is fantastic, and robust Bosanski Lonac (tomato-y beef and vegetable stew) is pure comfort. 3411 W. Northern Ave., Phoenix, 602-680-7726, caffesarajevo.webs.com

Lebanon
Al-Hana
Swoon-inducing aromas hit the nose as soon as you enter Baiz Market, beckoning you to a front corner carved out for Al-Hana. Chicken and beef shawarma, spiced meat and spinach savory pies, and a case full of sweet pastries lead to full, happy bellies. 523 N. 20th St. (Baiz Market), Phoenix, 602-252-8996, baizmarket.com

Nigeria
Fu-Fu Cuisine
Fufu is a comfort-starch made from yam flour and tasting a bit like mashed potatoes. Other Nigerian specialties (i.e. cassava leaves with goat and squash seeds, spiked with strong-flavored, smoked dried fish) might be an acquired taste, but there are plenty of other African-influenced dishes that require no palate primers, like chicken curry or the creamy, mustard-flecked yassa chicken with rice and olives. 3633 W. Camelback Rd., ?Phoenix, 602-995-2015, ?fufucooking.com

Ethiopia
Ethiopian Famous Restaurant & Coffee
The name's a confident statement, but the food backs it up with bold and spicy stews designed for sharing. Lentils (misr wot), stewed chicken (doro wot) and berbere-spiced beef (minchetabesh) tickle the palate with rich, flavorful heat. Tangy injera bread is not just the plate; it's the silverware, too. Pinch a piece and use it to scoop up the stews. 4111 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-275-5663, ethiopianfamousrestaurantandcoffee.com

Somalia
Juba Restaurant
What the restaurant lacks in atmosphere, it makes up in the hospitality of owner Abdullahi Hussien. Sip on sweet, star anise-spiced iced tea while Hussien guides you to traditional Somalian plates like oven-roasted goat (hillib) served with basmati rice and a fresh banana, or aromatic spiced chicken sukhaar. 5050 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-244-1206

Pakistan
Curry Corner
Typically packed with ASU students, this recently expanded Indian-Pakistani restaurant specializes in curries with a more restrained spice mix than traditional Indian restaurants. The meat curries of Pakistan are particularly beguiling, including the ginger- and chile-infused nehari noor jehan. 1212 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, 480-894-1276, facebook.com/CurryCornerTempe

Afghanistan
Khyber Halal - TOP PICK
Named after the mountain pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan, this east Phoenix treasure dabbles in both cuisines, plus a handful of Indian dishes. But zero in on the Afghan specialties like scrumptious mantoo, meat filled dumplings covered in spiced tomato sauce and yogurt. 4030 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 602-954-5290, khyberhalal.com

Cambodia
Reathrey Sekong - TOP PICK
Similar to Vietnamese but with a touch of Thai swerve, Cambodian cuisine celebrates the flavors of lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal, and coconut milk in amok trey (tilapia steamed in banana leaf), and the rich, umami flavor of soy, garlic and pepper in lok lak (marinated and stir-fried beef). 1312 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 480-238-0238, reathreysekong.com

Philippines
Hey Joe! - TOP PICK
A charcoal grill and a deep fryer are critical to the crazy success of this roaming food truck serving Filipino street food. Long lines form for tangy, spiced chicken adobo, lumpia (egg rolls using The Meat Shop’s pork) and braised-then-fried pork belly (lechon kawali). 602-410-8115, heyjoetruck.com

Taiwan
Taiwan Food Express
An extensive boba (bubble) tea selection and pictures of menu dishes entice, but ask owner Amy Chang for favorites, and you get a scrumptious scallion pancake rolled around tangy beef and a lip-smacking, juicy pot of “house-style chicken” bathed in red chile sauce heavy on garlic, ginger and basil. 66 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-668-9888

China (shandong)
Sun Chinese Dining
The eastern coastal region of Shandong is roughly 500 miles from Korea, which explains the gratis kimchee (spicy pickled cabbage) while you scan the menu. There are actually two menus: American-Chinese and Korean-Chinese. Ask for the latter, and bring friends because dishes are huge. Liang chang pi (an artistic cold noodle, shrimp and vegetable plate) is a fine primer. 1381 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-899-5590   

Korea
Café Ga Hyang - TOP PICK
Popular with the late-night foodie crowd, this west side gem will knock your taste buds’ socks off any time with hot and spicy stews, rice-rich bibimbap paired with lots of tiny dishes of banchan (marinated vegetables) and jajangmyeon (egg noodles drenched in black bean sauce). 4362 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 623-937-8550   

China (dongbei)
Chou’s Kitchen   
Featuring Manchurian dishes from three northeastern provinces collectively known as Dongbei, Chou’s Kitchen expertly rolls out dumplings and savory pastries. Ginger- and garlic-flecked beef and pork pies, pan-fried dumplings, and chive and egg flaky pockets variously reflect north Chinese, Japanese and Russian cooking styles. 910 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-821-2888


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