One of the most important parts of culture is food. Food is also one of the first parts of culture to be shared and to spread. Food is a big part of holidays, traditions, religions, and everyday life for all cultures.

The United States has more cultures than any other nation on Earth. This nation of immigrants was built of cultures from all over converging here and living together.

Example 1

Image of the front of a TACO Bell Restaurant.

Source: Tacobellsunnywale, Wikimedia

Mexican style food is popular all over the United States. What is actually popular is "Mexican-American" food. It is based on Mexican food but has some differences to appeal to more people's taste.

Taco Bell food is based on foods found in Mexican culture, but the menu items are modified to appeal to the tastes of more people in the United States. The change of Taco Bell's menu items is an example of cultural convergence.

Activity: Compare the pictures of the tacos below. Note the differences and similarities between them, and then answer the multiple choice questions to test your understanding of cultural convergence with food.

Taco Bell Tacos

Image of three Taco Bell tacos; the tacos are crispy tortillas, with ground beef, lettuce, and cheese and topped with a sauce. The tacos are laid on a taco wrapper.

Source: Taco Bell tacos, Wikimedia

Tacos Being Prepared by a Vendor in Mexico

Image of a person assembling a taco made of flour tortillas, grilled meat, beans and onions.

Source: Taco de suadero, Wikimedia
Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.

There are examples of American cultural convergence in other countries. McDonald's serves food that is considered American, but the menu changes in other countries to appeal to the tastes of each country's cultures.

Example 2 – McDonald's Restaurant

This photo shows a McDonald's location in Israel.

Image of a McDonald's restaurant

Source: McDonald's in Israel, Wikimedia

This photo shows the sign for a kosher McDonald's.

Image of McDonald's sign for Kosher McDonald's in Israel.

Source: McKosher, Wikipedia

McDonald's in Japan

Image of a MEGA Teriyaki Burger

Source: McDonald's MEGA Teriyaki 2007, Wikimedia

This is the "MEGA Teriyaki" at McDonald's in Japan. It's basically a "Big Mac" but with teriyaki sauce instead of the "secret sauce" used in the United States.

McDonald's in China
Image of a boxed meal, a box of fries, and cup

Source: McDonald's Chinese New Year set meal, Wikimedia

This is a special meal offered at McDonald's in China to celebrate Chinese New Year. It includes a grilled chicken burger, curly fries, and a placemat with predictions for all 12 Chinese astrology animal signs.

→ Reflection: Think about your favorite restaurant. What culture does it reflect? How does it reflect cultural convergence?