Saltfish, Khubz Bread and Shark, Oh My...

Two intrepid Skinny writers grab their travel forks and see how far they can take their tastebuds on tour without even hitting the M8.

Edinburgh

Sweden
Boda, 229 Leith Walk, 0131 553 5900
Boda is the chic bar and eatery frequented by cool kids in the know. Friendly staff serve Nordic favourites like moose sausages and a selection of exclusive Swedish wines.

Poland
Bigo's, 277 Leith Walk, 0131 554 6539
Named after the national dish, Bigo's serves hearty Polish fare with few frills. For an authentic experience bring some vodka or try their home made cherry compote.

The Sudan
Nile Valley, 6 Chapel St, 0131 554 6539
African food will be the next culinary sensation so learn the art of Khubz bread, served here with curries or as tasty, cheap wraps to go. You heard it here first.

Malaysia
Old Penang, 21 Dalziel Place, 0131 661 3200
Malaysia's fusion of cultures reflects well in the menu of this neighborhood favourite. Indian roti could be served with Japanese Teriyaki, but be prepared for hot spices all round.

North Eastern China
Chop Chop, 248 Morrison St, 0131 221 1155
Award winning noodles and Guo Tie dumplings reign at Chop Chop. A step apart from the crowded Chinese scene, expect to be surprised by their authentic North Eastern dishes.

Japan
Tang's, 44 Candlemaker Row, 0131 220 5000
Tang's serves up delicious sushi made to order by an ex-Yo! Sushi chef. The Ramen noodles, Calpico soda and rows of Manga comics complete the Japanese experience.

California
Calistoga, 93 St. Leonard's St, 0131 668 4207
Californian food is not all about raw celery and tofurkey! Calistoga serves an eclectic menu full of twists, try the pancake cheesecake and their extensive Californian wine collection.

Jamaica
Coyaba, 133 Buccleuch St, 0131 662 9111
Jamaicans are passionate about their food and Coyaba demonstrates why. National favourites saltfish and jerk chicken are served with the best ackee this side of Kingston.

Brazil
Brazilian Sensation, 117-119 Buccleuch St, 0131 667 0400
Brazillian Sensation is a student favourite for lunch, serving huge sandwiches, fresh smoothies and homemade ice cream using fruits and ingredients you won't find anywhere else.


Glasgow

Belgium
Brel, Ashton Lane, 0141 342 4966
Louche Jacques-wannabees kick back with pots of garlicky moules frites, spicy merguez sausage, Belgian chocolate mousse and that lesser know export, Belgian mash. An expansive fridge is stacked with an impressive range of Belgian bottled beer, including a pungent Blue Chimay, whose 9% abv will knock you for six.

Russia
Café Cossachok, 38 Albion Street, 0141 553 0733
Despite having recently re-located to bigger premises, the borscht-red surrounds, warm candlelight and folk artwork mean Café Cossachok hasn't lost any of its boho authenticity. The menu is invitingly rib-sticking: think savoury blinis, beef stroganoff topped with crispy straw potatoes, many variations on mushrooms and cream, and vodka and honey-laced coffees.

Turkey
Alla Turca,
Amidst the conventional humus and falafel are some quirky rustic gems including Ege Ezme (yoghurt and walnuts with rosemary bread) and a house casserole of chicken with apricots, plums and rice, to be washed down with wee glasses of the traditional aniseed-spiked aperitif raki.

Korea
Kokuryo, 1138 Argyle Street, 0141 334 5566
Spearheading the slow-but-sure regeneration of this student-friendly neighbourhood, Kokuryo is a tiny corner joint turning out spankingly fresh sushi and steaming hot pots stirred through with the ubiquitous national dish kimchi (moreishly sweet-sour pickled and fermented veggies). First timers are best to get stuck into the sample-everything buffet nights.

Iran
Koolba, Candleriggs, 0141 552 2777
Dubbed Scotland's first Persian restaurant, Koolba softens the blow of the unknown with a list of well-executed Indian staples along the jaipuri and masala line. Those with wandering tastebuds, however, will want to tuck into the Persian barbeque menu, a lamb-based extravaganza complemented by lemon, gherkin and roast tomato salads.

Morocco
Mzouda, Elderslie Street 0141 221 3910
Casablanca-born, Catalan-trained chef-owner Hamid Behach is doing some fabulous things with Scotland's raw ingredients. Try Bisara, a smooth chilli-flecked soup made from dried broad beans or Mzouda lamb, cooked with honey, raisins and almonds then finished with sliced, spiced Moroccan oranges.

Mongolia
Kublai Khan's Mongolian Barbeque, Candleriggs, 0141 552 5646
In all probability as authentically Mongolian as my gran, Kublai Khan's excels at creating a party atmosphere, with a pick n mix menu that reads like Edinburgh Zoo's adoption list. Feast, as the great despot himself no doubt did, on spicy minced zebra with a shark steak on the side. Can you hear that? It's Linda McCartney. Spinning.


New Zealand
Tapa Bake House, 19-21 Whitehill Street, 0141 554 9981
A fully organic, artisan bakery churning out homemade Kiwi treats like crunchy, vegan-friendly Anzac biscuits, syrupy Hokey Pokey cookies and moist, cream-cheese topped parsnip cakes. Regionally sourced coffee beans are ground on-site and there's a lovely range of veg-packed sarnies and salads to eat in or go. A real burst of antipodean sunshine in an otherwise uninspiring area of the city