Millions of Americans enjoy the diverse flavors of global cuisines every day – whether that’s by cooking at home, eating at a local restaurant, or indulging in a comforting takeout.
With this in mind, the social casino website Hello Millions conducted a study to determine the most popular cuisines in each state according to their Google search popularity.
The average number of monthly Google searches over the past 12 months for terms relating to different cuisines, such as ‘Italian restaurants,’ ‘Thai food,’ and ‘Jamaican cuisine,’ were analyzed and adjusted to each state’s population to calculate the rankings.
In Oklahoma, Mexican was identified as the most popular cuisine, with an average of 301.61 Google searches per month per 100,000 people. Mexican food is particularly prominent in the Southwestern states that border Mexico, but its popularity reaches across the country. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas are among the dishes most beloved by Americans.
Following in second was Chinese, generating an average of 299.22 monthly searches per 100,000 people. Chinese cuisine has been adopted by many Americans, with rice, soy sauce, and noodles becoming staples in the kitchen. Some of the most popular Chinese dishes include Peking duck, sweet and sour pork, dim sum and chow mein.
Third was Indian, which produced 162.15 searches per 100,000 people on average per month. Indian dishes are famous for being packed full of spices and flavor – curries are perhaps the most sought-after recipes, and popular variations include chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, jalfrezi, and vindaloo.
Ranking fourth was Italian, with an average monthly Google search volume of 147.45 per 100,000 people. Italian cuisine is favored all over the world, particularly for its pizza and pasta dishes. Lasagna, carbonara, and amatriciana are some of the most popular pasta dishes, whereas pizza is a timeless classic.
Rounding out the top five was Thai, which generated an average of 99.6 monthly searches per 100,000 people. Thai food has seen increasing popularity in recent decades and is known for its bold, aromatic flavorings. Some of the most in-demand dishes include pad Thai, Thai green curry, and Thai fried rice.
Rank | Major | Average Monthly Google Searches per 100,000 People |
---|---|---|
1 | Mexican | 301.61 |
2 | Chinese | 299.22 |
3 | Indian | 162.15 |
4 | Italian | 147.45 |
5 | Thai | 99.6 |
Nationwide, Chinese cuisine was identified as the most popular, with an average of 1,691,658 Google searches per month. Chinese cuisine had the highest search popularity in New York, generating a monthly average of 1,069 searches per 100,000 people within the state.
Following in second was Mexican cuisine, generating an average of 977,758 monthly searches. Mexican cuisine was most popular in Arizona, with an average of 567 monthly searches per 100,000 people.
Third was Indian cuisine, which produced 977,631 searches on average per month. The state where the cuisine was most popular was Washington, averaging 464 monthly searches per 100,000 people.
Ranking fourth was Italian cuisine, with an average of 854,949 searches per month. Italian cuisine had the highest popularity in New York, averaging a monthly 479 searches per 100,000 people.
Rounding out the top five was Thai cuisine, which generated an average of 770,633 monthly searches. Thai cuisine reached its highest search volume in Hawaii, with an average of 529 searches per month per 100,000 people.
Placing sixth was Korean cuisine, with an average of 499,166 monthly searches. Korean cuisine had the highest popularity in Hawaii, averaging a monthly 375 searches per 100,000 people.
Japanese cuisine followed in seventh, averaging 420,993 searches per month. Japanese cuisine was most popular in Hawaii, with an average of 433 monthly searches per 100,000 people.
Completing the top ten across the US were American cuisine (271,157), Greek cuisine (226,984) and Jamaican cuisine (177,330).
Rank | Cuisine | Average Monthly Search Volume |
---|---|---|
1 | Chinese | 1,691,658 |
2 | Mexican | 977,758 |
3 | Indian | 977,631 |
4 | Italian | 854,949 |
5 | Thai | 770,633 |
6 | Korean | 499,166 |
7 | Japanese | 420,993 |
8 | American | 271,157 |
9 | Greek | 226,984 |
10 | Jamaican | 177,330 |
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Hello Millions said:
“The popularity of many cuisines in the US has risen significantly in the past few decades, reflecting the country’s increasing cultural diversity as well as the impact of globalization. Once primarily influenced by European immigrants of the 18th and 19th centuries, the American culinary landscape has evolved to include tastes from every corner of the globe, driven by factors such as immigration, travel, and media exposure”.
“It is fascinating to discover which of the world’s cuisines rank most popular among Americans today. Asian cuisines reign supreme, taking up three of the top five spots, and half of the top 10 spots overall. Cuisines of the Americas are also popular, occupying three of the top 10 spots, with the remaining two going to European cuisines”.
“Overall, these cuisines are well worth trying and experimenting with, as they can add exciting new flavors and ingredients to your cooking. A lot of these cuisines are the origin of meals that are now mainstays in American culture. Even if you don’t love every dish, you may find one or two elements that you enjoy and can incorporate into future recipes.”