Learning About Restaurants

Posted on: 5 February 2021

When you're about to go to a restaurant with friends, you may start tossing out ideas for cuisines, such as Italian and Chinese. These and other popular cuisines are delicious, but sometimes it's fun to get a little more adventurous. Here are three more unique cuisines that are worth trying at a restaurant.

Peruvian Restaurants

If you like big, bold flavors, then you're sure to have a good time at a Peruvian restaurant. This cuisine is all about spices and deep flavor. Dishes are made with a lot of potatoes and corn, but they're layered with sauces and seasonings. One approachable, easy-to-find dish is lomo saltado, which is stir-fried beef seasoned with tomatoes, onions, and chile peppers and topped with either rice or French fries. Another is papas a la huancaina, which is potatoes in a spicy cheese sauce. Sometimes it is topped with hard-boiled eggs. Peru has a very warm, welcoming culture, and this comes out in the restaurants where there's a big focus on hospitality and generally a louder, family-like atmosphere. 

Malaysian Restaurants

In Malaysia, most restaurants are small, family-owned places, and Malaysian restaurants in the United States seem to mimic this. You're likely to find tiny Malaysian restaurants on side streets and in small, unsuspecting towns, a little off the beaten path. Malaysian food is served in courses, so you'll often order a variety of small dishes to share, which will be brought to your table one at a time, as they are ready. 

A popular Malaysian dish is called asam pedas. It's a fish stew made with tamarind, chiles, and ginger. Another favorite worth trying is bubur lambuk, which is a ride porridge seasoned with lemongrass and spices. 

Ethiopian Restaurants

Ethiopian cuisine is known as being simple and heavy on the starches, but this simplicity has its own cozy appeal. Ethiopians generally eat communally, which means in the average restaurant, you'll order food for everyone at your table to share. Many of the dishes are sauces and stews, which are eaten by picking them up with pieces of flatbread.

One good Ethiopian dish to try is called tibs, which is a mixture of pan-fried lamb and onions. Beyainatu is also well worth ordering. It's a stew made with various vegetables, lentils, and a blend of curry spices.

The next time you're craving something unique, head to an Ethiopian, Malaysian, or Peruvian restaurant. Your taste buds will thank you!