In this article, we discuss the 5 countries that have the most variety of food. To read the detailed analysis of the food industry, go directly to the 20 Countries That Have the Most Variety of Food.
5. United Kingdom
The food in the UK is often criticized for its lack of flavor. However, the diversity in the country’s food culture cannot be ignored. London is considered to be one of the food capitals of the world and has nearly 90 different national cuisines. In addition, due to the colonization of several countries, UK food has also picked up ingredients and techniques from different cultures. It also hosts many Indian, Pakistani, Polish, and African immigrants who bring their own flavors to the UK food scene.
4. Canada
Canada has very relaxed rules for immigrants, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the country welcomes skilled labor from different countries. A high amount of immigrants means that they bring their food culture to the country with them. Canada’s diverse food culture can be credited mainly to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, which offer 73, 58, and 52 different national cuisines, respectively. Toronto even beat New York in the diversity of food in 2022, but New York took its crown back in 2023.
3. Japan
When we talk about food, Japan is one country that certainly no one can miss out on. Japan holds the highest number of Michelin Stars in the world. Even though Tokyo is the Japanese city with the most diverse food scene, the other cities of the country are not strangers to a diverse food culture. Osaka and Kyoto are also home to some delicious and amazing European and South Asian restaurants such as Point, Indoshokudo Tadka, and the European power-couple owned, L’angolo. Osaka also has over 20,500 international restaurants. The late Anthony Bourdain once said:
“The first time I came here, it was a transformative experience. It was like taking acid for the first time, meaning ‘What do I do now that I see the whole world [of food] in a different way?”
2. Australia
Australia is one of the most culturally, linguistically, and gastronomically diverse countries in the world. Australian cities such as Melbourne and Sydney have an extremely diverse food scene and are home to nearly 60 different national cuisines. Australia’s food diversity is owed to immigration from several countries due to government policies against discrimination. On top of that, Australia’s native ingredients such as Quandong, Lemon Myrtle, and Saltbush help the locals bring out the flavors in their food that most other countries rarely experience.
1. USA
The United States tops our list of countries with the most variety of food. The US cuisine might not be as diverse, but the country hosts cuisines from all over the world. According to Bott+Co data, New York has around 94 national cuisines from around the world, making it the city with the most diverse food in the world. Apart from New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston are also hosts to nearly 60 different national cuisines each.
You can also look at the 12 Countries that Produce the Best Rum in the World and the 20 Most Profitable Small Businesses to Start in 2023.
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