A Guide to Global Cuisine in the Ozarks

You don’t have to travel outside the Ozarks to sample flavors from across the globe. Restaurants throughout the region are serving dishes that celebrate the cuisines of the world. (There are 33 countries and regions in this feature alone, and it’s just a start!) Use this feature as your roadmap as you explore exciting new flavors. It’s just a sampling of what’s out there—so start here, find a flavor you love and keep on exploring! Choose whether you want to sample a region, an experience or some quick filled-and-folded bites.

United Kingdom

Taste the: Scotch egg and fish and chips from Farmers Gastropub, Springfield
Farmers Gastropub is owned by Andy Hampshire, a native of England who’s been making delicious food here in 417-land since he was 19 years old. And while the restaurant features upscale dishes that change with the seasons, the menu also consistently offers some quintessential British pub eats as well. Two favorites are the Scotch eggs and the fish and chips. Scotch eggs feature a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded, deep fried and served over grainy mustard and piccalilli relish for a flavorful and indulgent bite. The fish and chips is always perfectly fried and supremely satisfying; get it with mushy peas for an authentic English experience.

Mediterranean

Taste the: Manakeesh from Crave Mediterranean Café, Springfield
The term “Mediterranean” can describe food from numerous countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. At this restaurant, we recommend trying something that’s not on many local menus: manakeesh. This flatbread is cooked in a wood-fired oven and topped with a variety of options. We recommend the sumac chicken, but you can also get haloumi cheese, spinach and feta, za’atar and more.

Greece

Taste the: Tour of Mythos appetizer from Mythos, Joplin
The menu at Mythos is pretty big. But if you’re new to Greek food, you can try a whole lot of flavors at once just by ordering the Tour of Mythos appetizer. It’s a snacking smorgasbord that includes several Greek favorites, like dolmades (a.k.a. stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita (filo dough stuffed with spinach and feta), tyropita (feta-stuffed filo), skordalia (a garlic-potato dip) and lots more. You can get this dish served in portions to serve two people or four people for the ultimate sharable feast.

Lebanon

Taste the: Sambousik from That Lebanese Place, Springfield
While dishes like hummus, baba ganouj, shawarma and fattoush salad are staples of Lebanese cuisine (and are all available at That Lebanese Place), sambousik holds a special place in our hearts. Is it because of the crispy filo dough wrapped around spinach and cheese? Well, that’s part of it. But the super-duper garlicky sauce that you get for dipping steals the show every single time.

Italy

Taste the: Gnocchi alla sorrentina from Nonna’s Restaurant, Springfield
Shawn Kraft, the owner of Nonna’s Restaurant in downtown Springfield, has close connections to Italy. He travels there frequently, bringing Italian flavors home to the Ozarks, and even organizes trips that bring 417-landers to see the country with him through Nonna’s Italian Travel. The restaurant’s menu has sections for American Italian dishes and Authentic Italian dishes, and the latter features options like pappardelle Bolognese inspired by Tuscany, gnocchi with burrata and lemony olive oil inspired by Sorrento, trofie pasta with pesto inspired by Genova and more.

Mexico

Taste the: Molcajete from Habaneros Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Springfield, Carthage, Republic and Joplin
If you’re stuck in a taco and quesadilla rut when you go out for Mexican food, it might be time to try something a little different. At Habaneros, you can try options like the molcajete, a stone bowl filled with steak, chicken and shrimp with veggies and other tasty accompaniments. Or opt for  some chilaquiles: a sort of tortilla chip casserole that is oh-so-addictive. Of course, if you simply must satisfy your taco cravings, go for the quesabirria tacos, filled with tender birria meat and served with consomme broth for dipping every bite.

El Salvador

Taste the: Pupusas from Chamba Pan, Monett
Did you know there is a Salvadoran bakery located in Monett? Well, now you do! Chamba Pan serves a variety of tasty baked goods and desserts, but they also whip up some tasty pupusas every now and then too. These addictive Salvadoran delights are made from a soft masa dough that’s filled with refried beans before being grilled to perfection on a flat top. Keep an eye on their social media for upcoming pupusa days.

Ukraine

Taste the: Blueberry cheese rolls and bird’s milk cake from The European, Springfield
You might not think of Ukraine when you think of The European. The restaurant’s brunchy fare and beautiful pastries evoke images of a Paris sidewalk cafe. But the restaurant’s two owners, Uliana Komodi and Khrystyna Savva are sisters who hail from Ukraine, and they’ve incorporated some flavors of the country into the menu. We spoke with a friend who is also from Ukraine, and she said she finds a taste of home at The European when she orders the blueberry and cheese rolls or the bird’s milk cake (a tender sponge topped with fluffy mousse and a luxe chocolate coating).

Cuba

Taste the: Ropa vieja from La Habana Vieja, Springfield
We’re suckers for anything with a “national dish” designation. Ropa vieja is hailed as the national dish of Cuba, and it’s just one of the Cuban-centric flavors on the menu at La Habana Vieja. It’s a satisfying stew of tender beef brisket slowly cooked with fresh veggies and served on a bed of rice. While you’re there, get the yucca fries appetizer and the candied plantains dessert.

Argentina

Taste the: Guava empanada or beef empanada from Pampa Empanadas, Springfield
Empanadas are the perfect handheld food. The tender pastry dough can be filled with all sorts of things, and Pampa Empanadas has more than 30 flavors. For a savory option, we like the beef empanada filled with ground beef, onions, green onions and green olives. For dessert, it has to be the guava empanada. The bright, tropical fruitiness of guava and the smooth silkiness of cream cheese a delight.

Honduras

Taste the: tajadas con carne from Latin Fusion, Joplin
This restaurant’s menu is a fusion of Honduran and Mexican food, but for this feature we’re zooming in on the Honduran portion of the menu. The tajadas con carne consists of a bed of green plantain chips with tasty toppings: ground beef, cabbage, pico de gallo and some homemade Honduran sauces. You can find some other tasty regional eats here too, such as pastelitos (stuffed and fried corn pastries) and Honduran tamales.

France

Taste the: Crepe Lorraine and pomme frites from Aviary Cafe, Springfield
Inspired by two French classics (crepes and quiche Lorraine), the crepe Lorraine at Aviary Café is a must-try when you’re feeling a little French. The super-thin pancake is filled with scrambled eggs, spinach, bacon and Parmesan cheese before being rolled up and topped with a creamy mornay sauce. Be sure to order the addictive pomme frites for your side. They are sprinkled with truffle salt and served with a garlic aioli for dipping.

Brazil

Taste the: Meat, meat and more meat from ReRico Brazilian Grill, Springfield
When you think of a Brazilian Grill, you probably think of a neverending feast centered around enormous skewers of grilled meat—and that’s exactly what you get at ReRico. For a flat rate, you get a bunch of side dishes you can dish up yourself at the cold bar. Meanwhile, servers bring skewers of things like sirloin steak, rump roast, barbecued pork and more to the table, offering slices of whatever you desire for an all-you-can-eat experience. It’s a carnivore’s dream.

Puerto Rico

Taste the: Mofongo from Mundos Latin Kitchen & Bar, Ozark
Mundos Latin Kitchen is kind of a one-stop shop for flavors from many Latin American countries. There are dishes from Cuba, Brazil, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela and more. For a taste of Puerto Rico, try the mofongo. The indulgent dish consists of fried plantains mashed with chicharón and garlic and then topped with grilled shrimp and cheese sauce.

South Korea

Taste the: Korean barbecue from Bawi Korean BBQ, Springfield
I’ve been to a Korean barbecue joint in Seoul, South Korea, and the experience at Bawi feels authentic—from the array of meats that you can cook on your personal tabletop grill to the fresh lettuce leaves, jalapenos, garlic cloves and ssamjang sauce served on the side for creating the perfect bite. You even get a few bowls of banchan, Korean side dishes. Add a bowl of spicy soondubu jjigae (spicy tofu stew) to bring the meal up another notch.