The Best of Oriental Cuisine: A Guide to Traditional and Modern Dishes

 The Best of Oriental Cuisine: A Guide to Traditional and Modern Dishes

The word "Oriental" carries with it connotations of mystery and adventure, of faraway lands and unusual cultures. And that certainly applies to food in the Orient as well, especially when you’re talking about those traditional dishes that have been perfected over hundreds of years of fine-tuning. Today, we’ll look at some of the most popular traditional Oriental dishes and modern interpretations of them, hopefully shedding some light on this exciting cuisine that can seem so different to Westerners.

An Introduction 

Those who are interested in or curious about oriental cuisine will find this guide an excellent starting point. From the traditional dishes that have been passed down for generations to newer, modern dishes with a twist, there is something for everyone. Whether you want spicy foods or sweet desserts, there is something on this list for you. For those looking for quick-and-easy recipes, we recommend our Teriyaki Chicken recipe. For those looking for more complicated dishes to serve at a dinner party, we recommend the Chinese Five Spice Pork Ribs recipe. We hope you enjoy these authentic recipes as much as we do!

Beginnings 

Oriental cuisine is a collection of various cuisines from Eastern Asia. In this guide, we will explore some of the most popular dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. First, let's start with some classic Chinese dishes that you must try if you have never tried them before! 
-Mongolian Beef--Moo Goo Gai Pan--General Tso's Chicken -- 
Second, let's take a look at Japanese food. Japan is one of the most innovative countries in terms of new food creations. Some traditional Japanese foods are sushi, sashimi, and tempura, but there are many more amazing dishes as well! How about trying Chicken Teriyaki? Next, on to Korean food. Koreans like their beef hot, so they eat Bulgogi, which is a grilled dish consisting of sliced ribeye marinated in soy sauce and garlic cloves. Another Korean dish that you may want to try is Kimchi, which is spicy pickled cabbage. Next up we have Thai cuisine. One popular Thai dish is Pad Thai, which consists of rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp or tofu, eggs, bean sprouts, chili peppers, and lime juice.

Bread is the most common food that is eaten in western countries. There are many types of bread, but sourdough bread is my personal favorite. This type of bread uses a starter, or a mixture of fermented dough, which gives it its unique flavor. Sourdough bread can be as healthy as other types if you use whole-grain flour and add no fat or sugar. It's also gluten-free, which makes it easier for people who have gluten sensitivities or allergies. The crusts of sourdough breads tend to be darker than those of white breads. The color comes from minerals like iron and magnesium found in the flour.

Salads 
A salad is a dish that is most often served as the main course of a meal. It can be served at any time, but it is most often served as the first course or second course of a meal. Many types of salad dishes may include a number of ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat (e.g., chicken), seafood (e.g., shrimp), nuts (e.g., walnuts), eggs (e.g., hard boiled eggs), herbs, olive oil and/or vinegar for dressing; some salads are composed entirely of raw vegetables such as lettuce varieties. Other salads may include cooked vegetables such as corn, carrots, peas, and beans. These types of salads are sometimes called vegetable side dishes. Vegetable side dishes should not be confused with appetizers because they typically have less sauce and fewer calories than an appetizer does. In addition to serving as appetizers or snacks, salads can also serve as a complete light meal by including breads like breadsticks with them.

Soup 

is a classic dish in many cultures. There are many different types, but most soups follow the same basic recipe. One major difference between different soups is the liquid that forms the basis for each soup. Sometimes it's just water or broth, but other times it can be milk, cream, or even wine. Soup is usually served at lunch or dinner as an appetizer course before dinner. It can also make a filling meal on its own. The variations of soup recipes depend on what type of ingredients you use. Some common soups include miso, tomato, bouillabaisse, and gazpacho.

Meat, poultry, seafood, duck, and goose for the main course
Kebab is one of the best known dishes in the world. It's usually made from beef, lamb, or chicken. The meat is minced with onion and finely ground spices. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers are also added for a refreshing taste. Served as an appetizer with bread or rice pilaf, it's a dish worth trying out at least once! The rice dish was always called nasi lemak but now goes by many names, including nasi campur, which is a combination of steamed white rice and fried ikan bilis (anchovies) topped with boiled eggs. Sambal ulek provides just enough spice to this tangy sauce that pairs nicely with any grilled meat.

Vegetables 
Some vegetables are staples in the diet of Oriental cuisine, such as carrots, celery, leeks, onions, and daikon. Daikon is a long white root vegetable which tastes rather mild; it is used in many dishes because it has a much lower water content than other root vegetables. Celery is an evergreen plant that belongs to the celery genus. It is native to Europe, West Asia, and North Africa but has become naturalized in North America. Its leaves are eaten raw, while the stem is cooked like an asparagus or broccoli stem. The onion family comprises several plants with edible bulbs, including onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum). The leek (also Allium porrum) is closely related to the onion, with a similar shape but belonging to a different botanical family. The greater part of Oriental cuisine's vegetarian dishes comes from these three ingredients.

Legumes: Packed with protein and fiber, legumes are an excellent choice for meatless dishes. From soy sauce braised edamame to Japanese miso glazed cod, we have more than just lentils on our menu. Explore the world of oriental cuisine today! Oriental cuisine refers to food that originates in or is closely related to countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. While this style of cooking may seem unfamiliar at first glance, the diversity of flavors can make any meal interesting. We recommend visiting your local ethnic grocery store, where you can find exotic ingredients that will transform your dinner tonight into a dish you’ve never tried before.