15 Iconic Dishes You Have to Try in Their Country of Origin

8. Greece – Moussaka (Athens)

If you want to experience the comfort food of Greece, look no further than moussaka, a dish that brings together layers of history, culture, and flavor. This hearty, baked casserole is often compared to lasagna, but instead of pasta, it features soft, roasted eggplant layered with spiced minced lamb or beef and topped with a creamy, golden béchamel sauce. The history of moussaka stretches across the Mediterranean and Middle East, but Greek moussaka, as we know it today, was popularized in the 1920s by Chef Nikolaos Tselementes, who added the now-signature béchamel topping, giving the dish its velvety richness. The secret to a perfect moussaka lies in the slow cooking process—the eggplant must be roasted until silky, the meat sauce simmered with cinnamon and tomatoes for deep flavor, and the béchamel whisked to the perfect airy consistency before baking. The final product is golden, bubbling, and impossibly delicious, with every bite delivering layers of smokiness, spice, and creamy decadence.