Around the world in 22 garlic recipes

Garlic might repel vampires, but it sure attracts the rest of us.

The vampire slayer ramen express Source: Mandy Lee

It's the compound allyl methyl sulfide in garlic that causes most of the trouble. It seeps into your breath first before making its way into your bloodstream to pong up your entire body via your sweat and urine. Depending on your metabolism, the pungent whiff can linger for days.

Hardly the kind of experience most of us would actively seek out. 

And yet... There aren't many who claim to adore the smell of garlic, but hardly anyone will turn down a bowl of garlic prawns, toum or garlic bread. Just three of the world's plethora of garlic dishes that are worth losing a few friends over.

Here are 22 more.

Spain: Sopa de ajo and Pinchos morunos

Source: Benito Martin

In Spain, a nourishing bowl of restorative garlic soup was traditionally eaten by Castilian shepherds who needed warmth and energy in the fields. Don't we all?

Source: Sharyn Cairns

Moorish-inspired, grilled skewers are popular throughout Spain and the best way to serve them is with a chilli-garlic dipping sauce. That's if the six cloves of crushed garlic in the pork rub isn't enough for you already...

India: Dahl

When the soul grows weary, there is always dahl. Source: Clare Winfield

Recipes abound for the classic red lentil dahl, but you can rest assured that all of them will contain garlic.

Lebanon: Jawaneh and Shawarma

Roast these chicken wings in the oven until golden and crispy. Source: Mark Roper

Garlic, lemon and chicken is a classic Lebanese combination showcased beautifully in these sticky caramelised wings. Best made with enough garlic to keep the vampires away for weeks.

The ultimate in portable pungency. Source: Brett Stevens

The street-food flavour bomb packs garlic into the meat rub, sauce and even the pita wrap if you're lucky.

Korea: Kkanpunggi and kimchi

Crunchy morsels of golden chicken nuggets are coated in a spicy sweet-and-sour glaze. Source: Billy Law

Korea's spicy garlic chicken is a delicious Korean-Chinese fusion dish that's dangerously addictive. There are five cloves of garlic in this recipe, so go all-in.

Besides tickling every taste bud, kimchi is also full of antioxidants to support gut health and general wellbeing. Source: Poh & Co. 2

Good kimchi has plenty of healing garlic packed in, a necessary ingredient to produce the required pungency to balance the spicy, sour and salty condiment.

France: Escargot

Each region has its own version of escargot, but you can rest assured that each contains a truck-load of garlic. Source: Lee Chan's World Food Tour

In a land that loves garlic with everything, the French particularly love it with escargot. Lashings of buttery, garlicky sauce would turn anyone into a snail lover, super fast.

Mexico: Birria and Tacos de res guisado

This slow-cooked stew is often served in tacos, but you can also used the meat in quesadillas. Source: Martha Guadalupe

The Mexican city of Guadalajara is justly proud of its famous slow-cooked goat dish, birria. Pati Jinich also does a lamb version that does this rich stew justice.

Mexican slow-cooked beef has a wonderful texture, a rich flavour and makes a delicious taco when stuffed in a fresh corn tortilla. Source: Travis Harvey

Slow-cooking beef until it falls apart makes for amazing tacos. This recipe boasts eight cloves of garlic, which all infuse through the beef during the long cooking process.

Philippines: Adobo

Fry up any leftovers of this tasty braise til crispy and you'll have what's known in the Philippines as adobo flakes. Source: Benito Martin

Onion and garlic form a potent bass to the acidic treble of soy and vinegar in the national dish of the Philippines. The result is a rich, sticky, tender chicken dish that comforts taste buds and bellies alike.

Italy: Spaghetti aglio e olio and Bagna càuda

A reminder that a few simple, good-quality ingredients can create something truly unforgettable. Source: Ben Fogarty

Trust the Italians to come up with such a simple dish that boasts a deceptively rich flavour. Use the freshest, plumpest garlic you can get your hands on.

Bagna càuda is traditionally eaten warm with raw vegetable dippers, but once you taste the sauce you'll be slathering it far and wide. Source: Adam Liaw

Bagna càuda is the Italian sauce-slash-dip-slash-dressing that makes everything taste like summer in Turin. Dip your veggies in it, stir it through pasta or dollop it on a side of mash.

Japan: Ramen

The trick when adding vast quantities of garlic is to caramelise it until it melts and becomes irresistibly sweet. Source: Mandy Lee

Adding garlic to your ramen isn't essential, but boy is it good. Mandy Lee calls this version the vampire slayer for good reason: a whopping 44 cloves of garlic, serves 4.

Argentina: Chimichurri

Argentinians love their herbaceous sauce that adds a zippy green tang to meat and vegetables. Source: Bondi Harvest

A strong garlic flavour balances fresh green herbs, chilli and vinegar in Argentina and Uruguay's answer to tomato ketchup at your next barbecue.

Thailand: Nahm jim

Punchy nahm jim dressing will make you feel alive. Source: Andrew Dorn

A fresh, vibrant salad that hums with sweet, sour and salty goodness. You know you're onto a good thing when a dressing calls for equal-parts chilli and garlic.

Greece: Slow-cooked lamb and Chicken souvlaki

Slow-cooked lamb shoulder is a classic winter meal that actually works a treat at any time of year. Source: Alan Benson

Here's the combo of garlic, lemon and fresh herbs winning again. Lamb gently roasted until it's melting off the bone is a thoroughly Greek experience you'll be happy to have at your place.

Marinade the chicken for as long as you can to really absorb all the flavours. Source: One World Kitchen

Garlic and chicken are another heavenly match and never happier together than wrapped in pita. Add loads of tomato and onion and you'd swear you were walking the back streets of Athens.

China: San bei jihree and garlic prawns

The bold flavours of this chicken stir-fry will keep you coming back for more. Source: Andrew Dorn

Garlic buddies up with ginger in Chinese cooking to produce robust dishes like three-cup chicken.

Garlic prawns are a Chinese restaurant classic. Source: Adam Liaw

The simplicity of garlic prawns relies on top-notch ingredients. Both the prawns and garlic cloves should be plump and juicy.

Afghanistan: Banjaan borani

This recipe is how banjaan borani would be prepared at home, to eat alongside challaw or another rice dish. Source: Alicia Taylor

Onions, garlic and chilli are all part of the Afghan cooking trinity and all three sing in generous quantities in this melt-in-the-mouth eggplant dish.

Singapore: Hainanese chicken

Hainanese chicken is widely considered to be the national dish of Singapore. Source: Randy Larcombe Photography

Hainanese chicken is another famous chicken dish that's simply dripping with garlicky goodness. Garlic is infused in the chicken, the rice and the sauce.