Whether it's the meals we enjoy on a regular basis or dishes associated with celebrating a special occasion, we all have our favourite, go-to cuisine.

Shared and loved around the world, so much of the food we eat is tied to history, culture and tradition and synonymous with the countries they hail from. But do you really know where your favourite food originates from?

Their names may seem obvious, but there are several famous foods loved by generations that come from unexpected places. BBC Bitesize explores a few prime examples of dishes, desserts and treats that don’t come from where you think.

Hawaiian pizza

One of the most famous and popular foods in the world, pizza and its many variants have been loved by generations. Evolving from dishes originally created in Naples, Italy, there are so many iconic Italian pizzas, from Margherita to Capricciosa, and the Quatros Staggioni and Formaggi (four seasons and four cheeses respectively).

The Italian-originated dish consists of a flat round base of dough, baked with tomato sauces, cheese and other toppings such as meat and vegetables. We all have our favourites, but perhaps the most controversial that always gets people talking is the Hawaiian pizza.

Topped with ham and pineapple, its name suggests it was invented in Italy or the US island state of Hawaii – but the answer is in fact neither. The Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada by Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos in 1962, who used tinned pineapple from a brand called ‘Hawaiian’ for his creation, naming the invention in its honour.

Viennese Whirl

With the name Viennese Whirl, you would assume the much-loved treat would originate from Austria, more specifically Vienna. But the truth is, they are a British invention.

The sandwich biscuit, made up of two shortbread whirls filled with jam and buttercream, has been popular on the supermarket shelves in England for decades. The Viennese Whirl is said to have been inspired by traditional Austrian biscuits and pastries - which is likely why the sandwich biscuit has the name it does.

Austria itself is known for creating many buttery and crumbly biscuits, often containing vanilla and ground nuts. Famous biscuits include Vanillekipferl, which are vanilla crescent-shaped shortbread cookies, and Linzer Cookies, the nutty shortbread sandwich cookies typically filled with jam.

Chicken tikka masala

One of the UK’s favourite curries, chicken tikka masala consists of roasted marinated chicken pieces that have been simmered in a spiced tomato-based sauce. But while the specific origin of the dish cannot be proved with certainty, it is widely considered to have originated in Glasgow, Scotland.

The late Ali Ahmed Aslam is widely credited with creating the popular dish in his Glaswegian restaurant back in the 1970s. Aslam moved to the Scottish city from Pakistan as a young boy before opening restaurant Shish Mahal in Glasgow's west end in 1964.

The story goes that a customer asked if there was a way of making his chicken tikka less dry and Aslam’s solution was to add a creamy tomato sauce - creating the much-loved chicken tikka masala. Widely regarded as a curry that has been adapted to suit Western tastes, the dish is often referred to as one of the UK’s national dishes.

Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska traditionally features a layer of sponge cake, topped with ice-cream - then completely covered in meringue and usually baked or torched. But contrary to its name, the showstopping dessert was not invented in Alaska, the largest state in the USA.

It is widely believed that Baked Alaska was created by chef Charles Ranhofer at Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City, USA. Ranhofer’s original dessert featured banana ice cream and walnut spice cake covered in meringue and is said to have been inspired by the United States purchase of the Alaska Territory in 1867.

The dessert was originally called “Alaska, Florida” by Ranhofer as it contained both cold and hot components. But many also attribute the name Baked Alaska to chef Antoine Alciatore of Antoine’s restaurant in New Orleans, USA - a restaurant that has long been famous for their signature Baked Alaska.

Swedish meatballs

A staple of Swedish culture, Swedish meatballs are synonymous with the Scandinavian country and for many, a trip to IKEA is not complete without them. Based on its name, you would likely assume they originate from Sweden.

But in fact, they come from Turkey – well, the recipe that they are based on does. Back in 2018, a post on Sweden.Se, the nation's official X account, told followers: "Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe King Charles XII brought home from Turkey in the early 18th Century. Let's stick to the facts!"

At the time, many fans around the world were shocked by the admission. But today, they remain popular and continue to be known by the same name, with many considering Swedish meatballs to be as much a symbol of the country as Abba or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

This article was published in March 2026