The world's most popular savory fried foods

Be it a battered vegetable, a bread-crumbed cutlet, or a tender piece of dough, what doesn't taste amazing after a proper fry job?

The ancient Egyptians invented the technique of frying food in hot fat, and since then each culture has taken their unique spin on it. From basic French fries to delicate tempura, nothing quite pleases the palate like a delicious crisp from a brief dip in hot oil.

Ready for a mouthwatering experience? Click through this gallery for the world's most popular fried savory foods.

Tempura

A popular Japanese dish, tempura usually consists of seafood and vegetables that have been coated in thin batter and then deep-fried. It was introduced to Japan via Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century as a meatless option during holy fasting days.

Hush puppies

These savory cornmeal croquettes have been eaten in the Southern US since the Civil War era. They're a traditional accompaniment to fried fish.

Coxinha

One of Brazil's favorite street foods, coxinha (translating to "little thigh") is a crispy croquette filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese. It's then molded into a shape resembling a teardrop, battered, and deep-fried.

French fries

The history and birthplace of French fries has been contested between Belgium and France for centuries. But today, they're beloved around the world!

Pakora

A popular Indian vegetable fritter, pakora can be made with anything, including potatoes, eggplant, cabbage, and spinach. Although it's a quintessential Indian snack, it can be found on numerous street corners around Southeast Asia.

Fried green tomatoes

Often associated with the US South, fried green tomatoes actually have their origins in the 19th-century Midwest. A national staple today, they can be dunked in cornmeal batter or breaded with flour, cornmeal, or cracker crumbs before frying.

Banh cam

Though the name translates to "orange cake" in Vietnamese, there's no orange flavor in these deep-fried rice balls. Made with glutinous rice flour, they're filled with mung bean paste, and then rolled in sesame seeds and fried.

Tostones

Tostones are twice-fried green plantains with variations found throughout Latin American and the Caribbean. Slices of plantain are fried once, then smashed and fried again. It's named after the Spanish verb tostar, meaning "to toast."

Fried chicken

There are many ways to cook chicken, but two of the most popular, and crunchy, are American and Korean fried chicken. While the American version is known for its thick and rough crust, the Korean version has a thin, crispy batter coating instead.

Kibbeh

Considered a national dish of Lebanon and Syria, kibbeh are fried meat-and-bulgur balls. They're made from minced beef or lamb that's mixed with cooked bulgur wheat, onions, and spices.

Chimichangas

While Arizona claims to be the birthplace of chimichangas (deep-fried burritos), they are now a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine.

Chicharrón

Chicharron, or deep-fried pork skin, has been a method for making the most of every part of the pig for centuries. It's most popular in Spain, the Philippines, and several Latin American countries. In Portuguese-speaking countries it's known as torresmo.

Maakouda

Traditional potato fritters from North Africa, maakoudas are made with potatoes, parsley, garlic, flour, salt, and pepper. They tend to be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or in a sandwich.

Spring rolls

Commonly found in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines, spring rolls consist of thin sheets of dough that are filled with various ingredients. Common ingredients for filling include shredded pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and cabbage.

Pastel

One of the most common fast food items in Brazil, pastel is a deep-fried, stuffed pastry. It's stuffed with a variety of ingredients, typically shredded chicken, ground beef, mozzarella, or small shrimps.

Samosa

Popular throughout Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, samosas are savory pastries filled with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, meat, or fish. Its origins date back to medieval times.

Fish and chips

Often considered Britain's national dish, fish and chips consists of fried fish in batter, which is served with fries. Popular accompaniments include salt and vinegar, as well as mushy peas.