10 restaurants to enjoy international flavor of Olympics

After being postponed a year due to COVID-19, the Summer Olympics have been long overdue. However, with Olympics now underway, what better way to celebrate than to try new foods from all over the world! Here’s a list of the 10 best foods to try inspired by different countries as you get ready for your Olympics viewing and celebration.

1. United States – Chicken and Waffles | Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles

If you’re cheering on Team USA, there’s no better way to celebrate than with some soul food. Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles offers the crispiest chicken paired up with the fluffiest waffles around. Try the Baby Ray dish for two delicious waffles along with three pieces of chicken smothered with gravy & onions. Don’t forget to get some Banana Puddin’ for later!

2. Mexico – Korean Fried Chicken Taco | CRUjiente Tacos

CRUjiente Tacos, located in Phoenix, is best known for their delicious tacos. Before you get your Summer Olympics viewing session on, stop by and try the Korean Fried Chicken Taco! CRUjiente Tacos offers the perfect bite of Korean fried chicken with cabbage, pickled jalapeño, gochujang, and mojo de cebollin.

3. Italy – Cannoli | The Sicilian Baker

It doesn’t get more authentic than this! The Sicilian Baker is a bakery and bar that creates authentic Sicilian desserts like cannoli, a tube-shaped shell of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta. The cannoli bar comes with white chocolate, chocolate, pistachio, or confetti shells with your choice of cream and toppings. From lemon to hazelnut to chocolate mint, there’s sure to be a flavor of cream for you.

4. Japan – Ramen | Yatai Ramen

To kick off the Summer Olympics being held in Tokyo, Japan, what better way than to try some authentic Japanese cuisine like ramen. Head over to Yaitai Ramen located in Tempe, and try the delicious Tokyo Shoyu Ramen dish. The Tokyo Shoyu Ramen dish has tasty and flavorful noodles and offers Yatai’s original soy sauce base broth with pork belly chashu, naruto, sautéed cabbage and beansprouts, and egg and scallion.

5. France – Steak Frites | Zinqué Scottsdale

Check out the Steak Frites at the French-inspired bistro, Zinqué located in Scottsdale. Steak Frites is a popular dish throughout Europe which consists of steak paired with French fries. Zinqué offers you the choice of chimichurri or peppercorn sauce. Other great options to try are their tartines, which are served on Poilâne bread imported from Paris. These are guaranteed to make you feel like you’re having lunch in the City of Love next to the Eiffel Tower!

6. India – Paneer Pakora | Flavors of India

Located in Gilbert, the family owned restaurant, Flavors of India, offers unique dishes from the northern part of India. With a wide variety of dishes, a great one to try is the Paneer Pakoras! Paneer Pakoras are savory gram flour batter coated Indian cottage cheese fritters. They are typically served with green or red chili chutney and make for a great snack! These are great to have around to munch on as you celebrate the Summer Olympics.

7. Jamaica – Ackee and Saltfish | Island Sensation Cuisine

If you want to try some amazing ackee and saltfish, Island Sensation Cuisine has you covered! Island Sensation Cuisine offers quite the selection of delicious seafood choices but if you’re looking to try something fresh and authentic then try the Ackee and Saltfish. Ackee Saltfish Jamaica’s national dish, and it makes for a perfect breakfast or brunch. So have breakfast like a champion and try it before getting your Olympic festivities started!

8. Germany – Bratwurst Sausage | German Sausage Co.

What better way to celebrate than to grill some bratwursts! Bratwursts is a type of sausage link that is made with pork or veal and is typically either rough or fine (grobe or fein). The German Sausage Co. has a wide selection of sausages but if you’re looking to try some delicious and fresh sausage links, check out their Bratwurst Grobe or Bratwurst Fein!

9. China – Dumplings | Happy Bao’s

Happy Bao’s located in Mesa, has several dumplings to choose from but for those just trying it for the first time, order the Signature Dumplings which consist of pork, shrimp, chives, and eggs. Dumplings are often consumed during festivals in China and are often linked to good fortune and good health which makes them a great dish to eat for the Summer Olympic viewing!

10. England – Cornish Pasty | Cornish Pasty Co.

Cornish Pasty Co. located in downtown Phoenix offers over 40 different pasty options to choose from! With flavors like mac and cheese to meatball, all the way to lamb and mint. With a huge menu selection like there’s it may be hard to choose what you want. So if you’re having trouble, start simple with the traditional pasty, The Oggie. The Oggie consists of steak, potato, onion, and rutabaga (swede) with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup.