Ever wondered what the rest of the world thinks of classic American foods? Well, turns out, some of our favorites might seem a little weird to others. From the sweetness of candy corn to the gritty texture of grits, we're diving into 12 American dishes that can make foreigners scratch their heads.
Table of Contents
- 1. Candy Corn
- 2. Twizzlers
- 3. Donuts
- 4. Blooming Onion
- 5. Canned Foods
- 6. Various Forms of Cheese
- 7. Sugar Content
- 8. Sweet Potato Casserole
- 9. Hershey’s Chocolate
- 10. Ambrosia Salad
- 11. Grits
- 12. Scrapple
- 10 Foods That Aren't as Great as You Think
- 14 Poor People Foods We Will Eat No Matter How Rich We Become
- 10 Best American Foods According to People From Other Countries
- 10 Foods Straight From Grandma's Secret Recipe Book
- 14 High Protein Meals That Make Weight Loss Easy
- 20 Snacks You Can't Help But Finish In One Sitting
1. Candy Corn
![Candy Corn](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Candy-Corn.jpg)
What’s not to love about baked cornstarch, filled with colored sugar and rolled in wax? A lot, according to some comments on the thread. Thankfully, haters just need to avoid the Halloween season if they visit. To be fair, it isn’t America’s most excellent candy offering!
2. Twizzlers
![Twizzlers](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Twizzlers.jpg)
Brits are elitist about their candy being the world’s greatest (biased sidenote: it is rather good). Such a sentiment appeared in one scathing epithet, stating how their mom once visited them in the States. She was amazed that “people were chewing on plastic.” After trying a Twizzler, she confirmed it tasted as expected.
3. Donuts
![donuts](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/donuts-2.jpg)
It is not news that Europeans eat less sugar than Americans. Therefore, complaints about donuts are hardly a surprise. But who could be down on this treat? Furthermore, with Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme dueling it out for supremacy, there has never been a better time to enjoy an American donut.
4. Blooming Onion
![Air-Fryer Vegetables blooming onion](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Air-Fryer-Vegetables-blooming-onion.jpg)
Australians are struggling with America’s time-honored culinary excursion: the themed restaurant. The culprit here is Outback Restaurant and its use of the Aussie vernacular.
One chap, in particular, wanted to know “what in the flying firetruck a ‘Blooming Onion’ has to do with anything,” as it has nothing to do with Australia. Fair dinkum.
5. Canned Foods
![Canned Foods](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Canned-Foods.jpg)
For some reason, there was beef with the humble tradition of canned food — more precisely, items that “probably don’t need to be canned.” Maybe this is pertinent: things lose flavor if they live in cans too long. However, fierce patriots fought back, stating how a mountain winter in the Boonies relied on canned goods.
6. Various Forms of Cheese
![cheese types](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cheese-types.jpg)
Wisconsin’s favorite product got a shellacking in the conversation. Comments ranged from ambivalence over mac-and-cheese to Cheese Whiz being disgusting, but particular outrage formed over cheese in a can or “cheese product,” which is only required to contain 51% cheese.
7. Sugar Content
![Sugar](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sugar.jpg)
I think most people are just surprised at how much sugar goes into the average American diet. I recall buying a peanut-butter cake recipe mix one time. Upon baking, I couldn’t eat the thing because it was so sweet, so I gave it to an American friend who demolished it.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
![Sweet Potato Casserole](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sweet-Potato-Casserole.jpg)
Anyone lucky enough to experience Thanksgiving dinner will attest to having a meal of ten on the enjoyment scale. Some may have bristled when offered the sweet potato casserole with its marshmallow and brown sugar topping. I think the combination of sweetness somehow works with its savory bedfellows.
9. Hershey’s Chocolate
![Hershey’s Chocolate](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hersheys-Chocolate.jpg)
Even Americans agreed on this one. Somehow, the iconic 'chocolate' bar turned industrial candy bar still manages to find a market.
The theory is that Hershey’s chocolate has cheapened in production over the years, using a soured milk powder that gives it a distinctive flavor. I agree wholeheartedly with some comments that we cannot call this a chocolate bar. Come on, now.
10. Ambrosia Salad
![Ambrosia Salad](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ambrosia-Salad.jpg)
I am firmly in the camp on this one and have a perimeter fence with tripwires and angry rottweilers to defend my position. Another strange number, ambrosia salad, is like a sweet coleslaw. It is a variation of coconut, canned fruit, marshmallows, and nuts with mayo or cream. Just no.
11. Grits
This Southern dish, made from ground corn, often confuses foreigners with its smooth yet granular consistency and subtle corn flavor. Some find its lack of strong flavor and unusual texture hard to enjoy.
12. Scrapple
This dish, popular in parts of the U.S., is made from pork scraps and cornmeal, formed into a loaf and sliced. The concept of using 'leftover' meat parts combined with its distinct texture can seem quite gross to many outside the U.S.
This thread inspired this post.
10 Foods That Aren't as Great as You Think
![Foie Gras](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Foie-Gras-1.jpg)
Many foods get hyped up so much that they can't possibly live up to the expectations. So let's take a culinary reality check and delve into 10 popular foods that might just be overrated.
Click Here For 10 Foods That Aren't as Great as You Think
14 Poor People Foods We Will Eat No Matter How Rich We Become
![Instant Noodles](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Instant-Noodles.jpg)
Think canned tuna, homemade bread, or a good cinnamon toast. These dishes remind us of simpler times and are loaded with flavors that take us back home.
Click Here For 14 Poor People Foods We Will Eat No Matter How Rich We Become
10 Best American Foods According to People From Other Countries
![philly cheesesteak](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/philly-cheesesteak.jpg)
Let's dive in and discover the 10 American foods that have gotten a big thumbs-up from foodies across the globe.
Click Here For 10 Best American Foods According to People From Other Countries
10 Foods Straight From Grandma's Secret Recipe Book
![old woman cook](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/old-woman-cook.jpg)
Grandma's kitchen was a magical place where the aroma of freshly baked pies mingled with the scent of hearty stews. Those comforting dishes instantly take you back to simpler times.
Click Here For 10 Foods Straight From Grandma's Secret Recipe Book
14 High Protein Meals That Make Weight Loss Easy
![grilled chicken](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/grilled-chicken.jpg)
Want to lose weight but don't want to give up on tasty food? High-protein meals are the answer.
Click Here For 14 High Protein Meals That Make Weight Loss Easy
20 Snacks You Can't Help But Finish In One Sitting
![Gummy Bears](https://www.corriecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Gummy-Bears-1.jpg)
This list takes it up a notch with 20 snacks that are so addictive, they practically come with a warning label.
Click Here For 20 Snacks You Can't Help But Finish In One Sitting