To the modern traveller, Belgian cuisine appears to be the main focus of culture according to travel literature. This historical misconception is documented extensively through Belgian waffles, chocolates, beer, fries and mussels as the main foods that are widely and commonly consumed among the local population. With the changing population due to immigration and the fluidity of population, the cuisine is ever changing and becoming broader with influences from all over the globe. These common foods are enjoyed throughout the country, but do not dominate every meal.
With the headquarters for the EU and NATO in Belgium, there is a high influx of immigrants from other European countries. The immigrants that come to settle in Belgium bring with them their unique cuisine, adding to the many cultures that exist within the country. As with many countries in Western Europe, there is a high rate of immigration and the impact of this is the integration of different cultural practices, inducing of course food.
Approximately half of the new Belgians are from Europe and the other half are from non-Western countries, showing the vast diversity of immigration into the country. There are many people of Turkish, Moroccan and Italian descent, this has resulted in the establishment of many international restaurants and stores around Belgium.
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