Asian culinary diversity

Sushi, wok-cooked vegetables and fried duck are just three of the many delicacies which are typical of Japanese cuisine. Japanese food is rich in diversity and rich in vitamins. Some of the healthiest cooking methods in the world are used in Japan. The Japanese are very committed to cooking and serving harmonious foods. Each ingredient is meticulously selected and perfectly coordinated with the others. Tofu and miso are very traditional Japanese foods. Fish and rice are also elements of the Japanese staple diet. They taste absolutely delicious wrapped in seaweed as sushi, which comes in all kinds of shapes and forms. Even the Japanese view sushi as a delicacy which is predominantly eaten on special occasions.

Other typical dishes, in addition to sushi, are tempura (small fried ingredients such as prawns, aubergines etc.), yakitori (bite-sized pieces of chicken, skewered on a bamboo stick) or sashimi (raw fish served with Japanese delicacies).

Sushi, wok-cooked vegetables and fried duck are just three of the many delicacies which are typical of Japanese cuisine. Japanese food is rich in diversity and rich in vitamins. Some of the healthiest cooking methods in the world are used in Japan. The Japanese are very committed to cooking and serving harmonious foods. Each ingredient is meticulously selected and perfectly coordinated with the others. Tofu and miso are very traditional Japanese foods. Fish and rice are also elements of the Japanese staple diet. They taste absolutely delicious wrapped in seaweed as sushi, which comes in all kinds of shapes and forms. Even the Japanese view sushi as a delicacy which is predominantly eaten on special occasions.

Other typical dishes, in addition to sushi, are tempura (small fried ingredients such as prawns, aubergines etc.), yakitori (bite-sized pieces of chicken, skewered on a bamboo stick) or sashimi (raw fish served with Japanese delicacies).
 

Thai cuisine is very popular and very widespread. In Thailand, eating and drinking are very important aspects of socialising. There are no strict rules relating to the order of foods in a festive Thai meal. Instead, all the hot and cold dishes are served at the same time. Thai chefs conjure up delicious meals from fresh seafood, fish, meat and vegetables, fruit and all kinds of seasonings and herbs, such as coriander and lemongrass, all decoratively arranged around the rice.

Regional cuisine is influenced by geographical location, culture and religion. Chinese wok-cooked foods and exotic spices from India have had a very powerful impact on Thai cuisine. Nevertheless, Thai foods have retained their unique and distinctive character. There are only a few regional differences in Thailand. In the north, sticky rice is preferred over long grain rice and, in the south the curries are hotter. Some Thai gaeng dishes - known as "curry" to us - are now world famous. Unlike Indian curry, the Thai gaeng dishes aren't made from ground spices but from a curry paste. One of the most famous Thai dishes is tom yam. This spicy, sweet and sour soup is seasoned with fish stock, shallots, lemongrass, lemon juice, galangal, tamarind and many chilli peppers. Another classic gaeng dish is kaeng phet (which literally translated means "spicy soup"). Outside Thailand, it is known as red Thai curry.