Asian Cuisines

This book provides a framework for understanding the global flows of cuisine both into and out of Asia and describes the development of transnational culinary fields connecting Asia to the broader world. Individual chapters provide historical and ethnographic accounts of the people, places, and activities involved in Asia's culinary globalization.

Sushi, kimchi, baklava, and tofu once seemed exotic. These Asian foods have made their way around the world. But how representative are they of their home cuisines? Asian Cuisines: Food Culture from East Asia to Turkey and Afghanistan covers the food history, food culture, and food science of the world’s largest and most diverse continent, not only East, Southeast, and South Asia, but also Central and West Asia, including the countries that straddle Asia and the Middle East. Contributors to Asian Cuisines include renowned scholars E. N. Anderson, Paul D. Buell, and Darra Goldstein. A glossary provides a quick overview of culinary terms specific to the cuisines. Chapters discuss local ingredients and dishes, and look at the connection between food and social, political, economic, and cultural developments. Each article comes with an easy-to-make recipe to give readers a taste of more than a dozen tantalizing and varied cuisines. This compact volume will be valuable in food studies programs and fills a unique spot on the shelf of anyone who loves to explore the meanings and flavors of world cuisines.

With eight major national cuisines, and dozens of regional variations, a comprehensive exploration of Asian cuisine might seem too daunting to present in one volume. But with Essentials of Asian Cuisine: Fundamentals and Favorite Recipes, award-winning author Corinne Trang successfully brings the fundamentals of Asian cooking into the home kitchen in a collection that includes both contemporary and time-honored recipes. Trang takes the reader on a journey of Eastern culinary discovery as seen through a practiced Western culinary lens. Explaining how and why Chinese cuisine is at the root of all Asian cooking, she describes in familiar terms the techniques that incorporate the five senses and embody the Chinese yin yang philosophy of balanced opposites. Trang uses Asian ingredients commonly found in supermarkets and through mail-order sources -- such as fish sauce, lemongrass, and rice noodles -- to guide home cooks through the preparation of healthy, sensual meals. She illuminates the mysteries of authentic Asian cooking, explaining the aromatic herbs and spices that make Asian cuisine vibrant, colorful, and distinctive. Trang brings together more than three hundred traditional and cutting-edge recipes for condiments, appetizers, main courses, vegetables, and sweets and drinks from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Mouthwatering items include Chinese Scallion Pancakes, Filipino Fried Spring Rolls, Spicy Indonesian Crab Fried Rice, Japanese Miso-Marinated Black Cod, Japanese Spring Water Tofu with Sweet Sake Sauce, Stir-Fried Leafy Greens, Chinese Pork Ribs with Black Bean and Garlic Sauce, Green Tea Ice Cream, and Thai Coffee. In organizing the book by type of food, Trang allows cooks to see both the common elements and the distinctive individualities of Asian national and regional cooking. Trang explains the roots of major recipes and discusses where they appear in various guises in different countries. Vietnam's Canh Ca Chua (Hot and Sour Fish Soup), for example, can also be found in Cambodian, Indonesian, and Thai cuisines; Trang provides the recipes for both the master soup and its variations. Trang includes a comprehensive glossary of Asian ingredients, plus a detailed list of resources for purchasing special ingredients and equipment. She offers sample menus, including a Chinese Dim Sum, a Filipino Dinner, and a Japanese Lunch. A special section on feng shui demonstrates how to organize and beautifully present a meal. In this lavishly designed and illustrated volume, more than eighty-five original black-and-white and color photographs bring to life the ingredients, dishes, and people of Asia. The book is rich with personal anecdotes and intriguing information about Asian culture, and nowhere else will you find such a clear, comprehensive, and accessible treatment of Asian cuisine. More than a cookbook, Essentials of Asian Cuisine is a celebration of exotic culinary delights.

By documenting, analysing and interpreting the transformations in the local diets of Asian peoples within the last hundred years, this volume pinpoints the consequences of the tension between homogenisation and cultural heterogenisation, which is so characteristic for today's global interaction.

While foodies may flock to Vancouver for dumplings and dim sum, they leave having discovered a wealth of world-class Asian dishes, from sushi to sambar, bánh mì to bubble tea. East Meets West celebrates the distinctive dishes from the best of the city's Asian restaurants. Almost one in five of Vancouver's two million residents is ethnically Chinese, as well as many Taiwanese, Japanese, Koreans, Malaysians, Filipinos, Thai, Vietnamese and Indians whose cooking has influenced the local cuisine. This book compiles signature recipes from the city’s best Asian restaurants, showcasing both traditional Asian foods made with Pacific Northwest ingredients and modern classics inspired by Asian flavors and techniques but designed for contemporary diners. A guide to preparing and serving Asian food plus an explanation of specialty ingredients. An overall introduction traces the roots of Asian food in Vancouver, and sidebars describe the hidden gems in the region's distinct culinary neighbourhoods, from Coquitlam's Little Korea to Richmond's Chinatown to Surrey's Little India. Illustrated throughout, this celebration of Asian food presents world-class, flavorful dishes for the home cook.

This book provides a framework for understanding the global flows of cuisine both into and out of Asia and describes the development of transnational culinary fields connecting Asia to the broader world. Individual chapters provide historical and ethnographic accounts of the people, places, and activities involved in Asia's culinary globalization.

Foods are changed not only by those who produce and supply them, but also by those who consume them. Analyzing food without considering changes over time and across space is less meaningful than analyzing it in a global context where tastes, lifestyles, and imaginations cross boundaries and blend with each other, challenging the idea of authenticity. A dish that originated in Beijing and is recreated in New York is not necessarily the same, because although authenticity is often claimed, the form, ingredients, or taste may have changed. The contributors of this volume have expanded the discussion of food to include its social and cultural meanings and functions, thereby using it as a way to explain a culture and its changes.

Featuring delicious recipes from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and the Maldives, this Asian cookbook is a great introduction to the flavors of tropical Asia. This cookbook truly represents the contemporary flavors of tropical South and Southeast Asia today. It is unashamedly Asian without being traditional—reflecting the fascinating blend of peoples and cultures found in the region. What is particularly fascinating is the interaction between the cuisines that expand upon, and yet preserve, the distinctive character and strength of the indigenous dishes and ingredients. This modern, fresh approach to Asian cooking is in demand around the world today—honest food that is easy to put together and guaranteed to please. This stunning book has been produced in collaboration with well-known chefs of selected Four Seasons resorts in Asia. These chefs have share here a selection of their best recipes that are absolutely perfect for every occasion—from a simple breakfast for two, to an alfresco picnic or barbeque, to an elegant dinner party with friends at home. Featured recipes include: Grilled beef with rendang marinade Fragrant crab cakes Ginger-poached chicken breast on mshroom medley Spiced tuna steaks with citrus salsa Green Mango salad Rose-flavoured lassi with pistachios Spicy chicken and mango sushi And many more!