Do you ever feel like certain food trends are just following you wherever you go in the world? And what’s so interesting is that many of these trends have in fact come from right here in America. Because of our multicultural population and culinary daring, people have been blending flavors and putting inventive spins on traditional dishes for years. Whether it’s a craveable snack or a comforting meal, these trends have migrated from local hotspots and food trucks to menus worldwide and Instagram posts around the world.
Let’s take a look at nine U.S. food trends that have wormed their way into foreigners’ hearts.
1. Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a quintessential American creation that swept the world. Started in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s, these spicy, tangy chicken wings became a popular bar snack and party food that almost everyone loves. These are deep-fried wings doused in a buttery hot sauce and typically served with celery and blue cheese dressing. Their addictive flavor, finger-licking appeal, and other escapist qualities helped them spread beyond the U.S. (You can now find them on international menus, from European pubs to Asian sports bars). Buffalo wings are a distillation of America’s appetite for loud, communal comfort foods that are both easygoing and craveable.
2. Avocado Toast
Avocado toast might seem simple, but it became a massive trend in the U.S. before going global. The Instagram-friendly version was popularized in New York by Cafe Gitane around 2006 and then exploded everywhere when Gwyneth Paltrow shared her recipe in 2013. It’s all about the perfect creamy avocado on thick, toasted bread, often topped off with a sprinkling of chili flakes or feta. Its ascent signals a focus on fresh, healthy, and attractive-looking food that is easy to make and share on the internet. These days, avocado toast is a ubiquitous presence from Australia to Europe and beyond.
3. Poke Bowls
A Hawaiian dish of raw fish atop rice and fresh vegetables, poke bowls were a U.S. fast-casual craze before becoming a global one. The idea of customizable, healthful bowls full of bright ingredients took off fast. One reason for poke’s success is its fresh flavors and picturesque presentation, which has helped it catch on with healthy eaters and adventurous ones. And what do you know, it’s everywhere these days, with regional variations according to where you are, demonstrating just how a traditional dish can go global.
4. Gourmet Burgers
In the U.S., the rather humble burger got an extreme makeover, and a global fad for gourmet burgers took off. Chefs began to get creative with it, using high-end beef, artisanal buns, and all sorts of offbeat toppings like avocado, blue cheese, or truffle mayo. This upscale burger mainstreamed fast food as a dining adventure. Chains such as Shake Shack and Five Guys have made this a staple, leading countless international burger joints to “hop on the trend bandwagon.” Today, gourmet burgers are found all over the world, adding weight to the argument that with the right ingredients and culinary finesse, a classic American food can become an international phenomenon.
5. Matcha Everything
Matcha, the ground green tea from Japan, rose to massive levels of U.S. popularity during the last decade, reaching beyond lattes to desserts like croissants, doughnuts, and custards. That, combined with its healthful properties and cheerful color, turned it into a darling of the health-obsessed and social media foodies. Celebrity endorsements and specialty cafes helped popularize the trend further. Today, matcha is worldwide, just another example of how a traditional product can be reimagined and adopted worldwide.
6. Cronuts
The cronut, a croissant-doughnut hybrid, was created and first sold by Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City in 2013, and it quickly turned into an international phenomenon. This flaky, laminated pastry with the shape and fry of a doughnut became an obsession of food lovers everywhere. Its popularity led to numerous variations and imitators around the world. The cronut’s rise shows how American bakers blend tradition with innovation, creating new treats that catch on through social media buzz and foodie enthusiasm. It’s a perfect example of how a single creative idea can spark an international dessert obsession.
7. Food Trucks
Food trucks took off in the U.S., particularly in cities such as Los Angeles and Austin, where they transformed street food into a gourmet affair. These mobile kitchens serve everything from Korean BBQ tacos to gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, producing high-quality food that’s accessible and affordable. The flexibility and creativity of this trend spread globally, and the food truck festivals in Europe even picked it up, as did street food scenes in Asia and elsewhere. Food trucks have transformed the way that people eat on the go and have become incubators of creative culinary innovation across the country and the globe.
8. S’mores
S’mores, which are comprised of marshmallows melted over a campfire, sandwiched between graham crackers and chocolate bars, were a U.S.-born treat embraced by people all over the world. It’s a simple indulgence which perfectly encapsulates the soul of American outdoor parties. S’mores have expanded beyond the campfire, appearing in gourmet desserts, ice creams, and even cocktails around the world. On some level this is, of course, because they are the only actual food product marketed and consumed by billions of people: there’s no other food-like object that has the gooey, sweet, and crunchy qualities of s’mores and that gets eaten all over the world and in every country, every summer night in so many of our lives.
9. Rainbow Bagels
Rainbow bagels, vibrant and colorful swirled bagels, originated in New York City’s Jewish bakeries and became a viral sensation. With their eye-catching, tie-dye look and chewy texture, they immediately became a sensation on social media. Aside from their appearance, rainbow bagels are often served with spreads just as colorful, such as soft cream cheese that’s been mixed with sprinkles or fruit. This whimsical take on an American-Jewish classic has bakeries around the globe playing with color and creativity, transforming bagels into a playful, picture-worthy nosh that the young and young-at-heart adore.