Delicious – but is it authentic: Consumer perceptions of ethnic food and ethnic restaurants

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study is to capture consumers' conceptualization of ethnic food and ethnic restaurants, focusing on what it takes for ethnic restaurants to be perceived authentic.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research, based on semi-structured in-depth interviews which were transcribed and subjected to inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

The findings conceptualize what ethnic food and ethnic-authentic restaurant are, leading to formulating the criteria that authentic ethnic restaurant should meet.

Research limitations/implications

Findings have practical implications for restaurateurs interested in establishing themselves as ethnically authentic and for businesses focusing on ethnic food. This study was based on Israeli-Jewish participants; studies with other populations will contribute to the findings' trustability.

Originality/value

This study provides novel and critical insights into ethnic restaurant managements and to the customer conceptualization of the concept of ethnic authentic, demonstrating it being a multifaceted concept.

Citation

Arviv, B., Shani, A. and Poria, Y. (2024), "Delicious – but is it authentic: Consumer perceptions of ethnic food and ethnic restaurants", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 1934-1948. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-10-2022-0470