Somtam scores number 5 in the world’s top 500 Lonely Planet Eatlist

PHOTO: Somtam, Bangkok’s spicy contribution to the world’s Top 500 foodie finds

A list of the world’s top 500 gastronomic experiences seems an impossible task to put together. Lonely Planet have sent out their culinary aficionados and they’ve come back with rankings, 1 to 500. Bangkok’s somtam, the spicy papaya salad, made it into the top ten, number 5! Asian dishes fill five of the top 10 positions.

Pintxos in San Sebastián – the tapas of Spanish Basque country – have scored the number one position in the world’s top food experience by the tastemakers at Lonely Planet.

In the brand’s latest travel guide Ultimate Eatlist, editors, food and travel writers have created a master list of 500 of the most authentic world culinary experiences for your bucket-list.

They paid attention to taste, cultural importance and the “atmosphere of the location.”

The culinary culture that outranked Britain’s fish and chips, steak tartare in Paris and Buffalo wings in Buffalo? San Sebastián’s culinary tradition of pintos – bite-sized open-faced sandwiches to more gastronomic creations like battered white asparagus, tuna and anchovy tarts and garlic-braised mushrooms, bar-hopping in San Sebastián is described as a unique experience for its epicurean offerings.

Rounding out Lonely Planet’s top three foodie experiences are curry laksa in KL, Malaysia, and sushi in Tokyo.

Here are the top 10 food experiences:

1. Pintxos in San Sebastián, Spain

2. Curry laksa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3. Sushi in Tokyo, Japan

4. Beef brisket in Texas, USA

5. Som tam in Bangkok, Thailand

6. Smørrebrød in Copenhagen, Denmark

7. Crayfish in Kaikoura, New Zealand

8. Bibimbap in Seoul, South Korea

9. Pizza margherita in Naples, Italy

10. Dim sum in Hong Kong

You can indulge your foodie travel fantasies HERE at the “Ultimate Eatlist”.

Number 1 in the Lonely Planet Top 500 Ultimate Eatlist – Pintxos in San Sebastián – the tapas of Spanish Basque country