Introduction
Globalization has given us unprecedented access to different cultures, allowing us to explore and experience different cuisines from around the world. From savory Indian curries to juicy Japanese sushi, the wide array of international cuisines available provides a tantalizing range of flavors, textures, and foods to suit everyone’s tastes. This guide explores the vast array of international cuisines, introducing some of the more popular dishes and cooking styles around the world.
Indian Cuisine
One of the most popular types of international cuisines is Indian cuisine. The transformation of spices is a big part of Indian cooking and curry is the most popular dish of the cuisine. Curry is a stew-like dish of vegetables and/or meat cooked in spices, and served with either rice, chapatis (flatbread) or naan (leavened bread). Other popular Indian dishes include tandoori chicken, a delicious chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor; and dal, a lentil-based dish cooked with spices and served with rice and roti (unleavened flatbread).
Along with the various delicious dishes, Indian cuisine also offers a variety of flavorful condiments and accompaniments. Perhaps the most popular of these is raita, a cool, refreshing condiment made with yogurt, cucumber, and spices. Indian cuisine is also known for its abundance of side dishes, such as chutneys and pickles.
Mediterranean Cuisine
The Mediterranean region is home to many different types of international cuisines, making it one of the most popular and influential food regions in the world. The cuisine is marked by its diversity, using the freshest, local ingredients and flavors from the region to create amazing dishes. There is an abundance of dishes based on vegetables and grains, reflecting the Mediterranean climate and its surrounding regions.
Some of the most popular dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine are olive oil-based dishes, such as eggplant/aubergine caviar, ratatouille, and Greek salad. Seafood and fish also play a big part, with dishes such as baked snapper and calamari. Roasting vegetables, pastas and other grains, and roasting them over an open flame are all popular cooking techniques used in the region.
Mexican Cuisine
The cuisine of Mexico is just as flavorful, colorful, and varied as its culture. From juicy tacos and burritos to hearty stews, spicy chiles and rice dishes, Mexican cuisine has a little something for every taste.
One of the most iconic dishes of Mexican cuisine is tacos. A taco is a corn or wheat tortilla filled with meats, cheeses, and other ingredients, and usually served with salsa or guacamole, a dip made from avocados. Quesadillas, another Mexican staple, are flour or wheat tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients and cooked until the cheese is melted.
Popular Mexican side dishes include refried beans and rice, both of which can be flavored with various spices, including cilantro and cumin. Furthermore, Mexican cuisine is known for its vast array of salsas, with flavors ranging from mild to spicy.
Chinese Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is known for its wide variety of flavors and cooking techniques. From savory stir-fried dishes to steamed dumplings and soups, Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular types of international cuisines. One of the hallmarks of Chinese cooking is the use of soy sauce, which is used to flavor many dishes.
Dim sum is the best known Chinese dish, featuring a wide array of savory steamed or fried dumplings and other small dishes. Another popular Chinese dish is Peking duck, a dish of roasted duck marinated in a savory sauce.
Chinese cuisine also features a variety of vegetables and noodles. Chinese vegetables such as bok choy and stir-fried noodles, such as lo mein, are very popular. Rice is also a staple of Chinese cuisine, and is often served as an accompaniment to other dishes.
Japanese Cuisine
Japanese cuisine consists of an array of delicious and healthful dishes, such as sushi, tempura, and udon. Japanese cuisine emphasizes the balance of flavors, with a focus on fresh ingredients and minimal cooking.
Sushi is perhaps the best-known Japanese dish. Sushi is made with rice combined with raw fish, vegetables, and other ingredients. It is usually served with soy sauce, wasabi (a pungent green paste made from horseradish) and pickled ginger. Tempura is a type of deep-fried Japanese dish, usually featuring vegetables and seafood, which is served with a light dipping sauce.
Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle that is served either hot or cold, with various toppings. Savory dishes such as tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and yakitori (grilled chicken accompanied by vegetables) can also be found in Japanese cuisine.
French Cuisine
French cuisine is renowned all over the world for its sophisticated ingredients, techniques, and flavors. French cuisine is all about finesse and perfection, and involves a meticulous process of creating and presenting dishes. Common French dishes include quiche, a flaky pastry pie filled with a creamy egg filling; quenelles, dumplings made from a mixture of fish and egg whites; and ratatouille, a traditional French stew made from vegetables.
Cheese is another essential part of French cuisine. Different types such as Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort are used in various cheeses and dishes. French cuisine also features an abundance of soups and stews, such as onion soup and beef bourguignon. Desserts such as mille-feuille and crème brûlée are also popular.
Summary
International cuisine provides an incredible variety of dishes and flavors to tantalize and inspire the taste buds. From Indian curry to Mexican tacos, and everything in between, each cuisine offers a unique combination of ingredients and cooking techniques. Whether it is Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, or French cuisine, one thing is certain: there is something to suit everyone’s taste.