The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Croatian Food
Food in Croatia is influenced by a delightful blend of Mediterranean, Central European, and Balkan influences, resulting in a diverse and flavorsome gastronomy. Furthermore, different parts of the country have their own unique culinary traditions. Four of the five countries with the most similar food to Croatia are predominately Catholic. In addition, with the exception of Montenegro, they are all part of the European Union.
- Slovenia is Croatia’s northern neighbor, so their cuisines have many similarities. Both countries share a love for hearty, rustic dishes, seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Dishes like štruklji (rolled dumplings) and potica (nut roll) are eaten in both nations. Pork is the most commonly consumed meat in each country. Istrian prosciutto is quite popular, as well as Ričet, a thick soup with large pieces of pork.
- France may seem like an unexpected addition to this list, but these Mediterranean nations share some interesting culinary similarities. Both nations eat a rich array of seafood. French bouillabaisse and Croatian brodet are similar fish soups. In addition, both countries use eggs and cheese as popular ingredients in their diets.
- Montenegro shares a long coastline along the Adriatic Sea with Croatia. As a result, both countries revel in seafood delicacies, such as grilled fish, calamari, and seafood risottos. Traditional Montenegrin dishes like kačamak, a cornmeal-based dish, and njeguški pršut, a smoked ham, have parallels in Croatian cuisine.
- Slovakia and Croatia do not border each other but were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Both countries have a penchant for stews and grilled meats. They also embrace sausages and sauerkraut as prominent elements of their cuisines. Yogurt and cheese are popular in both nations as well. While the most commonly consumed grain in Slovakia and Croatia is wheat, Slovakians tend to eat a lot less corn.
- Spain is yet another country with a lot of coastline on the Mediterranean. Croatian dishes like cevapi (grilled minced meat), buzara (shellfish stew), and pašticada (slow-cooked beef) echo the flavors and techniques found in Spanish cuisine. The coastal regions of both countries also celebrate the bounty of the sea, offering an array of delicious seafood dishes.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Croatia
The Least Similar Cuisines to Croatian Food
All five countries with the least similar food to Croatia are located in tropical regions, so the climate in these countries is significantly warmer. This affects what type of crops are grown in these countries. Moreover, these countries are significantly less developed than Croatia. Neither bread, pasta, and pork are not commonly eaten in these countries.
- Chad is to the north of Central African Republic. It is mostly desert land, since the Sahara Desert runs through it. Chad’s cuisine is far different from Croatia’s. It heavily relies on staple foods like millet, sorghum, corn, and beans.
- South Sudan is located to the northeast of Congo. It is another country where cassava is the staple food, however the country eats its share of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. Unlike in Croatia, beef is the most commonly consumed meat in the South Sudan.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The country relies heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops. Its relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Micronesian cuisine focuses more on the natural flavors of ingredients, with an emphasis on freshness and simplicity.
- Central African Republic is a landlocked African country that borders both Congo and South Sudan. Cassava and yams are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than Croatia.
- Sierra Leone‘s food is extremely different from Croatia’s. It is a predominately Muslim, so the country eats significantly less pork. The vast majority of the nation’s diet is made up of starches, especially rice and cassava.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Croatia
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Croatia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Chicken
Fruit: Banana, Grape
Vegetable: Cabbage, Tomato
Starch: Wheat, Corn
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.