The Top 10 South Asian Dishes you Must Try
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Asian cooking can generally be classified into different categories depending upon the regional cooking style and the culture. Some of the main Asian foods are based on South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian. However, no region of South Asia can be complete without scrumptious dishes. Let’s explore the 10 most delicious South Asian dishes everyone should need to know.
1. Biryani
Rice is widely consumed in the southern region and one of the most liked dishes is biryani. You have probably heard home-style biryani that is eaten in Pakistan and India. The dish is prepared with white rice layered with chicken, vegetables, mutton flavoured, and local spices which are served with raita, plain yoghurt, and pickles. The cooking style of biryani varies from region to region, and one of the most notable biryani in the northeast is Assamese Kampuri biryani. They combine rice with fish, prawns, meat and cook it with heartwarming ingredients and spices.
2. Momos
Momo is famous across the Himalayan regions of the East South Asia border and it is a type of south Asian steamed dumplings. Momos are made of flour-based dough that is filled and steamed with meat or veggies that is fried or steamed. It is notably eaten as snacks and served with tangy and spicy sauce. Furthermore, momos are popular street food in the northern part of India and are also known as Dim Sum.
3. Sushi
Sushi is a staple white rice dish of Japanese cuisine consisting of a cooked variety of vegetables and rice flavored with egg, vegetables, and raw seafood garnishes. Sushi is considered a high-class delicacy and is eaten in posh restaurants. It is much more than raw fish and usually served by making sushi rolls. It is prepared with seafood such as:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Eel
- Squid
- Crabmeat
Vegetarian sushi is usually served with wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce. Pickled daikon and daikon radish are famous garnishes for this dish.
4. Tom Yum
Tom yum was originated in Thailand, and now it has gained popularity all over Asia especially Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The dish can be used as thin soup, an appetizer, or the main dish is eaten with or without white rice. When you use smashed lemongrass or tamarind, it will give a spicier and sour taste. You can also add different seafood like squid, prawns, and fish pieces. Furthermore, Vegetables like coriander leaves and mushrooms are ideal for mixing.
5. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a tasty dish that is popular in Asian countries and it comes with meat as well as vegetables. The dish is mainly cooked with saffron, coconut sauce and eaten fresh with veggies or meat. You can add egg, white rice, satay, or prawn crackers, and it will nicely fill you up. Nowadays, fried rice is getting popular in the western world connected with the Asian style. The making process of fried rice varies from region to region, and everyone loves to enjoy the dish according to their origin.
6. Spring Rolls
Spring roll is one of the most famous dishes in Asian countries including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These are fried rolled pastries that are filled with different kinds of cooked or raw vegetables and meats. This dish comes in different versions and is mainly eaten in Taiwan. The most famous ingredients of spring rolls are carrot, minced pork, fresh garlic chives, bean sprouts, shitake mushrooms, and vermicelli noodles. Peanut powder, fish, and soy sauce are sometimes added to tickle taste buds.
7. Fish Balls
Fish balls are rounded meatballs made from a fish paste that is deep-fried or boiled. Fish balls are made from surimi or fish mince, a culinary binder such as corn, potato starch, and tapioca flour. Moreover, fish balls are pressed, or pulverized fish meat that is eaten as a soup or on a stick mainly available at Asian hawker stalls or streets. They are fried, cooked, or steamed and considered as a cheap snack between different countries. Taste and fragrance are added in the form of garlic, vinegar, spring onion, and sweet soy sauce.
8. Laksa
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup originated by Singaporeans. The origin of the word Laksa is still unknown, but the dish is popular in Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The main ingredients of the dish are coconut, lemongrass, egg, noodles, and tofu. It consists of different types of noodles with prawns, chicken, and fish toppings. Most variations of Laksa are prepared with spicy and rich coconut soup or seasoned with sour asam.
9. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice is one of the famous food items in Singapore. It is a Southeast Asian dish of seasoned white rice, and chicken served with chili sauce and cucumber garnishes. The dish was adapted from Hainanese dish-wrenching chicken and created by immigrants of southern china. Many countries have their version of Hainanese chicken rice, but we recommend you to eat a Singaporean version. It is one of the famous recipes from south Asian cuisines.
10. Pancakes
A pancake is a cake often round in shape and prepared from starch-based butter and milk. It is cooked on a hot surface such as a griddle or frying pan. There are different kinds of pancakes that are available in the streets of Laos and Northern Thailand. These pancakes are usually made with bananas and fried in butter. Archaeological evidence suggests that pancakes were the widespread and earliest cereal food eaten in prehistoric societies.
Conclusion
When it comes to South Asian food, it is extremely diverse. Asian food is a combination of traditions of different countries. However, the major influence is from China, India, and southwestern countries. So If you are about to enjoy south Asian dishes, you should consider any of the above-mentioned dishes to have a great experience. The South Asian foods are full of taste, and anyone can enjoy the rich tradition of these dishes.
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