What Foreigners Love Most
When foreigners visit America, they often fall in love with some foods more than others. From savory options to desserts, these snacks and meals live on and on in the minds of the non-Americans who try them. With that in mind, here are 20 of the most delicious American foods according to people from abroad.
1. Cajun Food
Foreigners often consider Cajun food a spicy and tasty portrayal of American cooking. The use of flavorful dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, and other spicy, smoky, and hearty creations draws focus to Cajun Louisiana's culinary expertise. The spicy food's French, African, and Southern flavors and influences make many people love and remember it.
2. Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is frequently hailed by foreigners as the American comfort food par excellence. Cooked low and slow, smoked until it falls apart, and usually served with tangy barbecue sauce, this staple highlights complex, deep, umami-laden flavors. A hearty, crowd-pleasing dish, it's become one of America's most iconic comfort foods.
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3. Curly Fries
Curly fries are often associated by foreigners with a fun, quintessentially American snack or side dish. Their spiral shape, crispy texture, and seasoned taste are visually appealing and provide a satisfying flavor. They are commonly linked to casual dining, fast food, and the playful, indulgent aspect of American cuisine.
4. Mac and Cheese
The creamy cheese sauce and soft pasta are rich and indulgent, but also comforting and kid-friendly. Some believe it to be a nostalgic dish that brings back memories of home cooking and basic flavors.
5. Thanksgiving Turkey
The Thanksgiving turkey is for many foreigners the epitome of the American festive spirit. Roasted and golden, often served with stuffing and cranberry sauce, it is the symbol of family reunion and celebration. It is loved by many for its symbolic value as much as for its deep, savory taste.
6. Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls are typically seen as a cute, greasy American snack by foreigners. The crunch on the outside with the melted cheesy goodness on the inside is a mini pizza in a compact package. Many foreign people like pizza rolls for their delicious taste and convenience.
7. Eggs Benedict
Poached eggs with hollandaise sauce over toasted English muffins and Canadian bacon is a true American classic that delivers indulgent, refined, and classic flavors in one single plate. The beauty of this dish is that it's full of rich, creamy, salty, and slightly tart flavors.
8. Apple Pie
Apple pie is a dessert that foreigners often think of as being the most American. A flaky crust and sweet apple filling fill people with feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Many people consider apple pie to be "as American as apple pie."
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9. Pastrami on Rye
Heaping forkfuls of juicy, peppery pastrami on rye bread make a delicious, filling, savory mouthful. They are often praised for their intense flavor, ample portion sizes, and status as a New York classic.
10. Smoked Brisket
Smoked brisket is considered a quintessential American barbecue dish by many foreigners. Slow-cooked and smoked until tender, it is known for its smoky flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Many also appreciate its bold seasoning, deep savory taste, and the expertise needed to prepare it authentically.
11. Cookie Dough
Cookie dough is commonly perceived as a novelty, whimsical American delicacy to foreigners. Sweet, soft, and gooey, it can be satisfying to eat raw or baked into cookies. It is often loved for its playful, nostalgic nature as well as being a comforting food.
12. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is one of those desserts foreigners consider to be archetypal and homey American cuisine. Layers of creamy pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers make for a nostalgic, sweet, and smooth flavor that many praise for being homey and decadent and a staple at family events and meals with Southern cuisine.
13. Loaded Potatoes
Foreigners tend to appreciate the loaded potato as a meal for its savory, flavorful toppings such as cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives, with each bite being a "savory, creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious experience." Many tend to also praise it for its satisfying taste, generous portion size, and prevalence as a side dish or main meal in diners and casual eateries.
14. Chicken Fried Steak
It's breaded and fried like fried chicken, then covered with creamy gravy. The combination of crispy and savory makes many people appreciate it as a hearty, indulgent classic of American diner and home cooking.
15. Biscuits and Gravy
Soft and buttery biscuits are drenched with rich and creamy sausage gravy. The meal is adored by many for its comforting taste, filling portions, and as a staple of American comfort cuisine.
16. Chocolate Chip Cookies
The cookie is soft, chewy, and sweet with little chocolate morsels. Many people have also recognized them as a nostalgic and home-baked treat, and an iconic American dessert. In some countries, these cookies are called “American cookies.”
17. Cornbread
Its slightly sweet, crumbly texture is a perfect accompaniment to hearty dishes like chili or barbecue. Many people admire cornbread for its simple, comforting taste and its roots in traditional American cuisine.
18. Po' Boy
Po' boy sandwiches are considered by foreigners to be a defining dish of Louisiana and Southern American cuisine. Hearty and flavorful, they are stuffed with fried seafood or roast meats, and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles on crusty French bread. Many people like them for their bold taste, large portions, and ties to the culture of New Orleans.
19. Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan is considered by foreign observers to be a typical example of Italian American comfort food despite not being Italian in origin. Breaded chicken cutlets are topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Chicken Parmesan has been praised for its rich and savory flavor, hearty and satisfying mix of textures, and its status as an American favorite.
20. Philly Cheesesteaks
Foreigners often view Philly cheesesteaks as an emblematic American sandwich that comes from Philadelphia. Thinly sliced steak, melted cheese, and sautéed onions stuffed into a soft hoagie roll combine for a decadent, satisfying flavor. A lot of people love them for their generous portions, bold flavors, and being a classic street food staple.
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