California is famous for many things and its cuisine is one of them. Since the state is home to a massive agricultural area in the Central Valley, dubbed “California’s breadbasket,” you’ll find a wide variety of the freshest produce. Plus fresh seafood and a lot of good Mexican food, too. No doubt every state and region has its specialties, but anyone who has left California for a length of time knows there are just some foods that no place can replicate. These are the foods that every Northern Californian craves:
- Clam Chowder In A Bread Bowl
lechatnoir/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images One of the best seafood dishes in San Francisco is clam chowder. Locals and frequent tourists know that Pier 39 has many places that sell clam chowder, but the chowder you really want is served in a sourdough bread bowl. After you finish the soup you can scoop out the soup-soaked parts of the sourdough.
- Sourdough Bread
Cavan Images/Cavan via Getty Images Speaking of sourdough bread, few places do sourdough as well as Northern California. What started as a specialty at Boudin Bakery is now made by several bakeries and sold in grocery stores.
- Glazed Apple Fritters
bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images There are many apple treats but few as tasty as Apple Hill Apple Fritters. Several shops in the famous Apple Hill area of Northern California sell apple fritters.
- Fresh Salad
BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Moment via Getty Images We know you can get salad practically anywhere, but when you live in the state with a region called “the breadbasket” the produce is on another level. Northern California has many cafes and restaurants with excellent salads. With a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains that are easily accessible, Northern California salads are hard to beat.
- Avocado Toast
Alexander Spatari/Moment via Getty Images Plus This healthy meal is simple and delicious - and it’s popular throughout Northern California. California avocados are ripe in the spring and summer, making those seasons great times to enjoy avocado toast. You’ll see this dish served at many restaurants and cafes in Northern California.
- Oyster On The Half Shell
Alberto Rojas Garcia/Moment via Getty Images Being so close to the ocean and Tomales Bay, raw oysters are a popular appetizer in Northern California. You can even buy a dozen fresh ones at the grocery store and make a mignonette.
- Mexican Food (Cal-Mex)
Jason Nazario/EyeEm via Getty Images Different from Tex-Mex, Cal-Mex is more vegetable and grain based with fresh ingredients. Think refried beans with queso fresco, hard shell tacos, and a variety of freshly made salsas.
What is your favorite Northern California food or cuisine? Tell us in the comments.
lechatnoir/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
One of the best seafood dishes in San Francisco is clam chowder. Locals and frequent tourists know that Pier 39 has many places that sell clam chowder, but the chowder you really want is served in a sourdough bread bowl. After you finish the soup you can scoop out the soup-soaked parts of the sourdough.
Cavan Images/Cavan via Getty Images
Speaking of sourdough bread, few places do sourdough as well as Northern California. What started as a specialty at Boudin Bakery is now made by several bakeries and sold in grocery stores.
bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
There are many apple treats but few as tasty as Apple Hill Apple Fritters. Several shops in the famous Apple Hill area of Northern California sell apple fritters.
BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Moment via Getty Images
We know you can get salad practically anywhere, but when you live in the state with a region called “the breadbasket” the produce is on another level. Northern California has many cafes and restaurants with excellent salads. With a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains that are easily accessible, Northern California salads are hard to beat.
Alexander Spatari/Moment via Getty Images Plus
This healthy meal is simple and delicious - and it’s popular throughout Northern California. California avocados are ripe in the spring and summer, making those seasons great times to enjoy avocado toast. You’ll see this dish served at many restaurants and cafes in Northern California.
Alberto Rojas Garcia/Moment via Getty Images
Being so close to the ocean and Tomales Bay, raw oysters are a popular appetizer in Northern California. You can even buy a dozen fresh ones at the grocery store and make a mignonette.
Jason Nazario/EyeEm via Getty Images
Different from Tex-Mex, Cal-Mex is more vegetable and grain based with fresh ingredients. Think refried beans with queso fresco, hard shell tacos, and a variety of freshly made salsas.
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