May 29th is Ethnic Food Day! 2026 Ranking of 'Must-Try Ethnic Foods This Summer'

The Japan Ethnic Association, an organization dedicated to promoting ethnic culture and cuisine in Japan, has released the results of its 12th annual 'Must-Try Ethnic Foods This Summer' ranking in celebration of 'Ethnic Food Day' on May 29th. For the first time in the ranking's history, a single country's cuisine has swept the top three spots. The first-place 'Larb' and third-place 'Som Tum' are salads from Thailand's northeastern Isan region, while the second-place 'Moo Krata' is a Thai hot pot dish said to be inspired by Japanese yakiniku culture. Larb is a spicy salad seasoned with herbs and lime, which has seen a surge in popularity. Moo Krata is an entertaining hot pot that combines grilling and shabu-shabu, making it a beloved national dish in Thailand. Som Tum is a healthy, spicy green papaya salad known for its diverse regional variations. The survey was conducted among 100 association members between May 12th and May 24th.