33. Raita - This yogurt mixture is best known for accompanying some of your favorite Indian and Pakistani dishes. Whether you are having Biryani, Kebabs, or even a vegetable stir fry, raita always adds a little freshness to every meal. It can also help you manage spicy dishes much better since it’s usually served chilled. It’s made with yogurt also sometimes called curd, cumin, mint, cilantro, salt, black pepper, and a vegetable such as cucumber, tomato, or onions. Some variations contain one or a combination of the following: green chilies, chili powder, mango, pomegranate, carrot, spinach, garlic, beetroot, and many more.Â
34. Ponzu - You may confuse ponzu with soy sauce but they are in fact different. Ponzu has a watery consistency with a slightly citrus flavor. It’s made with seaweed, fish flakes, rice vinegar, and mirin. You can usually find bottles of it at your local Asian grocery store. Ponzu is great for dipping sashimi into, but you can also use it as a dressing for some grilled meat or fish, or use it as a dip during a hotpot meal known as shabu-shabu. If you are a frequent visitor of Japanese restaurants then you have probably already tasted ponzu before. It looks similar to soy sauce and is usually served in a small dish alongside your chosen order.Â
35. Banana Ketchup - Although it looks like ketchup and has ketchup in the name, banana ketchup is in fact made from bananas. Along with some sugar, vinegar, and some spices, this condiment is a staple for all Filipino households. You might be wondering how this slightly less tangy and more sweet version of ketchup came about. Well, during WWII there was a shortage of tomatoes and as the Philippines is rich in fruits, especially bananas, the banana ketchup was born. You use it as you would normal ketchup, serve it with fries, on hotdogs, in burgers, or as a dip for your skewers and various fried foods. If you ever find yourself in the Philippines and are wondering why the ketchup served to you tasted different, it’s probably because it's banana ketchup and not tomato ketchup.Â
