Cultural appropriation of food
Who and what would define cultural authenticity?

If a dominant culture is making money off of their version of some elements in a minority culture, would that be considered a rip-off?

Cultural authenticity is only determined by the group that has the roots in it?

For example,
there are a lot of "fake" Japanese restaurants in other countries. They don't use Japanese chefs or chefs who studied in Japan. They often serve creative and strange sushi that Japanese people are not able to invent. It's not authentic sushi, but some culturally ignorant people that's what Japanese eat in Japan. And it tastes fine anyway.

Another example,
there are some fake Italian dishes in Japan. One of them is "Napolitan" spaghetti with ketchup sauce, onions, green pepper and ham. Obviously it was invented in Japan. It was invented because back in the day, Japan was so poor that tomatoes were very expensive.

What do you think?

Question

Cultural appropriation of food
Who and what would define cultural authenticity?

If a dominant culture is making money off of their version of some elements in a minority culture, would that be considered a rip-off?

Cultural authenticity is only determined by the group that has the roots in it?

For example,
there are a lot of "fake" Japanese restaurants in other countries. They don't use Japanese chefs or chefs who studied in Japan. They often serve creative and strange sushi that Japanese people are not able to invent. It's not authentic sushi, but some culturally ignorant people that's what Japanese eat in Japan. And it tastes fine anyway.

Another example,
there are some fake Italian dishes in Japan. One of them is "Napolitan" spaghetti with ketchup sauce, onions, green pepper and ham. Obviously it was invented in Japan. It was invented because back in the day, Japan was so poor that tomatoes were very expensive.

What do you think?

Answer

In America, most people are blind to actual cuisine from other places (well, not all, but most) For example, "Chinese" food. In America, Chinese food consists of things like wontons, fried chicken, french fries, scallops, etc. But I'm sure that is not actual Chinese food. Also, we don't say "Lets eat authentic American dishes!", we say "lets get Chinese food". It all depends on location.

Answer

Fake and real food varies a lot. But to us, localized foreign food is still more them than us, to an American palate (味覚). Since we do have a lot of citizens from other countries (and different parts of those countries), something like Chinese food or Thai food can be very different depending on where you go. But it's only natural that restaurant owners will make what they can easily get ingredients for and sell. And then there are made-up customs like fortune cookies that every Chinese food place will have just because it's expected. It makes customers happy. We group all restaurants depending on style of food, not how authentic they are.

Answer

Do they say "Let's eat authentic American dishes" when going to Chinese restaurants in the U.S.?

Answer

In all Chinese restaurants in the United States, a fortune cookie (a type of senbei made with butter and vanilla) is brought with the bill.  Since it is fake Chinese, then I suppose it must be authentic American.