Appetizers From Around the World

Appetizers, aperitivos, hors d'oeuvres, 前菜....they all mean the same thing, but they're very different. In Philadelphia, you can take a trip around the globe through the various international cuisines the city has to offer, and what better way to try everything than through appetizers. They're cheap, easy to share and great for happy hour. Hop country to country (or a couple blocks) with this list of appetizers around the world (aka Philly).

First stop, Japan...

1. Morimoto

This Steven Starr restaurant blew us away with their sushi, but don't sleep on their appetizers. These duck dumplings make pork soup dumplings look like the poor man's version. Of course, duck dumplings are not something you'd order every day, but if you're already spending an arm and a leg on the sushi, you might as well go the extra mile and add this pricey, piquant appetizer.

2. Nom Nom Ramen

Like Morimoto, I praised Nom Nom for their main course, the Nom Nom ramen. However, while you're waiting for your meal, you have to order the bao buns. I've tried the pork, eggplant and salmon, but the pork and eggplant are my favorites. These buns are as soft as a pillow; you might need someone to pinch you because you'll feel like you're dreaming.

3. Cheu Fishtown

Cheu has a different interpretation of dumplings and buns than most Japanese restaurants; their green chile dumplings are not the kind you can eat with your hands, and they're definitely a little spicier (and greener) than most conventional dumplings, but don't let the color or the heat put you off. They are probably more Thai inspired than Japanese, and they pair perfectly with the coconut curry ramen. The bun on the right may look like a scallion pancake, but it actually tastes like a Reuben, as it is stuffed with pastrami and cheese and topped with Russian dressing. However, if you're not that bold and just want a traditional fried chicken bun, they've got you covered too. My friend actually ordered the rangoons and gave me her leftovers, and if they tasted that good reheated, I can't even fathom how incredible they are fresh. Their menu is constantly changing, so you may not find these same appetizers on the menu anymore, but you'll definitely find something just as good!

Next stop, China...

1. Dim Sum Garden

Chinese food is meant to be eaten family style. Therefore, my friends and I love to go to Dim Sum Garden for appetizers and split them among the table. Some of our usuals include the chicken lomein, chicken chow fun, pork dumplings, seafood soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and chicken on a stick. For the three of us, our bill is never over $30, and even though we only order a bunch of appetizers, we're always too full to stand up.

2. Tom's Dim Sum

A few blocks away from Dim Sum Garden is Tom's Dim Sum, another viable option for cheap, mouth-watering apps. It's a pretty close call whether the soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and chicken on a stick are better than Dim Sum Garden's, but both places probably have the best dim sum in Chinatown, and either one is an affordable option for even the most flat out broke college student.

3. Bao Nine

You'll be floating on cloud nine eating these bao buns from Bao Nine, Philadelphia's newest bao restaurant in Rittenhouse Square. You can "bao around the world" and try all nine of their buns with two of their sides (which you don't want to sleep on). Or if you want to try more than one, then you can order them individually too. Although bao buns are normally appetizers, if you get enough of them you can make it into a meal! My favorites are the "yenta," which is pretty much a Reuben bun, and the "crispy chick," which tastes almost identical to a Chic Fil A sandwich. They also have a dessert bao, which I didn't know existed. The inside is really cute, but until indoor dining is permitted, you can dine outside in their private alley or recline on one of the lawn chairs and play corn hole.

4. Sampan/Double Knot

Next door neighbors Sampan and Double Knot are working together to make happy hour a good experience in the midst of a pandemic. This fusion of Chinese and Japanese cuisine is two of the MVPs in the city, so naturally this is going to be one of the best collabs in Philadelphia history. If you go between 3 and 5 PM, you can get $5 kimchee fried rice, sushi rolls, pork dumplings or edaname duplings, along with $5 cocktails and wine. Just make sure you make a reservation because these tables fill up fast!

Onto Vietnam...

1. Banh Mis and Bottles

If you couldn't tell by now, bao buns are my favorite Asian appetizer, and you're sure to get some tasty buns at pretty much any Asian bistro in Philly. Banh Mis and Bottles also has some of the best happy hour deals in the city, where you can get pork belly buns, fried calamari and a glass of wine for all around $15. I've got big buns and I cannot lie...

Making a pit stop in Thailand...

1. Xiandu Thai

Xiandu Thai is really a fusion of several types of Asian cuisine, from Chinese to Indian to (of course) Thai! Order their tom kha gai soup (which is my new favorite soup even though I usually do not like coconut) or thai lettuce wraps for some traditional Thai food. Go for the dumplings if you're feeling Chinese dim sum, or dig in to the samosas if you want some classic Indian street food. This is the place to be if you want to try a few different cultural dishes at once.

See you in India...

1. Amma's

I had never had medhu vada, which literally means "lentil donuts" until I tried it at Amma's, and I wish Americans were as obsessed with these as they are with tikka masala. Not only do they look like mini donuts, but they taste like the savory dinner version of this sweet breakfast treat. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and "cakey" on the inside, these little fried appetizers have plenty of flavor on their own, but I highly recommend dipping them in all of the sauces. Since they are fried, however, they are pretty filling, and I wouldn't eat more than two at the most unless you want to spoil your appetite.

2. Penang

Technically this restaurant is Malaysian, but roti, a round flatbread thinner than naan, is traditionally an Indian appetizer. Although I do prefer naan, roti is a crunchier, lighter appetizer that can be formed into some pretty eye-catching shapes, such as a large cone. Penang's roti is a little less camera-ready, but it doesn't sacrifice looks for flavor.

Onward bound to Italy...

1. Little Nonna's

Meatballs, meatballs, spaghetti over meat. Ravioli, ravioli, great barrier reef! Sorry, I had to include my compulsory Spongebob quote. Little Nonna's spaghetti and meatballs, emphasis on the meatballs, is my favorite dish on the menu, so why not try the meatballs on their own as an appetizer? These meatballs are massive and submerged in tomato sauce and cheese, but there's more than meets the eye. It's what's on the inside that counts, and when you take a bite into these meatballs, there is a surprise; they're stuffed with fontina! As if they couldn't get any better!

2. Barbuzzo

Arancini, deep fried balls of rice, are another new appetizer I was just introduced to in the last year, but it has since become my favorite Italian appetizer. Although Little Nonna's arancini is still my favorite, Barbuzzo is a close runner up. You will have a "ball" at happy hour eating these delicious, fun sized snacks!

3. Giuseppe & Sons

Although you only get three instead of four, Giuseppi & Sons' arancini is a cheap eat that holds its own against the plethora of Italian restaurants in Center City. If you go during happy hour, I suggest getting an order of arancini, a heavily discounted pie and a glass of wine after a long day at the office.

Layover in France...

1. Butcher and Singer

I'll never understand why people cringe at the thought of escargot. It may be snails, but don't judge a book by its cover. These delectably salty and buttery hors d'oeuvres are irresistibly delicious- if you can get past the texture. But hey, c'est la vie.

2. Parc

What's more French than french onion soup? The french onion soup at Parc, a high class French bistro in Rittenhouse Square, is legendary, and it has been on my bucket list for years. When I booked a reservation at Parc for my boyfriend's birthday, I counted the days until I could finally try it for myself instead of drooling over pictures on Instagram. The cheese pull is almost as tall as me, and it literally spills over the bowl, encasing it in a shell of gruyere. I think I saw at least ten other french onion soups go by while I was dining, and I'm pretty sure every table had at least one. This soup is definitely rich enough for a meal; by the time my entree came, I was already full. Although it is by far the most indulgent appetizer on this list, Parc's french onion soup would be at the top if it was in order of favorites. It is an absolute must have in Philadelphia (unless you're vegan, of course).

Moving on to Mexico...

1. Jose Pistola's

If you're looking for cheap food, good drinks and a friendly atmosphere, look no further than Jose Pistola's. This small Mexican joint is only a block or two from my boyfriend's apartment, but what has us going back again and again (along with the short distance) is the chips and guac! We have tried all three flavors- goat cheese, spicy tuna and pomegranate seed- and after trying these unique variations, you'll never want to go back to boring, plain old guacamole again! Their chips are also homemade, and this is the one place that will make you feel inclined to finish every bite of your appetizer first, even if the entree comes before you're done.

2. El Vez

While Jose's chips and guac are simple, El Vez' are extravagant, coming in a stone bowl on top of a decorative leaf. However, when you order the chips and guacamole, you are doing it more for the picture than for the appetizer itself. Unfortunately, the guacamole lacks the "je ne sais quou" that Jose's masters, and the chips taste store bought. Although it is very pretty, I would recommend skipping the app here and saving your appetite for the entree, which will almost definitely be superb.

3. Lolita

Down the street from Sampan is Lolita, another one of 13th street's finest. If you go between 4 pm and 6 pm, you can get their discounted margarita of the day (highly recommend the mango marg), sangria, and appetizers. I am very proud of how well this photo turned out with the yellow table cloth matching the nachos and street corn; this food looks so good, I applaud you if you have enough self control to take a picture first before digging in. I'm not usually a huge fan of nachos, but these veggie nachos surpassed all of my expectations. Who would've known putting kale and broccoli on nachos would take them to the next level?? They're also huge, which makes them perfectly shareable, and you can just tell by looking at them that these chips are homemade. BTW, I want to buy a bottle of whatever sauce they put on that street corn...

Greetings from Cuba...

1. Alma de Cuba

If you've never had a plantain chip before, I highly recommend you go to the store right now and buy some. They're the perfect crunchy and savory snack for when you're craving some potato chips, but you're trying to be healthy. If you don't know what a plantain is, they're those large green looking bananas, and although they are not very good on their own, their tougher consistency makes them hold up great for cooking. Alma de Cuba's plantain chips and guacamole will have you questioning whether you should sub tortilla chips for plantain chips at all of your future parties/get togethers.

And finally, we're back in the United States of America...

1. Blume

I'm about to hook you onto something new- gruyere sticks. Forget mozzarella sticks. Blume's gruyere sticks are thicker, richer and fancier. Not to be cheesy, but the cheese pull nearly brought a tear to my eye. Not to mention, their square shape makes them look like Jenga pieces. If you're having the munchies or drinking at Blume's bar, then this appetizer is calling your name; plus, they're a lot less greasy than mozz sticks, so you won't feel quite as guilty!

2. Chart House

Ahoy appetizers! There's nothing fishy about Chart Houses' apps. Chart House, a seafood restaurant right on the water, is not nearly as affordable as Blume or Jose's, but they do have some appetizers that are almost as breathtaking as the view of the river! The "wicked tuna" is wickedly good. This hat trick has three different types of tuna, proving all good things come in...threes. The Mexican style Caesar salad is pretty much a whole head of lettuce, making it difficult to eat, but gorgeous to look at. Given that it is a seafood restaurant, the oysters are some of the best in the city, but I cannot get over how cute the mini Tabasco sauces are (although I didn't actually use them).

3. The Love

I think I'm "in love" with the rolls from the Love. Wow, I'm "on a roll" with these puns. Okay, I'm done now. Anyway, these skillet rolls give Texas Roadhouse's infamous rolls a run for their money, and this savory green herb butter beats any sweet cinnamon butter. If you look closely, you can see the brussels sprouts with apples in the background; however, these deserve just as much attention as the rolls and should be at the forefront of the picture. Moreover, they will make any picky child want to eat his/her fruits and vegetables.

4. Talula's Garden

Another appetizer that will make you excited to eat your fruits and veggies is the goat cheese salad from Talula's Garden. Every appetizer at Talula's sounds like the best thing you've ever eaten, and you will most likely interject "oh my God!" multiple times while perusing the menu. It was no easy feat choosing just one, but I cannot recommend the goat cheese salad enough. This spring mix topped with apples, radishes, tomatoes and vinaigrette is so fresh and flavorful; I wish I could order a larger size for my entree. The goat cheese, however, is the main reason why this is one of the rare examples of when the appetizer was actually my favorite part of the meal!

5. Devon Seafood

If you're celebrating a special occasion and willing to drop $80 on an appetizer...then order the seafood tower from Devon Seafood. Although I would argue that this is more of a platter than a tower, it is by far the most expensive appetizer I have ever had. I've never even had an entree this expensive, nor do I usually pay this much for a meal for two people. However, this is because it is loaded with oysters, jumbo shrimp, crab and lobster. If you are being a little more budget friendly and only need to feed two people rather than four, then I would recommend going with the fried cauliflower, which (don't tell my boyfriend), I actually preferred. Money doesn't buy happiness.

6. Mad Rex

This may be cheating, since the fried pita chips and dip were complimentary for the table, but they were so addicting I had to include them on this list. This was one of the many times during which I ordered an appetizer for my meal. Pro-tip: this is a major hack, since it is usually cheaper and bigger than an entree, given that it is meant to feed more than one person. I got a naan flatbread, which is an intuitive, innovative and intoxicating way to make flatbread, topped with arugula, mushrooms and goat cheese. I need to start making these at home, as they look moderately easy, only require a few ingredients, are much healthier than a normal pizza!

7. Iron Hill Brewery

Deja vu...I've seen this all before. Yes, we got chicken peanut lettuce wraps again, since they are a low(er) calorie appetizer that are fun to assemble, albeit messy to eat. And once again, I got a flatbread for my main course. However, this flatbread leaves Blume and Mad Rex in the dust. It's not a competition, but if it was, the butternut squash flatbread from Iron Hill would win in a landslide. Topped with butternut squash, sweet potato, apple, craisins, walnuts, (I think) arugula and mozzarella, this flatbread is vegetarian, loaded with healthy ingredients and very filling. It's as if someone converted a salad into a flatbread, and it is literally perfect for me. It should be called "the Christina flatbread."

What? Did you think I wasn't going to include this reference in here somewhere? Thanks for reading my blog (I know this one was a long one), and I hope you had a great trip "around the world"!