Cuisine is what brings a lot of people together, and it is the hallmark of what gives a country its cultural identity. There are also places like America who are new and have little cultural identity. Although the United States has taken much of its cuisine from the likes of England, Germany, and Ireland, it turned into its own thing, i.e., Southern cuisine. Canada is another country that has also taken from other places more than it has its own cuisine. It takes time for a cuisine to be laminated into a country’s culture, but at this point, these are things of the past. Although there are plenty of countries that have influenced American culture, these are at the top of the list. At long last, these are the 10 most popular cuisines in America from other countries.
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For countries like America in particular, there is little room to grow, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The identity of a place like America is more about creating a whole from the world’s separate entities. The entirety of society has changed, and now just about any place has its own cuisine from other countries. It may be a little different in Brazil, as African cuisine is a little more prominent. America has its own cuisine, but the same can be applied to other countries in their infancy. Canada has poutine and maple syrup, and America has American barbeque, burgers, and even apple pie. The difference between America and Canada is miniscule though, as they both take similar ques from other countries. While our cuisine is still the main cuisine in our country, it is also a matter of what foreign cuisines have done as well.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
1. Italian
You cannot make any list about food in America without mentioning Italian food. In fact, you cannot mention food at all without mentioning Italian food. Since everyone likes their cuisine, it is no doubt that it should be at the top of the list. They have pizza, pasta, and almost everything in between when it comes to dishes. Although most people only know them for their meatball marinara, lasagna, and pepperoni pizza, they have plenty more.
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If you dig a little deeper into the history of the culture and cuisine, you can find many more meals. You may even find that some of the dishes you thought were something else are actually Italian. Even though Italy is a small country, everyone knows about their food. It is also why people from all around make their dishes and create something new from them. There are no shortage of dishes, but you may be surprised that some dishes were only Italianized later on. The food is generally very tasty and offer a plethora of combinations to boot, too.
2. Mexican
Everyone likes Mexican food, but if you want the best Mexican food not in Mexico, you will have to go to America. While this derivative is generally considered something entirely different, it is still Mexican inspired. People can be authentic with their tastes, but they can still understand that American Tex-Mex is good enough. In the end, it is still about Mexican cuisine being the main inspiration, and it does not disappoint. Mexican food, be it the real deal or the Tex-Mex alternative, is fantastic.
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There are plenty of dishes you can try, but there are plenty of staple meals, i.e., chimichangas, tacos, and burritos. Some dishes are even American-made, and you would be surprised of their origin. Even though this is the case, Mexicans have used the American alternatives in their cuisine as well. Mexican food is ubiquitous in American culture, and it deserves a top spot on this list. If you are on the border, then you are in for a real treat, as you can see what both sides can offer side-by-side.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
3. Chinese
If you have not eaten Chinese takeout, then you are probably not a real American. American is home to some of the best Chinese food, but much of it is Americanized. This does not make it bad, because many of the meals can be good. Some places can give Chinese food a bad name, but it is only because there are so many of them. There are some authentic places as well, which are great for those looking for the best experience possible.
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Chinese cuisine is very good, but like many cuisines, there are plenty of guilty pleasures. If you are looking to entice yourself into a sodium sickness, then you will have it with a Chinese meal. There are also plenty of ethical issues with Chinese food in particular, but the same can be said for the rest of the world as well. Although, this is not the case in America, but it does explain the Americanization of Chinese food. It is no reason to undermine Chinese food though, as there are still plenty of good and authentic Chinese restaurants out there.
4. Thai
If anything is overtaking Chinese takeout, then it is no doubt the Thai who are doing it. If we are looking at fusion food alone, then Thai food deserves a spot on this list. Thai takeout is no doubt the biggest thing happening right now when it comes to Asian cuisine. Everyone and their mother is going to a Thai place for the latest and greatest in Thai food. There are plenty of options, ranging from vegetarian curry to rice noodles and dumplings.
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There are endless opportunities in the Thai experience, and much of it is more authentic that other cuisines. It is not to say that you will not run into some dishes that have been Americanized, but most of the time, it is minimal. The food has a spice, and they are never afraid to show it. There are always options you are given, but they are all generally the same options given in Thailand. If you want the best and most authentic experience when going to a Thai restaurant, then you have to order it extra spicy.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
5. Indian
Indian food is fantastic, and like Thai food before it, there are plenty of options to fit anyone’s diet. There are plenty of vegetarian or vegan options, and it does little to remove the authenticity of it. Even if authenticity were a problem, the food is generally made by Indian people. The food is often very spicy and versatile, but it ends up tasting really good anyway. We are of course talking about the cuisines of India, which are highly lauded. And since the country is highly vegetarian, you will find plenty of plant dishes.
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There are of course people who enjoy Indian meat dishes, but there biggest selling point are their curry dishes. Be it a tomato or chili based sauce, they end up tasting robust and and complex. Indian cuisine is seeing a resurgence, as even people who knew little of it are now beginning to recognize it. While it is not necessarily the most popular cuisine in America, it is still one of the best tasting. It deserves a spot on this list, as it not only tastes good, but it goes to show how far it has come. It also happens to be the fifth most popular cuisine on this list.
6. Japanese
Japanese food is a staple of American culture at this point, and it happens to come from the most westernized Asian country on this list. Things like ramen, hibachi, and even teriyaki dishes are all a part of the American zeitgeist, and they have been for a while. Even if you think you have not eaten a Japanese dish, you probably have at some point. We are not talking about ramen here, as there are plenty of hidden Japanese foods out there beyond the norm.
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If you are broke, you have the option to eat ramen, and if you are looking for a good meal, you can have hibachi, sushi, or tempura. Japan is also home to some of the highest quality meat products in the world, which of course includes wagyu beef. It may come with a hefty price tag, but if you are a meat eater, then you cannot get any better. The typical dishes are limited and do not have as much reach in America as Thai or Chinese food overall. If we are simply looking at what you can find in terms of ramen at a grocery store, then Japan could win.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
7. Korean
Korean cuisine is an up an coming cuisine that has already left it’s mark on American culture. While it is mostly a west coast ordeal, the number of Korean restaurants is certainly beginning to grow. You can even find more Asian grocery stores popping up, and many of the normal stores are gaining some stock. It may not be the most popular cuisine yet, but it is certainly on it’s way to being at the top. While it is hard for a smaller country with less to show for it to reach the heights of Chinese food, it’s beginning to get there.
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The cuisine of Korea — particularly South Korea — has already been somewhat Americanized. This is because of the Korean War and America’s involvement in it in the 1950s. You have great food like Korean barbeque, kimchi, bulgogi, and their famous instant noodles. While Japan may have a hold on noodles for now, Korean noodles are catching up. In proportion to their size, the mark they have made is certainly huge and widely accepted.
8. Middle Eastern
There are plenty of good places to eat that fit under the Middle Eastern hood, and it also involves plenty of different countries. There is Jewish food, which involves European and Israeli dishes like hummus, falafel, corn beef, and pastrami. Iranian food is another big one that involves things like kababs and steamed rice. While Turkey is not necessarily in the Middle East, it has taken hold in places like Europe, where countries such as Germany have taken in their cuisine.
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The same can be said for it’s place in America, but the cuisine is still making it’s rise. Then again, it still has a spot on this list, and it goes to show just how little other countries can offer. Since this is a distinct part of the world that is literally half a globe away, it takes time to travel here. At the same time, it is no surprise that it has an impact, as it includes plenty of different cultures. Although the food can be very similar, each country has it’s own distinct variant of cuisine. The dishes can be good, and the meals can be certainly be filling.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
9. Eastern European
Since there are simply too many countries to list, it can be said that Eastern European food has it’s place. This region can range from Russian to Poland and include dishes like beef stroganoff and perogies. They have always been here, but they never took too much of a hold in popular culture. They were not here at the advent of American, but this area of the world still deserves a spot on this list. Although you may not see it every day, the food is just about everywhere.
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You can find the cultural influences in grocery stores and restaurants, even in places you would least expect to. Like the Middle East, there are plenty of distinct countries to list, but much of the food is similar. It entails an entire region that can include Jewish food as well. In the northeastern United States, you can find plenty of places to eat in cities spanning from New York City and Boston to Philadelphia. Even though most people see much of Eastern Europe as the same, the differences they have can be quite different.
10. Vietnamese
Vietnamese food is another cuisine that deserves a spot on this list, but the options tend to be limited. It is not to say that you cannot find a really good Vietnamese restaurant with plenty of authentic dishes, but we know little of this particular cuisine. There are a variety of delicious foods from Vietnam, but the food is still working it’s way into American culture. This does not mean that it’s place on this list is tarnished, because Vietnam has made it’s name alone from Pho.
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It also places on this list because it has made it’s place in the background of Asian cuisine in the United States. If you haven’t heard of Sriracha, then you are living under a rock. Many are not aware of it’s Vietnamese origins, even if it is a little misleading. Although the sauce originated in Thailand, the version we have come to love was made by a Chinese immigrant from Vietnam. In spite of this popular hot sauce, Vietnam is still another Asian country that deserves a spot for their perseverance. It may be far away as a country, but the food they make still sits very, very close.
The 10 Most Popular Cuisines in America
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