Asian food has some of the best flavours than any other cuisine and covers many cities, counties, and cultures.
Some ingredients commonly used in this cuisine include ginger, garlic, rice, and soy – and the food is usually stir-fried or steamed, making for great flavours and textures.
If you love Asian cuisine, then keep reading to find out the best Asian foods that you must try, including foods from Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand.
Pho – Vietnam
One of the tastiest foods you can find in Asia originated in Vietnam – Pho. It is commonly mispronounced as rhyming with ‘low’, but it’s actually pronounced ‘fuh’.
The rice noodle soup is one of the most popular dishes you’ll find in Asia and is considered Vietnam’s national dish.
Although you can order it from many chain restaurants, nothing is quite like authentic pho from Vietnam.
Some ingredients you might find in the famous dish include:
- Chicken or beef broth
- Rice noodles
- Herbs (cinnamon, ginger, star anise)
- Meat (chicken or beef)
Pad Thai – Thailand
Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes and is something that locals and tourists alike enjoy on the streets of Thailand.
It’s described by many as one of the most delicious foods, and even ranked #5 in a poll by CNN for the world’s 50 most delicious foods.
Some ingredients you may find in this fried noodle dish include:
- Chicken, beef, or tofu
- Peanuts
- Beansprouts
- Scrambled egg
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Lime
Satay – Indonesia/ Southeast Asia
Although there’s some dispute as to what country created the dish, Satay is available on food stalls throughout Southeast Asia.
Satay is essentially grilled and skewered meats with delicious sauces and variations depending on the country.
People enjoy using tofu instead of meat, as it really absorbs the flavour of the fire when grilled over wood.
Some ingredients you may find include:
- Peanuts
- Tofu, chicken, or beef
- Cayenne pepper
- Chilli
- Soy Sauce
Unagi (Unadon) – Japan
Unadon is a Japanese delicacy that has been enjoyed by locals for centuries. Although the tasty dish originated in Tokyo, it is now enjoyed by countless people on every continent.
The dish consists of unagi (river eel) on a bowl of steamed white rice. The unagi is usually grilled over charcoal, glazed using a sweet sauce, and caramelized.
Locals will use wild-caught fresh unagi, which is only available from May to October – so be sure to visit in those months if you want the real deal.
Some ingredients you might find in authentic unagi are:
- Fresh unagi (river eel)
- Soy sauce
- Steamed white rice
- Sugar
Popiah – East Asia
Popiah is one of the most underrated foods you’ll find in Asia.
Although popiah originated in Fujian, China, it’s now popular in several Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Popiah is fresh thin spring rolls and can be served fried or unfried depending on what country you’re in. Some ingredients found in these delicious spring rolls include:
- Popiah skin
- Stir-fried veg (shallots, carrots, lettuce)
- Bean sprouts
- Peanuts
- Bean sauce