Edible Architecture: World Landmarks Created from Local Food

One of the best parts of travelling is without doubt sampling the local food around the world. There are so many iconic dishes around the globe and we wanted to celebrate some of our favourite international cuisines in a unique way.

To do this we have created illustrations of some of the most famous landmarks around the globe using iconic local food. Our creative illustrations showcase two of the best things about these countries – their signature dishes and their incredible landmarks.

From Big Ben made of fish and chips to the Statue of Liberty built from hotdogs and Himeji Castle created from sushi, our quirky illustrations will make you see these popular world landmarks in a whole new light.

Acropolis of Athens – Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens is one of the most iconic historic landmarks in the world. The word ‘acropolis’ stems from the Greek words ἄκρον and πόλις, meaning highest point and city. The Acropolis of Athens is so renowned that it is commonly referred to simply as ‘the Acropolis’, although there are many other acropolises around the world.

Our Acropolis illustration has been created using the typical ingredients of a Greek salad – feta cheese and Kalamata olives. Feta cheese is a brined white cheese made in Greece using either sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk. Kalamata olives are named after the city of Kalamata in Greece. These are large olives of a black or brown colour and a meaty texture.

Big Ben – London, UK

London’s Big Ben is a notable landmark of the city. While people generally refer to the famous landmark as Big Ben, the individual elements of the clock tower are actually The Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell. The clock tower has stood proudly in the English capital since 1859.

Fish and chips are a classic British seaside indulgence, and we had to celebrate this beloved British tradition in our Big Ben illustration. Fish and chips first appeared as a part of British cuisine way back in the 1860s, by 1910 there was over 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK. Of course the dish has now spread around the world but it will always be synonymous with British charm.

Colosseum – Rome, Italy

When you think of Rome the first two things you think of are the Colosseum and pizza, and so that’s what we combined in our Italy foodie illustration. The Colosseum is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. The construction of this ancient building began back in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80. The colosseum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome.

Surely one of the best things to come out of Italy is pizza. Whether you like yours as a Margherita, a meat feast or a veggie delight, no-one can deny the deliciousness of pizza and they don’t come any better than in Italy itself. It is believed the modern pizza was invented in Naples and in 2009 the Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a ‘Traditional Speciality Guaranteed’ dish.

Eiffel Tower – Paris, France

One of the most iconic skylines in the world must be the striking Eiffel Tower in beautiful Paris. The Eiffel Tower was constructed between 1887-89 as the entrance to the World Fair held in Paris in 1889. The famous tower initially received a fair deal of criticism from respected artists and intellectuals, but over time it has become one of the country’s cultural icons. People from all around the world flock to Paris to see the tower and take in the view from the top.

A trip to France wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a local bakery to enjoy some of the freshly baked bread. Baguettes are one of the most common breads in France – often referred to as French bread. The baguette is so important in France that the dough used to make baguettes is defined by French law. It is believed that the baguette stick style of bread first became popular in France back in the 18th century.

Giza Pyramids – Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramid in Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Giza Pyramid Complex includes the Great Pyramid and The Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the Giza pyramids.

Falafel is a deep-fried patty made from chickpeas, fava beans or both, which is popular throughout the Middle East but it believed to have originated in Egypt. Falafel is a favourite with vegetarians and is a popular street food, usually served up in a pita.

Grand Palace – Bangkok, Thailand

The Grand Palace in Bangkok has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The king and his royal court actually lived in the palace until 1925, now the palace is used for official events but is not a royal residence. The Grand Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Thailand.

Pad Thai is a traditional Thai dish which has spread in popularity around the world thanks to a surge in Thai restaurants opening around the globe. The classic pad Thai is typically served as a street-food or in casual eateries in Thailand. Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish which usually comes with tofu, peanuts, vegetables and often shrimp or other seafood or meat. Pad Thai has been listed as the fifth most delicious food in a readers’ poll by CNN.

Himeji Castle – Himeji, Japan

Himeji Castle is an ancient Japanese castle complex located atop a hilltop on the city of Himeji. The castle complex is heralded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. The complex is comprised of a total of 83 buildings. The castle dates back to 1333 and in 1993 it became one of the very first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sushi is arguably the most world-renowned cuisine to come from Japan. The popular dish combines a specially vinegared rice with seafood, typically raw, and vegetables. The classic Japanese cuisine has gained popularity internationally in recent years with sushi restaurants popping up across the globe.

Statue of Liberty – New York City, USA

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous landmarks in the whole world, and an internationally recognised sign of the USA. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and a welcome for all who come to the USA. The iconic statue was a gift to the USA from France in 1886.

The hot dog was originally imported from the German frankfurter, but popularised as the classic hotdog in the US where it became a staple working-class street food. The hot dog has also become closely associated with baseball and US sport culture. A typical hot dog includes a garnishing of mustard and tomato ketchup, but other popular toppings include everything from gherkins to relish and olives.

Sydney Opera House – Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is arguably one of the most distinctive buildings of the 20th century. The building is a multi-venue performing arts centre, which hosts over 1500 performances annually. The Sydney Opera House has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The iconic building was first opened in 1973 and was designed by a Danish architect.

Pavlova is a popular meringue-based dessert which was named after the ballerina Anna Pavlova after a tour of Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. The dessert is a hugely popular dish in both Australia and New Zealand and is heralded as the national cuisine. The dish is particularly popular during Australian summertime and features as a part of the Australian Christmas dinner.

Taj Mahal – Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is a world-famous mausoleum on the city of Agra, India. The building was first commissioned in 1632 by the emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife. The original construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1643 but ongoing development of the building continued until 1653. The building has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The name Taj Mahal means ‘Crown of the Palace.’

Samosas are a popular appetiser and snack in India, and across other parts of Asia. Samosas are a fried pastry filled with ingredients including minced lamb or beef, spiced potatoes, onions, peas and other fillings. In India samosas generally stick to vegetarian fillings and are served with a mint chutney. Samosas have also become popular worldwide and are a typical item to find in Indian restaurants around the world.