Hi, I’m Liz! I’m an American and recently took my first trip to Europe. When it comes to traveling, like most of you, I can’t wait to explore different cultures and try new foods. So when I got to Paris, I was super excited to get a taste of authentic French cuisine.
Well, I only had three days to stay in the City of Light, all I tried a variety of typical French foods and desserts (I’ll admit now, I didn’t even try a croissant 😭), some of which were new to me. And although I’m just a tourist and no culinary expert, I have some thoughts: 👀
If you’ve tried these dishes before and want a beginner’s perspective, or if you’re just curious to know what they’re like, below are my first impressions of these tasty dishes, ranked from “delicious” to “amazing.”
7.
frog legs – It’s a bit disappointing, but definitely worth a try. Believe it or not, I was excited to try the frog legs (France is famous for frog legs, but I wanted to know what they taste like!). Simply put, they reminded me of chicken. The dish I ordered in particular was a little mild in flavor, but the texture was very delicate and soft. Would I order it again? I don’t know, but I would if someone recommended it. I liked it, but it wasn’t as memorable as the other dishes.
6.
Duck confit – I am very satisfied. according to Food and WineTraditional duck confit is made by slow-cooking duck legs in their fat for hours, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. Having made it myself, I can say with confidence that this duck confit is hearty and tender. The herb flavour was not as strong as I would have liked, but it was still delicious. The accompanying salad and roasted potatoes were a great match for the duck. Oh, and you won’t be hungry after this meal; I was full in no time. As I write this, I’m in the mood for duck confit.
Five.
French brioche bread — Light and sweetThe dessert sampler also included chocolate cake and creme brûlée (more on that later 👀). The bread was drizzled with caramel sauce and dusted with sugar, and wow! It was creamy, light and sweet, but not too sweet. It reminded me of custard in bread form. So delicious!
Four.
Creme brulee – Obviously it’s delicious. I’ve had creme brulee in the US ages ago, but of course I’ve never had the real French creme brulee. I’ve had it twice abroad in two different restaurants, and the caramelized sugar crust was crispy, the custard underneath was creamy, and the subtle vanilla flavor was just perfect. You can’t go wrong with this one.
3.
Foie gras – It was so flavorful I was speechless. Ah, where do I start? I’ve never had foie gras (duck or goose liver) before, so I had no idea what it would taste like. It looks “plain” but is surprisingly rich. Honestly, it’s hard to describe the taste (if you have, be honest and tell me in the comments). This foie gras was smooth, buttery, and slightly salty. It was very tender. The bread and jam that came with it were delicious. I could literally have had this for every meal.
2.
Crepe – It’s like a warm hug. No surprise there. If you come to Paris you have to try a crepe or two. I’ve had my fair share of sweet and savory homemade and restaurant crepes in the US, but when you try the real thing, the difference is clear. For those who have never had a crepe, they are like a thin pancake. I noticed that the crepes I had in Paris were much thinner than the ones I had before. This crepe was served warm, topped with sugar and drizzled with chocolate sauce. And wow. It was soft, buttery, sweet, and the perfect way to end a meal. I haven’t had a chance to eat many pastries abroad, but this was very satisfying.
1.
Escargot — No joke, I could eat it every day and never get tired of it. Ah yes, snails. I had escargot before on a cruise ship in the US and loved it. But it had been a few years and I had forgotten the taste, so I wanted to try this delicacy in Paris and it did not disappoint. The texture was a little chewy and reminded me of seafood such as mushrooms or shrimp. The taste was also excellent and you could really taste the butter and herbs used in cooking. I’ll be honest with you: I love escargot.
So, these are just some of the traditional dishes I tried in Paris. Overall, I love French food and can’t wait to try more.
What’s the best French dish you’ve ever had? Or what’s the most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling abroad? Tell us in the comments below!
