Ethnic isle was created in the sixties to promote foreign food. The major foods of the isle were chinese, mexican and italian. But this changed in the 19 eighties, because italian food got re invented. To survive on the ethnic isle meant it wasn't enough to just sell the food. You had to sell the experience of eating something foreign. This included using gros stereotypes and orientalist ideas of the far east. It became standard for supermarkets to organize the food of the world in this way,. However, not all food nationalities are treated equally. One quisine, and clar was able to wriggle loose of its reputation. And
If you’ve ever been to a supermarket in the US, you’ve probably seen an ethnic food aisle. Maybe it was called the "international aisle," or "world foods," but it was the same idea. This is the “It’s A Small World After All” part of the shopping experience. It’s where you’ll find ramen next to coconut milk, next to plantain chips next to harissa. Although ethnic aisles look different in every supermarket, they’re often variations on the same theme. And while so-called “ethnic food brands” get a chance to feed the American masses, they’re still confined to the ethnic aisle. And they may never leave.
It's a Small Aisle After All