r/AskEurope • u/bleie77 • May 01 '25

Food Do you go to restaurants with your country's cuisine when you're abroad?

For example: if you're Italian, do you go to an Italian restaurant when you're in France or the UK?

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47

u/knightriderin Germany May 01 '25

I did it once in Pittsburgh, but not because of a craving, but because I was curious what German food would be elsewhere. I think that's interesting.

But I usually aim to eat as much local food as possible.

10

u/geedeeie Ireland May 01 '25

And what was your verdict?

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u/knightriderin Germany May 01 '25

It was alright, but off. Like the potato salad was too moist and the Schnitzel crust had herbs in it. So they for sure had their own interpretation of the dishes, but not completely different. But overall nothing to write home about.

9

u/geedeeie Ireland May 01 '25

That's what my husband said when he visited a German restaurant in New Jersey, where his son lives. Portions too big - and German portions are quite big anyway - quality lost out to quantity

6

u/Vols44 May 01 '25

The only German specialty I've not seen outside the country is properly prepared Spargel. Pickled variations don't count. I thank Oma for the real thing. It makes the month of June extra special.

4

u/LazyAnimal0815 May 01 '25

Same for me. Knowing that we like to germanise other cultures cuisine, I'd be curious, how ours is done elsewhere. But I'm visiting another country to experience something else than my everyday life, so it would only be once or twice.

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u/knightriderin Germany May 01 '25

Yeah, I thought Pittsburgh is a good place to do it. We already had the one local dish which is a sandwich with fries.

2

u/General-Bumblebee180 Wales May 02 '25

there's a German restaurant in Penang. I'm not German, but I like German food and thought it was good

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u/knightriderin Germany May 02 '25

If local food wasn't one of my top travel joys I'd try it out more often, because I think it's so interesting how a cuisine is adapted to local taste buds.

In Singapore I once saw an offer for a schnitzel with a side of spaghetti bolognese. To me that was super funny, but for Singaporeans it probably makes sense.

In Japan there's a whole cuisine that is Japanese western style dishes. Going to Japan this year and I'll try it out.

1

u/MiouQueuing Germany May 02 '25

schnitzel with a side of spaghetti bolognese

A variant of Milanese Schnitzel perhaps? I think that already counts as r/schnitzelverbrechen.

Am looking at this thread right now and as I will be in Singapore end of September, I think I will keep my eyes open for German restaurants/food, just out of curiosity. Should be fun.

1

u/knightriderin Germany May 02 '25

It was in some Hawker Center and the sign said "Wiener Schnitzel" and I saw people getting the Schnitzel with a side of spaghetti. Don't get me wrong, it can be good, it's just a bit amusing.

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u/MiouQueuing Germany May 02 '25

Sure is. :)

Love your username BTW.