What's ethnic cuisine? Everything that's not Caucasian American cuisine?!
What's ethnic cuisine? Everything that's not Caucasian American cuisine?
I wonder if, when in their countries/communities, people of other nationalities or races call Caucasian American food "ethnic" cuisine. Just wondering. What do you think? I just would like to know what type of food we are referring to on this Q&A board.
Answers:
I definitely understand your question, but try to remember that American cuisine has very few original items. We are influenced by all different types of cuisine. Ethnic cuisine refers to a type of food that can be traced to or credited to a specific ethnicity. Tandoori style food is specific to Indian cuisine, as sushi is specific to Japanese cuisine. They are the specific ethnic originators of that food. Also, in order to be ethnic, the food needs to be in it's original form. Pizza Hut is not an ethnic restaurant because they serve a variation of an ethnic dish. Most finer dining establishments will have ethnic influences, and maybe even a specific ethnic dish (ie. hummus), but wouldn't be considered ethnic because they don't serve specifically Arabic food. So don't be offended because you don't feel you have a culinary ethnicity. Just trace back your roots and find what kind of cuisine your great grand parents ate before coming to America. For me, it Haggis. YUM!
Good question! wonder if Irish/English food considered Ethnic!
I'm sure, in other countries, a Philly Cheesesteak is considered ethnic!
eth・nic
ADJECTIVE:
1: a: Of or relating to a sizable group of people sharing a common and distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage.
.....b: Being a member of a particular ethnic group, especially belonging to a national group by heritage or culture but residing outside its national boundaries: ethnic Hungarians living in northern Serbia.
....c: Of, relating to, or distinctive of members of such a group: ethnic restaurants; ethnic art.
..Relating to a people not Christian or Jewish; heathen.
NOUN:
2: A member of a particular ethnic group, especially one who maintains the language or customs of the group.
ethnic food is anything you can identify the country of origin and it's not the USA (if you are American). I suppose American is ethnic food outside of the US
yes , "other's" do think of american (caucasian ) food as ethnic ! but since we're here in the u.s.a. it's all ethtome.
I often wonder about that too! While ethnic just means different racial origins which includes Caucasians, ethnic food usually refers to "Others".
When I lived in Miami, Carribean was included in the majority. I see Goya along side Del Monte. In most part of New England, Italian food are included in the majority. So in Asia, pot roast would be an ethnic food.
I think if the question is specifically associated with its origin then you should put it under ethnic. For example, asking what's the best salsa is probably a general question, but asking the recipe for Mexican salsa would better be under ethnic category.
The point about posting on Q&A is to get answers. Just post it under the categories where the question is most exposed to knowledgeable answerers.