South Londoner on the loose in Switzerland, with a cat and baby in tow. Trained teacher, student, and travel writer, with a passion for drama, drag, and adventure.
1. Fondue
Switzerland’s most famous food, fondue is the http://www.maritimjatim.info/ must-try dish for any first-timer. Essentially, cheese is melted in a communal pot and kept heated over a portable stove. Diners then dip pieces of bread (or other foodstuffs) into the pot using very long forks. Swiss fondue has its origins in the French-speaking lowlands, but these days you’ll find the winter-time dish served up in homes and restaurants across the confederation. For the full heritage experience, get your fondue fix in one of the French-speaking hubs, such as Geneva or Montreux.
2. Raclette
Switzerland’s other national dish originally comes from Canton Valais in the heart of the Swiss Alps, but it’s now enjoyed in homes and restaurants everywhere. The classic raclette involves a wheel of cheese being heated, then scraped over a plate of potatoes. Today, most Swiss people have their own raclette grills at home, with tiny pans for heating individual slices of cheese. The dish is completed with a side of pickles, ideally gherkins and pickled onions. Pair with a Valais white wine for the full taste sensation.
3. Berner rösti
Proper Swiss comfort food, the humble rösti is somewhat similar to the Anglo hashbrown, though don’t let the Swiss hear you say that. It’s said that the dish was originally eaten for breakfast by Bernese farmers, but it’s now popular across German-speaking Switzerland and beyond, as a breakfast, lunch, or dinner base. For a true taste, head to one of Bern’s Old Town eateries, where you’ll find it served alongside all sorts of tasty fare, from fried eggs and spinach to meat and cream sauces.
4. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is a regional dish of Zurich, comprising sautéed veal, onions, and sometimes mushrooms in a white wine and cream sauce, and typically served with a side of rösti. It’ll be on the menu at most Zurich restaurants, and many more across the country. Veal is an Alpine delicacy, and well worth sampling to get an idea of Swiss cuisine beyond cheese.
5. Fondue Chinoise
Though the name means “Chinese fondue,” this hot pot dish is a truly Helvetian treat. Typically saved for special occasions, such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve, Fondue Chinoise is all about good quality cuts of meat, which are cooked in a communal pot of bouillon broth. The variety of dips is what adds the Swiss flavor, with popular options including cocktail, garlic, tartar, and chestnut sauces. Though it’s usually eaten during the holidays, you’ll easily find fondue chinoise around all the big tourist hubs, such as Basel, Interlaken, and Zurich.