Why do Czechs insist on tasteless, no-spice, non-traditional foreign meals? Going from Brno to Krakow Poland for 5 days was a relief for our culinary tastes. Krakow had excellent foreign food options, and not only because of the increased amount of tourists. The average kebab on the street was spicy and close to what you find in Turkey.

The TYPICAL Mexican, Italian, Chinese or Indian restaurant in the Czech Republic is so completely different than what you would find in Mexico, Italy, etc., it boggles my mind (and the minds of other expats I've talked to).

Even in America, the TYPICAL Mexican, Chinese or Italian restaurant is not exactly what you would find in the country of origin. But, I can honestly say that the American versions are much, much closer than the horribly bland "ethnic" creations that I've had the displeasure of eating here.

This is not a question of which country is best, it is a question of why does a general populance continue to expect so little in the culinary realm? Perhaps this a place where variety is not welcomed? Does the TYPICAL Czech really think "Spicy bad, bland good!"?

I used to be excited whenever I found a Mexican or Italian restaurant in the Czech Republic - thinking I might get some good spices on my tongue. Now I simply cringe with horror and order roast pork and sauerkraut instead. There are some very good traditional Czech meals and specialities that I do enjoy.

Time after time I order simple spagetti with red sauce at a Czech "Italian" restaurant, and get served a horribly sweet, catsup-like red sauce on my noodles. This type of sauce is so disgusting and I've never been served it in America or any other country. It makes my girlfriends stomach hurt whenever we get so unlucky to order it. I now give up trying pasta at Czech resteraunts. I suggest, if you actually know what a simple red sauce should taste like (garlic, onions, italian spices, NOT EXTRA-SWEET CATSUP), that you should only go to "Italian" restaurants that are owned by foreigners (their are a few good ones in Brno's center). I'm sure their is some strange historical reason why czechs like catsup on their noodles, but I'm continuously amazed at how these restaurants survive.

Mark,

That is a really intresting story. I do have simular exparianced. I only don't have an answer on it. I really don't know why it's so tasteless, so flat....
Perhaps, indeed, because they don't want to eat total other food. But i really don't know it for sure.

That is an interesting thought and wuold be a good topic for an essay. czechs are simply used to eating different food, enjoying different tastes. I myself have problems with eating some of (for me atleast unusual) combinations that ar eaten for example in Netherland. And my friend Thijs enjoys nothing more than those combinations (bread with nutella is only the most acceptable of them, there are more unusual).
You get used to it since your early childhood and then you have problems to change it. It is a nation-specific think, has to do with customs and traditions and with the whole development. It can be changed, though only slowly and gradually. Czechs, nowadays, tend to visit Chinese and Indian restaurants much often and they are getting used to all that spicy foods, which still remain strange for me and moreover not particularly healthy.
So I dont think you can generalize it. You were used to eating different food and now the czech one appears a bit strange and not particularly tasty for you. I will always like the China food atleast a bit sweet, Thijs would put as much garlic as possible in it. Each of us is different.. This is my view.

And moreover, Czech food is bland only in some areas. If we take bread as example, than you can say that it is more tastless in amost every other country in the world (Germany, Netherland, Italy). With exception of Austria perhaps. It always appears to me like a little white soft and tastless piece of an unknown consistency that acquires some taste only when you put something on it. Otherwise, it is almost nothing on its own. In our country, this can only happen with the cheapest bread and it has started several years ago as an import from abroad. The czech traditional bread is darker, more colorful, sometimes with seeds and has a specific taste of its own.. And I could definitely think of other examples. There would be some more. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The bread is an excellent example, Boss. I think Czechs do like their cuisine the best in the world, they don't want to chage it. They usually take their own food when going abroad. I myself don't like spicy food at all, I don't go to good Italian or Chinese restaurant because I wouldn't like the meal there. I go only to those where I get the Czech form of an would-be Italian meal. And many Czech people do that and the owners of the pubs know it... I think czech cuisine is the best in the world and I usually quite suffer when eating abroad...

Thanks for your comments, I'm starting to understand the food better. I think Czechs don't like spicy food and are very happy with what they are offered in their restaurants. What really sparked my post was because everytime my girlfriend and I would try red sauce with pasta at a Czech restaurant, we would get served something that was just horrible to us - something like sweet Katsup on noodles with overcooked meat or undercooked veggies. Authentic Italian is very simple and cheap: tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, salt pepper and olive oil, plus pasta. Now, I've been told that for a long time katsup was one of the only condiments available. Your right about the bread, it is great! So are the pork ribs (zebra) found in huge portions at so many restaurants. And of course the excellent beer! But still, we have such a hard time walking into a typical restaurant and finding something that is very tasty and not heavy with fat. We don't want a heart attack in ten years.

It seems that very few locals try or accept different tastes from outside their country. The "mexican" places are not even close to being Mexican. And with all the Vietnamese living here, I have never seen anything at all that is Vietnamese - as a country Vietnam is at the top of the list for many foodies (people that enjoy eating the best foods from all over the world). It's really nothing like Chinese food. It's fine to like what you grew up, but this lack of diversity is very extreme for a city this large.

As time goes on and more foreigners move into Brno, I think there will be more options for them. Their is one Thai/Lao place that serves good ethnic spicy food in Brno. It's called Sabaidy (545 428 310), located behing Hotel Amphone.

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The "mexican" places are not even close to being Mexican. And with all the Vietnamese living here, I have never seen anything at all that is Vietnamese - as a country Vietnam is at the top of the list for many foodies (people that enjoy eating the best foods from all over the world). It's really nothing like Chinese food. It's fine to like what you grew up, but this lack of diversity is very extreme for a city this large.

......

Their is one Thai/Lao place that serves good ethnic spicy food in Brno. It's called Sabaidy (545 428 310), located behing Hotel Amphone.

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Write a little review about it. I would really like to know more. (I'm busy with my second post of reviews)