What is eaten in one culture or sub-culture may not be considered food in another.
The way food is prepared can also affect how it may be viewed. Eating raw fish like Sashimi or food cooked in the ground like a Maori Hungi or cheese coated in wood ash are enjoyed by some and would be considered unacceptable to others.
Food preferences may also be influenced by religious beliefs and practices, economic capacity and even political factors. Many dishes have developed simply from the access people have to food; the dishes that are based on easy to grow local foods in rural communities.
Identifying the main ingredients, cooking methods and service styles of a cuisine will help you to be able to prepare meals which will be appealing to customers from specific cultural groups. A good start is to be aware of the key components of meals from general areas of the world.