When you think of “American food,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind, other than McDonald’s? And no, you can’t say Burger King. That’s cheating. It’s pretty difficult, right? Aside from fast food, America doesn’t seem to have as distinct a cuisine as other nations. While this can seem like a bummer, it’s actually a blessing. America’s multicultural landscape means that we’ve adopted tons of foods from foreign cuisines. There’s something for everyone in the U S of A.
General Tso’s Chicken
This is one of the more well-known Americanized foods, though it wasn’t actually invented in America. Its widespread popularity has cemented it as a Chinese-American staple.
It was originally created in Taiwan, and is popular there as well. Once it was brought over to the US, it really took off.
Compared to other foods, this was a pretty recent invention. General Tso’s chicken was allegedly made in the 1950s by a diplomat.
American-style Sushi Rolls
Sushi rolls are, of course, a Japanese food, but their widespread popularity has made Americanized versions inevitable. Perhaps the most famous is the California roll.
True to its Californian origins, the California roll is stuffed with avocado. It was first made by Japanese immigrants to the West Coast.
Along with avocado, imitation crab (crushed white fish) and cucumber are also used, to mimic the taste and texture of raw snow crab sushi back home.
Chop Suey
This Chinese-American meal has been in the States for a long time (since the early 20th century, at least). It’s been fully embraced as an American meal.
It originated with Chinese immigrants to California during the 19th century Gold Rush, and developed from there. So, what’s in chop suey?
It consists of meat, eggs, and veggies. Bean sprouts are particularly popular. It’s cooked in a thick sauce and served on a bed of rice.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
This one made our jaws drop, too. It’s a classic Italian dish! Sure, pizza’s been thoroughly Americanized, but spaghetti and meatballs? Really?
It’s true. While it originated in Italy, Italian-Americans are to thank for the modern incarnation of this dish. Meatballs are still pretty Italian, though.
The key difference is the spaghetti. Meatballs are usually eaten alone, and the large helpings of tomato sauce are another American invention.
Fortune Cookies
Typically associated with Chinese takeout, fortune cookies are less Chinese than chop suey. In fact, they may even have Japanese origins.
Cookies stuffed with little paper fortunes have been consumed in Japan for hundreds of years, though the fortune cookies we know and love are pretty different.
Their eventual association with Chinese-American cuisine is tricky, because nobody really knows why. Some theorize that it’s because of the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII.
Tex-Mex Nachos
Nachos are actually a wholly Tex-Mex creation in and of themselves. If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican food to compare it to, chilaquiles would be the closest.
Technically, they were invented just south of the border, but didn’t stay in Mexico for long beyond their initial inception.
They spread rapidly throughout the southwestern United States, but they first came to Texas, and that’s where they now call home.
American Chinese Buffet-style Crab Rangoon
This is probably the best Chinese food — and it’s not even Chinese. You’ve probably noticed that this happens a lot.
This dish is actually completely American. You probably won’t find it anywhere in China, and if you do, it won’t be without lots of difficulty and confusion.
It was made in 1950s California. We got to hand it to them — a lot of great food comes out of that state.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo was originally made in Italy, though it was nothing like what you’re familiar with. Like much of Italian cuisine, the dish was simple.
It involved fettuccine, butter, and melted Parmesan cheese. Americans who traveled to Italy loved the original, and decided to put their own twist on it.
For starters, the cream was heavier. The dish in general is pretty heavy, often served with a variety of meat and veggie toppings.
Cuban Sandwich
This ham and cheese sandwich is a Floridian delicacy — yes, we said “Floridian.” While it’s named after Cuba, it was popularized by Cuban-Americans in Tampa.
It’s considered a Tampa staple, but don’t count out Miami! As another city with a high Cuban population, Cuban sandwiches are everywhere.
It’s served with pickles and mustard on Cuban bread. If you’ve never had Cuban bread before, think of it as a kind of Cuban baguette.
California Pizza
If you couldn’t tell from the name, this is from the Golden State. It’s not as famous as its cousin from New York, but it holds its own.
It also takes more inspiration from authentic Italian pizza, namely the crust, which is ultra thin and doesn’t lend itself well to folding.
As for toppings…it’s California. Obviously they put avocados on it. Sometimes, they include a sunny side up egg, which is decidedly not Italian.
Peking Duck Pizza
If there’s anything you should take from this, it’s that Americans love to experiment with their pizza. This one is a killer combo of Italian and Chinese food.
Nobody really knows the history or specific origins of this dish, only that it exists, and there’s no other place that would do something like this.
Other than putting Peking duck on pizza, you top it with mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and hoisin sauce, with green onions for flavor.
American-style Greek Gyros
This one’s a little different from the other items here. Gyros originated in Greece and are still widely popular and well-known over there.
There’s a lot of similarities between the two. They both use tzatziki, are served on pitas, and topped with diced tomatoes and onions.
However, the main difference is the meat. In America, ground lamb or beef is the most common, whereas Greek gyros tend to use pork.
Boston Roll (Sushi)
This is very similar to a California roll, only it actually uses shellfish, swapping out the imitation crab for shrimp. You can poach or cook it regularly.
The biggest distinction between the two, however, is the outside, which has a bright orange reddish hue. That’s from roe, or fish eggs.
Boston rolls usually use either Japanese flying fish roe, or roe from Capelin fish. This is not to be confused with caviar, which is from a specific fish.
Swedish Meatballs (American version)
IKEA, anyone? While Swedish people see these as an everyday food, Americans know these tiny meatballs from their favorite furniture store.
They’re comprised of an even amount of pork and beef, served in a thick gravy. You won’t find these meatballs anywhere near tomato sauce.
Don’t get it twisted: this is still very much a Swedish dish. Thanks to IKEA, though, Americans have caught on to their greatness.
Hawaiian Pizza
This infamous, controversial pineapple and ham pizza is a double whammy. No, it’s not from the Pacific. And no, it’s not American in origin.
Hawaiian pizzas are actually a Canadian invention! They were made by a Greek-Canadian restaurant owner in the 1960s, and have been sparking intense debates ever since.
They’ve become a hit in the US. The ingredients generally tend to be the same as the Canadian version, though Americans sometimes put barbecue sauce on theirs.
Egg Foo Young
This dish originated in China and can be found within other Chinese communities internationally. Aside from the US, variations are popular in Britain and Indonesia.
A Cantonese cultural dish, it’s kind of like an omelette, filled with your pick of meat and veggies. Americans sometimes like to top it with gravy.
It’s been around in America for a while now, and can be traced all the way back to the Great Depression.
American-style Tacos
Tacos are obviously a Mexican invention, but the American variation (AKA, the “taco gringo”) is one you probably know all too well.
It consists of ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa, and sour cream, usually encased in a hard shell. Think Taco Bell.
This is the kind of taco that you’d make out of one of those Ortega box kits you can find in the supermarket. It’s simple and good.
Vegetable Lo Mein (American style)
There’s versions of lo mein all over the world. It’s still popular in China, but there’s an American version. because of course there is.
The veggies aren’t exactly what sets it apart, although it’s more common to see a veggie only option in Chinese-American restaurants.
The biggest difference is in the sauce. It’s more common to find soy sauce in America lo mein, giving it a saltier and more savory flavor.
Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are less of an “Americanized” foreign food than they are a dish that borrows inspiration from Mexican cuisine, like most Tex Mex foods.
They’re deeply rooted in their Tex Mex origins, but have spread throughout the nation. Thankfully, you don’t need to go to the southwest just to try them.
If you’ve ever been to a bar, you’ve probably had or seen them. They’re basically deep fried jalapeños, stuffed with a mixture of melted cheeses.
Crab California Rolls
California rolls — now made with real crab! If you’re a fan of regular California rolls but got tired of the imitation crab, then these are your new fave.
You can top the roll with some crab, or simply replace the imitation crab inside of the roll with the real thing.
They might even be closer to the Japanese version, especially if you opt for Japanese snow crab. Either way, it’s delicious.
Cheeseburger (with various global cuisine twists)
The cheeseburger is a quintessentially American food. While it hasn’t technically been adopted from another culture, we thought it deserved a shout out.
Why? Well, people have been putting their own unique twists on cheeseburgers for a hot minute, experimenting with international flavors.
For example, people have fused together Korean and American cuisine for a killer kimchi/burger combo. There’s also nacho burgers, though maybe that’s the most American of all.
Americanized Pad Thai
Pad Thai has to be about as Thai as they come — right? After all, it has “Thai” in the name. But not so fast.
Pad Thai’s origins are actually unclear. While it definitely has a connection to Thailand, some people have argued that it actually came from Chinese immigrants to Thailand.
Apparently, it was also Chinese immigrants who then brought the dish to America. The flavor and spice levels have changed since then, becoming more suitable for American palates.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
This pizza is like a New York double whammy. You’ve got the New York pizza, combined with the buffalo chicken from Buffalo. What more could you want?
Buffalo chicken pizza is all over the country by now, and is by no means confined to New York. Just head over to your local pizzeria.
Still, you’ll get the best of this in Buffalo, because nobody does buffalo chicken like they do. For the complete experience, drizzle it with blue cheese.
Reuben Sandwich
Like most of the delicious foods to come out of America, this deli classic was made by an immigrant, though we don’t know which one.
Some argue that a Lithuanian invented it, while others argue that a German did. Whatever the case, it’s undoubtedly a Jewish staple.
A classic Reuben sandwich is made of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing, served on rye bread.
Orange Chicken
Orange chicken is probably one of the most popular dishes in America, PERIOD. Its the go-to pick at so many different Asian eateries.
Everyone loves that sweet sauce that goes on the orange chicken as well as the beautiful breaded chicken that gets covered in that sauce.
This is another prime example of how the US and Americans as a whole can take a dish from one country and “Americanize” it.
American-style Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are the go-to during both good times and bad. When you are looking for something warm, its perfect.
However also, like in university, you may be struggling financially, and ramen will be perfect to supply your eating needs.
Ramen is a fantastic option and what’s even better is when you feel up to it you can make your ramen fancy like you are at a ramen bar!
Kung Pao Chicken (Western version)
Kung Pao has been through some changes but its just another example of an already delicious Chinese dish that is americanized.
Whether its the crispy chicken, crunchy peanuts, flavorful chillies, or savory sauce, Kung Pao offers an amazing amount of sweet and spice.
Kung Pao is without a doubt another classic example of a dish that just is too good as it is, but yet somehow Americans found a way to make it even better!
Texas-style BBQ (adapted from various global BBQ traditions)
You may be thinking BBQ has American origination which it does but its in fact Native American, where people were smoking meats before settlement.
Even before the 1500’s in North America slow cooking BBQ meats was a tradition that carried on and obviously does all the way to today.
Texas-style BBQ is just fantastic and there are so many different dishes that are a part of it that help make it one of the biggest hits in the US.
Mongolian Beef (American Chinese version)
Mongolian beef is one of the most popular dishes at American-style Chinese restaurants. The truth of it is, it deserves to be!
Mongolian beef contains flank steak which is unbelievably tender. Then there is the mixed veggies which usually always include onions.
Make sure to try some Mongolian beef if you haven’t before. It really is that tender flank steak that makes the difference.
Deep Dish Pizza
Alright so this may be straight forward, but yes pizza originates from Italy. Deep dish being no different, although it specifically originates from Chicago.
Let’s get the record straight, Chicago in general just has great food, but deep dish is not its only known pizza!
They also serve a bar-style which is thin crust but equally delicious. Nevertheless you certainly can’t go wrong with a deep dish pie.
American-style Falafel
American-style falafel really does not do too much to go off of this Pharoanic-origin dish. Falafel is the best!
While many believe that Falafel dates back to ancient Egypt, plenty of countries can call it their own dish. It is doing well in America too!
The best way to serve falafel is in a split pita with a cucumber-tomato salad and tahini sauce with sumac and onions!
Sesame Chicken
Sesame chicken is another incredible dish that you see commonly at Asian spots and many places serve it with a side of steamed broccoli.
Its a simple dish and it doesn’t really have any heat but the sweet sauce itself with the texture of the sesame blends beautifully.
So many different places have this dish and will do something maybe to make it unique to them but it will always remain pretty much the same.
Chicago-style Hot Dogs
OK so in order to figure out the origin of Chicago dogs you have to look at the makeup of Chicagoans. Its very European (German, Polish, and Serbian especially).
The Chicago dog itself also has originations from Europe, more specifically Germany and Poland where the original creators of the dog came from.
Chicago-style dogs are absolutely fantastic. Its just a beautiful work of art. Its a great expression of the city of Chicago.
American-style Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff is another delicious dish and it contains tender bits of beef with noodles and a great sauce.
This dish is not American by origin however. Its really Russian if you take a look back at Stroganoff’s origin.
Its a fantastic dish and also is one that is great served leftover. You can make large quantities with it and be fed for weeks!
Sweet and Sour Pork (American Chinese version)
Sweet and Sour pork is a fantastic dish that has been played with quite a bit by Americans over the last few decades.
Its hard to perfect the dish, but because Americans like to do their own takes on things, they had to find a way to make this their own.
You will see sweet and sour pork served at a variety of different places but the dish itself for the most part is always the same.