Many comfort foods we love are often assumed to come from other countries. But surprisingly, they were created right here in the U.S., often by immigrants trying to recreate the familiar flavors of home. That’s one of the most amazing things about American cuisine! Today, we’ll bring you 10 foods you thought were ethnic but came from the US.
10. Fortune Cookies
You think those Fortune Cookies you got with your meal from Panda Express are from Chinese cuisine? Nope, they’re born in the USA, and what’s funny about it is that they’re inspired by a Japanese cookie called “tsujiura senbei.” They became popular through different Chinese restaurants across America during the early 20th century.
9. Pizza
While we acknowledge that pizza originated in Italy, the Pizza we know of today was developed in the USA. Italian immigrants brought the Pizza to the country, where it evolved in different styles according to region. Today, we’re seeing the popular New York-style and Chicago deep-dish pizzas.
8. Spaghetti and Meatballs
While pasta and meatballs are a huge part of Italian cuisine, Spaghetti and Meatballs are an Italian-American creation. In Italy, meatballs are usually served in a different course, and the meat is saucy. With this, Italian-American immigrants combined the two to create a heartier meal that would fit American tastes.
7. Fajitas
It’s a pretty well-known fact that fajitas are part of Mexican cuisine. However, they were popularized in Texas. It consists of grilled meat with tortillas, peppers, and onions. Fajitas were created by Mexican ranch workers who would cook skirt steak over open flames around Texas. They were popularized during the 1970s when they were served in American restaurants.
6. General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is a food typically seen in Chinese-American restaurants. Despite its Chinese name, it was invented in the USA by Chinese chefs who immigrated there. With its sweet and spicy sauce, they created a dish that would fit the palate of Americans. With this, it became popular during the 1970s and has remained so.
5. California Roll
We all know that sushi is a delicacy from Japan, but the USA has its version too. The California Roll consists of imitation crab, avocado, and cucumber, all wrapped in seaweed and rice. Its Japanese nature stems from Japanese chefs who created them in Los Angeles during the 1960s. The California Roll paved the way for the popularization of sushi in the country.
4. Taco Salad
The Taco Salad is a hearty Tex-Mex meal consisting of ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and sour cream, all placed in a crispy tortilla bowl. It was invented in Texas in the mid-20th century, offering the flavors you can get from a taco in a salad form.
3. Crab Rangoon
Another American-Chinese favorite is the Crab Rangoon. It features crab meat and cream cheese wrapped in deep-fried wonton wrappers. They were created during the 1950s at the Trader Vic’s restaurant chain.
2. Chop Suey
The stir fry dish you enjoy from Chinese restaurants was invented in the USA. The Chop Suey is a stir fry mix of vegetables, meat, and a sauce invented in the late 19th century. The dish quickly became popular among Americans because of the tasty sauce surrounding each ingredient. It’s also a perfect balance between meat and veggies.
1. Moo Goo Gai Pan
Another American-Chinese restaurant find is the Moo Goo Gai Pan. It’s a Cantonese dish adapted to fit the American palate. It’s filled with chicken, mushrooms, and stir-fried vegetables with a special sauce. Chinese immigrants modified the dish to make it easily accessible.