With soccer’s World Cup tournament commencing in June, and as Toronto and Vancouver prep to host 13 of those matches, the “beautiful game” elite are literally closer to us than ever. But with tickets to all those showdowns north of the 49th already sold out, that proximity advantage has already been wiped out.

However, being shut out at the turnstiles shouldn’t deprive you from embracing the culture of some of the nations competing for soccer’s biggest prize. And when it comes to appreciating culture, food is a great motivator. Fortunately, several countries that qualified for the World Cup boast some of the planet’s most unique cuisines, and you can find some of those dishes at several restaurants in Edmonton.

In much the same way that FIFA—soccer’s international governing body—organized this year’s tournament schedule, we selected at random six eateries representing countries that not only qualified for this year’s World Cup, but are also renowned for their gastronomical fare. Still wanna sample these spots without missing a game? Takeout is always an option.

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Bul-Go-Gi House

South Korea advanced to the World Cup playoff rounds only once in 2002, finishing fourth, although they were remarkably modest about the achievement. Such a self-effacing reaction is customary to Koreans, and that same demeanor also percolates the atmosphere at Bul-Go-Gi House, a locally lauded restaurant with an unassuming exterior and a dining area resembling an old rural community hall.

But don’t let the surroundings distract from the incredible dishes that arrive at tables with a homemade vibe to them. You can’t go wrong with their barbecue beef cuts, previously soaked in an especially potent marinade. Or try the heavily favoured bibimbap, a stir-fried rice and vegetable combo topped with a fried egg and your choice of chicken or beef.

(8813-92 St., bulgogihouse.ca)

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El Mariachi

Out of 16 World Cup appearances, Mexico has reached the quarter-finals twice. This time, fans will be expecting a better outcome, and you’ll likely catch patrons getting vocal about the team at this family-run establishment. 

El Mariachi strives for authenticity, using recipes passed on for generations, long before its proprietors relocated here from the Mexican state of Jalisco. For openers, expect six different salsas for your tacos—with four options available, from marinated, braised, and pulled pork to beef brisket. Highly lauded is the white bread pambazo stuffed with potato and chorizo and dipped in red pepper sauce.

(10991A-124 St., elmariachirestaurante.com)

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Mon Amie Resto

No less than four teams from West Africa—Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal—will be battling it out for soccer’s most coveted golden goblet, but at Mon Amie Resto, the cuisine overlapping those nations at least enjoys gastronomic solidarity. 

Railing against old-stock Albertan tastes, beef is less prominent here than goat, which patrons will find served spicy and solo, with rice and cassava leaves, jollof rice, or in a soup with fufu: a root vegetable dough. Those still hankering for morsels of moo can find them on suya skewers or in a form of cow feet with a light soup and a side of yams.

(13427 Fort Road, monamieresto.com)

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Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse

No country has won more World Cups than Brazil, which has carted off the pitch five trophies since 1958. True to that country’s winning ways is Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse, which has four shingles hung out across Alberta, including two in Edmonton. 

At each location, the restaurant specializes in churrasco, a southern Brazilian barbecuing technique that’s lasted more than 300 years. Chefs use that open-flame method to prepare such menu items as their signature picanha cut of Alberta-beef steaks, marinated chicken legs, and New Zealand lamb sirloin, and parmesan-crusted pork loin.

(9626 Ellerslie Rd. & 17020-100 Ave., pampasteakhouse.com)

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Sabor de los Andes

Colombia may have qualified for only six World Cups, but shone in 2014, placing fifth overall. And while Sabor de los Andes is still a newbie, having opened in 2023, the eatery hopes to reach its own culinary heights with a Colombian menu lineup. 

The dishes are more elaborate than the empanadas and the el gordito burgers they continue to serve from their food truck, as sit-down diners enjoy items that range from pechuga a la Colombiana (grilled chicken with avocado and plantain served with fries or rice) to the sancocho de carne (a beef rib, corn and cassava soup).

(10985-127 St., sabordelosandes.com)

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Tajine House

Morocco hasn’t had a stellar record at the World Cup, having qualified only five times, although the squad turned heads in 2022, when they made the semi-finals. More consistent, however, has been the country’s reputation for its eclectic cuisine, a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.

To that end, Tajine House proudly declares itself 100 percent Halal certified, a designation of its adherence to Moroccan culinary tradition. Foodies often give forks-up approval for such hot dishes as its slow-cooked lamb stew with almonds and prunes, lentil soup, and a combination of chicken, lamb, and vegetables nestled on a layer of couscous.

(16642-109 Ave., tajinehouserestaurant.com)

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Taste of Persia

Iran may have never made it beyond the first round of World Cup contention, but that hardly taints the country’s immense contributions to global culture, from the creation of algebra to the invention of the wheel.

That heritage is also reflected in its food, and Taste of Persia adheres to that legacy with a focus on totally organic ingredients, including herbs and saffron rice imported from Iran. Specialties include morassa polo (slow-cooked sirloin with almonds and pistachios on a bed of rice and berries) and koofteh (ground beef meatballs mixed with spices and bulgur grain in tomato sauce).

(17620-100 Ave., toprestaurant.ca)

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