5 Cuisines You Should Try to Expand Your Palate

If you live in the United States, you've probably eaten your fair share of burgers and fries. Aside from American food, you can find Mexican, Italian and Chinese on nearly every corner. Sure, they expand your tastebuds to an extent, but we can't be the only ones who get bored rotating through the same few cuisines.

That said, it can feel risky to try new foods. What if you don't like it and waste your money? Luckily, there are cultures with similar flavors to your usual but with twists. Below, find five countries you should look for while searching for your next restaurant.

Caribbean

Do you have a fix for spice? Caribbean food will always pack a lot of punch with every bite. You'll find similar vegetables and meats, like corn and beef, with triple the seasoning. This cuisine also has a lot of color beyond vegetables. You won't be disappointed. For a safe option, try jerk chicken and rice.

Ethiopian

Ethiopian food is unlike anything we've tried in American, but it's still very delicious. With the restaurants we've tried, the closest thing we can compare it to is Indian. You'll find plenty of turmeric, paprika, cumin and garlic. If you visit an Ethiopian restaurant soon, order the injera. You get to test many flavors, and it comes with bread. Everyone loves bread.

Also read about: Starbucks Drinks From Around the World We Wish We Could Try in the U.S.

Filipino

Like Caribbean cuisine, Filipino food has many vibrant plates. It's hard to explain what it offers in one sentence. It's like a perfect blend of Mexican, Hawaiian, Korean and more. Filipino food has some of the most variety—you're bound to find at least one thing you enjoy, whether it's fried chicken, pork, noodles or a sweet, fruity dessert.

Korean

Korean food might be on the fast track to becoming one of America's most prevalent international cuisines. Nothing compares to sitting at a table and watching your food get cooked within seconds, like at a K-BBQ spot. Plus, there's nothing too out of the ordinary on the menu: you'll see lots of chicken, beef, pork, seafood and plenty of veggies. It is a lot of bang for your buck.

Polish

Depending on where you live, Polish food might be popular. We are in one of those areas, which is why we can tell you how underrated the dishes are. If you enjoy meat and potatoes, Polish will be a paradise for your mouth. One of their standouts has to be pierogis. They are fried and steamed dumplings filled with whatever you desire.

Do you unapologetically love Chinese takeout? Us, too. Read HERE for our definitive ranking of the most common dishes from our favorite to-go spots.