A US travel agency's guide to musttry foods in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia boasts a diverse array of renowned restaurants, offering numerous must-try dishes for visitors. This article from a US travel agency recommends today's selection of modern and classic Philadelphia cuisine, as well as unforgettable culinary delights. These include Indian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes, among others. Many restaurants also offer a wide selection of specialty beers, some even brewed locally in Philadelphia.

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6 Must-Try Foods in Philadelphia

1. Soft heart-shaped bread

This food is sold in many cafes and street food trucks in Philadelphia. Philadelphia pretzels are thicker and longer, and some people eat them with mustard. Regardless of how you eat them, it's best to eat them fresh off the grill; otherwise, they'll harden and the taste won't be as good as when they're freshly baked!

2. Gila Tee Ice Cream

This type of ice cream is made by mixing water, whipped cream, and fresh fruit, nuts, or chocolate, etc. Many coffee shops in Philadelphia sell this handmade ice cream. Compared with regular ice cream, gillati uses high-quality ingredients, especially fruit-based gillati, which often has a strong fruity aroma and a much more refreshing taste than regular ice cream.

3. Cheese and steak sandwich

This is a must-try local specialty in Philadelphia, an iconic sandwich with a 75-year history and a constantly evolving recipe. The cheese steak is served in an Italian roll filled with slices of beef and cheese: American, Italian smoked, or cheese god. Other well-known delicacies include soft pretzels, Tastykake snacks, and the Hochi sandwich, an Italian sandwich filled with peppers, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and meat.

4. Pizza wrappers

Pizza wraps originated in Philadelphia. They are made by wrapping cheese, pizza sauce and spices in pizza dough and then baking it. They are similar to the Italian dish Cason. Most pizzerias in Philadelphia sell this dish.

5. Cheese Steak

As the saying goes, "Cheese is power!" This is a very Philadelphian specialty snack, sold in food trucks all over the streets. For less than five dollars, you'll definitely feel satisfied. Beef stir-fried with onions is topped with a layer of cheese, which is then melted by the steaming heat, and finally wrapped in a piece of bread to lock in all the deliciousness. It's truly a must-try!

6. Beef Cheeseburger

Just like Peking duck in Beijing, pan-fried dumplings in Shanghai, cold noodles in Xi'an, and hot pot in Chongqing, every city has its own most famous food that attracts tourists to try it. When visiting Philadelphia, every travel agency recommends trying the traditional beef cheeseburger. The stir-fried ground beef is mixed with onions, topped with pure cheese, and then wrapped in a traditional Italian long bread, allowing the flavors of all the ingredients to blend together. It's an absolute must-try.

Food & Cooking