Must-Visit 13 Asian Restaurants Melbourne

Famous Asian Cuisines

Asian cuisine has gained popularity all across the world. Most restaurants include Asian cuisine in their menu as these cuisines are full of various flavors, spices, and ingredients that offer a delicious and unique dining experience. From fragrant curries to crisp spring rolls and savory stir-fries, discover the popular and most beloved dishes from different parts of Asia here.

• Pad Krapow- Thailand

Pad Krapow Moo Sap is a stir-fried pork dish from Thailand. It combines ground pork, plenty of garlic, chilies, and holy basil for a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor. Steamed jasmine rice along with a fried egg on top is the commonly served item. Pad Krapow Moo Sap is a favorite in many Thai homes, but you may find it on the menu at some Asian restaurants in Melbourne. The version on the menu may be less spicy than authentic Pad Krapow, so you can adjust your seasoning to suit your preferences. To make it an even healthier choice most of the restaurants use bell peppers, baby corn, and mushrooms. This aromatic dish can be enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or brunch and is sure to please everyone who tries it. To make it at home, start by marinating the pork in plenty of garlic and chilies then stir-fry it with holy basil and seasonings. Serve your Pad Krapow Moo Sap hot with jasmine rice and an optional fried egg on top. Enjoy!

• Sushi – Japan

Sushi, the traditional Japanese dish of raw fish and vinegared rice, is an iconic part of Japanese cuisine. A popular home-cooking delicacy, sushi is a treat to make at home as long as you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Start by preparing your sushi-grade fish then marinate it in a mixture of ingredients like mirin, soy sauce, and sake. Then, roll out your sushi rice on seaweed and top it with the preferred ingredients such as salmon or tuna. Finally, wrap up each piece of sushi before serving it with soy sauce or tamari and pickled ginger.

Sushi can be enjoyed as a starter, snack, or main course. For a complete meal, make vegetable sushi rolls with ingredients like cucumber and carrot. Other popular toppings for sushi include egg omelet, octopus, prawns, and squid. For an authentic Japanese experience, eat your sushi with chopsticks, and accompany it with wasabi paste and condiments like pickles or gari (pickled ginger). Sushi is also often served with green tea, so make sure you’ve got some of that ready to go when serving your sushi dinner.

• Ramen – Japan

Ramen is a staple of Japanese cuisine, and it has become an international sensation these days! Its origins lie in China, and many variations can be found. Its base usually comprises a combination of pork or chicken broth, soy sauce or miso, and other advanced ingredients based on personal preference. Ramen has some of the most delicious toppings, including slices of pork belly, vegetables, and even a slice of kamaboko fish cake. It is also traditional to add a pinch of white pepper, dried seaweed, or fried onion for extra flavor. Ramen is served hot and fresh out of the pot and can often be found in ramen shops across Japan. Alongside its tempting flavors, it’s an easy and affordable way to satisfy your hunger! To make the perfect bowl of ramen first, bring all your ingredients to a simmer then add your desired toppings. Finally add some boiled noodles, finish with a soft-boiled egg if desired, and enjoy!

• Kimchi – Korea

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, cucumber, or radish. This mouth-watering dish is a staple of many Asian cuisines and adds a fiery taste to any meal. To make your own kimchi at home, mix together the vegetable with seasonings such as gochujang (Korean chili paste), garlic, ginger, and salt before fermenting in an airtight container for up to one month either outside or in the refrigerator.
Kimchi is more than just a tasty side dish; it also boasts a number of health benefits. The fermentation process helps to develop beneficial probiotic bacteria, bolstering the immune system and aiding in digestion.

Kimchi also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce cholesterol and help to regulate blood sugar levels. When buying kimchi, always look out for ‘live’ varieties that haven’t been pasteurized as these will contain the most live cultures. Try adding some kimchi to your favorite stir fry or soup for an added bit of zing! Serve kimchi alongside rice dishes or add it to marinades for an extra zesty kick!

• Adobo – Philippines

You must have heard about the most popular and national dish of the Philippines, which is Adobo. Adobo is a popular dish in the Philippines and a cornerstone of Filipino cuisine. It consists of chicken, pork, or seafood that is marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns, garlic, and bay leaves. This mouth-watering dish is prepared with chicken thighs. It can be prepared with other protein options too but most commonly Chicken is preferred for this. The proteins are then braised until they’re fork-tender; the resulting dish is delicious and aromatic! To give a fun taste to this classic dish, some Filipinos make use of coconut milk while braising the protein. Adobo pairs nicely with white rice or steamed vegetables for a fragrant feast.

• Dim Sum – China

Dim sum is the perfect option if you are looking for an appetizer or feast. It is served on small, steamer baskets and often consists of dumplings or pastries filled with ground pork, shrimp, vegetables, and other savory fillings. Classic examples include cha siu bao (BBQ pork buns) and har gow (shrimp dumplings). And don’t forget the cup of hot tea that comes along with your Dim Sum order! You will find dim sum with various varieties of fillings and its bamboo steaming basket makes it appealing to food lovers. In some places, Dim Sum may even be served inside a congee or rice porridge. Dim Sum is generally best enjoyed as part of a group, making it an ideal way to bring family and friends together.

• Tandoori Chicken – India

This comes among the most beloved dishes of India and its taste justifies why this is so popular. The spicy marinade composed of yogurt, ginger, garlic, cumin, and a blend of garam masala is carefully mixed together and applied to each piece of chicken. Then it’s put into or cooked over the hot coals of a Tandoor oven giving it that classic flavor and aroma!

Tandoori chicken isn’t just delicious and flavorful but also none of the components is too heavy or rich. It is a perfect blend of spices essential in any Indian cuisine and can be cooked in various ways according to one’s preference – either through roasting, grilling, stir-frying or even baking. This dish pairs best with some naan bread and freshly cut onions. Tandoori chicken is not only popular just within India but across the globe!

Spice Up Your Knowledge with 7 Interesting Facts About Asian Cuisine

Here’s some information on each of the 7 interesting facts about Asian cuisine:

• Rice Is the Staple Food in Most Asian Countries

In Asia, rice is not just a food, it’s a way of life. Rice is grown and consumed in large quantities across the continent, with each country having their own unique way of preparing and eating it. It’s a staple food that is served with almost every meal, and often eaten plain or flavored with other ingredients.

• Chopsticks are the Traditional Utensils

Chopsticks are believed to have originated in China over 5,000 years ago, and are still widely used in most Asian countries today. They are a pair of thin, elongated utensils made of wood, bamboo, or plastic, that are used to pick up and eat food. Chopsticks are an important part of Asian culture and etiquette, and there are many rules and customs surrounding their use.

• Asian Cuisine is Known for Its Use of Spices

Asian cuisine is famous for its bold and complex flavors, which are achieved through the use of a wide variety of spices and herbs. Some of the most commonly used spices include ginger, garlic, chili, turmeric, and coriander. These spices are used to add flavor, aroma, and color to dishes, and can range from mild to extremely spicy.

• Dim Sum is a Popular Chinese Dish

Dim sum is a type of Chinese cuisine that consists of small, bite-sized portions of food that are usually served in steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum is typically served as a brunch or lunch item, and is often enjoyed with tea. Some of the most popular dim sum dishes include steamed dumplings, siu mai, and char siu bao.

• Sushi is a Japanese Dish

Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that is made with vinegared rice, fish, vegetables, and sometimes egg. Sushi is often served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger, and can be enjoyed in a variety of forms, including nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), maki (rolled sushi), and sashimi (raw fish without rice).

• Thai Cuisine is Known for Its Use of Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine, and is used to add a creamy texture and flavor to dishes. Some of the most popular Thai dishes that use coconut milk include green curry, tom kha gai, and massaman curry.

• Korean Cuisine is Known for Its Use of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are a staple of Korean cuisine, and are believed to have health benefits such as improving digestion and boosting the immune system. One of the most famous fermented foods is kimchi, which is a spicy, pickled vegetable dish that is often served as a side dish. Other popular fermented foods in Korean cuisine include doenjang (soybean paste) and gochujang (chili paste).

Conclusion

Asian cuisine is diverse and rich in culture, with each country having its unique style of cooking and flavors. Rice, chopsticks, and the use of spices are some of the common threads that tie the various cuisines together. From the bite-sized portions of dim sum to the fermented flavors of kimchi, Asian cuisine offers a world of exciting tastes and textures to explore.