Among all the fascinating and varied culinary traditions across the globe, there are some foods you can find just about anywhere — like the humble french fry. Cultures and cuisines on virtually every continent include some variation of the crispy potatoes. And although ketchup is by far the preferred accompaniment in the U.S. (where Americans eat almost 3 million tons of fries each year), people across the globe enjoy fries in a myriad of different ways. Here are some of the tastiest regional takes on french fries around the world.

Belgium

While the U.S. comes out on top for overall consumption, Belgium consumes the most fries per capita. The country is often credited as the original home of french fries — a name brought to the U.S. by American GIs during World War I because French was spoken in Belgium.

Legend has it that, in the 1600s, when rivers were frozen during winter, thinly sliced and deep-fried potatoes took the place of small fish on dinner plates. (Potatoes themselves originated in South America, and Chile vigorously disputes a European origin story for french fries.) Arguments about origins aside, Belgium has more than 4,500 frituurs or frietkots (fry stands), and its citizenry eats about 165 pounds of double-fried frites per year, primarily with mayonnaise and salt.

Canada

We can thank the French-speaking province of Québec for poutine, a hearty combination of crispy fries, creamy cheese curds, and brown gravy. The dish, originally consisting of only fries and curds, is said to have first been served in the 1950s at a restaurant called Le Lutin qui rit. Then, in 1964, Drummondville restaurant Le Roy Jucep added gravy to the mix; it later trademarked its claim as the inventor of the modern iteration. Poutine’s name is derived from Quebecois slang for “mess,” and the quintessentially Canadian concoction is definitely a fork-and-napkin affair. 

The U.K. and Ireland

The British Empire brought back a love of all things curry from colonial India, and chips — what Americans call french fries — in curry sauce are a popular late-night snack in the U.K., Ireland, and Australia. The golden, lightly spicy sauce is a staple in chippies (fish and chips shops) throughout the U.K. 

The Netherlands

These potatoes mean war: Patatje oorlog (“war chips”) is a popular Dutch snack that features flavors imported from the nation’s own colonial history. Along with deep-fried potato slices, patataje oorlog features chopped onions, mayonnaise, peanutty satay, and chili-laden sambal oelek (the latter two of which originated in the former Dutch colonies of Indonesia and Malaysia). Salty, sweet, and fiery, the toppings may seem to battle but somehow manage to all work together.

Tanzania

French fries for breakfast? In Tanzania, chipsi mayai is definitely on the early morning menu, but the nation’s most popular street food can be enjoyed at any time of day. Translated (loosely) from Swahili as “french fry eggs,” this simple omelet is seasoned with chili powder, bursting with crispy fries, and often includes chopped tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cilantro.

South Africa

If you like your french fries more soft than crispy, South Africa’s version “slaps.” (The Afrikaans word for “limp” or “soft” is slap.) Thick-cut slaptjips are lightly fried, dusted with salt, and doused in vinegar, then covered and left to steam for a bit to soften. This makes for a snack that’s just a little crispy on the outside but soft and full of tang once you take a bite. 

Peru

Potatoes were first domesticated by the Inca peoples in what is now Peru more than 8,000 years ago. Upwards of 4,000 varieties grow in the Andean regions of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru today. Salchipapas are a popular fast-food snack consisting of stir-fried salchicas (sausages) and fried papas (potatoes). Delicious on their own, salchipapas are often accompanied by aji (chili) sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard.

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