What are the best Asian Cuisines? After reading the Taste Atlas list of the Best Cuisines in the world I felt I had to have mom own say. Therefore I have put together my top 20 best cuisines in Asia.
And by best cuisines in Asia I mean just that, with this list not being simply about street food.
Click the link to check out Taste Atlas, as well as my article on the matter.
- Vietnamese Cuisine – Known for its fresh herbs, light flavors, and iconic dishes like pho, banh mi, and spring rolls. Besr street food in the world.
- Japanese Cuisine – Famous for sushi, sashimi, ramen, tempura, and the art of perfecting simplicity. A close second.
- Chinese Cuisine – Rich and diverse, with regional specialties like dim sum, Peking duck, and hot pot. Famous the world over.
- South Korean Cuisine – A balanced fusion of flavors, with dishes like bibimbap, kimchi, bulgogi, and Korean BBQ. In some respects inferior to the north, but sheer variety gets it points.
- Bangladeshi Cuisine – Characterized by rich spices and mustard oil, with delicious curries, fish dishes, and rice-based meals.
- Laotian Cuisine – Fresh and light with sticky rice, grilled meats, and spicy salads that showcase the region’s herbs and spices. Has really grown in stature in recent years.
- Thai Cuisine – Known for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum. Overrated, overall.
- North Korean Cuisine – Simpler and heartier dishes like kimchi, cold noodles, and bibimbap. This should rise after the country reopens.
- Indian Cuisine – Rich in spices, with diverse regional dishes such as biryani, butter chicken, dosas, and various curries.
- Filipino Cuisine – A mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences, with popular dishes like adobo, lechon, and sinigang. Overall very underrated.
- Sri Lankan Cuisine – Known for rice and curry, hoppers, sambols, and a heavy use of spices like cinnamon, curry leaves, and cardamom.
- Nepalese Cuisine – A fusion of Indian and Tibetan influences, with dishes like momos, dal bhat, and thukpa.
- Pakistani Cuisine – Rich in spices, with dishes like biryani, kebabs, and nihari, blending Indian and Persian influences.
- Cambodian Cuisine – Fresh and flavorful, with dishes like amok (fish curry) and nom banh chok (noodle soup). Another underrated gem, particularly with regards to street food.
- Uzbek Cuisine – Hearty and rich, with plov (pilaf), shashlik (kebabs), and traditional breads.
- Mongolian Cuisine – Meat-centric, with dishes like mutton stew, dumplings, and dairy products such as ayrag (fermented mare’s milk).
- Afghan Cuisine – A blend of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian influences, featuring kebabs, pilafs, and stews.
- Syrian Cuisine – Known for its rich use of spices, with dishes like kebabs, hummus, and falafel.
- Malaysian Cuisine – A fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, with dishes like laksa, nasi lemak, and satay.
- Kazakh Cuisine – Hearty and meat-heavy, with dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) and kazy (horse meat sausage).
And they are my top 20 best Asian cuisines, not just street food. This is a list I very much stand by, particularly as a lover of Asian cuisines.