Get ready to embark on a culinary journey across Asia without leaving the comfort of your home. In this article, we share seven of Asia’s most scrumptious dishes you can prepare right in your kitchen. From spicy curries of India to the tangy flavors of Thai cuisine, these recipes are fairly easy to make and incredibly flavorful, promising to give you a taste of authentic Asian gastronomy.
1. Chicken Tikka Masala - A Detour to Northern India
Chicken Tikka Masala, a classic dish from Northern India, is a blend of grilled chunks of chicken enveloped in a creamy tomato sauce. The secret to this dish's amazing flavors lies in its rich marinade made up of yogurt and a variety of spices including cumin, coriander, and garam masala. This dish is best served with naan or basmati rice, and promises you a mouth-watering experience that'll transport you to the bustling streets of India.
2. Pad Thai - A Taste of Thailand
Pad Thai is one of Thailand's signature dishes and is a stir-fried noodle dish typically made with shrimp or chicken, tofu, scrambled eggs, and bean sprouts, all tossed in a tamarind-based sauce. Top it off with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts and lime juice for an extra tangy kick. This dish offers a beautiful balance of sweet, salty, and sour flavors that make Thai cuisine so beloved worldwide.
3. Chicken Teriyaki - A Japanese Delight
Chicken Teriyaki, a staple of Japanese cuisine, involves grilled chicken thighs coated with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. The sauce, a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar, thickens into a glossy coat that deliciously cloaks the chicken pieces. Serve it with steamed rice and a side of pickled ginger for a complete mouthful of Japan in every bite.
4. Bibimbap - A Colorful Korean Recipe
Bibimbap, a popular Korean dish translates to 'mixed rice'. The dish is a medley of sautéed and seasoned vegetables, ground meat, a sunny-side-up egg, all arranged on a bed of warm rice. It's all about the presentation with this dish. You can show off all the beautiful colors of the vegetables and garnishes before mixing everything together with spicy gochujang sauce for a beautiful tasty mess.
5. Chicken Adobo - A Bite of the Philippines
Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino comfort food. This dish, made with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and lots of black peppercorns, yields a dark, rich sauce that is deliciously bold and tangy, with a hint of sweetness. This flavorful dish is comforting, hearty, and best served over a bed of steamed jasmine rice.
6. Beef Pho - A Vietnamese Soup Like No Other
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef. It's a lovely, aromatic soup with a depth of flavor that belies its minimal ingredient list. The true art lies in the broth, which should be simmered slowly over time to extract the maximum flavor. A bowl of beef pho is warming, rich, and reassuringly natural.
7. Char Kway Teow - A Malaysian Street Food Favorite
Char Kway Teow, literally meaning 'stir-fried rice cake strips', is a popular noodle dish in Malaysia. It's made from flat rice noodles stir-fried over very high heat with light and dark soy sauce, chili, a small quantity of belachan, whole prawns, de-shelled cockles, bean sprouts and chopped Chinese chives. The dish is commonly stir-fried with egg, slices of Chinese sausage and fishcake, and less commonly with other ingredients. The key to a great plate of char kway teow is the 'wok-hei' or breath of wok - a characteristic flavor and aroma that is achieved by cooking on high heat in a well-seasoned Chinese wok.