There are some exotic foods we tend to take for granted exist. Almost every city for example has a Chinese restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, and maybe an Outback Steakhouse. But this isn’t universal for some reason. Someone asked me if I wanted to go to an Egyptian restaurant and I was like “wait, they have restaurants?”
A question for all those who would say they consider themselves ethnically fluent. What are all the cultural categories of food you’ve had?
Is this something people track? What’s considered “exotic?”
Anything associated enough with another country/culture to pair it with that group of people.
I’ve had buffalo wings, and American barbecue. Also I’ve been to American Thanksgiving meals with weird things like sweet potatoes with marshmallows on. So I’ve had some American ethnic food for one thing.
I don’t know how to answer “exotic”. “Exotic” can easily slip into xenophobic territory.
Maybe I answer with a restaurant from a specific culture that I had never been exposed to before? In which case, Himalayan/Tibetan/Nepalese. I could eat momos every day. But I say that about every savory-wrapped-in-dough thing. Dumplings, empanadas, bierocks, meat pies, xian bing, piroshki, is there a culture that doesn’t have some variation of that? And it’s always good. If ever there is need for a flag to represent Humanity, it should be of a savory pie.
Okay I won’t hold it against you because I grew up Midwestern and to us Mexican and Chinese were considered “ethnic”, but do realize that that is a very weird thing to just say. Now that I’m on the coast should I call tuna casserole or taco/breakfast food ethnic? Sounds weird right?
Next time you think ethnic food may be instead think of it like non-american food. To us, green bean casserole is a “normal” thing, to other people having a noodle dish is an appropriate normal holiday dish. “Normal” and “different” are all just from our point of view.
That’s why you’re being downvote, because you’re on a world stage here, and when you’re talking to someone and calling their food “ethnic” it demeans their culture, and that is a bit insulting. I am guessing it’s just ignorance, but hey now you know.
That being said, have fun exploring your pallette! I’ve lost count of the different cuisines I’ve tried, but every one is a bit different! There’s a Moroccan place that I really love going to, and I have had some really good Ethiopian. Sushi is always my go to favorite! Never be afraid of trying new things!
(And if you decide to post again I’m sure it will do better vote wise, because it is a really interesting question ;)
I say “ethnic” as in “ethnicity”, and as in “of or belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent”, which is what the dictionary says. If that’s offensive, it’s the first time I’ve heard that before, having seen it used by official sources. As I explain, I’m grateful for whatever verbal successes I do have because English is not my first language, but I see the land of ten thousand instances which believes in things in terms of a world stage won’t even accommodate.
Indian food is amazing.
