Lunch shouldn’t be the boring same-old every day. Although you probably can’t cross continents for the authentic taste, why not try making some of these international sandwich variations at home?
1. Chip butty
Perhaps it is cheating to start our international list with a British staple, but there is something so appealing about this carbs-on-carbs classic. Don’t forget to add your favourite condiment.
Sandwiches are a staple of British lunches and afternoon teas. You could try switching things up by having afternoon tea boxes delivered by companies such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com.
2. Medianoche
This Cuban classic is similar to the more well-known Cuban sandwich but offers a sweeter taste in a smaller package. Packed with pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard, all pressed together between soft, eggy rolls, this ‘midnight’ snack is a flavoursome treat.
3. Katsu sando
For the Japanese take on a sandwich, look no further than the katsu sando. This features breaded meat, either pork or chicken, combined with a tonkatsu sauce, gently layered on soft white bread. The balance of textures and simple ingredients makes it a familiar yet novel delicacy.
4. Smørrebrød
This one is so fancy that we had to copy and paste the lettering for it. A Danish open sandwich layered with butter, boiled eggs, pickled herring, and dill, it is the perfect mix of Scandinavian flavouring and simplicity.
5. Croque monsieur
Now we are really pushing the boat out with fanciness. This decadent dish layers grilled ham and gruyère cheese between sliced bread, topped with a béchamel sauce.
6. Shawarma wrap
A wholesome meal enjoyed across the Middle East, shawarma combines marinated meat, typically thinly sliced lamb or chicken, with garlic sauce, pickles, fresh veg, and a flatbread to fold it all together.
7. Vegemite
The perfect meal for those from the land down under, the UK’s Australian cousins also favour simplicity with their sandwiches. Slather butter and Vegemite in equal measures and you have the salty, umami blend of the Aussie classic.
Related: The Afternoon Tea Continues to be a Favourite British Tradition
Where the sandwich got its name
The modern sandwich is commonly credited to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in the 18th century. The story goes that he asked for meat between two slices of bread so he could keep playing cards without using cutlery. The idea caught on, and today almost every country has its own version.
A few more to try at home: the Reuben from the United States layers corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread, then grills it all together. The Philly cheesesteak, which began in Philadelphia in the 1930s, piles thinly sliced steak, melted cheese and sautéed onions into a soft roll.
Closer to home, egg and cress is a staple of British cafés, made with boiled eggs, mayonnaise and fresh cress between soft white or wholegrain bread. At the other end of the scale, South Africa’s Gatsby is a huge sandwich filled with spicy meats, vegetables, peri-peri sauce and often chips.