There are huge differences between Chinese and American cultures in many aspects, a fact I deeply understand after studying in the United States for three years. After returning to China from university in North Carolina, eating familiar Chinese food, I couldn't help but compare the differences between Chinese and Western cuisine. Although American food culture is not as profound or long-standing as Chinese food culture, American food has its own unique flavor. Next, I'll introduce seven American dishes that I still miss most after returning home.

1. Southern-style fried chicken

At first glance, you might think fried chicken is commonplace, available at KFC and McDonald's, so what's so special about it? But American fried chicken will definitely make you want to eat it again and again. The difference lies in the fact that fried chicken from fast food restaurants in China is still juicy when it comes out of the fryer, while fried chicken from the southern United States is fried until it's very crispy, with a satisfying crunch and an incredibly delicious texture.

2. Egg pancake

Unless you're in a luxury hotel offering Western-style breakfast, it's very difficult to find a restaurant in China that serves omelets. Although I can often find oyster omelets on the streets of China, I still miss American omelets, and I miss that flavor with cheese and bacon. What's even more remarkable is that you can find omelets in almost every restaurant in the United States.

3. Nanbu Sweet Tea

Besides fried chicken, sweet tea is another favorite Southern food of mine. The first time I tried it, I thought it was too sweet, but now I've developed the habit of ordering a cup of sweet tea with everything I eat, whether it's lamb pie or rice noodles. Of course, there are many tea shops in China, such as Heytea, Nayuki, The Alley, and Yi Dian Dian, which are all popular "sweet tea" options. However, since returning to China, I haven't been able to find authentic Southern American sweet tea.

4. Bagels and cheese

In China, a typical breakfast usually consists of either pickled vegetables with millet porridge or meat buns, fried dough sticks, and sweet soy milk. Some families may also have a Western-style breakfast, with toast and milk. However, you will never see bagels and cheese in a Chinese breakfast, even though it's one of my favorite breakfast combinations in the US. You can buy these two items in restaurants, cafes, and on campus, and every morning you can see many Americans lining up just to buy them.

5. Local American coffee

In the US, I never buy coffee from Starbucks because coffee shops are everywhere, and each one has a slightly different flavor, making it easy to find a coffee you like. In China, however, coffee is a niche culture; tea is the mainstream. Chinese coffee shops usually import beans, though some roast their own. This means it's difficult to find a coffee that truly surprises you, so I quite miss American coffee after returning home.

6. Freshly made ice cream

In the US, one of my favorite things to do in my free time is to go to a local farm with friends. We'd play until night, enjoying delicious ice cream while watching fireflies dance in the sky—an experience I would never have had in China. I still remember the taste of that ice cream. Although Chinese ice cream is also good, the ice cream from American farms tastes better because it's made with fresh milk and without preservatives.

7. Mexican burritos

Although burritos didn't originate in the United States, they have developed their own distinct style there. The thin, chewy tortillas, combined with the meat filling, vegetables, and cheese sauce inside, are incredibly delicious. In the US, virtually every Mexican restaurant serves burritos, and school cafeterias also sell them. KFC in China also sells burritos, but believe me, theirs aren't authentic.

These seven dishes are the ones I miss most after returning from studying in the US. Different regions nurture different people, and these foods are very popular in America. If you have the chance to visit the US, you should definitely try them and see if they suit your taste.