Feast your eyes on the various dishes from the Land Down Under. Australia is a cultural hotpot of a country with influences from European, Asian, Pacific Islander, and, of course, Australian Aboriginal cultures. In Australia, you can be sure that every bite you take of their traditional dishes will be an adventure.

Come join us as we take a look at some of the dishes that make Australia so special.

1. Vegemite

This spread evokes a sense of disgust from some people, but we’re 100% convinced they’re just not eating it right. You don’t need a whole lot of Vegemite—it’s not peanut butter or strawberry jam. Just smear a little dollop of Vegemite on your toast until you’ve got a really thin layer of it. Then, enjoy it as it is, or add some other things on top of it such as avocados, cheese, eggs, or tomatoes.

Vegemite is definitely an acquired taste. This beloved Australian product is made up of yeast extract and flavored with vegetable additives. Flavor-wise, it’s rich in saltiness and umami with a slight hint of bitterness.

2. Fairy Bread

This magical-sounding treat will have you wishing for more! A popular food at children’s birthday parties, this colorful snack can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

And it’s so easy to make at home as well! All you need is some white bread with a little bit of unsalted butter spread on top. Once that’s ready, you can douse the whole thing with a ton of rainbow sprinkles (or hundreds and thousands as the Aussies like to call them)! You can also try using Nutella instead of butter for some chocolatey goodness.

3. Pavlova

Named after the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova, this dessert looks like a cake but is actually made of baked meringue. It is lightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, and it is usually topped with whipped cream and an assortment of sliced fruits. It is a common food during feasts and celebrations, including Christmastime.

Australia and New Zealand have been debating on who invented pavlova for years. It was believed to have been made for Anna Pavlova during her tour around the two countries to honor her, but who or where the dessert had been created, nobody knows. Regardless, these dishes are enjoyed by both Australia and New Zealand fervently.

4. Meat Pies

Who could ever say no to a meat pie? It’s like having meat stew encased in a flaky, buttery crust. Almost every bakery in Australia sells one of these bad boys, and there are a lot of flavors to choose from too. Not only can you get the regular beef pies, but you can also get butter chicken pie, chicken and leek pie, curry pie, and so much more!

These pies are often made for a single serving, so you won’t feel bad about gobbling all of the crust up. This makes them very easy to carry around, which is great if you’re running late for work and need a quick bite to eat. Just make sure to not get impatient—you don’t want to bite into the pastry and taste molten lava!

5. Chicken Parma

While chicken parmigiana is an Italian dish, it has been part of the Australian pub scene for so long that it’s become its own distinctive dish. Affectionately called the ‘parma’, it’s beloved by pub owners because it’s so easy to make for how fancy the flavor profile is. All you have to do is get some fried chicken steak, top it with some marinara and cheese like you would a pizza, and bake it in the oven. Serve it with some freshly-tossed salad and some chips. You’ve got yourself a square meal in no time at all!

If you want to have it vegetarian, you can always replace the chicken with some eggplant instead. It’s just as tasty!