If you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons, a great cookbook can be your passport. These titles go beyond recipes—they offer cultural insights, regional context, and stories that bring international kitchens to life. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting out, these top 10 cookbooks will inspire you to explore flavors from across the globe. Bonus: many are available through Rakuten partner stores like Bookshop.org and Amazon, where you can earn cashback on your purchase.

1. The Food of Sichuan by Fuchsia Dunlop
   An essential deep dive into the bold, spicy cuisine of China’s Sichuan province. Dunlop trained at a Chinese culinary school and offers authentic recipes like mapo tofu and dan dan noodles.
2. Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless
   Bayless brings vibrant Mexican flavors into your kitchen with practical, approachable recipes. His spin on tacos, tamales, and moles celebrates both street food and home cooking.
   Also available through retailers offering Rakuten cashback.
3. Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi
   This visually stunning cookbook blends Jewish and Arab influences from the authors’ shared hometown. Recipes range from mejadra to chicken with caramelized onion and cardamom rice.
   Highly rated on Amazon.
4. The Japanese Grill by Tadashi Ono & Harris Salat
   For fans of yakitori, miso-marinated fish, and robata-style vegetables, this cookbook is a flavorful guide to Japanese grilling culture.
   It combines traditional techniques with American backyard grilling.
5. My Korea by Hooni Kim
   Written by New York chef Hooni Kim, this modern Korean cookbook bridges professional techniques and home-style recipes. Dishes include kimchi jjigae, bulgogi, and gimbap.
6. Sababa by Adeena Sussman
   A celebration of Israeli home cooking, Sababa blends vibrant Middle Eastern spices with easy-to-follow recipes. Dishes like labneh cheesecake and chicken shawarma sheet pan are full of flavor and color.
7. Vietnamese Food Any Day by Andrea Nguyen
   Nguyen makes Vietnamese cooking more accessible by using ingredients available at most supermarkets. From banh mi to pho ga, this book simplifies traditional flavors without compromise.
8. India: The Cookbook by Pushpesh Pant
   This massive volume contains over 1,000 recipes representing India’s regional diversity—from Punjabi curries to Goan seafood. It’s more encyclopedia than coffee table book, perfect for the serious cook.
9. The Nordic Cookbook by Magnus Nilsson
   Chef Magnus Nilsson traveled across the Nordic countries to document traditional recipes, including lesser-known dishes from Iceland, Finland, and the Faroe Islands. A visually rich exploration of Northern European food heritage.
10. Persiana by Sabrina Ghayour
    Ghayour brings Persian flavors to the home kitchen with easy recipes like lamb tagine, spiced rice, and pomegranate salad. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive gatherings.

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Final Thoughts

Great cookbooks don’t just teach you how to cook—they introduce you to the people, places, and traditions behind each dish. With these international selections, your kitchen becomes a portal to the world.