Where in the world have you tasted the best dish AS A TOURIST?

I was fortunate to travel many places in the world when my husband was on a business trip or work related business as well as a tourist. Those tourist eating places where the tour operator just dump you there to eat are the worst especially they think they were kind that you miss home and gave you some Chinese food. Some food that I have no clue what they were serving, I eat it as an experience and those I know and expect then I will be able to judge and compare from another country or the same food from the restaurants just across or a few blocks where I lived instead of travelling a few thousand flight miles. Those places I won't jump for joy or in anticipation when I need to tag along with my husband are those countries in Europe, Meditarrean, Scandinavian, Middle East, etc, but far most I never resist going to countries in south east Asia example, in all over Japan, Ichiran ramen to get my everyday fix from Kanto-Kansai, all around Kyushu, Hokkaido and more

It sounds like you've been eating at the cheap tourist trap restaurants. Some of my favorite restaurants are:

De Nachtwacht in Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam - lobster soup with cognac followed by the Caribbean Ribs. http://www.de-nachtwacht.nl/

Sage in Prague (used to be Rybi trh) - whatever the fish of the day is or the roast octopus and the poached pears for dessert http://sagerestaurant.cz/en/restaurant/

Da Raffaele in Venice (Italy) - Crema di Scampi soup when it's on the menu and Filetto di San Pietro You can sit out by the canal and watch the gondolas going by http://www.ristorantedaraffaele.com/ristorante-eng...

Buckhorn Exchange in Denver - both the rattlesnake and alligator appetizers, buffalo prime rib, http://buckhornexchange.com/

Le Refuge in Alexandria, VA - onion soup or escargots and the lamb or a special http://lerefugealexandria.com/

Hunter's Head Tavern for Sunday brunch, Upperville, Virginia - Bananas Foster French Toast or Shepherd's Pie or an omelette http://www.huntersheadtavern.com/HHHome.html

Plus, a more recent find, The Tin Angel in Salt Lake City - Spiced Almonds & Gorgonzola, Wild Boar Agro Dolce and Pear & Caramel Tart Brulee http://www.thetinangel.com/menus/Dinner

The problem with tasting world foods in their home of origin is that as Americans, we've been exposed to Americanized versions of world food.

For example, the tacos I eat at Taco Bell taste better to me than the tacos I've eaten in Mexico.

The Chinese food I ate in both Hong Kong and mainland China was alright, but it was different from the Chinese food I'm used to here. I've also had better Philly cheesesteaks in North Carolina that I've had in Philly.

That being said some places actually do live up to the hype. The best sandwich I've ever eaten in my entire life was at Katz's Deli in New York City, and the best pizza I ever had was in Brooklyn.

Well I consider myself a traveler and not a tourist (USUALLY), but I had the worst carbonara in Italy, and the best in the Yucatan. The crepes in Paris are, I think Moroccan, and as such were what they were, street food in a cosmopolitan city. I searched for a native vendor of fish and chips in London, and didn't find one. We went to a colonial place and it wasn't bad, but not great. I find the Indian food in London to be superb.

My best Pizza was in Nice (in France), and never in Italy.

But you can always count on Chinese food. When you're agitated, overwhelmed or whatever, go to a local Chinese restaurant and the moo shu will be excellent, even if you have to ask for hoisin sauce.

I had a sandwich in St Petersburg, Florida, that I still remember as one of the best sandwiches I ever had.

Evidently, the problem here is YOUR expectations....you (apparently!) GENUINELY expected the "ethnic" foods you eat in your home country (which I will guess is the USA?) to be authentic...they are NOT in the least bit!