Cuisines That Shouldn't Start with "Fusion"
 

Compliments of this late summer/winter season, fellow FTers

Living in NYC much of the time I'm far too frequently made aware of various cuisines that have teamed up to produce a hapless array of meals. No, I'm not against "fusion" cuisine (if I like it, I'll eat it), and based on the wide array of nationalities in this city you can certainly stumble upon a hoot or two (in Woodside, there was a place with Filipino//Nepali/Indian cuisine), a place called Salt & Pepper sells "Spanish"/American/Indian/Pakistani foods and in Sunnyside I saw a Japanese/Nepali place. A traditional tea ceremony with yak butter, sure...

What are your thoughts on the broad-ranging "fusion" wave? Has it hit your city/country yet? Secondly, which cuisines do you never want/expect to see together?

Thanks,
TBS (or more currently, BuildingMyBento)

Cuisines That Shouldn't Start with "Fusion"
 

Carlos Murphy's
Mexican Irish food

I think I'd have a hard time with Mexican/Japanese fusion. Somehow, tripe sushi/sashimi just doesn't sound that appetizing.

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On the other hand, Peruvan-Japanese is some of the best ceviche out there.

Much of the "local" food (not the tourist food) in Hawai`i had its start in a seemingly unlikely fusion.

I grew up eating at the Chinese pizza place. Great Mongolian beef pizza.

There's a find! Granted, the UK has a significant Polish expat population, but...maybe this type of place would do alright in Chicago?

Also, I realize that many cuisine have been influenced by so many others in one way or more, but I'm looking more for your opinions/knowledge of less common pairings/cuisines that probably don't belong together. It might inspire some of us to attempt a dish as well... balut Benedict, anyone?

Bubba's Barbecue and Borscht!

Is that place by Penn Station?

Is it fusion, though? I thought it was two distinct menus, so to speak.

Indeed they are separate, (pretty sure that one closed, but there's still one by 14th and 1st) but I'd say it can be included only because the sign eagerly announces the presence of the four cuisines...perhaps they haven't tested the waters of daal a la parrilla, but an outgoing customer may suggest it. This idea isn't to be confused with a hotel buffet, where you can often find many cuisines served, because I'm more curious about how local populations have taste buds have influenced the dining scene. Putting Pakistani, Indian, Spanish, and American into one eatery is a good example.

Tabla NY (now closed) www.tablany.com

offered fantastic Indian-French fusion cusine - French food with Indian spices, and Indian food with European spices

I'd almost claim that Mexican and Okinawan fare go together rather well. Not that much compability regarding the main isles of Nihon.

So which of those 4 would fried plantains fall under? :)

In Reykjavik I happened upon a Mexican restaurant run by Chinese. The chimichangas tasted like egg rolls.