People eat French fries in many different ways, like putting them in combo meals or covering them in sauce and salt. Even though they are called “french fries,” most people think they are from Belgium. Folklore says that French fries can be traced back to the Belgian city of Namur, where people ate a lot of fried fish. In the 17th century, a cold winter froze the Meuse River, making it impossible to fish. Instead, people started frying potatoes. During World War II, American soldiers in an area where people spoke French gave the fried potatoes their current names.
Since then, French fries have become a backbone on menus and at meals all over the world. Here are 11 ways that people like to eat potatoes.
Tasty Slap Chips
In other countries, fries may be served with other foods, but South Africa is a purist when it comes to its slap chips. The recipe is all about how they are made and how they are cooked. The trick to making this dish is to soak the cut raw potatoes in vinegar for a few hours before frying them twice. You can get these fries at fast food places all over the country. They should be crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Heavenly Poutine
This comforting dish is made with French fries, brown gravy, and cheese curds. It started in the 1950s in Canada’s Centre-du-Québec region, where fromageries make its special cheese. Even though poutine is often linked to Montreal, it is the national dish of Canada as a whole.
Flavorful Masala Chips
Masala chips are a staple in Kenyan food. They are spicy and garlicky French fries. After the potatoes have been fried twice, they are mixed with a tomato-based masala sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Iconic Currywurst
A German housewife named Herta Heuwer made this dish in Berlin. It is made of sausage chunks covered in ketchup and curry powder and served with French fries. In 1949, British soldiers in Germany gave Heuwer the ingredients she needed to make her snack, which she sold from a food stand in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district. The Currywurst Museum in Berlin, which sadly closed in 2018, kept her history alive.
Zesty Chili Cheese Fries
The United States specializes in creating meals by layering many foods together. In the US, for instance, there are a plethora of ways to enjoy French fries. Chili and cheese is perhaps one of the most common combinations. Indeed, fried potatoes topped with ground pork, seasonings, and cheese are the archetypal American cuisine. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than that to fill you up.
There’s no doubting that chili cheese fries are a fan favorite and a quintessential American dish, even though they aren’t the only way to enjoy French fries in the United States. Fries topped with chili cheese sauce won’t be available in France. Get the chili and cheese with your fries the next time you go out to eat if you want to feel like a true, patriotic American. You won’t believe how beautifully the ingredients go together until you try it. You can have it again even though you’ve previously had it.
Crispy Belgian Frites
The rest of the world can thank Belgium for many delicious foods, like waffles, chocolate, and, of course, frites. Since the people who made fries first can’t be beat, it makes sense that this type, which is double-fried, salted, and served with mayonnaise, is one of the best. Frites are not a side dish; they are a main part of Belgian culture and are sold both in restaurants and on the street (and eaten with adorable tiny forks).
Unique Chipsi Mayai
Tanzania is the place to go if you’ve ever craved French fries for breakfast. French fries are prepared and presented in a fashion that is unique to the nation and is both interesting and delicious. In Tanzania, you can get a plate that combines your favorite breakfast cuisine with your favorite snack food and yes, it includes French fries, which may not seem like a huge part of breakfast. What is its proper name then?
In Tanzania, they eat something called “chips mayai,” which roughly means “French fry eggs” in Swahili. The main part of the dish is an omelet with French fries folded inside. Tanzanians love this dish the most, and it is also very popular there. It’s a traditional Tanzanian dish that you can find almost anywhere and can’t miss if you go there. And, to be honest, what sounds better than a regular omelet? Of course, one with French fries!
Delicious Truk’i Pan
The name Truk’i Pan, which means “bread truck” or “sandwich truck” in English, comes from the food trucks that are a big part of Curacao’s late-night party scene. From 9 p.m. until early in the morning, they serve grilled meats, shrimp, or conch with fries, salad, or bread. Most of the time, these orders come with a side of peanut sauce, pico de gallo, chimichurri, or relish.
Crunchy Furaido Potato
In Japan, they call French fries “furaido potato.” Dutch traders brought the potato to Japan in the 16th century, and now fries are a popular fast food there. People can order them “Belgian style” or with seasonings like furikake, which is a mix of seaweed, sesame seeds, and other ingredients with seasonings. In 2014, McDonald’s restaurants in Japan were running out of fries, so they only served small portions.
Classic Fish and Chips
Before you say “you mean fish and chips?” Please keep in mind that the two are not the same. Chips are always short and thick, but fries can be many different sizes and shapes. Fried fish fillets and chunky chips go together like fish and chips were made for each other.
The Iconic Patatje Oorlog
The Netherlands is a country known for its beautiful scenery, rich history, pleasant climate, and delectable cuisine. One of the most well-known Dutch foods, however, is really a French fry dish. It’s worth noting that their preferred fries vary greatly from the standard American order in terms of condiments.
This delicious meal is known as patatje oorlog. French fries, mayonnaise, onions, and a peanut butter, chile, soy sauce, and sambal oelek satay sauce are the main ingredients. As compared to ketchup, the standard dipping sauce, this intense blend is undeniably more robust. People in the Netherlands often carry their patatje oorlog about in paper cones and eat them while strolling the streets. It’s evident that a lot of time and thinking went into making this dish, which may not be what most Americans picture when they think of French fries.
About Author: The content is written by Maha. She has five years of experience in writing informative articles.
