The global cuisines on offer in American cities can tell important stories about the immigrant communities that have planted roots there. The delicious flavor profiles available go beyond Mexican food in Los Angeles or Polish food in Chicago to Ethiopian in Alexandria, Virginia. Take your tastebuds on a trip abroad with these thriving food scenes in cities you wouldn’t expect.
In 1975, Vietnamese natives emigrated to America in record numbers after The Fall of Saigon, which ended the Vietnam War. Many Vietnamese immigrants came to Houston, making the city rich with both authentic and fusion Vietnamese restaurants.
Don’t miss: Banh xeo, a mouthwatering, turmeric-colored crepe filled with veggies, herbs, and meat that can be bought from the popular Nam Giao.
Idaho is known for its potatoes, but Boise’s Basque population, hailing from Northern Spain, is thriving with an assortment of dishes including cod, grilled meats, and beans (as well as, yes, potatoes). Basque food also includes French and Northern Spanish seafood staples like paella.
Where to try it:Sample authentic paella, patatas bravas, and other flavor-packed small plates at The Basque Market.
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Atlanta is home to one of the country’s largest populations of Indian-Americans, which means delicious hidden gems are scattered all over the city and its surrounding suburbs. Branch out from your usual chicken tikka masala order into one of the many regional Indian cuisines offered in Atlanta.
Don’t miss: Mind-blowingly delicious crispy-fried cauliflower called kopi pakora from Ruchi Bangladeshi.
Related: Best Hole-in-the-Wall Indian Restaurant in Every State
The Greek community began emigrating to Hawaii in the 1870s, fleeing famine and overpopulation to work the sugar cane plantations. Since Greeks are already used to cooking island-style, the fusion of Hawaiian ingredients and Greek cooking techniques came together seamlessly.
Where to try it: Stop by Yamas Mediterranean Cuisine for classic chicken souvlaki.
Related: 20 Foods Americans Eat Now That They Never Heard of 20 Years Ago
After their emperor was overthrown in 1974, Ethiopians began settling in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C., now known as Little Ethiopia. Little Ethiopia eventually spread to nearby towns, including Alexandria, Virginia. With this expansion came tons of delicious food.
Don’t miss: The $16 Veggie Combo at Makeda Restaurant served atop injera, a large Ethiopian sourdough flatbread used to scoop up the vegetables.
In 2017, Arab Americans made up 47% of Dearborn’s population. Middle Eastern communities have been living and working in Detroit and surrounding areas since the automobile boom in the early 1900s, blessing the area with traditional flavors and dishes.
Where to try it: Try the highly-praised aromatic, juicy, and tender stuffed lamb at Al-Ameer.
You may have heard about Chicago’s Chinatown or Polish neighborhoods, but you probably don’t know that Cook County, Illinois, has one of the most robust Thai communities in the country. Get your tastebuds ready for some serious spice and herbaceous goodness from Chicago’s many Thai eateries.
Don’t miss: The plant-based chef’s menu at upscale Thai eatery Herb, available for take-out and delivery.
Nestled in the Bay Area, Milpitas is home to one of the largest multigenerational, Filipino migrant communities in the United States. Milpitas boasts food from diverse regions of the Philippines, plus most of the restaurants offer catering for large events.
Where to try it: Kalesa serves up hometown favorites like sisig, pancit canton, and Filipino BBQ.
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Scandinavian settlers have called Minneapolis home since the late 1800s, bringing flavorful fish, pork, and vegetable dishes to the region. Minnesota winters have nothing on the unique tastes, textures, and heartiness of Scandinavian food.
Don’t miss: Nordic favorites like reindeer sausage, pickled fish, and pastries from Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe.
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Washington, D.C. is home to the largest population of Syrian refugees in America. The city benefits from the incredible traditional cuisine the Syrian community has brought with them. Fresh and flavorful dishes combine simple ingredients like cucumber, eggplant, garlic, and lamb with tons of spices.
Where to try it: Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant serves warak inib — stuffed grape leaves filled with lemon, mint, rice, and a choice of chickpeas or ground lamb.
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Many Portuguese families emigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts in the late 1800s to work in the whaling industry, breathing economic life into the New Bedford community. Portuguese food includes tons of seafood, smoked meats, and cheeses — all of which can be found or made in New Bedford.
Don’t miss: The jam-packed Seafood Stew Casserole with a comforting tomato broth at Antonio’s.
The food scene in Phoenix is dominated by Southwestern cuisine, but a few Indigenous chefs are spreading the good word about dishes that their ancestors have eaten for hundreds of years — often before European settlers colonized their land.
Where to try it: The Fry Bread House serves a variety of fry bread tacos, plus an authentic beef stew.
Come to Buffalo, New York, looking for a variety of Buffalo wing sauce flavors, and leave (happily) with a belly full of Southern soul food. From high-end table settings to the humble squeak of Styrofoam containers, the soul food restaurant scene is a surprising find in this chilly city.
Where to try it:Buffalo Soul serves classic shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and collard greens.