6 Common Herbs & Spices Used in Asian Cuisine

For some. Asian cuisine be simply some noodles and rice, but in fact, it is comprised of various dishes from different countries, cultures, and ethnicity.

Spices and herbs are a huge part of any cuisine, including Asian, and sometimes, the true art of mastering a certain dish is to learn how to carefully add spices whilst cooking. If you want to learn more, here are some of the most common herbs and spices used in Asian cuisine.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice found in many cuisines, but it’s quite popular in Asia due to its beneficial and healthy properties. In India, it’s used in traditional medicine, but it can be also found in curries. Butt, other South-East Asian cuisines also favour turmeric in dishes. Cambodian curry paste kroeung ha turmeric, and so do some Malaysian dishes. For example, Honey Turmeric Chicken is marinated and savoury dish, and it’s also easy to prepare, so it’s a great way to get introduced to turmeric and enjoy its amazing taste.

2. Ginger

Ginger has a long history in Chinese cuisine, mainly Sichuan one, as it has a very long history of using various spices to boost the flavor of their meat and vegetables. Cantonese cooking in general favours ginger and garlic alike, and these two are considered staple spices, even though ginger and garlic are also popular in other parts of China as well. One of the most famous Sichuan dishes is Hot and Sour soup, famous for many vegetables and various types of meat in one pot. This one is just one example of how spices and herbs, combined with meat and vegetables, can create a true culinary masterpiece.

3. Green onion/garlic

Even though green onion and garlic are used in many (if not all) cuisines around the world, in Asia, mainly China, they have significant cultural meaning, because in some areas winters tend to get harsh and cold, and onions and garlic are the only things that people managed to use to advance the flavor of their meals. So, when one decides to look up recipes for different types of Chinese food, chances are that green onion/garlic will be featured there. And since they also have multiple health benefits, it’s only logical that they’re heavily present in Chinese cuisine, considering that in China, food is seen as medicine. Cantonese cuisine specifically loves garlic as it has medicinal qualities that can boost one’s health.

4. Cinnamon

In western cultures, cinnamon is almost exclusively associated with sweet cakes, cookies, and tea. But its potential is so much more than that because in Asia it is considered a powerhouse of spice with different variations: in China, it is spicy and hot, while in Indonesia is used to balance out the flavor of food. There are so many ways to use cinnamon, so it’s recommended to do a bit of research and check out various recipes, in order to learn how to properly combine it with meat and vegetables.

5. Star anise

This herb is indeed star-shaped, and it’s broadly used in Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cuisines. It goes well with chicken, duck, pork, and beef, but it is also common to use it with dishes such as fried rice. Star anise possesses a unique and rich flavor that might resemble liquorice, so it’s important to use it sparingly, so it won’t empower other spices and natural taste of meat, rice, and vegetables. It is mostly grown in China, but it is widely popular all across the Asian continent.

6. Chilli

Maybe a lot of people associate chilli with Mexican and other South American cuisines, but in fact, it is also used in Asian cooking, where it’s practically a staple. There are green and red chillies, and both of them are quite easy to find in markets all over Asia. It can be used grounded or in the form of flakes that are added to food. Dried chilli peppers are frequently used in Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, while Korean cuisine favour powdered and flaked versions.

Conclusion

These spices and herbs are common in Asian cuisine, which is no surprise, considering their rich flavour and wonderful health benefits. Adding some of these can drastically improve any meal, but it’s important to check out recipes and use them accordingly.

Sophia Smith is an Australian based fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. She is very passionate about photography, tech, interior design and DIY projects. Sophia writes mostly in beauty and fashion related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is a regular contributor for TheCarousel.com.