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Want to taste and learn more about Asian cuisine? Our comprehensive guides to Asian food features lists of popular dishes, ingredients, and regions.
When I travel, I travel hungry.
As a travelling foodie eating my way around the world through street stalls, hole-in-the-walls and market kitchens, I’ve learned that the best way to understand a destination is through its food.
If you’re heading to Asia for the first time or simply want to try Asian food, and don’t know where to start, consider this your cheat sheet.
These Asian food guides are packed with flavor and culture, and they’ll help you eat like a local in no time.
Asian Cuisine Basics
Before we delve into the Asian food guides, let’s go through the basics of Asian cuisine.
When it comes to Asian cuisine, the main basics are simple but packed with flavor. You’ll find rice and noodles front and center, usually teamed up with veggies and proteins like seafood, chicken or tofu.
The real magic comes from the aromatics: ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and all the spices and sauces that give each dish its own bold personality.
Most culinary experts divide Asian cuisine into five to six major regions:
- East Asian: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese
- Southeast Asian: Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Filipino
- South Asian: Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepalese
- Central Asian: Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik
- Middle Eastern (sometimes included under Asian cuisine): Lebanese, Turkish, Iranian (Persian), Syrian
- North Asian (less commonly mentioned due to sparse population and overlap with Russian food): Siberian (Russia), Mongolian
Each country and often each region within a country boasts its own culinary identity. For example:
- China alone has over eight recognized regional cuisines: Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Shandong, etc.
- India offers a kaleidoscope of flavors from Punjabi to Bengali to Tamil.
- Japan splits into traditions like Kansai and Hokkaido.
- Thailand features Northern Thai (e.g., Chiang Mai) and Central Thai styles.
So, depending on how granular you go, you could argue there are dozens, even hundreds of distinct Asian cuisines when considering regional, ethnic, and cultural variations.
What Are Some Popular Asian Foods?
Here are some of the popular Asian foods broken down by region and country.
East Asian Cuisine
This region emphasizes balance, fermentation, and umami-rich flavors.
- Chinese: Peking duck, xiao long bao, char siu, mapo tofu
- Japanese: Sushi, ramen, takoyaki
- Korean: Seoul-style bulgogi, Jeolla’s rich stews, Busan seafood dishes
- Taiwanese: Lu rou fan (braised pork rice), beef noodle soup
Southeast Asian Cuisine
Known for vibrant herbs, chilies, and tropical ingredients.
- Thai: Northern dishes like khao soi; Southern curries; street-style pad Thai
- Vietnamese: Pho from Hanoi, Hue-style spicy noodles, southern banh mi
- Indonesian: Balinese satay, Javanese rendang, Sulawesi seafood
- Malaysian: Penang’s char kway teow, nasi lemak, Sarawak laksa
- Filipino: Adobo, sinigang, lechon from various islands
South Asian Cuisine
Characterized by bold spices and deep cultural layers.
- Indian: Punjabi butter chicken, South Indian dosas, Bengali fish curry
- Pakistani: Karachi biryani, Lahori kebabs, Sindhi curries
- Sri Lankan: Coconut sambol, rice and curry, hoppers
- Bangladeshi: Hilsa fish dishes, panta bhaat, mustard-heavy curries
- Nepalese: Momos, thukpa, dal bhat
Central Asian Cuisine
Built around hearty meats, dairy, and wheat from nomadic traditions.
- Uzbek: Plov, lagman noodles, manti dumplings
- Kazakh: Beshbarmak, kazy (horse meat sausage), shubat (camel milk)
- Kyrgyz: Lamb stews, noodles, fermented mare’s milk
- Tajik: Shurbo (meat soup), qurut (dried yogurt balls)
Middle Eastern (Western Asian) Cuisine
Sometimes classified as part of Asian cuisine, blending spices, grains, and olive oil.
- Lebanese: Hummus, tabbouleh, kibbeh
- Turkish: Doner, baklava, mezes
- Iranian (Persian): Fesenjan, chelo kebab, saffron rice
- Syrian: Mujadara, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves
North Asian Cuisine
Less commonly explored but rich in indigenous and Russian-influenced dishes.
- Siberian (Russia): Smoked fish, pelmeni, wild game stews
- Mongolian: Grilled meats, buuz (dumplings), milk tea (suutei tsai)
Asian Food Guides
I've travel all around the world to try diverse and local cuisines. I'm here to share my Asian food guides to help you deepen your knowledge into authentic Asian cuisine like a true local.
Filipino Cuisine
Filipino food is having its moment and I couldn’t be happier.
This Asian cuisine is a vibrant fusion of flavors, a delicious result of its rich history and diverse cultural influences: a mix of indigenous, Spanish, Chinese and American influences, which makes it as surprising as it is satisfying.
Think bold, savory, sweet, and sour all dancing on your palate. It’s all about family-style dining and sharing.
Ready to plan your Asia trip to the Philippines? Find the best hotels in the Philippines.
New to Filipino cuisine? Start here. This Asian food guide features the Best Traditional Dishes in the Philippines.
This Asian food guide features the Best Filipino Desserts You Must Try in the Philippines.
This Asian food guide features Bizarre Filipino Dishes for the Adventurous Eater.
Japanese Cuisine
Japanese cuisine is an art form, celebrated for its delicate balance, fresh ingredients, and meticulous presentation.
Its history dates back centuries, rooted in agricultural practices with influence from Buddhist traditions and later Western techniques.
Simplicity and seasonality are key, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. A deep dive into this Asian cuisine means appreciating its deep respect for ingredients and tradition.
Ready to plan your Asia trip to Japan? Find the best hotels in Japan.
New to Japanese cuisine? Start here. This Asian food guide features the Best Traditional Japanese Dishes in Japan to try.
This Asian food guide features the best traditional Japanese desserts to try in Japan.
Korean Cuisine
Korean cuisine hits all the high notes: heat, depth and crunch with an emphasis on healthy and wholesome ingredients.
Its culinary roots trace back to ancient agricultural societies, heavily influenced by seasonal vegetables and fermented foods (hello kimchi), gochujang (a chili paste you’ll want to put on everything), and grilling.
The history of this Asian cuisine is shaped by war, resourcefulness and a love of bold flavors.
You'll quickly discover that no Korean meal is complete without a variety of banchan, small side dishes served with every meal.
Ready to plan your Asia trip to Korea? Find the best hotels in Korea.
New to Korean cuisine? Start here. This Asian food guide features Must-Try Dishes Koreans Grew Up With
Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, a reflection of the country's vast geography, different climates, and rich cultural tapestry.
Each region boasts its own distinct flavors, spices, and cooking techniques, influenced by various invasions and trade routes over millennia.
North India leans toward creamy curries and breads like naan and paratha, while the South brings heat, rice-based dishes and tangy flavors.
The history of this Asian cuisine is thousands of years deep and includes Persian, Portuguese and Mughal influences.
Spices are the heart and soul of Indian cooking, used in complex combinations to create aromatic and flavorful dishes.
Veg or non-veg, there’s a dish for everyone. Pro tip: street food like chaat, samosas and dosas are a perfect intro if you're not sure where to begin.
Ready to plan your Asia trip to India? Find the best hotels in India.
New to Indian street cuisine? Start here. This Asian food guide features Must-Try Popular Street Food Dishes in India.
Ready To Try Asian Food?
Asia is not just a destination but also a culinary journey in the best way. These Asian cuisine guides only scratch the surface, but they’re a solid first step.
Whether you’re slurping ramen in Tokyo, biting into balut in Manila or snacking on pani puri in Chennai, one thing’s certain: good food will always find you when you’re open to adventure.
So, even if you’re a seasoned foodie or a first-time traveler, these Asian food guides are your starting point for an incredible culinary exploration.
Each Asian cuisine offers a unique story and an unforgettable experience.
Which one are you trying first? As always, happy travels and eating!
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