Living in Asia for more than 20 years has deeply rooted me in a world rich with varied cultures and flavors.
In the buzzing streets of Tokyo, I’ve walked among skyscrapers that graze the clouds, while the scent of freshly made sushi from tiny, hidden eateries lingered in the air.
I recall mornings in the serene hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand, where the subtle spices of a traditional Khao Soi noodle soup awakened my senses.
In the bustling markets of Mumbai, the vivid colors and lively chatter added layers to my understanding of diversity.
Each city, from the neon-lit lanes of Seoul to the ancient, quiet temples of Kyoto, has etched a unique story in my memory, deeply connecting me to the rich tapestry of Asian life.
This journey has not just been about exploring places; it’s been a continuous exploration of the diverse, mouth-watering cuisines that define this vast continent.
Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook by Maangchi
With the whole world grooving to K-pop now, it seems time for Korean food to get its day in the sun and, of course, there’s plenty of kimchi here.
But Maangchi has taken Korean cookery far beyond pickles and the step-by-step beautifully photographed recipes here are absolutely amazing! You have to try them.
Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee
Indonesia is an amazing place and the island nation is spread over an archipelago of more than 10,000 islands many of them with their own food cultures!
This wonderful book by Lara Lee serves as an introduction to some of the best of the nation’s food and we love the history she teaches as she shows you how to cook too!
Simple Thai Food: Classic Recipes from the Thai Home Kitchen by Leela Punyaratabandhu
Leela is considered to be one of Thailand’s top chefs and she knows that people are often afraid to tackle Thai food at home because it seems overwhelming.
So, this book doesn’t just contain recipes, it has buying instructions, online store guides and all the tips you need to prepare and store ingredients. It’s a tour de force of Thai!
The Food of Vietnam by Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese food is highly sought after thanks to its clever combinations of delicate flavors and Luke Nguyen loves them all.
This is a wonderful journey through Vietnam’s food cullture going from North to South and stopping in each region as we go. Part travelogue, part cookbook, it’s all tasty.
Easy Chinese Cookbook: Restaurant Favorites Made Simple by Chris Toy
Chris is considered to be a world-class Chinese cooking instructor and he offers you the chance to learn easy-to-prep and simple-to-serve Chinese restaurant-style dishes.
Given how complex Chinese cookery can be, we love the fact that you can’t go wrong with the amazingly detailed recipes that he offers in a wonderfully organized collection of tasty treats.
Makan: Recipes from the Heart of Singapore by Elizabeth Haigh
Singaporean street food is simply the best street food in the world and that’s thanks to its multicultural influences from China, India, Malaysia, Britain, and beyond.
Each of these dishes is easy to make, hearty, and designed to fill the stomach of the hungriest worker. Oh, and they are all delicious too. Hainan chicken for the win!
Indian-ish: Recipes and Antics from a Modern American Family by Priya Kishna
Indian food can be too daunting for some Americans and Priya Krishna bridges the gap by skillfully blending American favorites with Indian food.
It’s fun, and cozy and brings you whole new experiences like a roti pizza, and who can say no to that? We loved every recipe.
Kaukasis: A Culinary Journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & Beyond by Olia Hercules
There’s only one thing wrong with this cookbook which takes you on a tour of some of the less explored Asian cooking schools – it can be really hard to find the right ingredients.
If you want to make interesting and exciting food that will impress even the most well traveled of souls, though, it’s worth hunting those ingredients down. This food is delicious.
Atsuko’s Japanese Kitchen: Home-cooked comfort food made simple by Atsuko Ikeda
This wholesome, traditional cookbook focuses on the kind of meals served in real homes in Japan and it looks at all 8 culinary cultures present in the country.
You’ll find hearty meals meant to feed growing families rather than the delicate sushi and tempura of Japanese restaurants, it’s awesome!
The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen: Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Sauces, and More by Laura B Russell
Asian food cultures can be very inacessible if you have certain food allergies, that’s why Laura B Rusell’s tribute to gluten-free Asian food can be a literal life saver.
From sauces to dumplings, Laura shows you that a lack of gluten doesn’t mean a lack of taste.
