Basic foods of Asia.

What are some basic foods of Asia. Asia is largest and most populous continent in the world. There are 48 countries and 3 other territories in Asia. So obviously it is home to many cultures, many of which have their own unique and characteristic cuisine. As Asia is a very big continent let's divide it into five main regions. These are Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia & Western Asia.

Before starting this food tour let me introduce you with some main aspects of Asian cuisine, like wheat and rice are the major source of staple foods. Barley and maize are also used in some regions. Garlic, ginger, galangal, chillies, miso, different kinds of oil & sauces, herbs and fresh & dried spices,  seasonal vegetables, tropical and exotic fruits, fresh seafood & variety of meats are used.

Now let's get started with Central Asia. It has been influenced by Persian, Indian, Arab, Turkish, Chinese, Mongol & Russian cultures, as well as nomadic and sedentary civilizations. It consists of countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan.

The food includes rice, vegetables, yoghurt, legumes & meat. Horse meat is preferred in Kazakh food. Dishes such as plov, shashlik, laghman, shorpo, manpar, beshbarmak, nan, salad, soups & dumplings are enjoyed.

(Myasyne blyuda-meat platter)

Secondly East Asia includes countries like China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea & Taiwan. Here Rice and wheat noodles are popular. Pork, chicken, & seafood are favored proteins, with a variety of soy products. Vegetables such as cabbages, greens, onions, sprouts & mushrooms are used widely. Some popular  dishes include sushi's, ramen, fish balls, spring roll's, dim sum, tofu, fried rice, tom yum, kimchi, bibimbap.

(Bibimbap)

South Asia consists of countries like India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan,Sri Lanka & Maldives

Rice, bread, legumes & lentils, dairy products, herbs & spices, fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat & seafood are the basic nutriment. Biryani, momos, nihari, dal, dosas, ema datshi, kottu, kebabs, jalebi's, halwa etc are some famous dishes.

(Indian thali)

Now Southeast Asia consists of 11 countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam & others. The ingredients in the region are similar with the ones in East Asian cuisine, using fish & soy sauces, galangal, tamarind & lemongrass.

Some southeast meals include banh xeo, khao soi, fish amok, nasi goreng, laksa, som tam, chilli crab, bahn mi, redang curry, pho, thai curries, adobo etc.

(Thai red curry)

Lastly Western Asia comprises of countries like Bahrain, Iran, Iraq,  Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates. Olive & olive oils, pitas, flat breads, chickpeas, parsley, spices, honey and dates are used extensively throughout the region. Grilled meats, kebabs, herby salads, hummus, kafta, tabbouleh with yogurt dressings are enjoyed. 

(Persian food spread)

These are some basic & essential foods of Asia that people eat in their daily life. Asian cuisine is as vast & rich as its culture and tradition. Though I tried to summarize it in this little journey of Asian food.