When talking about Kansas City, barbecue cannot be overlooked.

This city is one of the places recognized as a barbecue capital across the United States.

The "Kansas City style" barbecue, officially recognized as one of the four major barbecue styles in the U.S. alongside Memphis, Texas, and Carolina styles, originated here. Today, we will introduce the barbecue culture of Kansas City along with its unique local food specialties.

The most notable feature of Kansas City barbecue is its sauce.

The thick sauce, which is sweet, rich, and slightly smoky, is based on tomatoes and molasses and is the trademark of Kansas City style. Unlike other regional barbecue styles that either serve sauce on the side or use only dry rubs, Kansas City style enjoys generously slathering meat with ample sauce.

The meats typically include beef ribs, pork ribs, and burnt ends. Burnt ends are pieces of the brisket that are smoked for a long time until they are crispy on the outside, and they are known as a barbecue menu that originated in Kansas City. While it has become a popular menu item across the U.S., the original is from Kansas City.

The most famous barbecue restaurant in Kansas City is Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Previously known as Oklahoma Joe's, it has been recognized by prestigious food rating organizations like Zagat as one of the best barbecue restaurants in America.

It is also famous for its unique concept located inside a gas station. Arthur Bryant's Barbeque is a historic barbecue restaurant that has been in operation since the 1930s, and it is recorded that former President Harry Truman was a frequent visitor.

Gates Bar-B-Q is a Kansas City-based barbecue chain founded in 1946, with multiple locations throughout the city, making it easily accessible.

Other popular barbecue restaurants among locals and tourists include Jack Stack Barbecue and Q39.

In addition to barbecue, Kansas City has its own unique food culture and local specialties.

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce is a bottled barbecue sauce brand that originated in Kansas City and has become famous enough to be sold in supermarkets nationwide. The recipe was developed in 1977 by Kansas City doctor Rich Davis, and this sauce has become synonymous with Kansas City barbecue sauce.

Kansas City also has a strong steak culture. The Midwest is known for its cattle industry, and Kansas City historically had a large stockyard. Thanks to this historical background, high-quality beef is abundant, and there are many excellent steakhouses throughout the city.

Hereford House and 801 Chophouse are recommended steak restaurants by locals. There is also a theory that the steak cut known as "Kansas City Strip" is named after this city (similar to the New York strip steak).

No discussion of local food and drink brands would be complete without mentioning Boulevard Brewing Company. Founded in Kansas City in 1989, this craft brewery is known for its Wheat and Pale Ale, which are its most famous products. In the Midwest, Boulevard Wheat is considered a symbol of craft beer.

Boulevard Brewing offers facility tours and tasting experiences, making it a popular destination for visitors. Although it has been acquired by a large beer company, it still produces beer in Kansas City and maintains its local identity.

The farmers' market and local ingredient culture in Kansas City are also worth exploring. At the City Market in the River Market area, local farmers sell fresh vegetables, fruits, and handmade products every weekend. Corn, tomatoes, squash, and apples grown in the plains of Kansas and Missouri are abundantly available in season.

Additionally, Kansas City is close to cheese production areas in the Midwest, and there are local cheese shops that offer artisan cheeses.

In the dessert category, Lamar's Donuts is the representative local donut brand of Kansas City. This donut shop, which has been in operation since 1953, boasts decades of history and is considered one of the signature foods by those from Kansas City. There are several locations throughout the city, and it is especially recommended to visit early in the morning to get fresh and popular varieties.

In summary, the food culture of Kansas City can be described as "rich and hearty." The combination of smoked barbecue and sauce, high-quality beef steaks, craft beer, and fresh ingredients from farmers' markets creates a food culture that captivates even first-time visitors.

If you are planning a visit to Kansas City, be sure to stop by at least one barbecue restaurant.