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 Uruguayan Food
Uruguay is a South American country that boasts a rich culinary tradition, drawing from a variety of European cultures. As a result, the five countries with the most similar food to Uruguay are located in both Europe and South America. In addition, all these countries have populations that are predominately European in ancestry. They are mostly Catholic as well.
- Argentina and Uruguay border each other. Both countries are located along the Atlantic Coast as well. Grilled meats, known as asado, are popular in both cultures. Chivito, a hearty sandwich filled with steak, ham, cheese, and toppings, is a beloved specialty shared by both countries. In addition, both countries have a passion for mate, a traditional beverage made from the dried leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant.
- Chile is another South American country on this list. Both countries cherish seafood and utilize fresh ingredients abundantly in their dishes. Chilean and Uruguayan cuisines feature a wide array of fish, including salmon, sea bass, and shrimp. Still, chicken and beef are the two most widely consumed meats in these countries. Both also prepare empanadas with a folded dough pocket, but the fillings can vary.
- Portugal and Uruguay have shared Iberian roots and cultural exchanges in the broader Atlantic world. Seafood is prominent in both cuisines, due to their close proximity to the coast. In addition, they prefer simple, rustic dishes made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Think stews, rice, potatoes, beans, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. However, Uruguay is much more beef-heavy and stronger Italian influence.
- Malta is the European country with the most similar cuisine to Uruguay. It is small island nation located off the coast of Italy. Both countries have experienced waves of immigration and colonization, that have introduced a diversity of culinary traditions. Both Malta and Uruguay have their versions of stuffed pastas, demonstrating the influence of Italian cuisine in their food culture.
- France is another European country with similar food to Uruguay. Sandwiches filled with meat and cheese are quite popular in these nations. Both France and Uruguay have a fondness for rich pastries and decadent desserts as well. Furthermore, quiche is a common dish both countries enjoy. Pascualina, filled with eggs and spinach, is a typical Uruguayan savory pie.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Uruguay
The Least Similar Cuisines to Uruguayan Food
Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Uruguay are located in Africa. The climate in these countries tends to be extremely hot, since they are closer to the equator than Uruguay. Interestingly enough, four of the five were once colonized by France. These countries are also significantly less developed than Uruguay as well.
- Chad is located in the Sahel region of Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains in the country. These crops are well adapted to the region’s harsh climate. One popular dish is saka-saka, a mix of spinach and cassava leaves.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The country’s isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Coconuts are a huge part of their cuisine. In addition, rice and cassava are the two most commonly eaten starches in Micronesia.
- Central African Republic is another former French colony that is located to the north of Congo on this list. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make up a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than in Uruguay.
- South Sudan is a landlocked country in Africa. Cassava accounts for the largest part of the country’s diet, however South Sudanese eat their share of sorghum as well. Sesame seed is another very common ingredient in South Sudan’s cuisine.
- Niger is located in the Sahara Desert, so it has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to Uruguay. Its two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum, two grains that are rarely consumed in Uruguay. Some traditional dishes in Niger include tuwo, a porridge made from millet or sorghum, and dambunama.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Uruguay
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Uruguay’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Beef
Fruit: Orange, Banana
Vegetable: Tomato, Onion
Starch: Wheat, Corn
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.