Iconic American Foods with Unique Twists Around the World
“Birthday Cake” Flavor Isn’t a Taste Sold in Other Countries
It sometimes feels like Americans have become bored with food. Or perhaps there is just too many choice available to them and now they are scrambling to create flavors that don’t even really make much sense. Another flavor is the birthday cake flavor. Everywhere else in the world — there is no such flavor as birthday cake. There are dozens of flavors of birthday cakes, so it wouldn’t make sense for a flavor to be called birthday cake.
In the US, you should be able to discover numerous type of birthday cake-flavored things. Vanilla flavored with sprinkles and frosting are pretty standard.
Bread Around the World
The United States is hardly known for its highly nutritious or healthful food. In fact, if you ask these people across the world, it is probably the opposite. So, now you will usually find that the USA having white bread is by far the most common bread type consumed. The least nutritious and often appears to be eating air, but still the most widely eaten. In the rest of the world, though, that is far from reality.
The other type of bread other countries prefer all differ strictly and healthily. Among the more popular: sourdoughs, pumpernickel, ryes and many more.
The French aren’t sure what to do with cheese in a can.
Pretty strange concept, isn’t it? Cheese is supposed to be quality food made from quality milk, not something that is squeezed out of a can. Even though many people in the U.S. adore it or find it amusing, the French, in particular, have a harder time understanding the concept. Being the worldwide ambassadors of quality cheese, it seems like France wants nothing to do with canned cheese. Even though it is affordable and convenient, you cannot really call it a proper replacement for the traditional products made the old-fashioned way. Besides, have you also noticed the emphasis on the phrase “cheese in a can”? Let’s be honest: is it actually cheese at all?
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You can’t really compare it to real cheese that is made the old-fashioned way, even though it’s easy and cheap. “Cheese in a can” exists, but is it truly cheese?
It’s American to put ice in soft drinks.
It can be very different to order drinks in the US than in other places, especially Europe. Just the fact that refills are free in the US can be shocking; most places charge extra for anything else. But what’s even better is that almost all cold drinks in the US come with ice. In the rest of the world, you generally have to ask for ice; otherwise, there is none.
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Drinks with ice are almost never served in English places, and the water is almost always at room temperature. It’s not even cold. It’s possible that most of the people there like it that way.
You can’t always use a croissant as a sandwich.
You regularly will find a croissant or croissant sandwich in the US, which is strange, you can be find the sandwich but not the pastry sometimes. For Americans who haven’t traveled much beyond the borders of the United States, you might be surprised to learn that this pastry is used as more of an accompaniment, it’s actually meant to be eaten by itself, and is not really intended to be used as bread.
One thing that we could not deny is that croissant sandwich is quite a nice dish with many countries also appearing face use. However, it will mostly be a pastry, something you’ll still see in Europe.
Smarties are a little different in each country.
If you are an American, the minute you hear the word, Smarties in the context of food — your brain switches into gear and goes, you will mean the little pebble like sugar candies that come in a colorful long antique package? And in the rest of the world, they think of something else entirely. Even though they remain candy in the U.S., we have Smarties in America, too — but in Europe, they are candy-coated chocolates inside a small box.
So these two candies aren’t even the same in taste, so you can’t really compare. The only thing they have in common is their name.
Waffles in the US Versus Hong Kong
Americans love their waffles. Few breakfast establishments don’t have a selection of waffles. In the US, the waffle is primarily a sweetened product served with syrup, fruit, or whipped cream. And at times, you will also see that along with meat. In Hong Kong, though, it is a different story. That is where you will find waffles which appear more like filled-up pitas than waffles.
They then make the waffle, cut it open inside and pack it with different foods, much like a pita — which is not at all how they do it in the US region of origin. It could be a sweet or savory dish or a balance of the two.
Hungarian Goulash Became Pasta Bolognese
The USA is a well-known melting pot of cultures. Given the past of the US and the people of US, you can now find all type of dishes which actually come from original European meals. Such as normal Hungarian goulash is familiar to pasta bolognese other than that goulash is a meat stew while bolognese is mixed with pasta.
Even if bolognese might resemble Hungarian goulash — and that’s arguable — you can wonder whether you can call it real after that. Perhaps an Italian fell in love with a Hungarian, and this was the most respectful synthesis of traditions, and history wrote itself from that point on.
Making an American Hot Dog: A Different Approach
If you find you just cannot come up with a single thing when it comes to American food (it really can be difficult to conjure something that appears especially American at a given moment or location) the hot dog is always a safe bet. If there is any more american food than the hot-dog — well, this is the way — the Americans do it, and so it must be done. Okay, just kidding. Hotdogs are delicious whatsoever way you make them. This is also the case in many other countries, where hot dogs come without the associated bun or toppings.
The countries conducting the hot doging of humans will almost invariably not refer to their efforts as a hot dog. It is called hot dog with toppings and cheese or simply fried meat.
Mac and cheese isn’t just an American thing.
Now, you might think, as many do, that Mac and Cheese is an all-American dish born from the land of the free. This dish can how ever be found throughout the world in a quite similar form, The mac and cheese we knew and loved was all American, though one variation that comes pretty close is the Swiss version that adds bacon and caramelized onions along with the cheese and pasta.
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Switzerland has its own version called älplermagronen, or “alpine mac and cheese.” Which country do you think does it best?
Breakfast Time: The United States vs. Japan
The old saying goes that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. The first thing you consume after the breaking of a night fast, and the food that sustains you throughout your day until your next batch of food. Eggs and toast, bacon, something cereal-like or pancakes are common elements of breakfasts here in America. They’re not known for being the healthiest of snacks, that is for sure. But have a look at an average breakfast in Japan and you’ll be amazed at the contrast.
The Japanese breakfast appears to be nice and balanced (though perhaps the fish is a tad on the heavy side. They serve miso soup, and rice, with the vegetables.
Some refer to the Doritos Ranch Flavor as the “cool American” Flavor.
Nothing says it quite like Ranch dressing. It’s the US’s most polarizing and sought-after seasoning. Sure, everyone loves it, but also, the flavor can be quite potent, and even a bit rude. Regardless, that flavor has now made its way to the rest of the globe. However, outside of the US, “Cool Ranch” flavor turns out to be “Cool American” flavoring when it comes to Doritos.
Some regions have interchangeable words American and Ranch. Never knew Americans are well-known for their passion for ranch!
British pancakes were different when they got to the United States.
While the Americans were birthed from the English and thus retained much of their cultural DNA, there are some aspects that the Americans shed from their British days. Above all, the pancake. UK pancakes are flat and crepe-like, whereas US pancakes are… well, the complete opposite! They are fluffy, thick, served with butter and syrup rather than fruit or lemon as is the case in the UK.
The British, it seems, were swayed by their continental cousins and the Americans opted to simply make a completely different [and debatably more delicious] food.
The United States is the home of ultra-processed cheeses.
You may have already noticed that the US has a soft spot for super-processed cheeses, as with the canned cheese example above. We all know that in general, the US is very big into processed foods, but it appears cheese is one of the big ones as well. The neon cheeses that come individually wrapped in little squares and are labeled, “American,” are about as processed as processed gets, and you won’t have any luck purchasing them outside of good ol’ USA.
The American cheese there on the left with some disturbing color of orange It shouldn’t be that color unless it’s some amazing cheddar.
Thai food in the United States isn’t really Thai.
You may be amazed to learn that the Chinese food that can be found throughout the US is not too representative of authentic Chinese food. Yes it has Chinese roots but has been watered down over the years to the point that it is barely identifiable. P.F. Chang’s or Panda Express that will make something that all European will have true to its American name.
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Sweet and sour chicken which is very easy found in USA is actually American creation who constructed from items on the Chinese menu playing the a not really felt Chinese dishes.
American Grilled Cheese Is Not Like British Grilled Cheese
Nothing can beat a classic grilled cheese sandwich. Always satisfying and effortless and delicious. Which of course, we need more of… made in the US. Just by looking at it, things might be a bit different if it was built in the UK. Check out the British take on a grilled cheese, and you’ll be second-guessing whether you even want one to begin with.
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Getting the bread crispy and the cheese melted perfectly are what makes or breaks a grilled cheese. This memo appears to be lost on the British version of this. Why is the gooey cheese seeping from the edges?!
The word “jelly” is what helps British and American people not understand each other.
Funny how many cultural differences you can come up just by two countries that speak the same language trying to say the same word. Be it a bin or trash can, an elevator or lift, a flat or apartment, or jelly. In Britain, jelly is a gelatin dessert served topped with such items as sprinkles and ice cream or whipped cream.
Jelly is a sweet fruit spread, similar to jam, that is often spread on bread, or put in sandwiches, in the US. But they taste nothing alike except they’re both sweet.
Is there cream cheese in sushi? Japan doesn’t have that.
Sushi was so hot and popular, being the hottest trend in the trendy food factory for couple of years. The dish has been a staple for the Japanese people since the early 1800s, so with all due respect, the credit here is all theirs. Sushi comes from Japan (Tokyo, to be exact), so it is still heavily reliant on traditional Japanese staples like rice and raw fish. Now sushi has become so much more diverse in the US (and the other parts of the world).
There will also be vegetarian, vegan, avocado and cheese sushi. The sushi can even be flavored to be Indian or Mexican food flavored. For this reason, Americans have taken sushi and transformed it into an entirely different product.
They have made some changes to this Vietnamese dish.
The US has immigrants from nearly every country on earth. In turn, this means many, many dishes influenced by all the different cuisines that have swirled around the American food scene. What most of people in the US actually think of as banh-mi is rather a sort of Vietnamese dish 『 banh-mi」 in a US style. Of course, Americans have come into play by adding pork to the delicious meat sandwich (mixed with whatever tamed equally as delicious) and also butchering instead of in a good way reducing the cilantro so it would conform more to the American pallet.
They both look good in the pictures, but Vietnamese looks a lot fresher! You might not need as much meat in every meal and probably could have used a little more herbs instead!
British pork wraps itself in bacon.
Even if you are a vegetarian, you have probably eaten pigs in a blanket at least one time at a party or gathering… and loved it. Their a big hit and feature a mini hot dog or sausage that is wrapped then cooled. Many of them have them wrapped in the dough too, so it is quite a hearty snack you will find most of the time in the US.
The main way the original British version differs from this snack is that they have none of the dough in their dish, and the “blanket” part of the dish is simply the bacon.
Bacon in the US vs. Britain
You would imagine that most of the earth would have, at the very least, a similar concept of what bacon is, and what it tastes like. Not really — but it goes something like this. If you knew and love American bacon, well, bacon is another thing in Britain. It’s way thicker and meatier, and way less crunchy than the breakfast side you get in the States. It almost doesn’t even resemble bacon at all!
When it comes to prepare British bacon, it doesn’t even get fried, really, which begs the question: is it even actually bacon or do these two meat meals merely share a name?
Where French Fries Are Called Chips
And there are quite a few similar, but different dishes here that are listed between the US and the UK. Given the similarities in culture, it makes sense. But a lot of them are only concerned about the phrasing. Another language difference, just like the jelly, The UK has chips not french fries, and who knows what they have in place of American chips. Maybe chips in a bag?
And hey, I admit that the American name of the dish is logical, but makes little sense. They are not even a French dish, for goodness’ sake. It is a little more logical to call them chips.
They Eat the Wasabi Straight in Japan
On the subject of sushi, there is one more reason that sushi is so different in the US vs Japan. In the US, notice that the wasabi and ginger compositions are generally placed beside the plate. They are optional, if you wish you can include them. Well, not in Japan, anyway. There is also wasabi directly on the sushi where that heat lies in each piece.
When you go there, watch out for some hot wasabi will b gone in your every bite of sushi. The ginger, however, can be carried on time and time again through your meal while the wasabi is not a side.
Cinnamon Rolls Actually Come From Sweden
Fun fact: the US version of cinnamon rolls is based on a Swedish dish, kanelbullar. The two dishes (the latter containing the dough with the frosting and the cinnamon) are virtually identical in all the most important ways, but over the years the distinctions have crept in and now the two are relatively different whilst also similarly formed. At the first sight the most noticeable feature of the rolls is its shape.
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They’re really more of a knot in Sweden and covered with far less sugar on top in the end too. Unlike the US version, they are not massive slabs of cake with frosting cascading all over the sides.
Tacos in the United States are different from those in Mexico.
The clear answer, of course, is that American Mexican food is not Mexican, as a trip to Mexico demonstrates. There is a reason that Tex-Mex has a name attached to it. American-style food adapts those traditions — using many of the same conceptual ideas as a base, but then alters many elements to fit an American palate. This is, indeed, the case with the taco.
True Mexican tacos have fresh meats and cheeses, not bland, mass-produced and way too processed meats and cheeses, like in the American Mexican taco. You wouldn’t think this is such a game changer but OH BOY does it make a difference!
What Is a Sandwich Around the World?
It would certainly be quite the study if you were to study all the different types of sandwiches that exist in the world. In the United States, you will probably be in possession of sandwiches created using very thin reels of both meat and cheese. They also serve mustard or mayonnaise. In fact, many areas will let you whip up your own! In the middle east sandwiches are much different than lceland.
You will be more likely to find a sandwich that is truly pita bread filled with meat or chickpea balls in the Middle East. Again, completely different than the Subway-style sandwiches you’ll find here in the States.
Clam Chowder Doesn’t Always Look the Same
In fact, that whole section of the US — New England — is known for Clam Chowder. New England Clam Chowder. It is a hearty thick, creamy soup made with vegetables and of course, clams. The very definition of comfort food, it contains so much cream it will give you a heart attack. But maybe that’s a gamble that we should take for how good it tastes.
But not every clam chowder resembles the well-known New England clam chowder. Some are much lighter and broth-based, and do not even have heavy cream.
Biscuits in Britain and in the US
Huah — this is an excellent slice of America, right there in biscuit form. They are available for breakfast, and you get a delicious egg on a biscuit with gravy. They are fluffy and light, and they are yummy. Biscuits in the UK are gorgeous as well but a different kind of gorgeous. In the UK, biscuits are simply cookies. That means if you have a biscuit for breakfast, you may be starving when you walk out of the house.
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Isnt ironic how something, the same word in the same language can have two utterly opposite meanings in two different places in the world?
Real Canadian Poutine Does Not Have Mozzarella
While similar, the US and Canada are very different. There is overlap between their cultures, sure, but there are also many slight variations. One of the differences lies in their food. Everything you can find in the US you can find in Canada and the vice versa, except one: The Canadian dish Poutine. Poutine is a dish consisting of french fries and cheese curds topped with gravy.
In the USA, if you are ever lucky enough to encounter this dish, it will typically and with great gusto, be topped with melted mozzarella. But the real version of this dish actually has fresh curds on top of it.
In the US, chai tea has become something completely different.
Chai tea or a chai latte is a popular non coffee alternative for those that don’t drink coffee. But they are likely to be unaware that the version of chai that they are accustomed to is not necessarily representative of chai as it is found in its place of origin; India. Chai in India is not nearly as sweet as the version in the United States but still includes milk, black tea, and spices. The spices are almost always authentic, just bolder.
Indians use much stronger spices in their chai than Americans are used to. Since then, you’ve probably just assumed chai is cinnamon and sugar with tea. Indeed, but there is a myriad of different spices that can be added to spice it up.
Breadsticks Are Actual Sticks of Bread Outside of the US
If you were to ask for a breadstick in the US, you’d likely receive a thin, long roll of bread. They will be fluffy and soft and typically have delicious flavorings, such as garlic and oil. But breadsticks like this, too well — this is maybe the only place in this country. But in other countries if you order breadsticks, your breadsticks will be long, thin, and crunchy, pictured here.
The breadsticks are more similar to a cracker, non-American versus the actual bread, American. They both technically are bread-sticks just in some different shape.
Everywhere in the world, people eat marshmallows in different ways.
There is something amusing about having the same food around the globe, but somehow eaten differently depending on where you are in the world. However, in the United States, the marshmallow is most often consumed around the campfire with chocolate, and a graham cracker toasted to within an inch of its life and called the s’more. This is not the case with Germany. One thing they have is schokokuss, which are marshmallows covered in chocolate, and have a touch of cake at the bottom — like a s’more.
They’re not exactly the They aren’t exactly identical, but they do contain all the same components. What do you think you’d do to warm up the German delicacy on a campfire?, but they have the same things in common. When bread is heated over a campfire, what happens?
Vietnamese Pho Has Entered the US Market
In the recent few years, more and more Vietnamese foods earned popularity in the US. These popular meals have infiltrated regional dining establishments, and are a hit with people. Ongoing traditional Pho craze. If you are an American you may know Pho as a sweet, sour, and salty meat based soup. Not quite like the original Vietnamese version – but very close!
Pho is the most common seafood based in minus Vietnam. You don’t come across this around the US very often. Pho (pronounced like “fuh” or “fuhhh”) is normally Vietnamese and Americans like their Pho beef, chicken, or even vegetable based.
Pizza Topping Around the World
Since its invention, a pizza has made quite an uproar in the remaining components of the world about its deliciousness, though a pizza could be a dish originally from Italy. Few countries escape having some version of this tasty dish. You can find their pizza in US, where the second more renowned place for their pizza is Not Italian pizza, but they have a few good choices with toppings and crunchy crust.
Believe it or not, but there are countries around the world that have even stranger pizza toppings then that of the US. In Romania and Greece, for example, french fries are a common topping on the pizza.
Is It Boba Tea or Is It a Smoothie?
Boba tea has TRULY taken over the last few years! Baobaodan bubble tea, originated in Taiwan, has swept America and the entire planet. It is pretty, good, and well-known. But as with most things, the American version is not really the same. A play on Taiwanese boba tea, they give it a different spin, doing more a smoothie than tea.
The American version, of course, retains the tapioca balls, but is much creamier and sweeter than some Taiwanese versions You might not be authentic but you sure are tasty, and who can argue that?
There’s a Reason Instant Ramen Is so Popular
Quick and Simple dishes are loved by people. The majority of people do not want to spend hours on a daily basis cooking and preparing food. This is why dishes such as instant ramen are useful. You just need boiling water and the ramen packet and you are set. The only problem is that in the US you are bound to eat packaged ramen and there are typhos of fresh ramen in the US.
If you visit Japan, you will always be able to discover lots authentic ramen shops that will find their fresh ramen beans with infulsion meats as well as veggies and homemade broth. That will make it hard to return to the ramen bag!
Here’s How Japan Serves Their “hamburger Steak”
The US of A is not short of burgers, after all, when it comes to grill one up or swinging by their go-to fast food joint, there are not many things that Americans love more. And even though the burger craze is a global phenomenon, it looks a little differently elsewhere. For example, desirable burger steak of Japan style. So it’s not a burger (as seen in the photo).
It’s a steak type dish that is commonly accompanied by some gravy, perhaps some cooked vegetables, and a fried egg on occasion – never any bun though.
Who Has the Best Chocolate?
European sensibilities are harsh in their estimation of American chocolates, which are viewed as inferior and too sugary. To the chocolate shot callers of Europe, Hershey’s is untouchable. But, again, it is all a subjective business. While other countries in Europe like switzerland and france are heavily into the chocolate industry, others are just as rotten as the US and have no realistic right to look down on American chocolates.
But you can’t dispute that the general standard of chocolate found in European countries is higher than that which an average American Chocolate maker is going to offer. Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any semi-good chocolate boutique chocolatiers in the US.
Carbonara from Italy might not be what you think it is if you’re American.
Carbonara on pasta is ubiquitous as a sauce in the US. It is easily ordered at any Italian-style restaurant. But were you to have the exact same order in Italy, the outcome would be much less a culture shock. Well, true Italian carbonara has guanciale, or cured pork cheek, in it. It also features pecorino romano chess and eggs. While also delicious, not really the same thing, though.
You will see, the American take on this, is simply a more simplified version of it. For the real experience, you need to go to Italy.
Is a PB&J a real sandwich?
Only in America can a peanut butter and jelly sandwich qualify as an actual sandwich, and a whole meal. Perhaps someone outside of the US will challenge that that even counts as a meal, and propose a more complete sandwich with leaves and veggies, not just peanut butter and fruit jam slapped together. Still, no one disputes that it tastes great!
This is not so much a meal, probably, unlike the avocado and tomato sandwich found in other countries.
