10 International Delicacies You Can Easily Buy In America and 10 You Won't Find
We Can Thank Other Nations For Giving Us An Interesting Food Scene
The USA is a melting pot of different cultures, a fact that is immediately apparent in our burgeoning international food scene. American food in the 21st century is made up of sushi, dim sum, and falafel just as much as it is burgers and fries. At the same time, countless international dishes have yet to take off in the same way, but we believe it's only a matter of time. Here are 10 international delicacies you can easily find in America and 10 that you'll have to go abroad for.
1. Sushi
The food most synonymous with Japan is sushi. Sushi was already being served in the US as early as the beginning of the 20th century thanks to the influx of Japanese immigrants, but it wasn't until the 1970s and the advent of all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants that it really took off.
2. Falafel
Falafel is crispy, breaded, fried balls of chickpeas and herbs originating in the Middle East. Served in a pita as a sandwich, it's become a staple of late-night street food in the US.
3. Tacos
Our neighbors to the South know a thing or two about cuisine. Luckily, with our proximity to Mexico, we can easily enjoy their national dish too. From authentic street vendors to junky but tasty fast food versions, delicious tacos can be found all over the nation.
4. Pizza
Although our version looks quite different from the true Italian kind, it's safe to say that pizza has become a veritable staple of American cuisine. It goes far beyond Pizza Hut though, now you can find authentic Neapolitan-style pizza across the nation.
5. Croissants
France has long been known for its baking culture. Although the American food scene has yet to acquire the same finesse as France, you can now (thankfully) find a pretty decent croissant in just about any town in the country.
6. Dim Sum
Long have we flocked to Chinatowns nationwide to delight in dim sum, a large range of small Chinese shareable plates. Dim sum translates to "touch the heart" and it has certainly touched the hearts of Americans everywhere.
7. Baklava
With honey, flaky filo dough, and nuts coming together to form this tantalizing dessert, it's no wonder the Turks and Greeks both claim it as their own. It was one of the most popular pastries of Ottoman cuisine and it's easy to see why. Luckily, it's not hard to find in the US anymore.
8. Perogies
While many Russian foods might be considered somewhat unpalatable to an American audience, perogies really took off. The potato dumplings became a go-to lazy weeknight meal when they started being sold conveniently frozen in grocery stores across the nation.
9. Stroopwafels
Made up of two thin, crispy waffles, held together by a rich syrupy filling it's no surprise this Dutch treat gained an international fan base. You don't have to go all the way to Amsterdam for them: you can find stroopwafels in almost any grocery store in the US.
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10. Pocky
Pocky is a popular Japanese snack consisting of cookie sticks coated in chocolate. In Japan, they have a wider variety of flavors than we have in the US, but you can find the classic Pocky at almost any grocery store.
Now that we've talked about international delicacies that have blown up in the US, let's go over the ones we wish we could find.
1. Käsespätzle
Käsespätzle is essentially the German version of mac n' cheese, but better. Spätzle is a specific type of pasta, typical in Germany that gets baked with cheese and topped with caramelized onions.
2. Okonomiyaki
Japan's food scene is much more than just ramen and sushi. Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made of cabbage and slices of pork belly and topped with a selection of condiments.
3. Japanese KitKats
KitKats originated in the UK but the classic milk chocolate variety is arguably even more popular in the US. However, it's in Japan where every flavor of the chocolate wafer treat can be found, from green tea to strawberry. If only we could enjoy all that variety in the US.
4. Ugali
Ugali is a type of porridge made from corn found in Kenya and other African countries. A source of b vitamins, folate, and iron, the top marathon runners who hail from this part of the world swear by it as their source of nutrients.
5. Mojama
You've heard of Serrano Ham, but have you heard of Mojama? It's cured, dried, thinly sliced, and served just like cured meats except it's made from tuna. It's a delicacy in Spain and other parts of the Mediterranean that hasn't quite made its way across the pond yet.
6. Khachapuri
We're a bit puzzled about how this fluffy Georgian cheese-filled bread didn't take off as pizza did in America. You eat it by tearing off a piece of the bread and dipping it in the cheesy, yolky center, making it the perfect shareable party food.
7. Pav Bhaji
Some Indian dishes like curries and samosas captured the hearts of Americans long ago. Pav Bhaji, however, is a different story. The thick, spicy stew served with a buttered bread roll is a staple of Mumbai street food but you'd be hard-pressed to find it in the US.
8. Japanese Curry
When most people think of Japanese food, they think of sushi, not curry. However, in Japan they have a specific style of curry, swimming in a thick sauce that is subtly sweet with nice umami flavors and a kick of spice. Despite being delicious, it didn't take off in the US quite like other Japanese foods.
9. Bitterballen
Bitterballen is a popular Dutch bar food. It's essentially balls of thick meaty stew, breaded, and deep-fried into crispy little balls and served with a dipping sauce. If that doesn't sound like something we Americans would love, I don't know what does.
10. Gado Gado
A food so nice they named it twice, it feels like only a matter of time before this Indonesian dish takes off in the vegan health nut circles of California. Gado gado is a salad of avocado, tempeh, boiled egg, vegetables, peanut sauce, and sesame seeds.
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