What are your favorite ethnic foods? And where can I find them?
Ethnic foods are one of my favorite topics of discussion, if not a hobby. I think it’s because eating food is one of the easiest ways to learn something about the people who make it. This includes my friends, co-workers, and fellow St. Louis residents, especially individuals who have heritages and life experiences so different from my own. Preparing, sharing, and eating food is something everyone has in common and transcends language.
The global representation of foods available year-round in St. Louis is incredible. Did you know you can find Albanian dishes in south city? There really is a lot to explore without going very far. Personally, I’m happiest at a church Octoberfest, a taco stand, or any recommendation proved absolutely right.
So how about you? What and where are your favorite ethnic eats? Like with food, it’s good to share…
October 15th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
It’s nice to know I don’t have too far to go to find Japanese cuisine.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Well, when I really want to try out a new place, I join up with the i-squared dining club — we just went to Bosna Gold restaurant last night, and had a great time. On my next visit, I think I’ll have to try the cevapi.
I’m also a big fan of Global Foods Market in Kirkwood, which has a nice mix of Polish, German, Bosnian, Vietnamese, and Mexican items. I just stocked up on feta, fresh herbs, and German chocolate bars during my most recent trip. And an English friend of mine goes there when he has a longing for mushy peas (yes, that’s really what they’re called; sounds tempting, doesn’t it?) or baked beans in tomato sauce.
Not too long ago, my husband and I also paid a visit to “Indian Food.” The name had initially made me think that this was the Indian equivalent of the strip-mall chop-suey place, but it turns out to both excellent food and a wide-ranging menu, with a variety of unusual dishes. The owner even came over to our table and chatted with us about his family recipes and about his desire to hold onto his title as “Best Indian Restaurant” (from Sauce Magazine, I think).
That’s the other wonderful part about ethnic restaurants — they are often family-owned and the owner is frequently in the restaurant day-in and day-out. It’s an opportunity to learn something about both the food and the people who make it. You won’t get that at Applebee’s!
October 18th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
This is a very difficult question to answer without writing a major thesis. I will mention one place that truly introduced me to a new cuisine: Sameem’s Afghan Restaurant on South Grand. It really is a microcosm of several aspects of cuisine and culture. Afghan food reflects its history as a nation of many cultural influences. Like Afghanistan itself, the food contains familiar traits of Indian, Middle East, and Mediterranean cuisine (you will even find pasta).
Also, many of these restaurants offer a Americans a real look into other cultures. Most of the information we hear about other countries revolves around poverty, hunder, war, natural disasters, etc. However, similar to people visiting a Vietnamese restaurant 30 years ago, dining at an Afghan, Bosnian, Ethiopian and many other ethnic restaurants offers people a gateway into learning about the true history and culture of many, many nations.
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