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French fries are one of those foods that tons of people love, no matter where they're from.
Though many in the United States would assert that French fries are as much a part of Americana as apple pie, they certainly weren't the first to invent the savory side dish. The debate is still on as to whether we have the Belgians or the French to thank for giving us a delicious way to snack on potatoes, but since they were created, people have been making them their own.
From fries smothered in gravy to those topped with meat and cheese, here's a look at how the dish is prepared throughout the world.
Canada's signature dish of French fries doused in a rich brown gravy and squeaky cheese curds isn't exactly visually appealing. But ask anyone who's had Poutine and they'll agree it's delicious.
Masala chips are a flavorful side dish best served with barbecue.
A specialty in many parts of Kenya, masala chips are a spicy, garlicky saucy side dish that utilizes spices such as chili powder, paprika, or tandoori masala. With a tomato-based masala sauce and a squeeze of lemon, get ready for a kick of flavor.
Animal-style fries are a US West Coast classic.
They're topped with a special sauce.
Aly Weisman/Business Insider
Anyone who's from the West Coast knows about In-N-Out's delicious mess of a creation referred to as animal-style fries. Grilled onions, special sauce, and cheese bring In-N-Out's famously average fries to a whole new level of tasty.
Curry chips are a late night snack in England and Ireland.
French fries are commonly topped with shredded cheese and a curry sauce in Ireland and England and eaten as a snack or comfort food. They can be found in chip shops as well as pubs.
A well known dish in Bulgaria and the Ukraine, Kartofi Sus Sirene, is a specialty made with baked sliced potatoes that are blanketed with a rich, creamy mixture of cheese, butter, egg, and pepper.
All khoai tay chien needs is butter and sugar.
They're served with sugar.
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In Vietnam, French fries are served with a dollop of butter and a side of sugar.
Belgian Frites are soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside.
Sold in both restaurants and from street vendors in paper cones with tiny forks, Belgian frites are twice fried, thick-cut potato fries that are salted and served with mayonnaise. You can thank the double frying technique for the texture of the fry.
Lomo saltado hails from Peru. Strips of marinated steak and fries are tossed together in a stir fry with onions, peppers, garlic, and seasonings and is served next to a scoop of rice. It's a hearty dish that's packed with flavor.
"Jufran" is a banana-based sauce that's popular in the Philippines. This gooey banana condiment is also commonly eaten with salty foods like fried chicken. Despite its appearance, it's completely tomato-less.
Pita gyros in Greece are commonly ordered stuffed with goodies like meat, falafel, vegetables, tzatziki sauce, and even fries. Gyros are a traditional Greek "fast-food."
Unlike most countries' fries, South Africa likes their version soft. "Slap" in Afrikaans means limp and so slap chips, or "slaptjips," literally translate to limp chips. They're soaked in vinegar and only fried once to keep them soft and limp, inside and out.
Kapsalon translates to hairdressing salon in Dutch.
Kapsalon is a Dutch creation that consists of fries with shawarma meat and salad, that's then baked with a layer of Gouda cheese and topped with sambal and garlic mayonnaise. Purportedly, the dish was invented in 2003 by a hairdresser.
This Finnish potato street food dish is made of fries topped with sausages and condiments like mustard, ketchup, onion, pickled cucumber salad, and mayonnaise.
Places like Britain and Ireland are known for the popular staple of deep-fried, battered fish, usually cod, and thick chips. Traditionally, fish and chips were eaten out of cone-shaped newspapers with paper lining.
Moules, or mussels, were once considered food for the poor.
This dish originated in Belgium but is quite popular throughout France as well as the US. The recipe for moules frites calls for steaming mussels in a white wine base that's usually served alongside crispy frites, or fries.
Chili cheese fries are a cheesy staple of America.
Cheesy, greasy, and satisfying Chili cheese fries can be found anywhere from Los Angeles to Dallas at carnivals, drive-ins, baseball games, and more. Chili, gooey nacho cheese, and crispy shoestring fries make this dish a true indulgence and meal in and of itself.
Patatje Oorlog literally means war chips.
It sometimes comes with toppings on the side.
Wikimedia
This Dutch dish takes deep fried sliced potatoes and slathers them with a variety of toppings that include mayonnaise, peanut satay sauce, raw onions, and more. It's a mix of sweet and salty flavors that somehow work when placed atop fries.
This ubiquitous fast-food dish originated in Lima, Peru and is served on the street and in restaurants. It's a mix of hot dogs or sausage and French fries, topped with onions, salsa, and tomatoes. Salchipapas can also be served with ketchup and mayonnaise.
This is one of the most well known street food dishes in Tanzania. Chipsi Mayai is basically a French fry omelet and is made with French fries, onions, and eggs.
These Japanese-style fries are crisp and have a unique flavor thanks to the salty-sweetness of the seasoning. The furikake seasoning brings together seaweed, chili, garlic, and sesame seeds. Some recipes top the fries with smoky bonito (fish) flakes.
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