Foods We Miss While Away
It's always exciting when traveling abroad and getting to try new dishes, local specialties, and entirely different food cultures, but there does come a point in the trip when you start missing familiar favorites. For Americans, it's the meals that feel comforting, are sold everywhere, and are enjoyed on a regular basis. You never truly know how good you've got it until you realize it's not readily available! So with that, here are 20 of the foods Americans miss most while they're in other countries.
1. Peanut Butter
You might not think much about peanut butter until you find out it's not so easy to find in other places around the world! In some countries, it only exists in specialty shops, might taste different, or cost far too much. A lot of Americans learn to miss it when breakfast comes around, and this beloved spread isn't on the dining table.
2. Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing has a level of popularity in the United States that is simply unmatched. In fact, it's not a part of many international diets! You'll be able to find other delicious salad dressings abroad, but none will match that familiar creamy and herby flavor Americans have come to love.
Rodrigo Morelos Oseguera on Pexels
3. Mac and Cheese
A good ol' hearty plate of mac and cheese is a deeply comforting dish for most Americans.
It doesn't matter if it's boxed or homemade, it's something that gets eaten regularly! So when you're traveling in a country where it's not readily available, you might start finding yourself craving that cheesy and creamy goodness.
4. Biscuits and Gravy
A distinctly American dish you won't be able to find as good anywhere else in the world, for those from the South, biscuits and gravy might be on your mind when traveling. We wouldn't be surprised if it lingers for a while if you're particularly fond of a rich and filling breakfast.
No machine-readable author provided. Kaszeta assumed (based on copyright claims). on Wikimedia
5. Bagels
Sure, you can find bagels in many places around the world, but for many Americans, they often feel they're not quite like the ones at home. Given that some American cities are particularly known for this baked good, you never realize how good you've got it until you leave.
6. Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a very specific kind of craving, and unfortunately, it's not something every country will be able to offer you. That unique flavor of spicy tanginess might be somewhat replicated in other dishes, but there's nothing identical to the original that you truly desire. If anything, you might just be missing sports bars and game-day food which is very American!
7. American-Style Bacon
Who knew that different countries have so many different types of bacon?
The crispy, savory, and smoky kind that you love back at home might not be the exact same in other countries. In some places, it's thicker, less smoky, or cut in a style that's closer to ham. In other words, that taste you're looking for might have to wait until you return.
8. Pancakes
Pancakes are served around the world, but Americans often miss the thick, fluffy kind they're used to at home. We love them with thick slabs of butter and syrup, but other places might offer different toppings than you're used to. When you're away for a while, even a basic diner-style breakfast starts to sound unusually good.
9. Breakfast Cereal
Cereal is easy to overlook until breakfast comes around and your favorite brands just aren't there for you to devour. When you're traveling abroad, grocery stores might look a lot different than you're used to; those cereal flavors you love might not exist, and there might be fewer options that are less sweet or aimed at different tastes.
10. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
It might seem absurd that you're missing a simple combination of plain bread and cheese slapped together, but when homesickness hits, nothing feels more comforting than a familiar dish. When ingredients just aren't readily available and restaurants aren't serving up this classic, Americans miss it more than they imagined was possible.
11. Cheeseburgers
Burgers are available in many parts of the world, but Americans often miss the specific style they know from home. The bun, the beef, the cheese, and the toppings can all vary in ways that make the experience feel unfamiliar. Sometimes it's not that the burger is bad, it just doesn't taste like the version you're craving.
amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
12. Barbecue
No country does barbecue quite like America, and it's such a regional tradition that many travelers feel its absence when visiting other countries. Because when that desire to bite into a meaty brisket, pulled pork, rib, or smoked chicken comes around, you're not going to find that smoky flavor profile anywhere else.
13. Tex-Mex
This Mexican-inspired cuisine in America is hard to replicate. When you've been away for long enough, you'll start to miss that delicious combination of melted cheese, seasoned meat, salsa, rice, beans, and warm tortilla that defines this category of food.
14. Deli Sandwiches
A good American deli sandwich has a very specific appeal, especially when it's stacked high and made to order. Sandwiches are a staple in many countries, but are they as filling, satisfying, and capture the same flavors? When variety, portion size, and taste don't match up with cravings, Americans will start to daydream about a good one more and more.
15. Cornbread
Given that cornbread is mostly a side, you probably don't think about it until it's suddenly unavailable. If you ever get served chili, some form of barbecue, or any hearty dish elsewhere in the world, you'll likely notice its absence more than ever before.
16. Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of America's favorite baked goods, chocolate chip cookies aren't exactly hard to find overseas, but you won't be able to bake them fresh in the oven yourself, or find ones that match your exact preferences. Most Americans love that soft, chewy kind you can buy almost everywhere, but other places might do it differently. It's a small, but real loss when those sweet cravings hit.
Food Photographer | Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash
17. Root Beer
Root beer is one of the most distinctly American drinks people notice missing once they leave the country. In many places, it isn't sold at all, and when it is, the taste can be unfamiliar or not especially popular with local consumers. It's a niche craving, but one that hits hard.
18. Southern Fried Chicken
Everyone loves fried chicken, but few places can do it as well as the American South. It simply has qualities to it that are hard to replicate! Everything from the seasoning to the crust and overall flavor is done so exquisitely in the United States, many Americans find themselves craving for a bite while on vacation.
19. S'mores
If you're traveling during the summer, we wouldn't be surprised if you miss s'mores. It's the season to enjoy them after all! Whether you're missing camping or simply the taste of graham crackers mixed with marshmallows and chocolate, this goodie will be hard to come by when you're traveling abroad.
20. Apple Pie
No dessert in America is more familiar and nostalgic than apple pie, especially when it's served warm, baked fresh, and comes with a scoop of ice cream. As an American staple, it's safe to say no one else does it quite like we do. And when you're wanting a bite of those delicious flavors, you're just going to have to wait until your trip is over.
KEEP ON READING
The Most Popular Chocolate Bars in the USA
The Most Popular Candies in the USA
