How authentic are the ethnic restaurants in the U.S.?

Question

Obviously Taco Bell doesn't count as good Mexican food, lol. I'm curious to hear from people who are in the US from other countries...If you're Chinese, for example...How authentic is the food served at a standard Chinese restaurant in America? Same question to everyone else...Japanese, Mexican, Italian, etc.

Also, does anyone know of some really, REALLY good Mexican food in the Metro-Atlanta area? We have a large number of Mexican immigrants here, and there are tons of Mexican restaurants, but most of them are chains, and I try to steer clear of chain restaurants. I'm looking for a little dumpy, hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop restaurant that's family owned and has the 80-year-old grandmother there cooking...refried beans made with lard instead of Crisco, etc. Can anyone help me out??

Answer 1

my dad would rather eat a burger than go to a chinese restaurant, every dish uses the same spises, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar. If we want to eat chinese food, we make it at home :)

Answer 2

There's tons of excellent ethnic restaurants in the Seattle area. Generally, I'd rather eat Chinese food from Seattle than say, Ohio or something where there aren't as many Chinese people. The more of that ethnic group there is in an area, the higher the demand for authentic ethnic food there is. You can find probably anything here, authentic Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Indian, Eritriean, Moroccan, etc and its all really damn good.

Answer 3

It really depends upon who is making the food. If it is family owned within the ethnic group whose food they are making, there is a good chance it is very authentic and good. If the place is owned by people who really know nothing about the cuisine, then it probably is not so good.



I am English and most of the fish and chip shops when you can find them are rancid; beleive me you get some great ones there. And nobody knows how to make proper Yorkshire Pud, or even for that matter, serve tea right!

Answer 4

I am Mexican, and currently studying my master's here in the U.S (in South Florida). I cal tell you, Mexican food here is horrible. I know there must be some authentic old shak somewhere out there, but they are not easy to come by.

I assumed that being in South Florida would make it easier to find good Mexican restaurants, but I guess I was wrong.

For starters, Mexican food never EVER has shreded yellow american cheese, or sour cream, or bell peppers (except some marine dishes), or ground meat ugghhh!. Almost all tacos, and quesadillas en Mexico are made from corn flour... which tastes very different from the American version, I guess it's due to preservatives that makes them taste like silicon.... well..., so for a Mexican who loves good tasting food, I have to cook it by myself........

Answer 5

I am Chinese. Unless you go to the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, 99% of the regular Chinese restaurants server Americanized Chinese food.



In the US, when you order Egg Foo Young, they serve you something that is like deep fried omelet. The real egg foo young is nothing like it both in terms of appearance and taste. We eat noodles or we eat rice. We never put noodles and rice in the same dish. So, those lo mein with pork fried rice type of things are just weird. I can keep going on and on about this.

Answer 6

often the best way to find an authentic ethnic restaurant is to ask someone who is a true aficionado of that cuisine and possibly of that ethnicity. chains, as you observed, tend not to be authentic b/c they are trying to appeal to mass market, mass tastes. another sign is the clientele. if it's a Mexican restaurant, are a lot of Mexicans frequenting the place? lastly there's research and experience, know your cuisine, go taste food, watch food network, use the internet, travel, read food blogs.

Answer 7

in case you like Thai nutrition attempt the Thai Orchid in Itaewon . sturdy Thai nutrition. there's a Singapore style Crab eating place in the back of the Posco development in Samsung Dong (in KangNam). style of high priced. around the corner to that's Franky's Deli in case your interior the temper for a Submarine sandwich. I by no potential got here across any sturdy Mexican places. i attempted those published and alter into no longer inspired. till of direction you think approximately Taco Bell Mexican. I by no potential got here across any chinese language eating places of the form you discover interior the u . s . a .. They have been all style of Koreanized. Served Kimchi and all. yet i think of it is authentic with chinese language restruants in all worldwide places. They adapt thier menu to the community tastes. i do no longer think of you may locate an American style chinese language restruant in China.

Answer 8

the only way to be sure it's authentic is to cook it yourself. there are a few places around the US that do things the original way, but i'm only sure of Austin,TX and Norfolk,VA. i use lard in making my refried beans, but with all the stuff about health awareness very few places sell it and non i have seen in Norfolk.

Answer 9

Not much....it gives a glimpse but it is not authentic. I know as I am from India and a lot of Indian foods in Indian restaurants are boged down with cream and fat....

Answer 10

you want mex food in atl you have to go Beauford Hwy.

Answer 11

It depends on the owner. :-)