[USA] MustTry California Specialties

　　It's often said that the core of the California lifestyle is people's love of food. But to be honest, perhaps it's because our Chinese stomachs are more "patriotic," but I honestly don't find any American cuisine that I find particularly praiseworthy. I can only say that after eating delicious Chinese food for a while, it's nice to occasionally switch to other flavors.

　　The United States is a multi-ethnic immigrant nation, a melting pot of cultures from different races and ethnicities around the world. Naturally, American food reflects this diversity, incorporating various culinary traditions and characteristics. American cuisine is not refined, prioritizing speed and convenience, and is not luxurious; it's relatively common and accessible. Its main characteristics include being oily, high in cheese, and almost always involving deep-frying. Meals are generally casual and relaxed.

　　Some people have summarized the characteristics of typical American food as follows: first, it's raw (steaks are still bloody); second, it's cold (all drinks are served with ice); and third, it's sweet. I think that's very apt. During my few days in the US, the foods I encountered most often were hamburgers, fried chicken, pizza, noodles with sauce, tacos, sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, steak, lamb chops, pork chops, and fish fillets.

　　Every time I write a travel guide, many readers ask me to recommend restaurants they've eaten at. It's not that I'm unwilling, but I genuinely feel it's unnecessary. Traveling abroad means each country is an unknown world for everyone. Everyone has different food preferences and tastes, and trying to find delicious food on your own is a unique kind of enjoyment. In fact, the food I ate was all randomly chosen; I ate wherever I happened to be. What others recommend might not be your favorite.

　　Here are some common foods in the United States:

　　1. Extra Large Bites

　　Turducken is one of the most creative American dishes. It starts with a turkey, then a duck is stuffed inside, followed by a chicken inside the duck, and finally sausages and bacon inside the chicken. After frying for 2-3 hours, this quintessential American dish is complete. Some Americans also add melted cheese to suit their taste. This dish is typically served on major American holidays, such as Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

　　2. BBQ Chicken

　　Roast chicken is a very common dish on American streets and in restaurants. Although it is ordinary, it tastes really good. Friends who come to the United States should give it a try.

　　3、Pizza

　　The pizza in the US is pretty good. We ordered a big pizza in San Jose for just over $50, which was more than enough for five people.

　　4. Buffalo Spicy Chicken Wings

　　Buffalo Wings are chicken wings deep-fried until crispy and then eaten with melted blue cheese. The vegetables at the bottom of the plate absorb the oil dripping from the chicken wings, making even ordinary vegetables delicious. This dish is neither greasy nor lacking in flavor!

　　5. Cobb Salad

　　After eating so much greasy food, even Americans who love fried food will feel greasy. Therefore, a salad is the best thing to do at this time. However, the salad that Americans eat is completely different from the green vegetables and red tomatoes that Europeans eat. When Americans make salad, they must have enough types and weight of meat, as well as avocado and cheese. The main ingredients of a good Cobb Salad are bacon, fried chicken, avocado, egg pieces, blue cheese, and any other ingredients you think you can add.

　　6. American Big Hamburger

　　Back in China, hamburgers were one of my least favorite foods, but during my time in the US, I discovered that they actually taste pretty good, with juicy and delicious beef inside.

　　7. American Giant Oysters

　　8. Alaskan cod

　　The cod was fried to a golden brown, with a fragrant aroma and tender, juicy flesh.

　　9. Lobster dumplings

　　10. Fruit tart cookies

　　S'mores are very popular in the United States. Their cookies use Graham crackers from England; plain cookies aren't commonly eaten in America. American kids often skewer gummy candies on sticks and roast them during picnics, but they rarely eat them. Later, a new way of eating them emerged: adding a cinnamon stick in the middle, which Americans then started to enjoy.

　　11. Salad

　　I love refreshing and delicious salads the most.

　　12. Ice cream

　　In 1937, Ruth Grave from Massachusetts added chopped chocolate to her butter cookies, thus inventing what is considered the world's best-tasting cookie. While cookies are very popular in America, Americans have always wanted to improve this delicious treat. Later, one person's laziness led to the creation of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream: simply chop the prepared cookie dough into small pieces and mix it into ice cream—that's how Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream was born!