The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Australian Food
Australia is a melting pot of different cultures. Most of its people originally came from Europe, so its food reflects a variety of European culinary traditions. It is no surprise that the four countries with the most similar food to Australia are also wealthy English speaking countries with many immigrants. Unusually, the locations of most countries on the list are very distant from Australia.
- New Zealand is another former British colony that borders the Pacific Ocean and is located in the Southern Hemisphere. They both tend to eat a lot of meat, especially pork, chicken, and beef, which are popular in both countries. Iconic dishes like the Pavlova dessert and Anzac biscuits are shared between the two nations, with debates over their true origin continuing to this day.
- Canada, yet another former British colony, has many notable similarities with Australian cuisine, despite their distance and drastically different climate. Both countries have a fondness for hearty meat-based dishes, such as steak, burgers, and meat pies. The Canadian love for maple syrup resonates with Australia’s fondness for golden syrup, often used in baking and sweet treats.
- United Kingdom shares many similarities with Australia due to their shared history. The British colonized Australia and most of its people have ancestry in the British isles. As a result, many of Australia’s dishes, such as meat pies, fish and chips, and roast dinners, have their roots in British cuisine. Both island nations also share a love for tea and have a similar appreciation for baked goods like scones and biscuits.
- United States is another Engish-speaking country with a large population that has European ancestry. As a result, despite being located on the other side of the globe, the US and Australia have similar food. Burgers, sandwiches, and barbecues are some typical fair eaten in these countries. Many American fast food restaurants operate in Australia as well.
- France and Australia have influences on their diet from both Northern and Southern Europe. Northern European cuisine is known for its hearty, comfort foods, often involving meats, root vegetables, and dairy products. Both French and Australian cuisines feature dishes with these characteristics. In addition, both cuisines incorporate ingredients typical of Mediterranean diets, such as garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Australia
The Least Similar Cuisines to Australian Food
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Australia are located in Africa. Moreover, these countries are much less wealthy than Australia. Most of their people are farmers and they have few global chain restaurants. Another characteristic they all have in common is that they all have tropical climates.
- Central African Republic a landlocked country that borders both Congo and South Sudan. Cassava and yams are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Australia.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It relies extremely heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops as a result. The country’s relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences.
- Chad is a landlocked African country. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains in the country. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel’s harsh climate. One popular dish is saka-saka, a mix of spinach and cassava leaves.
- South Sudan is located to the northeast of Congo. It is another country where cassava is the staple food, however the country eats its share of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. However, they are not completely different. Both Australia and South Sudan have a significant amount of beef in their diets.
- Democratic Republic of Congo is a country in the middle of Africa. Cassava is the dominant staple food in the country, a food that most people in Australia have not eaten before. The most commonly eaten meat in Congo is fish, whereas chicken and beef are more popular in Australia. Furthermore, in contrast to Australia, their diet has little meat in it.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Australia
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Australia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Beef
Fruit: Banana, Watermelon
Vegetable: Tomato, Onion
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
6.) CHILE is to the west of Argentina. Both countries have a tradition of ranching and love to eat beef. Grilled meats, known as asado, are a hallmark of Chilean cuisine, strongly related to Australian barbecues. Chilean empanadas are also very similar to Australia’s famed pasties.
7.) SWITZERLAND is located in Europe, but it’s cuisine also happens to have many elements in common with Australia’s. Both have a strong tradition of dairy production. Swiss cheese varieties, such as Emmental and Gruyère, are well-known globally. Similarly, Australian cheeses like locally-produced Cheddar and several types of locally-produced blue cheese, as well as locally-produced French-style types, are popular as well. Furthermore, potatoes are especially popular staples in both cuisines.
8.) MALTA is another European country on this list. Still, since Malta used to be a British colony in the past, as well as that both Malta and Australia were settled by Italians (in fact, aside from that, Australia not only houses a large Arab – especially Lebanese – community, similar to how Malta was strongly influenced by the Arabs, due to how close to the Middle East is said Mediterranean country located, but it’s also home to the largest Maltese diaspora outside Malta), its cuisine still strongly resembles Australia’s in many ways. Given their island status, both Malta and Australia have a strong emphasis on seafood. Dishes like fish and chips are popular in both countries, although they are prepared with local twists. Grilling and barbecuing are popular cooking methods in both Malta and Australia. In Malta, grilled fish and meats are common, while in Australia, BBQs are a central part of social gatherings with grilled sausages, steaks, and seafood. Both cuisines emphasize the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs are central to many traditional dishes. Due to historical British colonization, both cuisines feature British culinary influences. This includes dishes like meat pies, roasts, and a love for tea.
9.) SWEDEN is located in Northern Europe, but its cuisine still strongly resembles Australia’s. Both Sweden and Australia have extensive coastlines, leading to a strong emphasis on seafood in their diets. In Sweden, dishes like gravlax (cured salmon) and pickled herring are popular, while in Australia, fresh fish, prawns, and shellfish are commonly enjoyed. Both Swedish and Australian cuisines emphasize the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. In Sweden, this is reflected in the simplicity and purity of dishes, often highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients. Similarly, Australian cuisine often focuses on fresh produce and straightforward preparation methods to showcase the natural taste of the food. Both cultures have a strong tradition of baking. Sweden is known for its rye bread, crispbread, and pastries like cinnamon buns (kanelbullar). In Australia, bread and baked goods are also staples, with a variety of breads and the iconic meat pie being particularly popular.
10.) CZECHIA is a surprising inclusion on this list, as it speaks a Slavic language, not a Germanic (or, at least, a Latin) one. Still, their cuisines have much in common, despite their distance. Both cuisines emphasize meat, with dishes often featuring beef, pork, and poultry. For example, Czech cuisine includes dishes like svíčková na smetaně (marinated beef with creamy sauce), while Australian cuisine is known for its barbecued meats and roasts. Both cuisines are known for their hearty, comfort food that often caters to cold weather in the Czech Republic and diverse climates in Australia. This includes soups, stews, and substantial main courses. Beer is a significant part of both Czech and Australian social culture. The Czech Republic has one of the highest beer consumption rates in the world and is known for its traditional lagers. Australia also has a robust beer culture with a wide range of domestic beers enjoyed across the country.
11.) FRANCE and Australia have a strong affinity for seafood, since they have a lot of coastline. Mussels, crayfish, and various fish species feature prominently in the Australian cuisine. Furthermore, both countries tend to consume a lot of cheese. Australia is known for its many high quality dairy products. However, chicken is more widely consumed in Australia than in France. Still, both countries also consume a lot of wine.