Canada is a multicultural country with a diverse cuisine, so there isn’t a single “national dish” that represents the country as a whole. However, there are several iconic Canadian dishes that are popular across the country. Here are a few examples.
1. Poutine
Poutine is a dish made with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It originated in Quebec in the 1950s and has become a popular comfort food across Canada.
2. Butter tarts
Butter tarts are a sweet pastry made with butter, sugar, and eggs, often filled with raisins or pecans.
3. Nanaimo bars
Nanaimo bars are a layered dessert made with a chocolate graham cracker crust, custard filling, and chocolate ganache topping.
4. Montreal-style bagels
Montreal-style bagels are smaller and denser than New York-style bagels, and are boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in a wood-fired oven.
5. Maple syrup
While not a dish per se, maple syrup is a quintessential Canadian ingredient and is often used to sweeten dishes like pancakes and waffles.
6. Split pea soup
Split pea soup is a hearty soup made with yellow split peas, ham or bacon, and vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery.
7. Bannock
Bannock is a type of bread traditionally made by Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is often fried or baked and can be served sweet or savory.
8. Butter chicken
Butter chicken is an Indian-inspired dish popular in Canada, made with chicken marinated in a yogurt and spice mixture, then cooked in a creamy tomato sauce.
9. Atlantic lobster
Lobster from the Atlantic coast of Canada is prized for its sweet and tender meat, and is often served boiled or grilled with butter.
These dishes represent just a small sample of the diverse and delicious cuisine of Canada.
