America is a melting pot. This great mix of cultures has brought with it numerous cuisines. As a result, you can eat from cultures around the world on a single city block. Furthermore, the explosion of Food Network and celebrity chefs have brought all sorts of different cuisines right into people’s living rooms. Here are my 5 best cuisines in America.
Italian
Italian food is pretty iconic in America. Some of the most popular foods in the country have their roots in Italy. Everyone has heard of pizza, spaghetti, ravioli, alfredo, I could go on and on. These dishes are just the ones that have been “Americanized” over the years. Authentic Italian cuisine has become incredibly popular in recent years.
Though we tend to think of pasta and tomatoes when it comes to Italian food, it has so much more to offer. Italy is a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. As a result, there is a myriad of mouthwatering seafood dishes in Italian cuisine.
Cajun/Creole
New Orleans, Louisiana is home to some of the best food in the world. Cajun cooking utilizes amazing ingredients and plenty of spices. Some popular dishes include gumbo, étouffée, and jambalaya. Shrimp and oyster po’boys are a thing of beauty as well.
Gumbo is perhaps the most iconic cajun dish. A good seafood gumbo usually consists of shrimp, crab, sausage, the holy trinity (onions, bell peppers, and celery), okra, and a dark roux. This seafood stew is typically served over rice, perhaps even with a little french bread on the side. Add a dash of hot sauce and you have heaven in a bowl.
Southern
Southern food is as good for your tastebuds as it is bad for your cholesterol. Any cuisine that uses that much bacon grease has got to be good. Some popular dishes include fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and dumplings
Southern cuisine boats some tasty desserts to go with those amazing entrees. Pecan pie is super popular around Thanksgiving and Christmas, while banana pudding and hummingbird cake are popular 24/7. Of course, you have to wash all this delicious food down with a tall glass of sweet tea.
Mexican
Mexican cuisine is as American as apple pie. I’ve always said that if America was a dish it would come with a side of salsa. Furthermore, there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the US. Because of this, and our proximity to Mexican, tacos have become as popular as hot dogs when it comes to street food.
All styles of Mexican food are well-liked, but Tex Mex is probably the most popular. Popular dishes include tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. There has been a rise in more authentic Mexican cuisine in recent years because of the culinary explosion on television and Youtube.
Chinese
When I say Chinese food, I mean the Americanized version. While it may not be authentic, Americanized Chinese food is extremely popular. In particular, Chinese takeout is beloved. Popular dishes include sesame chicken, fried rice, and low mein.
These are the 5 best cuisines in America, at least according to me. This list is subject to change in the future, as I have not sampled as many cuisines as I would like!
