Not France, not Italy: The country Anthony Bourdain and the top international chefs said had the best food in the world
Bourdain was in no doubt about which country’s food he would eat if he could only choose one.


“Which country in the world has the best food?” is the the kind of question that would be likely to spark a never-ending debate around the dinner table.
France, Italy and Spain make their cases
Some might go for French cuisine, known for its meticulous preparation and elegant presentation of fresh ingredients. In 2024, no nation had more restaurants with Michelin stars, according to Statista.
For others, Italian food is undoubtedly the number one. Although pizza and pasta will inevitably come to mind first (incidentally, have you ever had bad pizza, or pasta?), the country boasts diverse regional specialities that you might only truly uncover by visiting.
The city of San Sebastián in the Basque Country in northern Spain has the most Michelin stars per capita in the world, so perhaps Spanish cuisine, which varies hugely from one part of the country to the next, also needs to be a part of the conversation.
The discussion could go on and on.
One man who knows a thing or two about cooking, however, is adamant none of the three countries mentioned sit at the very top of the tree, even if they are close.
Anthony Bourdain: “Every chef I know says the same thing...”
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who tragically committed suicide in 2018, fell in love with food while on holiday in France, where he died, but strongly believed the world’s best food can be found thousands of miles away.
“Every chef I know, every high-end chef from Spain, France, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles….basically, every chef I’ve ever met, if you ask them ‘If you had to spend the rest of your life in one country, eating one country’s food for the rest of your life, where would that be?’
“They’re all gonna say the same thing - Japan. Tokyo. Period.”
Dishes such as sushi, ramen, and tempura have become best known worldwide, although there is, of course, plenty more to Japanese cuisine. It typically includes rice, miso soup, and fish and vegetable dishes, which tend to be artistically presented and showcase the country’s array of seasonal ingredients.
“It’s a humbling experience,” explained Bourdain on a visit to Japan. “You come here and you see how much precision, how much perfection is possible with so few components. And you came away from that changed, and a little frightened.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment