Sushi burritos and donut burgers? 16 mind-blowing food hybrids

When fusion cuisine comes to mind, you might imagine dishes that expertly blend the best elements of two distinct culinary traditions.

Think of spaghetti spiced with Thai flavors or sushi reinvented with cream cheese and smoked salmon. But calling these 16 outrageous food mashups 'fusion' barely scratches the surface. Some will shock you – 'Is this even legal?' – while others will have you asking, 'Why didn’t I think of that?'

Ramen burgers

The ramen burger is a genius mashup of Japanese and American fast food culture, featuring a beef patty held together by two ramen noodle ‘buns.’ Topped with secret shoyu sauce, arugula, and scallions, it’s a flavor-packed, culinary innovation.

Where can you try it? The Ramen Burger is available at two locations: Los Angeles and New York. According to the restaurant’s website, creator Keizo Shimamoto claims his version is unique. 'The ramen noodles hold together as a bun, but when you take a bite, it falls apart in your mouth. That’s something the imitators just can’t replicate.'

Mac and Cheese Pancakes

Imagine combining pasta and cheese with fluffy pancake batter. That’s what you get with the Macaroni + Cheese Pancake at Morning Glass Coffee in Honolulu, Hawaii. Featuring aged Vermont cheddar and elbow macaroni, these pancakes are crispy on the outside, packing the cheesy punch of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Ravioli Pizza

At least you can still call it 'Italian.' RaviolPizza begins with a massive piece of ravioli as its base, stuffed with mozzarella, tomato sauce, Parmesan, and basil. Found at Giovanni Rana Pastifico & Cucina in New York’s Chelsea Market, it’s lightly fried, topped with fresh tomatoes, and served with a pizza cutter for an authentic touch.

Doswaffle

The doswaffle is a South Indian dosa batter cooked in a Belgian waffle iron, giving it a crispy exterior and a soft, springy interior. Created by Preeti Mistry at Oakland’s Juhu Beach Club Restaurant, it comes with all the traditional accompaniments like masala potatoes, coconut chutney, and sambar (a spicy lentil soup).

Pastrami Bao

Ever wondered, 'What if traditional Asian dumplings were filled with pastrami, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut?' If so, the pastrami bao from Bing Bing Dim Sum in Philadelphia, served with a side of Russian dressing, will be your new favorite.

​

Egg-stuffed Muffin

The Rebel Within – named after a Hank Williams song – is a savory twist on the classic British Scotch egg. Served at San Francisco’s Craftsman and Wolves, this muffin is stuffed with sausage, Asiago cheese, and green onions, with a soft-cooked egg in the center.

Mapo Tofu Chili Cheese Fries

King Noodle’s menu combines flavors from Korea, Japan, and China, but its most inventive dish is the mapo tofu chili cheese fries. This dish blends American cheese and ground pork with crispy French fries, topped with the bold, spicy flavors of classic Sichuanese mapo tofu stew.

Into spicy food? The name alone will pull you in, but it’s the tingling sensation from the peppercorns that will have you coming back for more.

PB&J Grilled Cheese Duck Sandwich

Peanut butter and jelly with a twist of blue cheese and duck? At Portland’s PBJ Grilled, they’ve reimagined this childhood favorite into a gourmet creation called the Oregonian. The sandwich starts with challah bread slathered in hazelnut butter, followed by marionberry jam, and finished off with a decadent layer of blue cheese and pan-seared duck.

Falafel Tacos

A fusion of the Middle East and Mexico comes to life in this innovative dish. At Sancho Pistola’s in Philadelphia, they’ve created the ‘tafel’—a hybrid of falafel and tacos. Each corn tortilla is slathered with jalapeno-infused Greek yogurt, balancing the smoky heat of cumin, pepper flakes, and guajillo peppers. The falafels themselves are made from a blend of Middle Eastern chickpeas and Mexican lima beans. Chef Adan, a falafel lover, added his own twist with a spicy kick.

Pastrami Egg Rolls

Philadelphia isn’t the only place where pastrami meets Chinese food. New York’s Red Farm restaurant serves Katz Pastrami Egg Rolls, paired with a tangy mustard dip. Famous for its inventive takes on Chinese classics, this dish stands out as one of their most unexpected offerings.

The Donut Burger

At Red’s True Barbecue in Leeds, England, the donut burger lets you indulge in lunch and dinner all at once. A combination of two beef patties, crispy bacon, and cheese is sandwiched between two sweet glazed donuts. This quirky creation, dubbed “the holy union of sweet, meat, and heat!” brings together savory and sweet in one delicious bite.

Mac and Cheese Pizza

In Los Angeles, Pizzanista! has the perfect answer for those torn between pizza and mac and cheese. Their mac and cheese pizza features a blend of cheddar, fontina, asiago, and grana padano cheeses. Unfortunately, it’s a limited-time offering, served only on Sundays, so you’ll have to save up your cravings for the week.

Bacon Mochi

At Oakland's FuseBOX, the bacon mochi is described as sticky, savory, and incredibly fun to eat. These Japanese rice cakes have a crispy, miso-buttered exterior and a chewy interior packed with salty bacon and fresh scallions. For an extra kick, dip the mochi into spicy Korean hot mustard for a surprising flavor explosion.

Nutella Lasagna

Nutella lasagna might sound like a midnight experiment, but it’s actually a dessert served at a Brooklyn bakery. This indulgent treat layers pasta sheets with Nutella chocolate spread, creating a rich, decadent dish. And if you’re not in New York, don’t worry — the bakery ships this gooey goodness nationwide.

Robicelli’s Bakery, 9009 5th Ave. Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York; +1 917 509 6048

The Sushi Burrito

Sushirrito, the pioneer of the sushi burrito in San Francisco, has set the bar for Asian-Latin fusion with its innovative creations. Founder Peter Yen came up with the concept when he was craving a quick, high-quality sushi lunch. The result? A hand-held sushi burrito wrapped in seaweed and rice instead of a tortilla. You can choose from options like crispy chicken, oven-roasted pork belly, or spicy Japanese eggplant to fill your sushi burrito.

Butter Chicken Poutine

A delicious fusion of Indian flavors and Canada’s beloved comfort food, butter chicken poutine is a must-try. At Nawab’s Fusion Grill in Toronto, this dish features crispy fries tossed in cornstarch, garlic, and ginger, then double-fried to perfection. It’s topped with a rich butter chicken sauce made from tomato, onion, coriander, and cumin, and finished with tender chicken and cheese curds for the ultimate indulgence.

Got some fusion food creations of your own? Share them on Instagram using the hashtag #DinogoFood, and you might just get featured on Dinogo.com.