Asia contains nearly 50 countries, all of which have cuisines that reflect their own cultures, peoples, climates, histories, and influences. Within those cuisines exist regional variations and different takes, adding even more diversity to the continent’s offerings.
With so many special flavors, preparation styles, and types of foods in Asia, it’s impossible to name one country as having the “best” fare. The only way to determine which country’s dishes you like the most is to eat your way through the continent—a project our tours can certainly aid you with.
That being said, a good place to start could be with a few of the most popular Asian dishes. Vietnam, Thailand, India, Japan, and Singapore offer a variety of renowned plates that are enjoyed both in their nations and around the world.
Read on to learn about these five countries’ cuisines and some of their most popular foods.
1. Vietnam
Balance is central to Vietnamese cuisine. Texture contrasts—like crunchy and chewy—and harmony between sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and spicy flavors are found in many dishes. Generally fresh and light in flavor, Vietnamese food often includes ingredients such as fish sauce, basil, lemongrass, and mint. However, Vietnamese food can vary by region. A food tour, like the one included in our Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Tour, is a great way to sample Vietnam’s most renowned foods and lesser-known gems.
Vietnamese Food Overview
Is Vietnamese Food Spicy?
Vietnamese food isn’t particularly spicy, but some dishes, like those from central Vietnam, can bring the heat. Bún bò Huế is one example.
What Is the National Food of Vietnam?
Pho, or “Phở,” is often recognized as a national food of Vietnam. A noodle soup that traditionally comes with thin slices of meats and other add-ins, pho is enjoyed across the world. The dish’s English spelling, “pho,” is adapted from the Vietnamese term, “phở.” Despite the difference in spelling, the English pronunciation generally remains true to its Vietnamese roots: “fuh.”
Is Street Food Popular in Vietnam?
Streetside snacks and meals are certainly popular in Vietnam. Pho, light spring rolls, noodle bowls, and bánh mì are just a few of the incredible dishes found on Vietnam’s streets.
Best Food in Vietnam
Pho
A quintessential Vietnamese dish, pho is a must-try. The base of the soup is a savory broth often made with beef bones and simmered for hours. Noodles, thinly sliced beef or meat, and other toppings make for a comforting bowl.
Bánh xèo
Crunchy and chewy in texture, this savory rice crepe is stuffed with a combination of delectable fillings like shrimp, bean sprouts, mushrooms, or chicken and served with a special sauce.
Gỏi cuốn
Gỏi cuốn, or fresh spring rolls, are the perfect healthy option when you’re craving something lighter. Vegetables, pork, seafood, vermicelli, and other fresh ingredients are wrapped in rice paper and enjoyed with a dipping sauce, such as a peanut sauce.
2. Thailand
Thai cuisine is defined by a blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Soups, curries, noodles, savory proteins, and salads are popular dishes, and fresh, aromatic ingredients like Thai basil, lemongrass, chilies, makrut lime leaves, and galangal—from the ginger family—are often at the center of authentic Thai food. While many dishes are on the lighter side and incorporate vegetables, deep-frying and stir-frying are also popular cooking techniques.
Thai Food Overview
Is Thai Food Spicy?
Thai food is famous for being very spicy, thanks to certain chilies. Dishes like gaeng som are famous for their extra fiery kick, but there are also some dishes on the milder side.
What Is the National Food of Thailand?
Pad Thai, the world-renowned noodle dish, is often named as a national food of Thailand. Another beloved Thai dish is Pad Grapao, a stir fry of pork and holy basil.
Is Street Food Popular in Thailand?
Usually cooked-to-order, street food is abundant in Thailand. Noodle dishes, soups, grilled meats, and fried insects are a few popular finds
Best Food in Thailand
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is arguably the most widely-known Thai dish. Usually low on the spiciness scale, a sweet, salty, and savory sauce coats a stir-fry of noodles, scrambled eggs, peanuts, bean sprouts, and shrimp.
Tom Yum Goong
This traditional Thai dish is a popular hot and sour soup that usually features shrimp. The broth can be flavored with lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, galangal, garlic, and chili, among other seasonings.
Som Tam
Som Tam is a green papaya salad. Strips of green papaya are the base of this light dish, which can include chopped tomatoes and long beans. It’s commonly flavored with ingredients like palm sugar, lime, chili, garlic, fish sauce, and peanuts.
3. India
Rich, flavorful spices are at the center of Indian cuisine. Common ingredients include garam masala, cumin, fennel, cardamom, chili pepper, mustard seeds, turmeric, and coriander—to just name a few. Luxurious curries, marinated tandoor-roasted meats, fresh chutneys, delicious vegetarian meals, and soft naan bread are some of India’s most recognized offerings. But, a trip across the nation will quickly reveal the diversity of Indian cuisine, which can change in flavor, texture, and type based on where you are.
Indian Food Overview
Is Indian Food Spicy?
Indian cuisine is abundant in bold spices, but while some dishes come with high heat levels, others don’t. Chilies are incorporated in many Indian dishes, but their flavor profiles vary, and some Indian foods don’t include chilies at all.
What Is the National Food of India?
Some might consider Khichdi, a popular comfort food, to be the national food of India. Many variations exist, but at its foundation, khichdi is a flavorful meal of lentils, rice, and aromatic spices.
Is Street Food Popular in India?
India has a vibrant street food culture. Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are only a few of the cities known for their delicious streetside snacks and meals.
Best Indian Food
Butter Chicken
Indian cuisine includes many different curries, one of which is Butter Chicken, or murg mackhani. Typically red or orange in color, this curry consists of chicken and a spiced sauce made with tomato and butter. It’s usually on the milder side of spicy.
Biryani
Biryani is a dish of fluffy rice, meat, and aromatic spices. While there are multiple ways to make biryani, it’s traditionally made through a slow cooking technique called “dum cooking.” Marinated chicken is layered in a pot with par-boiled rice and other additions. The pot is then sealed with dough, and the food cooks over a low fire.
Tandoori Chicken
In this dish, chicken marinated in yogurt and spices is roasted in a cylindrical clay oven, called a tandoor. The result is juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken that’s oftentimes red in color.
4. Japan
While many of us are familiar with Japanese sushi, it’s only one small part of this island country’s fare. Traditional Japanese cuisine is informed by a dietary culture called “washoku,” which prioritizes a connection to nature. Dishes feature fresh, seasonal ingredients from both land and sea and are intertwined with various celebrations and festivals. With a focus on artful presentation, food in Japan often looks as incredible as it tastes. And, although there are many ways to enjoy Japanese cuisine, our Japan: Past and Present tour brings you the perfect Japanese food experience with a diverse multi-course kaiseki meal.
Japanese Food Overview
Is Japanese Food Spicy?
Japanese food usually isn’t very spicy, especially when compared to Thai food.
What Is the National Food of Japan?
Curry rice may be considered the national food dish of Japan. Eaten regularly by many, it consists of a tasty curry served over rice, just as the name suggests.
Is Street Food Popular in Japan?
Street food is an important part of Japanese culture. Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market is a great place to try gyoza, ramen, and more from a variety of vendors.
Best Japanese Food
Sushi
While sushi is beloved across the world, there’s nothing quite like having it in Japan itself. Traditional Japanese sushi is known for being simple. A roll might just consist of rice, fish, and nori, and it may be dipped in soy sauce before eating.
Tempura
Another recommended dish is tempura. It usually consists of lightly battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables and can be a side dish, main dish, or topping.
Ramen
This Japanese noodle dish comes in many variations but generally involves a flavorful slowcooked bone broth, noodles, tender meats, and other add-ins.
5. Singapore
Both noodles and rice are mainstays of Singaporean food, which is influenced by various cultures, including Chinese, Indonesian, Malay, Western, and Indian. Noodle soups, curries, succulent meats, spicy sauces, and stir-fries are just a few of this melting pot’s diverse offerings. The country is particularly known for its “hawker culture,” a practice of community dining. “Hawkers” prepare delicious foods to serve to people at hawker centers, which are open-air complexes filled with vendors and food stalls.
Singaporean Food Overview
Is Singaporean Food Spicy?
Singaporean food can be spicy, due to the variety of cultures that influence its cuisine—and the hot chilies that make their way into some dishes.
What Is the National Food of Singapore?
Hainanese chicken rice is considered by some to be Singapore’s national food. This classic dish consists of fragrant rice, poached chicken, and sauces.
Is Street Food Popular in Singapore?
Thanks to Singapore’s hawker culture, there are plenty of affordable streetside food options available. It’s a great way to try popular dishes like chili crab and hainanese chicken rice at a lower price.
Best Singaporean Food
Hainanese Chicken Rice
A classic Singaporean food, this dish features tender, poached chicken over aromatic rice withdelicious dipping sauces.
Chili Crab
Chili crab is a cooked hard-shelled crab served under a healthy serving of sweet, salty, and spicy tomato sauce. It’s a popular find at hawker centers.
Char Kway Teo
This stir-fried noodle dish is typically made with rice noodles, bean sprouts, eggs, seafood, and other add-ins, and cooked with a sauce that’s savory, sweet, and spicy.
Experiencing Asian Culture and Food Firsthand
These five countries—and their popular dishes—offer only a taste of Asia’s diverse and complexfood culture. The continent is home to a plethora of cuisines, flavors, cooking techniques, and traditions that just can’t be captured by a mere list. And while some plates can be sampled anywhere in the world, the best way to experience and understand the culture behind them is to do so in their origin.
That’s why many of our tours include authentic culinary experiences. Not only does this bring you wonderful food, but it also helps foster deeper connections with the people, history, and customs of a place. If you’re ready to try the flavors of new destination, visit our website to book your next adventure.
