Non authentic restaurants

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For the first time recently I tried Indian food. I called and asked first if the food was authentically Indian food or if there was Mexicans in the kitchen and the Indian on the phone seemed to think this question was hilarious. It was indeed authentic Indian food, which was a small family owned restaurant, it was really good.

But since then I've wondered why my way of thinking is such a weird concept to people. If I as a white American go to India and open a Chinese restaurant people are gonna feel a bit ripped off when they go in and see all white people running the place. CHINESE people should be the ones with Chinese restaurants. American people should be the ones with American restaurants. If its not authentic I dont want to waste my money.

If I go to an Indian restaurant I want to see Hindu statues and have the whole experience. I dont want to hear salsa music coming from the kitchen.

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Based on 7 votes (1 yes)

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Comments ( 13 )

taebby22

1 year ago | pl

Are you, as a white American, able to accurately judge what makes another culture's cuisine authentic? By your logic, since you're a white American, you would have no idea what authentic Indian food is.. so why are you being prejudice towards others?

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  1 year ago
  
  I think it comes from the fact that chinese food in America is not authentic chinese food. We market Americanized Chinese food. So when I decide to go eat at an upscale restaurant thats supposed to be Indian I want it to be authentic indian food and not an American knockoff.
  
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LloydAsher

1 year ago

Not trying to act like Wow here. But isnt that shit kinda racist to just assume authentic means you need to have people who look like they are from the country that produces the food rather than just the food itself which is the entire reason you went to the restaurant?

I dont care what my cook looks like. Hell the best sushi places here are run by white guys who make the rolls and sashimi.
Cooking isnt a racial skill. Give anyone the knowlage to cook and they can cook... whatever food they know.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  1 year ago
  
  Most food we have in America thats supposed to be other cuisines like Chinese food is actually American creations and not what they actually eat in China.
  
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  - LloydAsher
    
    1 year ago
    
    Different palates. Simply if the "authentic" restaurants wanted to stay original they would severely limit their consumer base. The american palate as one can assume is more fat, savory and especially salt focused. Tweaking the recipe to fit more within that sphere increases the chances of a returning american customer.
    
    Also logistics. American markets got mostly northern hemisphere products. You want a super specific product that's common for the place of origin? That's going to cost extra, increasing the value for your food items and it might value restrict your customers once again unless you are already in an area that specifically caters towards that particular culture.
    
    To simplify, Chinese restraunts in the middle of corn town USA are not going to have an ample supply of fresh Bok Choi. While a Chinese restraunt in a big city will. You can taste the difference.
    
    Also dont think for a second this is exclusive to america. We just got the largest sample pool to draw from. Theres this place in Sasebo, Japan. Queens Kababs. (Highly, highly recomend if for some reason you got stuck in that shithole of a port town) ran by a Turkish family that for whatever reason decided that japan was the best place to immigrate to. Best kebabs of my life, but intrinsically different from other Turkish restaurants I've eaten at. They incorporated more japanese items into the menu, thus changing the overall taste.
    
    Authentic is where you get your food from. Mostly the ingredients, but also the heart.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      1 year ago
      
      Yeah thats what I'm saying I wanted authentic indian food and I was paying for it. The place was really expensive. I dont mind the American Chinese food either but sometimes I want to eat actual Chinese food or Japanese food etc. Thats why i asked. I want to see what real cuisines are not the knockoff. I understand what you're saying I was just wondering if anyone else ever wanted to try the authentic stuff or not. I think its safe to say you dont.
      
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      - LloydAsher
        
        1 year ago
        
        You missed my point. Every place is authentic. For good or bad. Appreciating the local differences is what separates a family restaurant from a chain.
        
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MonteMetcalfe

1 year ago

Do you think only white Americans can work at McDonald's?

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thats different. Thats fast food.
  
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  - MonteMetcalfe
    
    1 year ago
    
    Doesn't matter. It was created by white Americans.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      1 year ago
      
      Yeah true but I feel likes its just a chain restaurant. Its not one of those sit down places that are supposed to be unique.
      
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bbrown95

1 year ago

I personally have never cared too much whether the ethnic food I eat at restaurants is "authentic", just that it tastes good. I'm still willing to spend money on more Americanized/inauthentic versions of food if I enjoy it. I guess it depends on whether you want to experience the real thing or just eat something that tastes good and fills you up.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  1 year ago
  
  Yeah it was really expensive. I spent $200 on the meal with the tip. I didnt want it to be some American knockoff crap. I always heard Indian food was good.
  
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Non authentic restaurants