Introduction
Have you ever heard a friend talk about having the most amazing Chinese food, only to find that their new favorite restaurant is actually a glorified Panda Express? It can be tough to find authentic Asian food in America, so I’m going to share my secrets for finding great places that really do serve authentic Asian cuisine.
Look for Fresh Ingredients
The first thing to look for when you’re trying to find authentic Asian food is fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients are more likely to be healthier, taste better and be local. This means they’ll also be more authentic than frozen or canned products that have been shipped across the world from factories in China or Thailand (though I’m not saying those aren’t delicious too!).
If you’re looking for a specific dish like sushi or pho, ask your server what ingredients make up their version of it — this will help you determine if they are using fresh produce versus frozen proteins shipped from overseas.
Check the Menu
As you’re perusing the menu, look for dishes that are not too complicated and not too spicy. If you’re new to Asian cuisine and don’t know what to order, this is a good rule of thumb. Also look for dishes that aren’t too sweet or greasy–these are signs of Americanized food.
Avoid the Buffet Table
Buffet tables are a bad indicator of authenticity. They’re usually for tourists and often westernized food. If you want to know if a restaurant is authentic Asian, avoid the buffet table.
Buffet tables generally serve cheap, fast food that’s not very good quality–and they don’t even have any real dishes from Asia! So if you see one at your favorite new spot in Chinatown, take it as an opportunity to find somewhere else near there that serves real Chinese food instead of Americanized “Chinese” dishes like fried rice or egg rolls (which aren’t even real).
Eat with Friends and Familiar Faces
When you eat with friends and familiar faces, you’re more likely to have a good time. You can share food and talk about your experiences. You can laugh at each other’s jokes and bond over shared memories. If one person has been there before, they might be able to ask for recommendations from the wait staff or other patrons around them–and if no one else knows what they’re doing either (which is often the case), then that’s even better!
Eat at restaurants that serve authentic food.
The first step to finding authentic Asian food is to look for restaurants that serve it. The best way to do this is by asking a local, as they’re likely to know where you can get the best food in their area. If you’re visiting an unfamiliar city, ask a hotel concierge or even just another tourist who may have lived there before; they’ll usually be happy to help out.
Once at the restaurant, look around and make sure it looks clean and tidy before ordering anything–this is especially important if you plan on eating with chopsticks (which should never be used if dirty). The menu should also include pictures so that people who don’t speak Asian languages can understand what’s being served on their plates! Be sure not order anything too spicy unless someone tells them exactly how spicy each dish will be; otherwise they may end up burning off their taste buds forever!
Conclusion
Asian food is a great way to add variety to your diet and introduce yourself to new flavors. The best way to find authentic Asian food is by looking for restaurants that serve their dishes fresh and use only the highest quality ingredients. You should also check the menu carefully before ordering at a buffet table because they often don’t offer any true Asian dishes on them. Finally, eating with friends who know what they’re doing when it comes down choosing where they eat will help ensure that everyone gets what they want out of their next meal!
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