This is one of the toughest food cards there is. One Gotta Go asks you to give up an entire cuisine forever: Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food or Japanese food. That means no takeout, no favorite restaurant and no home cooking from that list again.
Think about date nights, Friday takeout and what you cook at home, and then cut one. It is a great card for learning what your friends really eat when nobody is watching. There are no wrong answers, only very surprising ones.
Chinese Food vs Mexican Food vs Italian Food vs Japanese Food
A. Chinese Food
Chinese food covers everything from dumplings and noodles to classic takeout like orange chicken and lo mein. Giving it up means losing a go-to delivery option. Some people say they could cut it because they mostly eat the takeout version and rarely explore further.
Keep it if: Takeout boxes on the couch are part of your weekly routine and dumplings are your love language.
B. Mexican Food
Mexican food brings tacos, burritos, enchiladas and salsa, which makes it hard to imagine life without it. The case for cutting it usually comes from people who find it heavy or spicy. If you rarely crave a taco, this could be your cut.
Keep it if: Taco night is sacred, and you would rather give up almost anything before you give up salsa and tortillas.
C. Italian Food
Italian food means pasta, pizza and comfort on a plate. It is also very rich and heavy on carbs, which is why some people would let it go. If you can live without spaghetti and pizza night, you are braver than most.
Keep it if: Pasta is your comfort food, pizza is your Friday, and you cannot picture a family dinner without it.
D. Japanese Food
Japanese food includes sushi, ramen, tempura and teriyaki. It is fresh and varied, but sushi is not for everyone and it can be pricey. If raw fish is not your thing and ramen is not your weekly habit, Japanese food might be the cut.
Keep it if: Sushi nights, a hot bowl of ramen and crispy tempura are some of your favorite meals out.
Our take
This one is close, but we would cut Japanese food, mostly because sushi and ramen tend to be special occasion meals for a lot of people, while the other three show up in weekly routines and home cooking. The most fun debate is often Mexican against Italian, since both are comfort food with loyal fans. Ask everyone to name the single dish they would miss most before they vote. A great follow-up is asking which restaurant you would miss most.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which cuisine do you eat most without realizing it?
- Which cuisine is the hardest to cook well at home?
- Is pizza Italian food or its own thing?
- What cuisine would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Cuisines: quick answers
What are the most popular cuisines in America?
Italian, Mexican and Chinese food are among the most widely eaten cuisines in the United States, with Japanese food also very popular, especially sushi and ramen. Favorites change a lot by region, which is why this card makes for a great conversation. Your own city may have a very different answer than the national favorites.
What is the difference between Chinese and Japanese food?
Both cuisines use rice and noodles, but they have different styles. Chinese food varies widely by region and often features stir-frying and bold sauces. Japanese food often focuses on simple preparation and fresh ingredients, with dishes like sushi, ramen and tempura.
