In the ranking of the best Italian dishes according to foreigners there are all the great classics, and at the top there is exactly the one we would all have bet on. Which, if not the Pizza? This is confirmed by new research, launched by I Love Italian Fooda company that promotes Italian gastronomy around the world, which involved 5800 Italian chefs, pizza makers and restaurateurs across Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.

The ranking of the best Italian dishes according to foreigners

A new confirmation, as well as the other dishes on the podium. In second place in the ranking there is in fact another great classic, and that is the carbonara, now a must in every part of the world. To follow the tagliatelle Bolognese (or with ragù) which – curiosity – according to the catering professionals interviewed by I Love Italian Food, remain much loved in particular by expats (evidently they find the flavors of home in this dish).

The top ten

After the podium comes tiramisu, the only dessert in the ranking, and one of the dishes with which Italian chefs abroad also love to experiment: «In addition to the classic version, we also offer the “Babamosud”, a variant without coffee, with babà instead of ladyfingers”, for example, says Pasquale Cozzolino, chef at Ribalta in New York and also known for being among the favorite chefs of the stars (among other things, he was chef for the former mayor of the Big Apple Bill De Blasio). Fifth place for risotto, sixth for ravioli, seventh for parmigiana, ninth for spaghetti or linguine with clams. Pasta with pesto closes the top ten.

Foreigners’ favorite pasta

Another curiosity? Spaghetti and paccheri are among the pasta shapes preferred by foreigners. Giuseppe Errichello, owner of “Peppe Napoli sta’ ca” in Tokyo, tells I Love Italian Food: «The Linguine allo scoglio in particular are among the most popular first courses. But also lots of gnocchi. The ones we make follow my grandmother Gina’s recipe: water and flour without adding potatoes.” Fresh pasta is also very popular: . «Fresh pasta such as homemade tonnarelli is particularly appreciated, echoes Cozzolino. «We communicate the value of home made pasta through detailed menus and by interacting directly with customers, explaining the origin of the ingredients and the preparation process. Examples include the Piennolo tomato, which garnishes the chef’s iconic spaghetti.

The culinary extravagances of foreigners

The survey also tells other things: foreigners not only love classical, but also extravagant interpretations of Italian cuisine which often make Italian restaurateurs uncomfortable, or cause unexpected reactions. «The most requested pizzas remain the great classics, namely Margherita and Marinara, says Pasquale Cozzolino. «However, we have noticed a growing interest in more creative fillings, such as spicy sausage or burrata. Until we get to the most unusual claims, like pizza with marshmallows. Faced with requests like these I try to accommodate customers, but I also take the opportunity to educate them about Italian cuisine, telling stories and curiosities about authentic dishes”, adds the chef. «We are very traditionalists and if they make special requests we 99% don’t accept them”, continues Errichello. «In fact, if some customer asks for spicy oil and I see that he pours it on a pizza or a dish that I don’t like, I tell him that he is ruining the taste. Along the same lines, Enzo Oliveri, celebrity chef and president of the Association of Italian Chefs in the UK: «It depends on the customer, if you know it’s a losing battle you let it go, otherwise you try to educate them about taste. In fact, not infrequently there are those who exaggerate, as Massimo Mori, chef patron of the Armani Restaurant (1 Michelin star) and the Mori Venice Bar restaurant, in Paris, says: «It happened that a customer ordered linguine with clams with truffle and lots of Parmesan.”

Other articles from La Cucina Italiana that might interest you: