Sometimes a meal just feels like it's missing something. Maybe you want a little extra salt or something saucy to go on your dry grilled meats. Fortunately, any meal can be saved with the addition of a condiment.
In the slideshow below, we look at 31 popular condiments from around the world. From papaya hot sauce to a red pepper spread, these aren't your everyday mustards and ketchups, but they can be used in much the same way. Whether sweet or salty, tangy or spicy, most of these sauces and spreads can be consumed on a wide variety of meals.
Did we miss your favourite condiment? Let us know in the comments below.
Condiments We Want To Try
Banana Sauce (Banana Ketchup)(01 of31)
What it is: A Filipino condiment made with mashed bananas with a blend of sugar, spice and vinegarFlavour profile: Sweet and spicy How to eat it: With fried foods (credit:Nate Gray: A Culinary (Photo) Journal/Flickr)
Karashi (Japanese Mustard)(02 of31)
What it is: Crushed mustard seeds that you mix with waterFlavour profile: Hot and spicy, similar to wasabiHow to eat it: As a dip, in sandwiches or on meat (credit:laxmikokura via Instagram)
Ajvar (Bell Pepper Spread)(03 of31)
What it is: A relish made with roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. It is popular in Serbia, Yugoslavia and GreeceFlavour profile: Sweet, smokey and tangyHow to eat it: Served as an appetizer (credit:dani_llama via Instagram)
Tkemali Sauce (Sour Spiced Plum Sauce)(04 of31)
What it is: A wild, sour plum sauce from Georgia. It is spiced with fresh herbs like coriander, dill and clovesFlavour profile: SourHow to eat it: With meat and potatoes (credit:omarbellucci90 via Instagram)
Papaya Sauce(05 of31)
What it is: Hot sauce with a sweet papaya aftertaste, originating from ArubaFlavour profile: Spicy and fruityHow to eat it: With everything, as a sauce, spread, dip or marinade (credit:sistasuga via Instagram)
Perilla Oil(06 of31)
What it is: Oil from the 'Chinese Basil' tree. This oil is high in omega-3, making it a good choice for people with high blood pressureFlavour profile: Nutty, similar to sesame seedsHow to eat it: As a salad dressing or as cooking oil (credit:likesky_me via Instagram)
Fish Sauce(07 of31)
What it is:A staple in many Southeast Asian homes, fish sauce is made from fermented anchovies, salt and waterFlavour profile: Salty with an intense aromaHow to eat it: Cook with it as the base of Thai curries and sauces. You can also use it as a marinade or salad dressing (credit:chef_michael_stillman via Instagram)
Vegemite(08 of31)
What it is:Australian salty spread made from brewer's yeastFlavour profile: Meaty and very saltyHow to eat it: On toast (credit:kissmyfork via Instagram)
Kewpie Mayonnaise(09 of31)
What it is: Japanese mayonnaise made with rice vinegarFlavour profile: Smooth and creamy, not so tangy How to eat it: The same way you would eat other brands of mayonnaise (credit:le_cabronsieur via Instagram)
Doenjang(10 of31)
What it is: Korean soy bean pasteFlavour profile: Umami, similar to misoHow to eat it: In soups or as a dip (credit:kitcheniss_ via Instagram )
Jaew Bong(11 of31)
What it is: Laos chili paste made with water buffalo skinFlavour profile: Sweet and spicyHow to eat it: On sticky rice, with steamed vegetables or on grilled meats (credit:chefseng via Instagram)
Shichimi(12 of31)
What it is: Japanese spice blendFlavour profile: SpicyHow to eat it: Sprinkled on grilled meats, rice and noodles (credit:yardbirdhk via Instagram)
Chamoy(13 of31)
What it is: Mexican savoury sauce made from fermented fruitsFlavour profile: Salty, sweet, sour and spicyHow to eat it: Mixed with chili powder, sugar, salt and lime. It can be consumed with chips, on corn and especially on fresh fruit. (credit:mexicancandyfactory via Instagram)
Dukkah(14 of31)
What it is: An Egyptian herb blendFlavour profile: Nutty with mild spiceHow to eat it: As a crust on meats or tofu. It can also be sprinkled over salads and dips (credit:tableofplenty via Instagram)
Kalles Kaviar (Seafood Spreads)(15 of31)
What it is: Swedish seafood paste made from cod roe, sugar, salt and mustardFlavour profile: Salty and fishyHow to eat it: As a spread on (open-faced) sandwiches and hors d'oeuvres (credit:herfuzziness via Instagram)
Chakalaka (Spicy Relish)(16 of31)
What it is: South African vegetable relishFlavour profile: SpicyHow to eat it: Hot or cold as a salad, with bread or as a condiment for grilled meats (credit:timmmyd1000 via Instagram)
Nuoc Cham (Salty And Sour Vinegar Sauce)(17 of31)
What it is: Vietnamese dipping sauce made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water, garlic and chilisFlavour profile: Sweet, sour, salty, savoury and/or spicyHow to eat it: With fried and grilled food (credit:phucyea via Instagram)
Niter Kibbeh (Spiced Ghee)(18 of31)
What it is: Clarified butter with spices. A staple in Ethiopian cuisineFlavour profile: Sweet, sour, salty, savoury and/or spicyHow to eat it: On meat, vegetables and even popcorn! (credit:pureindianfoods via Instagram)
Lizano Sauce(19 of31)
What it is: A Costa Rican brown sauce made from water, sugar, salt, onions, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, pepper, mustard and turmericFlavour profile: Sweet How to eat it: With eggs, rice and beans. This sauce makes a great addition to almost every meal (credit:falcosa via Instagram)
Sambal Kacang (Peanut Sauce)(20 of31)
What it is: Indonesian peanut chili sauceFlavour profile: Sweet with mild hits of spiceHow to eat it: Perfect with satay (credit:rosaidatul via Instagram)
Pebre(21 of31)
What it is: A Chilean salsa made with coriander, onion, olive oil and spicy peppersFlavour profile: Tangy and spicyHow to eat it: Served with bread, but also great on meat and potatoes (credit:laminga_cl via Instagram)
Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce)(22 of31)
What it is: Indonesian soy sauce, thicker and sweeter than traditional soy sauceFlavour profile: SweetHow to eat it: Great in stir-fries and on fried rice (credit:nisanisul via Instagram)
Hovmästarsås(23 of31)
What it is: Swedish mustard with dillFlavour profile: Sweet and tangyHow to eat it: Traditionally served with gravlax, but great with other types of fish (credit:nyttigare_vardag via Instagram)
Currywurst Sauce(24 of31)
What it is: German ketchup with curry powder flavourFlavour profile: SpicyHow to eat it: Best served on brats (credit:peter7gr7 via Instagram)
Gochujang(25 of31)
What it is: Korean hot pepper pasteFlavour profile: SpicyHow to eat it: Served with anything from bibimbap to seared beef (credit:olivetreekc1 via Instagram)
Fruikake(26 of31)
What it is: Japanese spice blend with seaweed, sesame seeds and ground fishFlavour profile: SaltyHow to eat it: Served primarily as a topping for steamed rice (credit:saketotsumami via Instagram)
Fermented Bean Curd(27 of31)
What it is: Essentially tofu as a condimentFlavour profile: Salt and vinegarHow to eat it: As a side or in a stir-fry (credit:squishered via Instagram)
Maha'oi Sauce(28 of31)
What it is: A spicy Hawaiian soy sauceFlavour profile: Salt and pepperHow to eat it: On seafood (credit:mrvj808 via Instagram)
Bagoong(29 of31)
What it is: Fermented fish paste from the PhilippinesFlavour profile: Salt and fishHow to eat it: With crisp green mangoes (credit:milagroshomecooking via Instagram)
Achaar(30 of31)
What it is: Indian-style pickled fruits and vegetables Flavour profile: Tangy, sweet and spicyHow to eat it: Have as a side to your curries, rice and naan (credit:deepiahluwalia via Instagram)
Chrain(31 of31)
What it is: Grated horseradish, often made with beetrootFlavour profile: Bitter and spicyHow to eat it: Traditionally on gefilte fish, but also served with meats and fish in Eastern European cuisine