Originally Posted by
ksandness
Any food of which people say, "Oh, you have to try it with (side dishes, condiments, a certain alcoholic beverage)" doesn't actually taste good.
Caviar is definitely in that category, as is lutefisk ("Oh, you should try it topped with melted butter while drinking aquavit.")
Were talking a food culture here that in my humble opinion in the USA is best represented by old fashioned Jewish deli shops and restaurants.
I think there is a "food culture" sphere ranging from Scotland and Ireland in the west, through the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Northern Germany into Scandinavia and on to Poland, Russia and the Ukraine.
Think salty and sour taste, beetroot, sour cream, pickled and fried herring, potatos of course etc.