Whether it's cold outside, you're feeling unwell, or you've simply had a bad day, there's nothing like indulging in a plateful of cosy comfort food to give your heart, soul and stomach a boost. But what do people in other countries eat when they're in need of a culinary cuddle? We've put together the ultimate ranking of comforting dishes from around the globe, looking at the history and heritage of each food as we go.

From carb-loaded creations to meals packed with cheesy goodness, these are the world's cosiest and most delicious comfort food dishes – click or scroll through our gallery to see how many you've tried.

Ranked: the world's best comfort food dishes