Invariably, when asked what is an “American food” around the world, this ‘dish’ will be in the top 5 on everyone’s lists. Don’t let the name fool you, fries have historically ambiguous beginnings that are still being debated. Was it the Belgians or the French that first started frying up thin slices of potatoes? I don’t know, but what can’t be argued is that since coming to America and, subsequently, being spread around the world by American fast-food chains and expats, this dish is now firmly deep-fried into the minds of most of the non-European world as uniquely American. In Korea, this is the first thing my students come up with when I ask them what is an American food. These days, Seoul is inundated with fries in many forms, mostly of the fast-food soggy sadness variety, however. So where do we get those greasy morsels of heart-stopping goodness we grew up clogging our arteries with? Keep reading to find out my picks for the top six fries in the neighborhood.
Read Morefrench
Best French Toast /
What’s more American than French Toast? French Fries perhaps? Although this dish dates back to the Romans and was usually made with stale bread, it has been popularized and breakfast-ized by Americans, namely, French immigrants (hence the name). When we wander around Apgujeong looking for bread cooked in milky, eggy batter we don’t see signs proclaiming “eggy bread” or “pain perdu” we see French Toast, implying that it is, yet again, the American expats that have brought this dish to Korea (or at least popularized it). This has been my favorite breakfast food since I can remember, so finding it in Korea was life-altering. When I first came, the only places I knew of were Butterfingers and The Flying Pan, but this list will show you how many more options we have for this delicious treat. Let’s all be “poor knights” and enjoy this dish!
Read More