Deep-dish may be the first food that comes to mind when you think of Chicago — but as one of the most diverse cities in the United States, it should not be the only food that comes to mind.

The ethnic kaleidoscope of Chicago gifts the city with an array of various cuisines with influences from all over the globe. 

From the zest of Latin American dishes to the flavorful spices of Southeast Asia, the Windy City certainly conjures up a vibrant storm of flavors. Here are 10 flavors that you should try from restaurants in Chicago. 

1. Kurdish 

Kurdistan is a geo-cultural region in the Middle East where the majority of Kurdish people live. According to the Kurdish Project, the Kurds are “one of one of the largest groups of people without a proper nation state,” after their homeland was divided between the countries of  Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. 

While they do not possess country status, the Kurds are passionate about preserving and promoting their culture, despite facing cultural repression, through things like art, music and food. 

Chicagoans have the opportunity to try the latter at The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen, Chicago’s first and only Kurdish restaurant, located in Lincoln Park.   

Food recommendations:

• The traditional Kurdish breakfast
• Rice pudding and apricot dessert

Kurdish baklava crêpes, Gundî omelet and fries at The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

2. Eritrean 

Eritrea is located in the northeast part of Africa and gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. 

Its cuisine is heavily influenced by Ethiopia, with its spicy stews accompanied by injera, as well as Italy. (Ethiopia was an Italian colony for almost 60 years.) 

Mella Café, located in Edgewater, is the perfect place to indulge in Eritrean comfort foods and enjoy a warm beverage, such as a rich cup of coffee — an essential part of the Eritrean tradition of an end-of-the-day coffee ceremony. 

Food recommendations:

• Breakfast combo (comes with toasted French bread!)
• Coffee

The breakfast combo (mashed fava beans, egg frittata, kitcha fitfit and potato salad served with honey) at Mella Café. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

3. Moroccan 

Morocco is a North African country with a rich mix of influences and an intricate cuisine to match. 

It was a protectorate of Spain, followed by France, until finally gaining its independence from France in 1956.  

Moroccan food is known for its sweet and savory food combinations blended with pungent spices, which can be washed down with their national drink: sweet mint tea. Check out Marrakech in the West Town for traditional Moroccan specialties. 

Food recommendations:

• Safa couscous 
• Moroccan mint tea
• Chicken pastilla (savory phyllo pastry pie)
• Tagine (slow-simmered stew)
• Harira (tomato-based vegetable soup with lentils and chickpeas) 

Homemade couscous. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

4. Nepalese

Nepal, located in South Asia, is landlocked between China and India. 

Nepalese food is a hybrid influenced by both countries: a loving relationship that results in dishes such as curry-spiced dumplings, known as momos, or a noodle soup seasoned with chili and turmeric, known as thukpa.   

There are a few Nepalese restaurants with worthy momos such as The Momo World, near UIC; The Momo Factory, which just opened a new location in River North; and Himalayan Sherpa Kitchen in Lincoln Square. 

Food recommendations:

• Any and all momos  

Chicken momos and one sephaley (deep fried meat pastry) at Himalayan Sherpa Kitchen. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

5. Senegalese 

Senegal is the westernmost point on the coast of Africa.

As a former French colony with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, Senegalese food has French influences with an emphasis on seafood. Additionally, one of the country’s primary crops are peanuts — which are used to make a savory spicy peanut stew called mafé (or maafe). 

Gorée Cuisine, located in the Kenwood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, serves some of the best West African dishes in the city. 

Food recommendations:

• Fataya (hand pie) 
• Maafe 
• Mint tea
• Thiakry (sweet millet couscous) 

Vegetarian maafe with a side of white rice at Goreé Cuisine. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

6. Venezuelan 

Venezuela is one of the northernmost countries in South America.

Influenced by indigenous traditions, Spanish colonization, enslaved Africans and a bit of Caribbean flair, Venezuelan cuisine is an amalgamation of flavors. Their most important staple food, corn, is used to make arepas — a crispy, thick corn cake that can be filled with a variety of different fillings. 

Lakeview is a great starting point to indulge in Venezuelan food — Bolivar and Lincoln and 11 Degree North are top choices. 

Food recommendations:

• Arepa with any filling of your choice
• Empanadas  

Arepas with different fillings and a tequeño (shown in back) at Bolivar and Lincoln. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

7. Egyptian 

Egypt is situated in Northeast Africa and is considered the birthplace of some of the oldest civilizations in the world, thanks to the fertile land surrounding the Nile River.

Meals typically begin with a spread of mezze, similar to appetizers, except sometimes the small dishes are the meal. Dishes include dips, such as hummus; salads, like fattoush; and finger foods, including stuffed grape leaves and falafel. 

Of course, no meal is complete without bread, often used as a utensil. Their word for bread, aish, also translates to life, signifying the centrality of this staple food for every meal. 

Chicago’s only restaurant specializing exclusively in Egyptian cuisine is Cairo Kebab in Little Italy. It is the best place to try koshary, which is considered one of Egypt’s national dishes.  

Food recommendations:

• Koshary (vegetarian dish of lentils, pasta and rice with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions on top)
• Roz bel laban (Egyptian rice pudding) 

Koshary at Cairo Kebab. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

8. Afghan 

Afghanistan is located in south-central Asia. 

Afghan cuisine is influenced mainly by the countries of Iran, India and Mongolia, according to SBS Food.  

Dumplings, rice dishes and hearty stews are staples that are often topped with dried fruits and nuts, prepared with a unique blend of saffron, cardamom and rose water. 

Helmand Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant in Albany Park, serves Afghan specialties in an intimate sit-down atmosphere.   

Food recommendations:

• Firnee (sweet cardamom pudding) 
• Afghan dumplings (such as mantu or aashak)
• Kabuli Rice 

Manti at Bai Ordo. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

9. Somali 

Somalia is located at the easternmost point in Africa, on the Horn of Africa.

The multitudinous cuisine can largely be explained by the European colonial powers that once exerted control over the country — namely, Britain, France and Italy, with Italy being the most predominant. Furthermore, Islam is the dominant religion of Somalia, which adds Middle Eastern flair to dishes. 

A traditional Somali meal can be a huge plate of meat, rice, pasta and beans (yes, all on the same plate), canjeero (a sourdough pancake) with tea, or spaghetti. 

Try out Somali food at Mogadishu Restaurant just north of downtown, or Safari Somali Cuisine in West Ridge. 

Food recommendations:

• Bariis (rice) 
• Baasto (spaghetti)  
• Sweet fried bread

Rice, beans, chicken and grilled peppers topped with spicy sauce, and side of bread at Mogadishu Restaurant. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

10. Central Asian

Central Asia comprises the countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. 

Its geographical position in the midst of China, Iran and Russia concocts a rich gastronomical blend. Nomadic pastoralist culture also imprints upon Central Asian cuisine, as reflected in various meat-based dishes. 

There are several options in the city for great tasting Central Asian food, such as: Euroasia Restaurant (Near North Side), Bai Cafe (Lakeview), Anor 1985 Restaurant (Lincoln Park) and Arzan Cafe (Albany Park). 

Food recommendations:

• Dumplings: Manti, Pelmeni and Oromo 
• Samsa (baked savory pastry) 
• Lagman (hand-pulled noodles) 

Boorsok (fried dough), beef samsa and bread at Arzan Cafe. Photo by Lydia Schultz.

Chicago’s diversity offers the unique privilege of experiencing different cultures through the portal of flavors, providing a glimpse into a country’s history, geography and customs.

While this list of different ethnic cuisines is by no means comprehensive, hopefully, it inspires you to try out a new food and culture. 

Think of it as a way of traveling the world without leaving the city.

Header by Sophia Johnson