Sorry, Did You Say Ramen Burger?
With dishes like Korean tacos, Sushi burritos, and pho grilled cheese, it's no surprise that fusion cuisine continues to be all the rage. When done right, mixing the best flavors of popular cuisines will always be a homerun. To tantalize your taste buds, here are 20 tasty fusion dishes that excite the palate.
1. Korean BBQ Tacos
These tacos wrap marinated bulgogi beef, kimchi, gochujang sauce, and fresh cilantro in warm tortillas. The smoky sweetness from the bulgogi complements the cilantro, and eating these ingredients as a taco really helps them come together.
2. Sushi Burrito
Japanese and Mexican flavors might not seem like a match made in heaven, but we assure you that they are. This fusion dish takes sashimi-grade fish and a mix of Japanese and Mexican ingredients and wraps them in nori.
3. Butter Chicken Pizza
Italy collides with India in this delightful mix of popular cuisines. Butter chicken pizza replaces the tomato sauce traditionally used in pizza with creamy butter chicken curry with a hint of spice. Top this pizza with mozzarella, cilantro, and onions to merge two of the world's best food cultures.
4. Ramen Burger
The ramen burger is a Japanese-American culinary invention. It replaces the classic hamburger bun with an ultra-crispy ramen noodle bun. Between the "buns" is a beef patty and your choice of toppings. This meal reinvents two popular dishes and fuses them into a fun and delicious meal.
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5. Tikka Masala Pasta
Here's another Italian and Indian fusion dish that is sure to make you hungry. For this dish, pair penne or spaghetti with a creamy and spicy tikka masala sauce. You can add some chicken or paneer to elevate this pasta dish.
6. Sushi Pizza
Imagine biting into a crispy rice base topped with fresh raw fish, creamy avocado, and spicy mayo, and then topped with sesame seeds. The textures and flavors blend, merge, and complement each other beautifully. This fusion dish is popular in sushi restaurants in major North American cities like Toronto.
7. Kimchi Quesadilla
Kimchi is fermented cabbage and one of the most popular food items in Korea. It becomes something magical when it's fried in a quesadilla filled with gooey cheese. You can add some bulgogi beef, if that's your thing. You'll love the funkiness of the kimchi with the richness of the cheese.
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8. Peking Duck Tacos
Tacos are the perfect vessel for most proteins. That said, if you haven't tried wrapping tender Peking duck in a warm, soft tortilla, then you're missing out. Make sure the duck has a crispy skin and drizzle some hoisin sauce over it.
9. Pho Grilled Cheese
A marriage between one of Vietnam's signature dishes and the classic American comfort food. This dish infuses beef pho broth into caramelized onions, brisket, and melted cheese between grilled bread. Serve this elevated grilled cheese with a pho broth dip.
10. Curry Ramen
Curry ramen combines Japanese ramen with Indian curry. It's made with a bold curry-flavored broth, noodles, vegetables, and either chicken or tofu. The depth of flavor is unbelievable, and there's a nice curry warmth to every bite.
11. Shawarma Tacos
Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern food that's basically meat shaved from a vertical spit and then served in a pita and topped with tahini, garlic sauce, and onions. This Mexican version of Shawarma is served in a pita and topped with traditional taco toppings like cilantro and guacamole.
12. Mac and Cheese Spring Rolls
If you want to try a unique fusion dish, then stuff creamy macaroni inside a spring roll, wrap it, and fry it to golden perfection. Serve with some sriracha mayo and then bite into pure indulgence. The textural contrast of the macaroni and cheese with the spring roll wrapper makes it a pure delight.
13. Bulgogi Hot Dogs
A bulgogi hot dog is a hot dog or grilled sausage topped with marinated beef and kimchi and drizzled with gochujang mayo. It's rich, warm, and the flavor combination is to die for. If the hot dog is a ballpark staple, then the bulgogi hot dog is an elegant, gourmet experience.
14. Chicken Tikka Nachos
Whip up these nachos the next time you have friends over to watch the big game. Layer cheese and chutney over tortilla chips, and then top with spicy tikka chicken.
15. Teriyaki Meatballs
Take a break from Swedish meatballs and instead try this Japanese and Italian version of the classic. Use your regular meatball recipe and then coat each one in a teriyaki glaze. Each meatball is savory, sweet, and bursting with Asian flavors.
16. Jamaican Patty Burger
Add a bold dash or Caribbean flavors to the classic American burger. To make this dish, place a beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, and the sauce of your choice between two Jamaican patties.
17. Greek Gyro Fries
Top your fries with gyro meat, which is traditionally a combination of beef and lamb, tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions. This Greek poutine lets you take your favorite Greek flavors with you as you go. It's messy, but totally worth it.
18. Butter Chicken Poutine
Another fun fusion poutine is the butter chicken poutine. Layer crispy fries with cheese curds and creamy butter chicken curry. The Indian flavors make this an unforgettable version of the French-Canadian staple.
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19. Cuban Sandwich Egg Rolls
This fusion dish takes an egg roll wrapper and stuffs it with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. The rich pork mixed with the tangy mustard makes it impossible to just eat one.
20. BBQ Bao Buns
A Southern take on the classic bao. These bao buns are filled with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and crunchy slaw. The pillowy softness of bao meets the smoky BBQ flavors of the South.
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