American cuisine is not just fast food! Each state and each city has its own signature dish that makes visitors fall in love with it from the first taste. If you are planning a trip to America and don’t know what to eat, here is a list of “must-try” dishes to make your trip more complete. Now, let’s check out 11 must try food in America, most popular food in America (most popular food in the usA) in this article!
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Flavorful hamburgers, melt-in-your-mouth slow-grilled BBQ, and heartwarming clam chowder on the shores of San Francisco Bay all offer a more diverse and interesting experience of American cuisine than you think. With influences from many cultures such as Mexico, Italy, France, or the Creole region of the South, America is an attractive culinary destination for both food lovers and tourists to explore.
In this article, we will take you around America through the most typical dishes, helping you “immediately note” them on the must-try list on your upcoming trip. Don’t miss it!
Most popular food in America: Hamburger – American Cuisine Icon
Hamburger is a globally iconic dish of America. A “standard American” hamburger usually consists of grilled beef, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato and flavorful sauce. It sounds simple, but the difference lies in the way the meat and sauce are processed in each region.
In California, you can try In-N-Out style fresh burgers, while in New York, Shake Shack conquers diners with soft buns and exclusive sauce. This is the easiest dish to find when you set foot in America because it is sold everywhere, from famous chains to sidewalk carts. Whether it is a quick meal in the middle of a busy schedule or a true American street food experience, hamburgers are always a hard choice.
Hot Dog – Fast Food with a Strong American Urban Identity
Hot dogs are not only fast food, but also a part of American cultural memories. With a soft bun encasing a grilled sausage, accompanied by fried onions, pickles or mustard, hot dogs are a popular choice at stadiums, parks and street corners. In New York, traditional hot dogs are simple but flavorful, while Chicago-style hot dogs are filled with tomatoes, pickles, peppers and special sauce.
This dish is often sold at carts or fast food counters, with reasonable prices and super fast service. If you want to enjoy the real American style, go to Gray’s Papaya in New York or Portillo’s in Chicago. These are addresses highly appreciated by locals.
Most popular food in the USA: American BBQ – American Dishes with Regional Characteristics
BBQ cuisine in America is a “universe” of flavors, with different ways of preparation depending on the region. In Texas, beef is slow-grilled for many hours, especially the tender, smoky brisket. Kansas City stands out with its dark sauce and sweet flavor, while North Carolina tends to be sour and spicy from vinegar and chili. Each region has its own secret marinade and grilling method, making American BBQ not boring.
This is a dish you should experience in a “sit down and enjoy” style, instead of just eating quickly. Try Franklin Barbecue in Austin (Texas) or Joe’s KC in Kansas City – two places highly appreciated by both locals and tourists. Serve with cornbread, cabbage salad or mac & cheese for the perfect meal.
American Fried Chicken – Crispy to the Last Bit
American fried chicken is a popular dish from family restaurants to fast food chains. With a crispy golden fried batter, the meat inside is soft and sweet, the fried chicken of the South of America has an unforgettable rich flavor. This dish is often served with cornbread (biscuit), mashed potatoes or cream sauce. Famous chains like Popeyes or Chick-fil-A are always crowded because of their own unique flavors. If you want to experience the true “Southern fried chicken”, you should try it at traditional restaurants in Louisiana, Georgia or Tennessee.
Must try food in America: Mac & Cheese – Addictive Cheese Noodles
Mac & Cheese (baked macaroni and cheese) is a familiar dish in every American family. Macaroni is mixed with rich cheese sauce, baked until it has a golden, fragrant surface. This is an ideal “comfort food” for both children and adults, often appearing in family meals, BBQ parties or buffets. In addition to the traditional version, many places also add bacon, sausage or vegetables to enhance the flavor. You can easily find mac & cheese at American restaurants or convenience stores.
Tacos – Mexican Flavor in America
Tacos are a clear demonstration of cultural exchange in American cuisine. Originating from Mexico, tacos have become a popular dish throughout the United States, especially in California and Texas. Soft or crispy corn tortillas, stuffed with beef, chicken, seafood or vegetables, and topped with salsa or guacamole, you have a flavorful taco.
Each region has its own style, from simple street tacos to modern fusion versions. If you like fast food but still want to enjoy the local specialties, try a portion of tacos at local markets or famous chains like Chipotle!
American-Style Pizza – Italian Food with American “Spices”
Pizza in America is not just one style – it’s a whole flavor map. New York makes thin-crust pizza that you have to fold in half to eat. Chicago is famous for its thick deep-dish, like a “tart” covered with cheese and tomato sauce. Detroit? Square pizza, crispy crust, toppings all over the surface. Both are pizzas, but each place gives you a completely different experience. Eating American-style pizza is not simply about filling your stomach – it’s about “tasting” the city’s culture. You will definitely love it!
Clam Chowder – Warm Clam Chowder by the Sea
A chilly day in San Francisco or Boston will be complete if you hold a bowl of hot clam chowder in your hand. The creamy soup, filled with clam meat, potatoes, onions and bacon, is often served in a sourdough bread bowl, which is both convenient and delicious.
This is not a sophisticated dish, but it has a delicate flavor and evokes an indescribable feeling of warmth. You will find clam chowder at coastal restaurants, seafood markets or carts at Fisherman’s Wharf. Take note to enjoy it!
Jambalaya & Gumbo – Listen to the Story of the American South
Southern American cuisine is a strange but harmonious combination of French, Spanish, African and indigenous. Of which, Jambalaya and Gumbo are two typical representatives. Jambalaya is a rich rice dish mixed with spicy sausage, seafood and vegetables; while Gumbo is a thick soup made from okra (okra), chicken and shrimp.
Both have the influence of Creole and Cajun culture, popular in New Orleans. If you have the opportunity to visit the French Quarter, sit down at a small restaurant and let the flavors tell you about the wild, passionate and charming South.
Donuts – Sweet Desserts Full of Variations
In America, donuts are not just cakes but have become a part of everyday life. People eat donuts for a quick breakfast, sip with a cup of coffee at the office, or simply find a little sweet joy in the middle of a busy day. Donuts in America are constantly transformed, with enough salty and sweet flavors to please all fans. You can find them everywhere, from small cafes, street carts to large chains like Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme.
If you want to experience the ultimate creativity, try cronut – a cake combining croissant and donut that has caused a fever across America. Crispy dough layer, alternating with fatty but not greasy taste, cronut is proof of how Americans turn a seemingly simple dish into an interesting culinary “symbol”.
Lobster Roll – Bread Filled With Shrimp Fillings “Lemongrass”
If you love seafood but prefer simplicity, lobster roll is the perfect choice. This famous dish from Maine is memorable thanks to the fresh, sweet lobster meat, lightly mixed with butter sauce or mayonnaise and then sandwiched into a crispy, golden toasted bread. It sounds normal, but the flavor is enough to make anyone fall in love at first try.
Summer is the “golden time” to enjoy lobster roll, especially when you wander along the coast of Boston or New England. If you want to experience the authentic taste, don’t miss Luke’s Lobster – a famous chain of stores loved by many American food lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Cuisine
What are famous dishes in America?
Dishes like hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, New York-style pizza or clam chowder are famous specialties throughout the United States and are easy to find in most major cities.
If it’s your first time in America, what should you eat?
For those who come to America for the first time, you should start with easy-to-eat dishes like hamburgers, fried chicken, mac & cheese or pizza – both suitable for Vietnamese tastes and easy to find.
What food in America is most suitable for Vietnamese people?
Dishes like BBQ, jambalaya, gumbo or tacos are often suitable for Vietnamese tastes thanks to their strong flavors and familiar ingredients like meat, rice and vegetables.
Are there any traditional American dishes?
Yes. Some dishes that are iconic to American culture include: Thanksgiving turkey, mac & cheese, apple pie and regional BBQ.
Is American street food delicious?
It’s worth a try! Hot dogs, pretzels, food truck tacos or pizza slices are fast, delicious, cheap and easily found on the streets of major cities.
Is eating in America expensive?
Fast food costs $7–$10 per meal. Mid-range restaurants range from $15–$25 per person. Regional specialties like lobster rolls can be more expensive.
Do you have to tip when dining in the US?
Yes. If you eat at a table service restaurant, you should tip 15–20% of the bill. For fast food, tipping is usually not required.
What foods should you try in New York?
New York pizza, cheese bagels, cheesecakes and hot dogs are typical of the city, often sold at bakeries, eateries and carts.
What should you eat in California?
Try Mexican tacos, avocado toast, In-N-Out burgers or poke bowls – especially popular in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
What traditional foods should you try in the Southern United States?
Jambalaya, gumbo, and Southern fried chicken are dishes that are synonymous with Southern cuisine – rich, flavorful, and full of personality.
American cuisine is a vibrant reflection of cultural diversity – from fast food like hamburgers and hot dogs to regional specialties like clam chowder and lobster rolls. Each dish not only has its own flavor but also tells the story of a city, a community, and the modern American way of life.
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