As a lover of an array of foreign foods and cuisines, I have long sought out the interesting ethnic eateries in my hometown and wherever I travel to. I have also noticed that the vast number of Americans love foods that originated in foreign countries, but who is to blame them: these foods are definitely more interesting and creative than hot dogs and hamburgers – which, I might add, are based off of classic German dishes. Many of the cuisines Americans typically enjoy actually originated in foreign countries, while other foreign dishes and cuisines are becoming increasingly popular in America.
Americans’ love of foreign foods is most commonly seen in the abundance of traditional Italian foods and Italian restaurants spread all throughout the 50 American states. Many school cafeterias, from elementary schools up through colleges and universities, serve pizza on a weekly, or sometimes daily, basis. This traditional Italian food is a favorite and diet staple of many Americans, but Americans love more Italian foods other than pizza. Pasta dishes such as spaghetti and tomato sauce or fettuccine alfredo are also very common in home kitchens and restaurants in America – even in restaurants that wouldn’t otherwise even be considered Italian!
Chinese restaurants are also hugely popular in America, especially for take-out or delivery orders. The eight cooking traditions of Chinese food are especially popular in America. These include Hunan, Sichuan (Szechuan), and Cantonese. Americans seem to love Chinese food whenever they are in the mood for take-out – perhaps because of the awesome boxes take-out Chinese food is often served in. Some favorite menu items of many Americans include egg rolls, wonton soup, and lo mein. You can even start seeing many Chinese dishes in special sections of your local grocery store or supermarket!
America’s love of foreign foods goes beyond Italian and Chinese food, though. Mexican food is becoming increasingly popular, perhaps due to the popularity of Taco Bell’s fast food take on Mexican cuisine. More and more Mexican restaurants are sprouting up throughout the United States, serving a variety of burritos, tacos, and enchiladas.
Some other foreign cuisines that are also becoming increasingly popular in America include German cuisine, which includes popular dishes like pork and sauerkraut and German Goulash, Indian cuisine, which has a variety of regional cuisines – some well known favorites include tandoori dishes from Northern India and biryani dishes from Southern India, Thai cuisine, which is best known for the very popular Pad Thai, Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi as well as the popular hibachi dining experience at restaurants, and Greek and Mediterranean cuisines, which are well known for the popular Greek salads which are seen on the menus of many non-Greek restaurants and Greek and Mediterranean restaurants alike, as well as vegetarian or non-vegetarian grape leaves.
There are also many fun foods that are popular in America yet are associated with various foreign countries including Belgian waffles, Swiss cheese, Canadian bacon, French fries, Irish coffee, and English muffins. Try all of these cuisines, if you haven’t already, and you will be sure to understand why Americans love foreign foods!
Read more of my interesting articles here!
Sources:
http://blog.pacificdelighttours.com/pacificdelighttoursblog/bid/29602/Chinese-Cuisines-The-Big-Eight-Cooking-Traditions
Reference:
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1432202/how_to_make_classic_foods_more_fun.html?cat
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1440532/vegetarian_friendly_restaurants_in.html?cat
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1515168/not_much_delight_at_italiano_delight.html?c
