While we would all love to spend our lives traveling around the globe, most of us spend the majority of our lives in the same country. However, that doesn’t mean we have to stick to the same cuisine for every meal. Food is a way to pretend like you’re traveling without actually leaving your hometown.
International food is never perfectly authentic, but when you find the right restaurants it can be a delicious change up to your routine. You may have to do a little digging to find a true Mexican restaurant that serves salsa that didn’t come out of a jar from the local grocery store, but there are definitely options for the adventurous foodies.
Software company Workwise conducted a study to determine the best cities for international cuisine in America. They used Yelp data to reveal not only which cities have the most options for international cuisines, but also which cities have well-liked restaurants according to the public. Here’s how Virginia fared…
Virginians Love Italian Food
If you’re a pasta lover in Virginia, you’re apparently not alone. The most popular international cuisine in Virginia is Italian, and the best city to get Italian food in our state is Virginia Beach. You really can’t go wrong with pizza and pasta, so it’s no surprise that this is the top choice in our state. Though the majority of US states have Mexican cuisine as their preferred, Italian is a close second across the nation.
Chinese Food is the Next Most Common
Whether you opt for take out or dine in at Chinese restaurants, this cuisine is the most popular alternative to Italian. From fried rice to dumplings, Chinese food is famous for its delicious taste and colorful appearance. It’s a simple option for when you don’t have time to cook a meal for the family and the variety of options makes it sure to please a crowd. Plus, who doesn’t love fortune cookies!
Beyond this, when it comes to international cuisine in Virginia, there appears to be limited options. While Italian and Chinese options are plentiful, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of respectable restaurants beyond the basics. While other states are praised for their Cuban, Thai, or Mediterranian meals, Virginia doesn’t rank high on these more adventurous alternatives.
That doesn’t mean you should be stopped from exploring your diet though. This just opens up the opportunity to channel your inner Food Network star and make international recipes of your own.
While this may be less convenient than having a professional chef cook for you and your family, it can save some serious cash in the long run. Paying for a few groceries is significantly more cost effective than paying for a pricey entree that serves one. Plus, it can be an opportunity to bond in the kitchen trying to recreate recipes.
If all else fails, use this as an excuse to jet set across the globe. No American restaurant will ever be as good as the real deal, so book the travel vacation of your dreams and go experience the authentic meals in their home countries.
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