8 Foods Americans Love From Around the World
Some of America’s favorite food discoveries come from kitchens thousands of miles away. From Mexico’s rich birria tacos to France’s buttery croissants, international dishes have found enthusiastic customers in American restaurants, grocery stores, and delivery apps.
And the numbers tell an interesting story. Grubhub reported nearly 1.3 million birria orders in its 2024 trend report, while U.S. retail sales of croissants exceeded $1 billion in the 52 weeks ending July 13, 2025, according to Circana data reported by Commercial Baking.
But enjoying these foods in America is only part of the experience. Their flavors, preparation methods, and serving traditions often come with fascinating stories worth exploring.
Birria tacos, Mexico
Birria tacos have become a familiar sight at American taco trucks and restaurants, especially when served with a cup of rich broth for dipping. The meat cooks until tender with dried chiles and seasonings, then tucks into tortillas with toppings like onion and cilantro. Some versions include melted cheese, creating the popular variation known as quesabirria.
Birria’s regional history makes it particularly interesting. Traditional birria is associated with Jalisco, Mexico, where goat is an established preparation, while beef birria has strong roots in Tijuana. Mexican and Mexican American cooks helped bring these traditions to a wider U.S. audience, where crispy tortillas and dipping broth became major attractions.
Pad Thai, Thailand
There is something wonderfully satisfying about a plate of pad Thai. The dish combines stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind, fish sauce, eggs, tofu, bean sprouts, and peanuts. Its sweet, sour, and salty flavors make every forkful interesting without overwhelming the dish with heat.
Americans certainly know this noodle favorite. DoorDash ranked pad Thai fourth among its top foods ordered in 2024. However, ordering it in Thailand can introduce diners to different preparations, including regional variations and accompaniments that may be less familiar to American takeout customers.
Japanese ramen
Forget the idea that ramen is simply instant noodles in a packet. Restaurant-style Japanese ramen features wheat noodles swimming in flavorful broth, finished with carefully chosen seasonings and toppings. Depending on the restaurant, the broth might feature pork bones, chicken, seafood, or other ingredients.
Japan offers plenty of regional variations worth discovering. Fukuoka is known for its cloudy pork-bone broth, while Sapporo has a prominent miso ramen tradition. The dish has also attracted American diners, with Nation’s Restaurant News reporting that U.S. ramen chains Jinya and Kyuramen recorded sales growth in 2024.
Related:Why More Americans Are Swapping Takeout Runs for Homemade Midday Meals
Butter croissants, France
A good croissant turns a simple breakfast into a treat. Its golden exterior gives way to delicate layers created by repeatedly folding butter into dough before baking. That careful process, called lamination, helps produce the crisp, flaky texture croissant lovers appreciate.
Although the modern croissant is closely associated with France, its story includes earlier Austrian baking traditions. Americans have embraced the pastry in everything from plain breakfast croissants to elaborate sandwiches and filled creations. For a taste of the classic French approach, try a freshly baked butter croissant on its own before adding anything else.
Vietnamese phở
Phở has become a beloved menu item at Vietnamese restaurants across the United States. It brings together flat rice noodles, fragrant broth, and either beef or chicken, usually with herbs and seasonings. The magic is in the broth, which gives the dish its distinctive character and keeps diners returning for another steaming bowl.
Before visiting Vietnam, know that phở varies from region to region. Northern versions generally use fewer garnishes, while southern preparations often include more herbs, sweeter broth, and sauces like hoisin. Those differences reflect Vietnam’s culinary traditions, not simply adjustments for American tastes.
Related: 7 Creative Ways Americans Are Reinventing Their Morning Favorite
Jamaican jerk chicken
Jerk chicken announces itself before it reaches the table. Its seasoning commonly includes allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, scallions, and garlic. Cooking over fire adds another dimension, especially when traditional pimento wood contributes its distinctive smoky character.
The dish has found customers at Caribbean restaurants across America. A 2021 Times Union report found that jerk chicken accounted for approximately one-quarter of orders at one Albany restaurant and about one-third at another. For first-timers, pairing the chicken with rice and peas or fried plantains makes a delicious introduction to Jamaican cooking.
Pão de queijo, Brazil
Brazilian cheese bread might look like an ordinary dinner roll, but one bite reveals something quite different. These small baked treats use cassava or tapioca starch along with cheese, eggs, and other ingredients. The result is a distinctive combination of a lightly browned exterior and wonderfully chewy interior.
The specialty is strongly associated with Brazil’s Minas Gerais region, where people commonly enjoy it warm, often with coffee. Americans have also discovered it through Brazilian steakhouses and frozen grocery products. One example is Brazi Bites, whose cheese breads helped introduce the Brazilian specialty to thousands of U.S. stores.
Italian gelato
Gelato offers a delicious reason to stop at a dessert shop during an Italian vacation. Made with ingredients such as milk, sugar, and flavorings, it typically incorporates less air than standard American ice cream. That difference creates its dense, smooth texture, especially in flavors like chocolate, hazelnut, and pistachio.
Americans do not have to board a plane to experience it, either. Packaged gelato brands have established a market in U.S. grocery stores, although supermarket versions and freshly prepared Italian gelato can differ considerably. For the full experience, visit a gelateria and sample a couple of flavors to make dessert part of the fun.
A world of flavors worth exploring
These eight foods show how easily a memorable dish can cross borders and find new admirers. Whether you’re ordering pad Thai for takeout, discovering Brazilian cheese bread at the grocery store, or sampling gelato in Italy, there’s always another delicious tradition waiting to be explored.
