Experience Flavors from Around the World in Indiana

Some of my earliest memories are of trips to Indiana. Fields of corn bedecked the seven-hour drive. When we arrived in the small town of Portland, we camped and spent our days exploring rows upon rows of antique steam engines and flea market stalls or eating sausage burgers while watching racehorses and their handlers during early-morning training sessions.

Sometimes, we detoured to Metamora, a historic canal town featuring the only wooden aqueduct still in operation in the United States. We experienced weekend rides on the Whitewater Valley Railroad’s Metamora Local and visited a working gristmill where you could watch stoneground cornmeal being made—and purchase some to take home.

Perhaps, because my first travel experiences in Indiana were in rural areas, I didn’t expect Indiana’s cities to be a hub of international flavors. I was surprised when I was first introduced to Thai food in Indianapolis. Later, while traveling to the small city of Evansville, I tried to see how many countries I could fit into a single trip. I managed to experience Italy, Nepal, Peru, Japan, and Germany. Come with me as we sample international foods from around the world in this burgeoning town.

Global Flavors in an American City

While often referred to as a melting pot, much of America’s diversity centers around coastal cities, military bases, sanctuary cities, or areas with a specific economic draw. Situated in the Midwest, Evansville is representative of many large towns that have developed in the region. Less than four percent of its residents were born outside the U.S., according to Data USA. That’s strikingly less than the 14 percent national average.

That doesn’t mean that the richness of diverse experiences isn’t there if you look for it. The following are some of the most unique eateries I found—and there are many more yet to try.

Interior of Angelos Photo by cara siera

A Taste of Italy

Angelo’s Italian Restaurant has been my go-to in Evansville for many years. Don’t let the weathered exterior fool you. When you step inside, the ceiling-high murals of the Roman Colosseum and Italian streets and tables elegantly decked with black tablecloths transport you to the charms of Italy.

At Angelo’s, I discovered my favorite wine—Lambrusco, a sparkling red from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. On my last visit, a member of my party asked Angelo—yes, the restaurant’s real-life Italian owner—for his garlic rolls recipe, and he recited it to her. On the way out, I’m always tempted to purchase a mason jar (or two) of the fresh olive oil imported from his family’s groves in Italy.

Curry rice and naan in sharable sizes at Yak and Yeti Photo by Cara Siera

Trekking to Nepal

The idea of Himalayan food seemed so exotic—even the name, Yak and Yeti Himalayan Cuisine, evoked images of mysterious snowy mountain ranges.

To my delight, I discovered that Himalayan cuisine offers a warmly spiced twist on traditional Indian fare, such as naan, vindaloo, and curry, with notes of cardamom and cinnamon even more apparent.

Meals begin with an appetizer of pappad, or crisp lentil wafers, served with mint and tamarind sauces. The entrées are large, artfully served in copper bowls, and designed to be shared family-style. Instead of ordering individually, order different dishes for everyone to try. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can literally order dishes prepared with yak! The vast menu keeps me coming back again and again.

Chicha morado purple corn drink at Gollita Photo by Cara Siera

Exploring Peru

I’ve had many variations on Latin American cuisine—Mexican, Salvadoran, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, and Nicaraguan. But my first encounter with Peruvian food occurred when I visited Gollita Peruvian Cuisine.

The room was filled with enormous tropical plants and brightly colored woven cloths bedecked some of the tables. I enjoyed a hearty plate of rice, white beans, and beef stewed in gravy, accompanied by peas and carrots. Surprisingly, many of the meals were served with spaghetti, reflecting the cultural influence of Italian immigrants to Peru.

Daringly, I ordered the most unfamiliar item on the menu—chicha morada, a purple corn drink that originated in the Andes. Made from dried purple corn, spices, and pineapple skins, the sweet beverage matched the color of Welch’s grape juice and resembled it in flavor.

Second Language Ramen Photo by Cara Siera

A Japanese Culinary Staple

When I told my husband we were dining at a ramen restaurant, he frowned, thinking of the inexpensive instant soup packets. As he would soon learn, “real” ramen is an art.

At Second Language Asian Dining, we enjoyed steaming bowls of their signature smoked ramen, featuring smoked pork belly, black garlic oil, egg, cabbage, and other vegetables in a creamy Tonkotsu pork bone broth. More than noodles, this ramen evoked a symphony of colors, textures, and flavors.

Interior of Gerst Hause Photo by cara siera

A German Classic

A walk through the doors of the Gerst Bavarian Haus yields the feeling of moving through both time and space. Purposefully rustic, with wood floors, the interior features a vintage cash register, antique framed photographs, taxidermied specimens, and intricate cuckoo clocks on the walls.

The Evansville location opened in 1999, an outgrowth of the now-shuttered Nashville restaurant founded in 1955 to “continue the family’s connection to German food and beer.” The Gerst family purchased that establishment’s predecessor, the William Gerst Brewing Company (formerly Nashville Brewing Company), in 1890.

From kraut to schnitzel, the menu offered everything expected from an Old World restaurant, with a few surprises—like tender marinated pig knuckles or a hazelnut pastry stout so strong it’s sold by the ounce but tastes dangerously like liquid chocolate.

More Yet to Try

I managed to fit the flavors of five countries and three continents into a single weekend, but Evansville offers much more. There’s a Korean restaurant down the street from Angelo’s, Jamaican food my friend found when she needed the flavors of home, and two Amish-family-owned buffets about an hour to the north.

Experiencing unfamiliar cultures through food provides an enlightening experience. Plus, it’s just plain enjoyable. Wherever you travel, look for “new to you” authentic flavors to embark on a new culinary adventure.

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