1. Sunday Roast – United Kingdom
There’s something about a proper Sunday roast in the UK that feels like a warm hug from your grandma. We’re talking roasted meat—usually beef, lamb or chicken—served with golden roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, rich gravy, and at least three different vegetables. The whole meal is slow-cooked and deeply comforting, and the gravy alone could bring you to tears. Brits take their roasts seriously; it’s not just dinner, it’s a ritual says Cosmopolitan.
What makes it even more special is that it’s usually a shared experience, with the whole family gathered around the table. There’s laughter, bickering over the last roastie, and someone always tries to steal the crispiest bit of chicken skin. Compared to our midweek meatloaf slump, this feels like a celebratory feast. And somehow, even the peas taste fancier when served with a Yorkshire pudding adds Square Meal.
2. Jollof Rice and Chicken – Nigeria
Jollof rice isn’t just food in Nigeria—it’s a source of pride, debate, and joy. The rice is cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce that stains every grain with spicy, savory goodness. Add in some juicy, well-seasoned chicken, fried plantains, and maybe a side of salad or moi moi (a steamed bean pudding), and you’ve got a meal that absolutely sings shares TODAY.
Family dinners built around jollof are lively, loud, and full of teasing and second helpings. Everyone has their own preferred spice level, and there’s always that one uncle who insists his version is better. It’s the kind of meal that makes you linger at the table long after the plates are empty. Let’s be honest—meatloaf just can’t compete with that kind of flavor explosion adds the New York Times.
3. Shabbat Dinner – Israel
Shabbat dinner on Friday nights is a sacred tradition in many Jewish households in Israel. The table is set with candles, challah bread, wine, and dishes that have been simmering or baking all day long. Chicken soup, brisket, kugel, and fresh salads are common, and everything is made with love and intention. The meal begins with blessings and often ends with stories and songs.
There’s a sense of pause, of stepping away from the chaos of the week, that adds a layer of warmth to the food. Everyone is dressed nicely, the phones are away, and time slows down just enough to really enjoy the moment. Compared to scarfing down meatloaf in front of the TV, this kind of dinner feels like a soul reset. And challah bread alone could turn any dinner into a holiday.
4. Feijoada – Brazil
Feijoada is Brazil’s beloved black bean stew, loaded with various cuts of pork and beef and traditionally served on Wednesdays or Saturdays. It’s hearty, smoky, and usually comes with rice, collard greens, farofa (toasted cassava flour), and orange slices to cut the richness. It’s not something you throw together on a whim—it’s a slow-cooked dish that asks for time and attention.
Families often gather for feijoada as a weekend event, turning it into a social affair that lasts for hours. It’s messy, delicious, and unapologetically filling. Everyone ends up leaning back in their chairs, full and happy, with music playing in the background. It’s the kind of meal that makes meatloaf feel like a sad microwave dinner.
5. Hot Pot – China
A Chinese hot pot dinner is like an edible game night. A big simmering pot of broth sits in the center of the table, and everyone cooks their own meats, vegetables, tofu, and noodles right there at the table. There’s something communal and interactive about it that turns dinner into an experience.
What’s great is that everyone gets to eat exactly what they want, dipping into custom sauces and stealing bites from each other’s bowls. It’s warm, spicy, and endlessly customizable. Meatloaf, in comparison, feels a little… solitary. No pot bubbling, no conversation bubbling—just a slice on a plate and a side of ketchup.
6. Tagine – Morocco
In Morocco, family dinners often center around tagine—a slow-cooked stew named after the conical clay pot it’s cooked in. Whether it’s chicken with preserved lemons and olives or lamb with prunes and almonds, the flavors are deep, warm, and incredibly layered. Everything is served over couscous or with bread to soak up the sauce.
It’s usually shared from one big communal dish, with everyone scooping from their side, laughing and chatting as they eat. The spices—cinnamon, turmeric, ginger—turn the whole kitchen into an aromatic wonderland. It’s a meal that slows you down and brings people closer together. Meatloaf? It’s not even in the same league.
7. Doro Wat – Ethiopia
Doro wat is a spicy chicken stew that simmers in a rich, berbere-spiced sauce until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. It’s traditionally served over injera, a sour, spongy flatbread that also acts as a utensil. You use your hands to scoop up the stew, sharing from a large communal plate. It’s tangy, spicy, and deeply comforting.
Dinner becomes an interactive, tactile experience that’s equal parts delicious and grounding. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the way you eat it—with your hands, with your family, with intention. There’s no pre-sliced meatloaf here, just bold flavors and meaningful moments. And really, when’s the last time a meatloaf dinner made you want to text your cousins?
8. Biryani – India
Indian biryani is a fragrant rice dish layered with marinated meat, caramelized onions, saffron, and aromatic spices. Every bite is an adventure, from the tender meat to the slightly crispy rice at the bottom of the pot. It’s often made for special occasions, but some families bring it out for their Sunday dinner tradition.
The smell alone can pull people into the kitchen from rooms away. Served with yogurt raita, spicy pickles, and maybe some boiled eggs on the side, it’s a meal that demands appreciation. Families gather around, going in for second and third helpings, laughing as they fight over the best bits. It’s hard to imagine anyone doing that over a dry slice of meatloaf.
9. Kimchi Jjigae – South Korea
This bubbling, spicy stew made with aged kimchi, tofu, pork, and sometimes noodles or dumplings is a staple comfort food in Korea. It’s deeply savory and has just enough heat to make your nose run a little—in the best way. It’s served with rice and a spread of side dishes called banchan, which might include fish cakes, seasoned spinach, or pickled radish.
Dinner becomes this lively, flavor-packed moment, where everyone’s grabbing bites, refilling bowls, and slurping contentedly. The warmth of the stew pulls people together, especially during colder nights. There’s no formality, just good food and good company. And as much as we love ketchup, it’s no match for a spoonful of jjigae.
10. Paella – Spain
Paella might be Spain’s most famous dish, and when it shows up for dinner, it means something festive is about to happen. Made with rice, saffron, seafood, and sometimes chicken and rabbit, it’s cooked in a wide, shallow pan and meant to be shared. There’s even a crispy rice layer on the bottom called socarrat that’s considered the best part.
The whole family gathers around the pan, dishing it up while sipping wine and swapping stories. There’s laughter, crumbs flying, and someone always insists their abuela’s version is better. It’s colorful, celebratory, and rich with history. Compared to that, meatloaf feels like a forgotten school lunch tray.
11. Khoresht Fesenjan – Iran
Fesenjan is a luxurious Persian stew made with ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, creating a sweet-and-sour sauce that coats tender pieces of chicken or duck. It’s usually served with fragrant basmati rice, maybe adorned with saffron or barberries for extra flair. The richness of the dish makes it feel like a royal treat, even when it’s made at home.
Family dinners in Iran are full of laughter, tradition, and lovingly prepared sides like shirazi salad or yogurt with cucumbers. Meals are eaten slowly, with everyone going back for seconds or thirds. There’s something about the balance of flavor and care that makes the meal feel sacred. Meanwhile, meatloaf always seems to sit there, looking a little beige and confused.
12. Gỏi Cuốn and Bún Thịt Nướng – Vietnam
Vietnamese families often enjoy light, flavorful meals like gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and bún thịt nướng (grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs). You wrap your own rolls at the table, dipping them in peanut or fish sauce, while bún is loaded with grilled meat, pickled veggies, and fresh greens. The combination of textures—crunchy, soft, juicy—is just unbeatable.
Dinner feels like a build-your-own adventure, and no two plates look exactly the same. It’s fresh, interactive, and incredibly satisfying without being heavy. Compared to that, our meatloaf with mashed potatoes starts to feel like the sleepy option. Not bad, just… not gỏi cuốn.
13. Pelmeni – Russia
Pelmeni are little dumplings stuffed with ground meat, typically boiled and served with sour cream, vinegar, or butter. Making them is often a family affair, with everyone gathered around the kitchen table pinching dough together. They’re bite-sized, tender, and surprisingly addictive.
Dinner becomes both an act of preparation and celebration. There’s something special about eating a meal you helped shape by hand. With the first warm, steamy bite, the effort all makes sense. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and miles ahead of reheated meatloaf slices any day.