Don't Visit Maryland's 5 Regions Without Trying These Iconic Dishes

Think you’ve tried all of Maryland’s iconic foods? Sure, we’ve all had our fair share of steamed crabs and crab cakes, but how about stuffed ham or coddies? Check out the following Maryland dishes that are unique to each of the state’s five regions. Read on for the delicious details and prepare your palate for a plethora of flavors.

Flickr / justgrimes

If you've spent any amount of time in Washington DC, you've likely heard of (or tried) Mumbo Sauce. This sweet and sour flavor concoction can usually be found drizzled on chicken wings. Although it originated in DC, you'll now find it in Maryland restaurants surrounding the city, including Silver Spring and more.

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It can be difficult to find a coddie today but they were a popular food item around Baltimore decades ago. Instead of crab cakes, they're somewhat of a COD cake, with a mixture of cod fish, potatoes, and egg, then topped with a splash of mustard and sandwiched between two saltine crackers. You can still find coddies at local markets and their unique flavor is worth seeking out..

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It's no surprise that Smith Island Cake originated on Maryland's Smith Island. It's said that these fudgy layered cakes date back to the 1800s, when they were sent with fishermen heading out for the autumn oyster harvest. The fudge icing was known to last longer than traditional buttercream icing. Now, you can find this delectable cake mostly around the Eastern Shore region, and in many flavors.

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It's not uncommon to find traditional stuffed ham on the tables of Southern Marylanders at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Dating back centuries, the cured hams are stuffed with a mixture of cabbage and herbs and it's a combination that's full of flavor. Try it once and you'll soon want to make it a tradition, too.

Flickr / essgee51

Western Maryland is heavily influenced by its neighbor, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania, too. So it's no surprise that scrapple has become a favorite in the area. Scrapple is basically what its name states -- scraps of pig, often combined with cornmeal and spices. You can eat scrapple any time of day, but paired with eggs at breakfast time is a favorite.

Of course, when it comes to iconic Maryland dishes, these five foods are only the beginning. For more must-try meals around the Old Line State, click here!