Popular Cooking Methods for Asian Cuisine

Stir-frying involves cooking the ingredients in a wok over high heat. A wok is a cooking pan shaped like a shallow bowl with handles. This unique shape allows the heat to distribute evenly in the bottom, while the deeper sides make for easier stirring or tossing of the ingredients.

This cooking method requires a small amount of hot oil. Cooking time is also relatively quick. Some popular examples of this cooking method include beef broccoli stir fry, pad-thai, and fried rice.

Deep frying means submerging the food in very hot oil. This gives it a golden-brown exterior with a crunchy texture. Chefs often deep fry with a wok because there is less mess as the wok’s edges flare out to catch oil droplets. It’s also easy to maneuver so that the food is moved around and exposed to fresh hot oil.

Deep-fried dishes include Chinese spring rolls, crackers, and wontons. There are also deep-fried dessert dishes, such as banana fritters and sesame balls.

Grilling involves cooking food above or below a heat source. One common example is over a charcoal fire. The direct heat causes the food to sear, which gives it a unique flavor and satisfying texture. The quality of grilled food depends on the amount of fat and size of the cut.

In some Asian countries, food is either wrapped in leaves or aluminum foil before grilling. Some examples of Asian dishes that use this cooking method are satay from Malaysia, yakitori from Japan, and pan-grilled pork belly from the Philippines.

Simmering places ingredients in low or moderate heat with liquid. This gently softens the food and allows it to absorb the seasonings. Tiny bubbles form and rise to the surface with minimal steam. This cooking method is ideal for delicate proteins such as fish.

One example is sinigang. Meat, seafood, and vegetables are simmered in tamarind seasoning. Japanese curry is another example that combines vegetables and meat in a savory curry sauce.

Braising is a slow-cooking method that involves searing the food at a high temperature. It is cooked in a small amount of liquid inside a covered pot. This cooking method is ideal for enhancing and tenderizing tough cuts of meat. Chinese-style popular dishes include braised trotters, pork belly, and short ribs.

Steaming heats and cooks food using the hot steam from simmering or boiling water. Unlike other cooking methods, the food does not touch the water. It is placed inside a steamer basket raised above the simmering or boiling water in a pot.

Steamed food is often tender and moist. In some Asian dishes, bamboo steamers or banana leaves cover the food. Popular Asian dishes that use steaming include vegetables, dim sum, and dumplings.

Roasting is where food is cooked in a very hot oven or hung above an open flame. It is first cleaned and seasoned before basting with edible oil to retain moisture when cooking meat. Roasted meat and vegetables are often crispy on the outside and juicy inside.

This cooking method improves the texture and brings out the flavors of food. Popular examples include the Peking duck, roast chicken, and pork char siu.

The world of Asian cuisine is diverse. While each country brings a different spin to its dishes, they share similar cooking methods. Learn about the three important bases—soups, stocks, and sauces. Or, look at our recipes and see what kind of meals you can make with these cooking methods.