Collection
Asia Recipes
From street-cart woks to slow monastery kitchens. Below are 307 authentic Asia recipes, each tied to a real country and region, with the cultural story, ingredients, and step-by-step method, adaptable to seven dietary needs.
307 recipes
Osaka-Style OkonomiyakiOsaka (Kansai), Japan · easy · 40 minA crisp-edged cabbage pancake griddled with pork belly, painted with sweet-savory sauce and mayo.
Punjabi Chole (Chickpea Masala)Punjab, India · easy · 55 minChickpeas simmered dark and tangy with tea-infused water, ginger, and a toasted spice blend.
Pad Krapow Gai (Holy Basil Chicken)Bangkok (Central), Thailand · easy · 25 minBangkok's favorite one-plate meal: fiery minced chicken and holy basil over rice with a crispy fried egg.
Imeruli Khachapuri (Cheese-Stuffed Bread)Imereti, Georgia · medium · 45 minA golden, pan-baked flatbread sealed around a molten heart of tangy, salty cheese.
Phở Gà (Hanoi Chicken Pho)Hanoi (Red River Delta), Vietnam · medium · 80 minA clear, star-anise-scented chicken broth over rice noodles, finished with herbs and lime at the table.
Mapo TofuSichuan, China · easy · 30 minSilken tofu in a glowing, numbing-hot chili bean sauce, Chengdu’s most famous export.
BibimbapSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · medium · 55 minA bowl of rice crowned with seasoned vegetables, beef, and a fried egg, all mixed with gochujang at the table.
MujadaraBeirut, Lebanon · easy · 55 minLentils and rice under a deep pile of slow-caramelized onions, the Levant’s humble masterpiece.
İmam Bayıldı (Swooning Imam’s Eggplant)İzmir (Aegean), Turkey · easy · 70 minWhole eggplants braised in olive oil until silken, stuffed with sweet onions, tomato, and garlic. Served cool.
Nasi Goreng KampungYogyakarta (Java), Indonesia · easy · 25 minVillage-style fried rice, smoky and sweet with kecap manis, crowned with a crisp-edged fried egg.
Chicken AdoboCentral Luzon, Philippines · easy · 55 minChicken braised glossy in vinegar, soy, garlic, and black pepper, the Philippines’ definitive dish.
Kerala Ishtu (Coconut Vegetable Stew)Kerala, India · easy · 40 minA gentle, fragrant stew of potatoes and vegetables in coconut milk with ginger, green chili, and curry leaves.
Lahori Chicken KarahiLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · easy · 50 minChicken flash-cooked in a wok-like karahi with tomatoes, ginger, and black pepper, no onions, no shortcuts.
Yomari (Newari Sweet Rice Dumpling)Kathmandu Valley, Nepal · medium · 60 minFig-shaped steamed rice-flour dumpling filled with chaku (jaggery molasses), toasted sesame, and coconut, made for Yomari Punhi.
Dal Bhat TarkariKathmandu Valley, Nepal · easy · 60 minThe Himalayan daily plate: tempered black lentils, rice, and a turmeric-spiced vegetable curry.
Parippu & Pol SambolSouthern Province, Sri Lanka · easy · 45 minCreamy coconut-milk red lentils with a fiery fresh coconut-chili relish, the twin pillars of a Lankan rice table.
Uzbek PlovTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 95 minSilk Road rice cooked in one kazan with lamb, mountains of carrots, cumin, and whole garlic heads.
Fish AmokSiem Reap, Cambodia · medium · 55 minA silky steamed fish curry-custard in banana-leaf cups, built on pounded lemongrass kroeung and coconut cream.
Goya ChampuruOkinawa, Japan · easy · 25 minOkinawa’s signature stir-fry of bitter melon, firm tofu, pork, and egg, humble food from the island of long life.
Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)Guangdong, China · medium · 60 minLacquered, honey-glossed barbecue pork with burnished edges, Guangdong’s roast-shop crown jewel, oven-adapted.
Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice)Amman, Jordan · advanced · 95 minLayers of chicken, fried eggplant, cauliflower, and spiced rice cooked in one pot, then flipped tableside.
Ghormeh SabziTehran, Iran · medium · 150 minIran’s beloved herb stew: mountains of sautéed greens, kidney beans, dried limes, and lamb over saffron rice.
Bhuna KhichuriDhaka, Bangladesh · easy · 55 minToasted rice and moong dal cooked rich with ghee, whole spices, and caramelized onion, monsoon comfort from Dhaka.
Char Kway TeowPenang, Malaysia · medium · 30 minFlat rice noodles seared in a screaming wok with prawns, egg, chives, and dark soy, Penang’s hawker crown.
Taiwanese Beef Noodle SoupTaipei, Taiwan · medium · 175 minChewy wheat noodles in a dark, star-anise beef broth with melting shank and pickled mustard greens.
Tam Mak Hoong (Lao Green Papaya Salad)Luang Prabang, Laos · easy · 20 minShredded green papaya pounded in a mortar with padaek, lime, chili, garlic, and tomato, the dark, funky, fiery Lao papaya salad.
Larb (Lao Herb & Meat Salad)Luang Prabang, Laos · easy · 25 minWarm minced pork tossed with lime, fish sauce, chili flakes, toasted rice powder, and a garden of herbs.
Sapporo Miso RamenHokkaido (Sapporo), Japan · medium · 50 minSnow-country ramen: a rich miso broth with wok-seared vegetables, springy noodles, and butter melting on top.
Pav BhajiMaharashtra (Mumbai), India · easy · 50 minMumbai’s beach-stall classic: a buttery mashed vegetable curry with toasted buns, lime, and raw onion.
MohingaYangon, Myanmar · medium · 65 minMyanmar’s national breakfast: rice noodles in a lemongrass-catfish broth thickened with toasted chickpea flour.
Khuushuur (Fried Meat Pastry)Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 65 minCrisp deep-fried half-moon pastries filled with minced mutton, onion, and garlic, the taste of the Naadam festival.
TsuivanUlaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 60 minSteppe-style fried noodles steamed over a mutton and vegetable braise, Mongolia’s one-pan answer to a cold night.
BeshbarmakAlmaty, Kazakhstan · medium · 150 min"Five fingers": boiled meat over wide noodle sheets with onion gravy, Kazakhstan’s dish of honor, eaten by hand.
Bánh XèoMekong Delta, Vietnam · medium · 50 minSizzling turmeric-rice crepes stuffed with shrimp, pork, and sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and dunked in nuoc cham.
Sundubu-jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)Gyeongsang (Busan), South Korea · easy · 35 minBubbling-hot soft tofu stew, brick-red with gochugaru, finished with an egg cracked in at the table.
Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken)Xinjiang, China · medium · 65 minA heroic platter of chicken, potatoes, and peppers in a star-anise chili sauce, with wide noodles for the gravy.
Hyderabadi Chicken BiryaniTelangana (Hyderabad), India · advanced · 100 minThe dum method: marinated chicken and half-cooked saffron rice sealed together so the pot finishes the dish in steam.
Gado-GadoJakarta, Indonesia · easy · 45 minJakarta’s "mix-mix": blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and egg under warm peanut sauce.
LahmacunGaziantep, Turkey · medium · 50 minPaper-thin flatbread blistered under a spiced lamb, pepper, and parsley crust, rolled with lemon and herbs.
Hainanese Chicken RiceSingapore, Singapore · medium · 80 minSilken poached chicken over rice cooked in its broth, with chili-ginger sauce, Singapore’s national obsession.
Khaman DhoklaGujarat, India · easy · 35 minCloud-light steamed chickpea-flour cakes, tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves, Gujarat’s teatime signature.
Hongshao Rou (Red-Braised Pork)Shanghai, China · medium · 105 minPork belly lacquered in caramel, soy, and rice wine until it trembles, Shanghai’s definition of home.
Khao SoiChiang Mai (North), Thailand · medium · 50 minChiang Mai’s coconut-curry noodles: soft egg noodles in golden broth, crowned with a crispy noodle nest.
LobioRacha, Georgia · easy · 55 minKidney beans simmered and half-crushed with walnuts, coriander, and Georgian spice, served in clay with cornbread.
Fish Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry)Western Province (Colombo), Sri Lanka · medium · 50 minSri Lanka’s dry sour fish curry: firm fish coated in a jet-black paste of goraka and black pepper and cooked down until every piece wears a tangy, peppery crust.
Kottu RotiWestern Province (Colombo), Sri Lanka · easy · 35 minChopped flatbread stir-fried with curry, vegetables, and egg on a clanging griddle, Colombo’s midnight anthem.
Shuwa (Home-Oven Version)Muscat, Oman · medium · 265 minLamb rubbed with date-dark Omani spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and roasted low until it falls apart, Eid on a platter.
Ema DatshiThimphu, Bhutan · easy · 30 minBhutan’s national dish: green chilies stewed as the vegetable, not the seasoning, in a silky cheese sauce.
MusakhanWest Bank, Palestine · easy · 75 minSumac-and-onion roasted chicken over olive-oil-soaked taboon bread, showered with toasted pine nuts, Palestine on a platter.
Iraqi DolmaBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 135 minVine leaves and vegetables stuffed with tomato-and-pomegranate rice, packed tight and steamed until sweet-sour and tender.
Ghapama (Stuffed Pumpkin)Yerevan, Armenia · medium · 115 minA whole pumpkin packed with rice, dried apricots, walnuts, and honey, baked until the shell is a spoonable bowl.
Macher JholWest Bengal (Kolkata), India · easy · 40 minA light, mustard-scented fish curry with potatoes and nigella seeds, the everyday soul of a Kolkata table.
OyakodonTokyo (Kanto), Japan · easy · 22 minChicken and softly-set egg simmered in sweet dashi soy, slid over hot rice, the tender "parent-and-child" bowl.
Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles)Beijing, China · easy · 40 minThick wheat noodles under a savory fried soybean-paste pork sauce, ringed by crisp raw vegetables you fold in yourself.
Bún Bò HuếHuế (Central), Vietnam · medium · 145 minThe imperial city’s fierce beef-and-lemongrass noodle soup, spiked with chili oil and shrimp paste, bolder than pho.
SaltahSana’a, Yemen · medium · 65 minA bubbling stone-pot stew crowned with whipped fenugreek froth (hulba) and fiery green sahawiq, Yemen’s national dish.
KabsaRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · medium · 75 minSpiced rice cooked in aromatic broth with chicken, dried lime, and a whole-spice perfume, heaped high for sharing.
Goan VindalooGoa, India · medium · 90 minPork marinated in a fiery vinegar-and-Kashmiri-chili paste, then braised sour, hot, and deeply garlicky.
Massaman CurrySouthern Thailand, Thailand · medium · 95 minA mild, aromatic curry of beef, potatoes, and peanuts scented with cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, Thailand’s gentlest, most fragrant curry.
Chicken KaraageKyushu (Fukuoka), Japan · easy · 40 minGinger-garlic-soy marinated chicken coated in potato starch and fried twice for a shatteringly light, juicy crunch.
Beef RendangWest Sumatra, Indonesia · advanced · 240 minBeef simmered for hours in coconut milk and spice paste until the liquid vanishes and the meat turns dark, dry, and intense.
BalaleetDubai, United Arab Emirates · easy · 30 minSweet saffron-and-cardamom vermicelli topped with a thin savory omelette, the Gulf’s sweet-and-savory breakfast.
Chettinad ChickenTamil Nadu (Chennai), India · medium · 65 minChicken in a fiercely aromatic South Indian masala of roasted spices, black pepper, and coconut, Tamil Nadu’s boldest curry.
Kung Pao ChickenSichuan, China · easy · 30 minDiced chicken stir-fried with dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and peanuts in a sweet-sour-savory sauce with real má-là kick.
BulgogiSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · easy · 40 minThin beef marinated in soy, pear, sesame, and garlic, seared fast and sweet-savory, Korea’s beloved "fire meat."
Bánh MìHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam · easy · 35 minA crackly baguette stuffed with pâté, pork, pickled daikon-carrot, cilantro, and chili, French bread reborn in Saigon.
MantiKayseri, Turkey · advanced · 90 minTiny hand-pinched meat dumplings under garlic yogurt and paprika-mint butter, Kayseri’s legendary labor of love.
SabichTel Aviv, Israel · easy · 40 minPita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, salad, and a drizzle of tangy amba and tahini.
LagmanBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · advanced · 80 minHand-pulled noodles topped with a stir-fried stew of beef, peppers, and tomatoes in a savory sauce.
AmbuyatBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · medium · 30 minA glassy sago starch eaten with bamboo forks and dipped in a tart, pungent cacah sauce.
Mas HuniMalé, Maldives · easy · 25 minShredded smoked tuna tossed with grated coconut, onion, chili, and lime, the Maldivian breakfast, with roshi flatbread.
MurabyanKuwait City, Kuwait · medium · 65 minSpiced Gulf shrimp folded through rice cooked in their fragrant broth, layered with dill and dried lime.
MuhammarManama, Bahrain · easy · 55 minBahrain's sweet brown rice scented with date syrup, saffron, and cardamom, traditionally served with fried fish.
HareesDoha, Qatar · medium · 195 minWheat berries and meat pounded together over long cooking into a smooth, comforting porridge.
QurutobDushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 50 minTajikistan's national dish: flaky fatir bread torn into a tangy qurut yogurt sauce, topped with onions and herbs.
DogramaAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 130 minHand-crumbled flatbread and boiled meat with onion, moistened with rich broth, Turkmenistan's dish of celebration.
Batar Da'anDili, Timor-Leste · easy · 90 minA humble Timorese stew of corn, mung beans, and pumpkin simmered soft in a light, comforting pot.
Pyongyang NaengmyeonPyongyang, North Korea · advanced · 160 minChewy buckwheat noodles in an icy, clear beef-and-radish broth, topped with pear, egg, and pickles.
Or LamLuang Prabang, Laos · medium · 75 minA Luang Prabang herb stew of meat and vegetables thickened with sticky rice and buzzed with peppery sakhan vine.
Kabuli PulaoKabul, Afghanistan · advanced · 120 minAfghanistan's national dish: steamed rice piled over lamb and crowned with candied carrots and raisins.
Burmese Chicken CurryYangon, Myanmar · medium · 75 minChicken slow-cooked in an oil-rich onion, garlic, ginger, and turmeric masala until deeply savory.
KibbehDamascus, Syria · advanced · 70 minTorpedo-shaped bulgur shells stuffed with spiced meat and pine nuts, fried until crisp.
KhorovatsYerevan, Armenia · medium · 55 minArmenian barbecue: marinated pork or lamb grilled over vine coals with fire-roasted vegetables.
Emirati SalonaDubai, United Arab Emirates · easy · 75 minA tangy Emirati stew of meat or fish and vegetables in a spiced tomato-and-dried-lime broth.
PitiBaku, Azerbaijan · medium · 175 minA slow-baked crock stew of lamb, chickpeas, and chestnuts scented with saffron and dried plum.
Mas RihaMalé, Maldives · easy · 50 minA Maldivian tuna curry in a fragrant coconut sauce with curry leaves, pandan, and dried chili.
Jerusalem Mixed GrillTel Aviv, Israel · easy · 40 minMeorav Yerushalmi: chicken and offal seared fast with onion, cumin, and turmeric, stuffed into laffa.
Tamago Kake GohanOsaka (Kansai), Japan · easy · 4 minHot rice topped with a raw egg and a splash of soy, Japan's fastest, most comforting breakfast.
JokBangkok (Central), Thailand · easy · 55 minA silky Thai rice congee topped with ginger, scallion, and a soft egg, the classic Bangkok breakfast.
Chvishtari (Cornmeal Cheese Bread)Imereti, Georgia · easy · 30 minGriddled cornmeal cakes packed with young melting cheese, crisp outside and molten within, from the mountains of western Georgia.
Youtiao and Soy MilkSichuan, China · medium · 35 minCrisp, airy fried dough sticks dunked into a bowl of warm fresh soy milk, a classic Chinese breakfast.
Hobak-jukSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · easy · 45 minA silky, naturally sweet Korean pumpkin porridge thickened with glutinous rice.
Manakish Za'atarBeirut, Lebanon · medium · 40 minFlatbread baked with a fragrant za'atar-and-olive-oil topping, the Levantine morning staple.
Menemenİzmir (Aegean), Turkey · easy · 30 minSoft eggs scrambled into a simmered base of tomato, green pepper, and pul biber.
Bubur SumsumYogyakarta (Java), Indonesia · easy · 30 minA soft rice-flour and coconut porridge pooled with dark palm-sugar syrup.
ChamporadoCentral Luzon, Philippines · easy · 35 minA sweet Filipino chocolate rice porridge, traditionally eaten with salty dried fish on the side.
Halwa PuriLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · medium · 70 minA festive Lahori breakfast of puffed fried puri, sweet semolina halwa, and spiced chickpeas.
Sel RotiKathmandu Valley, Nepal · medium · 50 minA ring-shaped, lightly sweet fermented rice bread, crisp outside and soft within.
Hoppers (Appa)Southern Province, Sri Lanka · medium · 45 minBowl-shaped fermented rice-and-coconut pancakes, lacy at the edges and soft in the middle.
KatlamaTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 45 minFlaky, layered pan-fried flatbread brushed with oil and folded, a Central Asian morning staple.
Bai Sach ChroukSiem Reap, Cambodia · easy · 40 minThinly sliced grilled coconut-marinated pork over broken rice, with pickles and a clear broth.
FattehAmman, Jordan · easy · 30 minLayers of toasted bread, warm chickpeas, and garlicky yogurt topped with sizzled butter and pine nuts.
AdasiTehran, Iran · easy · 60 minA warming Persian lentil breakfast stew spiced with turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon.
Ruti with Aloo BhajiDhaka, Bangladesh · easy · 45 minSoft whole-wheat flatbread with a lightly spiced potato-and-onion curry, the everyday Dhaka breakfast.
Nasi LemakPenang, Malaysia · medium · 55 minFragrant coconut rice with spicy sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and egg, Malaysia's national breakfast.
Dan BingTaipei, Taiwan · easy · 30 minA soft, chewy egg crepe rolled up and sliced, Taiwan's favorite hot breakfast off the griddle.
Khao Piak SenLuang Prabang, Laos · medium · 70 minA comforting Lao chicken noodle soup with soft, chewy hand-cut rice-tapioca noodles.
KhaginaKabul, Afghanistan · easy · 25 minAfghan eggs cooked into a soft, spiced tomato base, a quick, warming Kabul breakfast.
BoortsogUlaanbaatar, Mongolia · easy · 40 minSimple fried dough biscuits eaten with milky, lightly salted tea across the Mongolian steppe.
BaursakAlmaty, Kazakhstan · easy · 45 minFluffy yeasted fried dough puffs served warm with butter, jam, or honey and tea.
BalilaDamascus, Syria · easy · 15 minWarm chickpeas dressed with cumin, lemon, garlic, and olive oil, a simple Damascene breakfast.
Kaya ToastSingapore, Singapore · easy · 20 minToasted bread spread with coconut-egg kaya jam and butter, with soft-cooked eggs and kopi.
Khur-leThimphu, Bhutan · easy · 30 minRustic buckwheat pancakes from the Bhutanese highlands, eaten with chili-cheese ezay.
SakhanaMuscat, Oman · easy · 55 minA thick, sweet Omani wheat soup of dates, date molasses and milk, made through Ramadan and eaten after the fast.
Labneh with Za'atarWest Bank, Palestine · easy · 10 minThick strained yogurt swirled with olive oil and za'atar, scooped with warm taboon bread.
Kahi with GeymarBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 50 minFlaky layered pastry baked crisp, soaked in syrup, and topped with rich clotted geymar cream.
Zhingyalov HatsYerevan, Armenia · medium · 50 minThin flatbread stuffed with a dozen or more chopped herbs and greens, griddled until blistered.
MasoubSana’a, Yemen · easy · 15 minMashed flatbread and ripe banana bound with honey and topped with cream, nuts, and dates.
MasabibRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · easy · 35 minSoft, holey yeasted pancakes drenched in date syrup or honey, a Hejazi and Saudi breakfast.
MalawachTel Aviv, Israel · medium · 45 minA flaky, buttery Yemenite-Israeli pan-fried flatbread served with grated tomato and zhug.
QutabBaku, Azerbaijan · medium · 45 minThin, half-moon griddle breads stuffed with greens and herbs, folded and cooked until charred.
KattamaBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · medium · 45 minA flaky, spiral pan-fried bread layered with onion, torn and eaten with tea or broth.
KatilapamBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · easy · 40 minSoft steamed rice-flour cakes lightly spiced and faintly sweet, a Bruneian teatime and breakfast bite.
KhameerKuwait City, Kuwait · medium · 45 minSoft, lightly sweet date-and-cardamom yeast breads, griddled and eaten with cream or cheese.
ChebabManama, Bahrain · easy · 30 minSaffron-and-cardamom pancakes tinted gold, served with cheese or date syrup, a Gulf breakfast.
KhanfarooshDoha, Qatar · medium · 40 minLittle saffron-and-cardamom cakes, crisp outside and soft within, fried and dusted with sugar.
ShirchoyDushanbe, Tajikistan · easy · 20 minWarm milk tea poured over torn bread with a knob of butter, a simple Tajik mountain breakfast.
ChorekAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 45 minRound tamdyr-baked bread with a crisp crust and soft crumb, torn warm with tea and butter.
Jagung BoseDili, Timor-Leste · easy · 90 minThe Timorese corn staple: dried corn and red beans slow-cooked until creamy in coconut milk, humble everyday nourishment.
OnbanPyongyang, North Korea · medium · 65 minA Pyongyang bowl of warm rice in chicken broth topped with shredded chicken and a mung-bean pancake.
TonkatsuTokyo (Kanto), Japan · medium · 35 minA thick pork cutlet in a shatteringly crisp panko crust, sliced and served with shredded cabbage and tangy sauce.
DorayakiTokyo (Kanto), Japan · easy · 35 minTwo fluffy honey-scented pancakes sandwiching sweet red bean paste, a classic Japanese teatime treat.
Masala DosaTamil Nadu (Chennai), India · medium · 50 minA crisp, golden fermented rice-and-lentil crepe wrapped around spiced potato, South India's iconic anytime meal.
Gulab JamunPunjab, India · medium · 45 minSoft milk-solid dumplings deep-fried and soaked in rose-and-cardamom syrup, the sweet of every Indian celebration.
Pad ThaiBangkok (Central), Thailand · medium · 40 minStir-fried rice noodles in a sweet-sour tamarind sauce with tofu, shrimp, egg, and crushed peanuts, Thailand's global icon.
Mango Sticky RiceBangkok (Central), Thailand · easy · 55 minWarm coconut-sweetened glutinous rice with ripe mango and a salty-sweet coconut sauce, Thailand's favorite dessert.
Adjaruli KhachapuriAdjara, Georgia · medium · 45 minGeorgia’s famous boat-shaped cheese bread from Adjara: a molten pool of cheese in a golden crust, finished with an egg and butter stirred in at the table.
KhinkaliImereti, Georgia · medium · 60 minTwisted soup dumplings filled with spiced meat and hot broth, eaten by hand, a proud Georgian mountain dish.
ChurchkhelaRacha, Georgia · medium · 60 minStrings of walnuts dipped repeatedly in thickened grape juice until candle-shaped, Georgia's ancient traveling sweet.
Bún ChảHanoi (Red River Delta), Vietnam · medium · 50 minSmoky grilled pork patties and slices in a sweet-sour dipping broth, with rice noodles and heaps of fresh herbs, Hanoi's lunch.
Chè Ba MàuHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam · medium · 75 minA layered sweet of red beans, mung beans, and green pandan jelly over ice with coconut cream, Vietnam's three-color dessert.
XiaolongbaoShanghai, China · advanced · 75 minDelicate steamed dumplings with a thin pleated skin and a burst of hot pork soup inside, a Shanghai treasure.
TangyuanShanghai, China · medium · 45 minChewy glutinous rice balls with a sweet black sesame center in warm ginger syrup, a Chinese symbol of family reunion.
KimbapSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · medium · 55 minSeasoned rice and colorful fillings rolled in seaweed and sliced into rounds, Korea's picnic and lunchbox staple.
HotteokSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · medium · 105 minChewy fried griddle pancakes oozing a molten brown-sugar, cinnamon, and nut filling, a Korean winter street treat.
FalafelBeirut, Lebanon · medium · 45 minCrisp herb-flecked chickpea fritters tucked into pita with tahini, pickles, and salad, a Levantine street classic.
KnafehBeirut, Lebanon · medium · 60 minMolten sweet cheese under a crisp orange semolina or shredded-pastry crust, drenched in syrup, a Levantine breakfast-dessert.
Adana KebapGaziantep, Turkey · medium · 45 minHand-minced spiced lamb pressed onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, served with flatbread and sumac onions.
BaklavaGaziantep, Turkey · advanced · 90 minLayers of butter-brushed phyllo packed with pistachios and soaked in syrup, the crown jewel of Gaziantep pastry.
Soto AyamJakarta, Indonesia · medium · 65 minA fragrant golden turmeric chicken soup with noodles, egg, and crisp shallots, Indonesia's everyday bowl of comfort.
KleponYogyakarta (Java), Indonesia · medium · 45 minPandan-green rice balls with a molten palm-sugar center, rolled in fresh coconut, a favorite Indonesian sweet snack.
Sinigang na BaboyCentral Luzon, Philippines · easy · 95 minThe Philippines’ beloved sour soup: pork simmered tender in a clear tamarind broth, unapologetically tart, loaded with vegetables added in stages.
Pancit BihonCentral Luzon, Philippines · easy · 40 minThin rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables in a savory soy sauce, a Filipino celebration staple.
Leche FlanCentral Luzon, Philippines · medium · 65 minA dense, silky egg-yolk custard under a dark caramel, steamed in a tin mold, the Philippines' richest celebration dessert.
Chapli KababLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · easy · 40 minFlat, spiced minced-beef patties studded with tomato and pomegranate, shallow-fried crisp, a Khyber specialty.
KheerLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · easy · 70 minA slow-cooked rice pudding perfumed with cardamom and scattered with nuts, the comforting sweet of every occasion.
MomoKathmandu Valley, Nepal · medium · 65 minSteamed dumplings of spiced minced filling served with a tangy tomato-sesame achar, Nepal's everyday bite.
Juju DhauKathmandu Valley, Nepal · easy · 45 minA rich, sweet set yogurt scented with cardamom, the King of Yogurts from the Newar city of Bhaktapur.
LampraisWestern Province (Colombo), Sri Lanka · advanced · 100 minRice and a mixed curry baked together in a banana leaf, a treasured Dutch Burgher dish of Sri Lanka.
WatalappanSouthern Province, Sri Lanka · easy · 60 minA steamed coconut custard set with dark palm jaggery and warm spices, the festive pudding of Sri Lanka.
SamsaTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 70 minFlaky baked pastries filled with spiced lamb and onion, blistered golden in a tandoor, a Silk Road staple.
Chak-ChakTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 55 minCrisp fried dough pieces bound in warm honey syrup into a sticky golden mound, a Central Asian celebration sweet.
Nom Banh ChokSiem Reap, Cambodia · medium · 60 minRice noodles under a fragrant green fish-and-lemongrass gravy, piled with raw vegetables, Cambodia's Khmer noodles.
Sankhya LapovSiem Reap, Cambodia · medium · 70 minA whole kabocha pumpkin steamed with a coconut-palm-sugar custard inside, a striking Cambodian dessert.
MansafAmman, Jordan · medium · 150 minLamb cooked in a tangy fermented-yogurt sauce over rice and flatbread, Jordan's national dish of hospitality.
MahalabiaAmman, Jordan · easy · 25 minA delicate milk pudding set with cornstarch and perfumed with rose or orange blossom, a light Levantine sweet.
Ash-e ReshtehTehran, Iran · medium · 150 minOne of Iran’s best-loved thick soups: legumes and a mountain of herbs simmered with reshteh noodles, finished with tangy kashk, sizzled mint, and caramelized onion.
Chelo Kabab KoobidehTehran, Iran · medium · 50 minGrilled skewers of seasoned minced meat with saffron buttered rice and grilled tomato, Iran's national dish.
Sholeh ZardTehran, Iran · easy · 75 minA fragrant saffron and rose rice pudding decorated with cinnamon, an Iranian dessert of celebration and charity.
Shorshe IlishDhaka, Bangladesh · medium · 40 minHilsa fish in a pungent mustard-and-green-chili sauce, the prized national dish of Bengal, eaten with rice.
RoshogollaDhaka, Bangladesh · medium · 55 minSpongy cheese-curd balls simmered in light sugar syrup, the springy sweet of Bengal.
Penang Asam LaksaPenang, Malaysia · medium · 70 minA tart, spicy mackerel-and-tamarind noodle soup topped with pineapple, mint, and ginger flower, Penang's iconic bowl.
Kuih Seri MukaPenang, Malaysia · medium · 80 minA two-layer sweet of coconut sticky rice under a smooth pandan custard, a jewel of the Malaysian kuih table.
Gua Bao (Pork Belly Buns)Taipei, Taiwan · medium · 130 minTaiwan’s famous night-market bun: a pillowy folded steamed bun cradling red-braised pork belly, tangy pickled mustard greens, cilantro, and sweet peanut powder.
Lu Rou FanTaipei, Taiwan · easy · 90 minRice topped with glossy braised minced pork in a five-spice soy sauce, Taiwan's everyday braised-pork bowl.
Pineapple CakeTaipei, Taiwan · medium · 70 minA buttery shortbread pastry enclosing a chewy, tangy pineapple jam, Taiwan's most popular edible souvenir.
Khao PoonLuang Prabang, Laos · medium · 70 minA spicy, herbal rice-vermicelli soup in a fragrant coconut-and-chili broth, the celebratory noodle bowl of Laos.
Khao TomLuang Prabang, Laos · easy · 75 minSweet coconut sticky rice wrapped around banana and steamed in banana leaf, a fragrant Lao treat.
MantuKabul, Afghanistan · advanced · 90 minSteamed dumplings of spiced beef and onion topped with garlicky yogurt and a lentil-tomato sauce, an Afghan favorite.
FirniKabul, Afghanistan · easy · 35 minA silky ground-rice milk pudding scented with cardamom and rosewater, topped with pistachios, an Afghan celebration sweet.
Lahpet ThokeYangon, Myanmar · easy · 30 minA tea-leaf salad of fermented tea, crunchy fried beans, nuts, and seeds tossed with cabbage and lime, Myanmar's national treasure.
Sanwin MakinYangon, Myanmar · easy · 65 minA dense semolina and coconut cake topped with poppy seeds, a much-loved Burmese teatime sweet.
BuuzUlaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 65 minJuicy steamed dumplings of minced mutton and onion, the dumpling Mongolia eats by the dozen, above all at Tsagaan Sar.
KuyrdakAlmaty, Kazakhstan · easy · 55 minA hearty fry-up of meat, potato, and onion, the celebratory dish traditionally made when an animal is freshly butchered.
Chicken ShawarmaDamascus, Syria · medium · 55 minMarinated spiced chicken roasted and shaved into flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles, the Levant's great street lunch.
Halawet el JibnDamascus, Syria · advanced · 60 minSoft semolina-and-cheese dough rolled around clotted cream and drenched in syrup, a Damascene sweet-cheese specialty.
Bak Kut TehSingapore, Singapore · easy · 105 minPork ribs simmered in a peppery, garlicky broth, Singapore's restorative bowl eaten with rice and dough fritters.
Pulut HitamSingapore, Singapore · easy · 70 minA warm porridge of black glutinous rice sweetened with palm sugar and finished with salty coconut cream, a Nyonya classic.
Jasha MarooThimphu, Bhutan · easy · 45 minA soupy, spicy minced-chicken stew with tomato, ginger, and coriander, a warming everyday Bhutanese dish.
KhabzeyThimphu, Bhutan · medium · 60 minCrisp, lightly sweet fried dough shaped into knots and butterflies, a festive Bhutanese biscuit for New Year and offerings.
Omani MachboosMuscat, Oman · medium · 80 minFragrant spiced rice cooked with chicken, dried lime, and saffron, a cornerstone of the Omani and Gulf table.
Omani HalwaMuscat, Oman · advanced · 75 minA dense, glossy, aromatic sweet of rosewater, saffron, and spices set with ghee and nuts, the pride of Omani hospitality.
MaftoulWest Bank, Palestine · medium · 85 minHand-rolled Palestinian couscous simmered with chicken and chickpeas in a warmly spiced broth, a warming village dish.
QatayefWest Bank, Palestine · medium · 65 minLittle stuffed pancakes filled with sweet walnuts, fried or baked and soaked in syrup, the classic sweet of Ramadan.
MasgoufBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 90 minButterflied river fish marinated and slow-grilled over open flame, Iraq's national dish and the pride of Baghdad.
KleichaBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 70 minSpiced pastry spirals filled with date paste and cardamom, Iraq's national cookie, made for every celebration.
SpasYerevan, Armenia · easy · 45 minA warming yogurt-and-wheat soup fragrant with mint and herbs, a soothing Armenian everyday bowl.
MandiSana’a, Yemen · medium · 115 minSmoky spiced rice and tender meat traditionally cooked in an underground oven, a celebrated dish of Yemen and the Gulf.
Bint al-SahnSana’a, Yemen · advanced · 75 minMany paper-thin layers of buttery dough baked and drenched in honey and scattered with nigella seeds, Yemen's honey cake.
MutabbaqRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · medium · 50 minA thin folded pastry stuffed with spiced minced meat and egg, griddled crisp, a favorite Saudi street snack.
AreekaRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · easy · 25 minSoft bread mashed with dates, butter, and honey into a rich, comforting sweet of southern Saudi Arabia.
Emirati ThareedDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 100 minA spiced meat-and-vegetable stew ladled over thin crisp regag bread, a comforting Emirati dish, especially in Ramadan.
LuqaimatDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 110 minCrisp golden dumplings drenched in date syrup and scattered with sesame, the classic fried sweet of the Emirati Ramadan table.
ZhentAlmaty, Kazakhstan · easy · 30 minA sweet, crumbly pressed mixture of toasted millet, butter, and raisins, a traditional Kazakh treat of the steppe.
HummusTel Aviv, Israel · easy · 75 minSilky-smooth chickpea and tahini puree pooled with olive oil, scooped up with warm pita, a Levantine lunch of devotion.
RugelachTel Aviv, Israel · medium · 60 minLittle rolled pastry crescents filled with chocolate or cinnamon, a bakery staple of Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
LavangiBaku, Azerbaijan · medium · 105 minChicken stuffed with a tangy walnut, onion, and sour-plum paste and roasted, a specialty of Azerbaijan's Caspian south.
ŞəkərburaBaku, Azerbaijan · advanced · 85 minCrimped half-moon pastries filled with sweet ground nuts and cardamom, the pride of the Azerbaijani Novruz table.
OromoBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · medium · 90 minA rolled, spiraled steamed dumpling of thin dough layered with meat, potato, and pumpkin, a hearty Kyrgyz favorite.
Nasi KatokBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · easy · 45 minA simple plate of rice, fried chicken, and fiery sambal, Brunei's famously cheap everyday meal.
PenyaramBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · medium · 40 minA chewy fried cake of rice flour and palm sugar with lacy, crisp edges, a traditional Bruneian and Bornean sweet.
GarudhiyaMalé, Maldives · easy · 45 minA clear, fragrant tuna broth served over rice with lime, chili, and onion, the everyday heart of the Maldivian table.
Foni BoakibaaMalé, Maldives · easy · 70 minA dense baked pudding-cake of rice, coconut, and rosewater, a sweet Maldivian favorite for Ramadan and celebrations.
Mutabbaq SamakKuwait City, Kuwait · medium · 70 minSpiced fish served over caramelized-onion rice with dried lime, a classic Kuwaiti and Gulf seafood dish.
Gers OgailyKuwait City, Kuwait · easy · 55 minA fragrant saffron and cardamom sponge cake topped with sesame and nigella seeds, a Kuwaiti celebration classic.
GhooziManama, Bahrain · medium · 180 minSpiced rice crowned with tender roasted lamb, fried nuts, and raisins, a grand Bahraini and Gulf celebration platter.
RanginakManama, Bahrain · easy · 35 minDates stuffed with walnuts under a blanket of toasted spiced flour and cinnamon, a rich Bahraini and Gulf sweet.
MadroubaDoha, Qatar · easy · 90 minA soft, porridge-like rice and chicken dish beaten smooth with spices and dried lime, comforting Qatari Ramadan fare.
Assidat al-BoubarDoha, Qatar · easy · 50 minA warm pumpkin pudding of toasted flour, date syrup, and cardamom, a warming Qatari Ramadan sweet.
MastavaDushanbe, Tajikistan · easy · 70 minA hearty rice soup with meat, chickpeas, and vegetables, brightened with herbs and a spoon of yogurt, a Tajik staple.
IchlekliAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 85 minA large baked pastry pie filled with spiced meat, onion, and potato, a rustic Turkmen specialty for gatherings.
Ikan SabukoDili, Timor-Leste · easy · 40 minMackerel marinated in tamarind and lime, then grilled with basil and chili, the fresh coastal favourite of Timor-Leste.
Injo-gogi-bapPyongyang, North Korea · easy · 35 minSheets of soybean 'meat' stuffed with rice and topped with a spicy sauce, a resourceful North Korean street food.
Gangnaengi-tteokPyongyang, North Korea · easy · 50 minChewy steamed corn cakes lightly sweetened and often dotted with beans, a homely North Korean treat.
Turkmen PalawAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 85 minTurkmenistan's national rice pilaf: chicken browned with sweet julienned carrots and onion, then steamed under a mound of basmati until fluffy.
Turkmen Shashlyk (Çişlik)Ashgabat, Turkmenistan · easy · 50 minCubes of lamb marinated overnight with onion and vinegar, threaded onto skewers, grilled over coals, and finished with a pour of melted butter.
Inihaw na Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly)Central Luzon, Philippines · easy · 40 minPork belly slabs marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, and garlic, then charcoal-grilled and basted with sweet banana ketchup until sticky and charred.
Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Barberry Rice with Chicken)Tehran, Iran · medium · 100 minSaffron chicken simmered in a tomato sauce, served with fluffy basmati layered with tart-sweet barberries fried in butter.
Mtsvadi (Georgian Grilled Pork Skewers)Racha, Georgia · easy · 45 minChunks of pork marinated with grated onion and pomegranate, grilled over vine embers, then tumbled with raw onion and pomegranate seeds.
Three-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)Taipei, Taiwan · easy · 40 minBone-in chicken braised with heaps of ginger and garlic in a glossy sauce of sesame oil, soy, and rice wine, finished with a flurry of Thai basil.
Beef Lok LakSiem Reap, Cambodia · easy · 30 minCubes of marinated beef seared hard and shaken in the pan, piled on crisp lettuce and tomato with a tangy Kampot pepper and lime dipping sauce.
Khailmag (Caramelized Clotted Cream)Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · easy · 25 minA rich Mongolian dessert of urum, clotted cream, cooked down slowly with sugar and a little flour into a thick, caramel-toned pudding eaten warm with a spoon.
Zhansak (Walnut and Honey Candy)Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan · easy · 20 minA traditional Kyrgyz tea candy of crushed walnuts bound with mountain honey and sary may, the local clarified butter, then set and dried into sweet pieces.
Nishallo (Whipped Ramadan Sweet)Dushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 25 minA glossy white Tajik whip of egg whites beaten into a hot sugar syrup and scented with vanilla, made for iftar in Ramadan and scooped up with warm bread.
Pishme (Turkmen Fried Dough Diamonds)Ashgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 110 minTurkmenistan's celebration sweet: little diamonds of light yeasted dough fried until puffed and golden, then dusted with sugar.
Babilak Ai-luka (Cassava and Coconut Balls)Dili, Timor-Leste · easy · 35 minTimorese sweet fritters of grated cassava and fresh coconut bound with brown sugar and a little basil, rolled into balls and fried golden.
Cơm Tấm Sườn NướngHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam · medium · 50 minSaigon's plate of fluffy broken rice under a smoky, caramelised lemongrass pork chop, with pickled vegetables, scallion oil and a bowl of nuoc cham to pour over.
Chả Cá Lã VọngHanoi (Red River Delta), Vietnam · medium · 50 minHanoi's turmeric fish, marinated golden with galangal, seared then finished in a sizzling pan under a cloud of dill and spring onion, served over rice noodles with peanuts.
Shish TaoukBeirut, Lebanon · easy · 35 minLebanese chicken skewers marinated in garlic, lemon and yogurt with warm spices, grilled until charred and tender, and served with pillowy toum garlic sauce and pita.
SayadiehBeirut, Lebanon · medium · 70 minThe Lebanese fisherman's dish of spiced white fish over deeply caramelised onion rice, cooked in fish stock and crowned with toasted pine nuts.
Roti CanaiPenang, Malaysia · medium · 50 minA flaky, stretched-thin griddle flatbread from the mamak stall, crisp outside and soft in layers within, served with a bowl of dhal to dip.
Nasi KandarPenang, Malaysia · medium · 65 minFragrant rice with an aromatic chicken curry, dhal, and okra, flooded with mixed curry gravy the banjir way, Penang's Tamil-Muslim classic.
Cheese BourekasTel Aviv, Israel · medium · 55 minFlaky puff-pastry triangles filled with tangy feta and ricotta, glazed with egg and scattered with sesame and nigella seeds.
NihariLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · advanced · 270 minA dawn stew of beef shank and marrow slow-cooked in a dozen spices until the gravy turns silky, brightened with ginger, chilli and lemon.
HaleemLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · advanced · 240 minA thick, slow-pounded porridge of shredded beef, wheat, barley and lentils, crowned with crisp fried onions, ginger and lemon.
Aloo Tama Bodi (Potato, Bamboo Shoot and Black-Eyed Bean Curry)Kathmandu Valley, Nepal · easy · 65 minA tangy Newari one-pot curry of potatoes, fermented bamboo shoots, and black-eyed beans, soured by the tama and tempered in mustard oil.
Samlor Korko (Khmer Stirring Soup)Siem Reap, Cambodia · medium · 70 minA thick, rustic Khmer soup of many vegetables built on lemongrass kroeung, prahok, and toasted ground rice, often called Cambodia's national dish.
Guriltai Shul (Mutton Noodle Soup)Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 105 minA hearty Mongolian soup of fatty mutton and thick hand-cut wheat noodles in a peppery broth with onion and root vegetables.
Shurpa (Lamb and Vegetable Soup)Tashkent, Uzbekistan · easy · 140 minA slow-simmered Uzbek soup of bone-in lamb and large chunks of vegetables in a clear golden broth, finished with dill and cilantro.
Dimlama (Layered Steamed Stew)Tashkent, Uzbekistan · easy · 210 minAn Uzbek one-pot stew of meat and vegetables layered in a sealed pot and cooked in their own steam and juices until everything is meltingly tender.
Galayet Bandora (Fried Tomatoes)Amman, Jordan · easy · 50 minA simple Jordanian skillet of ripe tomatoes simmered down in plenty of olive oil with sliced garlic and green chilli until jammy, scooped up with warm pita.
Mujaddara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)Amman, Jordan · easy · 55 minA humble Levantine pilaf of brown lentils and rice cooked together and crowned with deeply caramelized onions, seasoned simply with cumin.
Kacchi Biryani (Dhaka-Style Mutton Biryani)Dhaka, Bangladesh · advanced · 160 minA Dhaka celebration biryani in which raw yogurt-marinated goat meat and potatoes are layered under par-boiled rice and sealed to cook together on slow dum.
Chingri Malaikari (Prawn Coconut Curry)Dhaka, Bangladesh · medium · 50 minLarge prawns gently simmered in a subtle, creamy coconut-milk gravy with onion paste, ginger, and warm spices, a festive Bengali treat served with rice.
Bolani (Stuffed Flatbread)Kabul, Afghanistan · medium · 60 minA thin Afghan flatbread folded around a spiced mashed-potato and leek filling and pan-fried until crisp, served with a mint-yogurt dip.
Chapli Kebab (Spiced Flat Beef Patty)Kabul, Afghanistan · medium · 50 minA flat, disc-shaped Pashtun patty of coarsely minced beef packed with coarsely crushed coriander, pomegranate seeds, chilli, and tomato, shallow-fried crisp at the edges.
Shan Noodles (Shan Khauk Swe)Yangon, Myanmar · easy · 45 minSoft rice noodles tossed with a savoury tomato-chicken sauce and topped with crushed peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and herbs, from Myanmar's Shan State.
Ohn No Khauk Swe (Coconut Chicken Noodles)Yangon, Myanmar · medium · 60 minWheat noodles in a pale, gently rich coconut-and-chicken broth thickened with chickpea flour, finished with egg, lime, and crisp fried noodles.
JalebiPunjab, India · medium · 50 minCrisp fermented-batter spirals deep-fried and soaked in warm saffron-cardamom syrup, the bright coils shared at Diwali and celebrations across North India.
Besan LadooPunjab, India · medium · 35 minGram flour slow-roasted in ghee until nutty and golden, sweetened with cardamom sugar and rolled into melt-in-the-mouth balls, a quintessential Diwali mithai.
Nian Gao (New Year Rice Cake)Shanghai, China · medium · 65 minA dense, chewy steamed cake of glutinous rice flour and dark brown sugar, studded with jujube and walnut, eaten at Lunar New Year because its name puns on rising higher each year.
Jiaozi (Pork and Cabbage Dumplings)Beijing, China · medium · 75 minHand-folded wheat dumplings filled with pork, napa cabbage and ginger, boiled until plump, and eaten at Lunar New Year because their ingot shape promises good fortune.
GujiyaPunjab, India · advanced · 75 minCrisp half-moon pastries of maida filled with khoya, coconut, nuts and cardamom, deep-fried and made above all for Holi, when they are prepared at home and gifted between families.
MalpuaWest Bengal (Kolkata), India · medium · 45 minFried flour-and-milk pancakes with crisp lacy edges and a soft centre, soaked in cardamom sugar syrup, a festive sweet made across North and East India for Holi, Navratri and Diwali.
Puran PoliMaharashtra (Mumbai), India · advanced · 70 minA soft wheat flatbread stuffed with a sweet, spiced chana dal and jaggery filling, griddled with ghee, made across Maharashtra for Holi and Gudi Padwa.
LahmajounYerevan, Armenia · medium · 52 minPaper-thin Armenian flatbread spread with a bright, spiced lamb and pepper paste, baked crisp and eaten with lemon.
Sini MantiYerevan, Armenia · advanced · 100 minTiny open Armenian dumplings baked crisp, then bathed in a tomato broth and topped with garlic yogurt and sumac.
Shah PlovBaku, Azerbaijan · advanced · 115 minThe crown pilaf of Azerbaijan: saffron rice, meat and dried fruit sealed in a buttered lavash crust and baked golden.
DovgaBaku, Azerbaijan · medium · 50 minA warm Azerbaijani yogurt soup thick with fresh herbs, rice and chickpeas, stirred constantly so it never splits.
Kewa DatshiThimphu, Bhutan · easy · 40 minBhutan comfort food: sliced potatoes simmered with green chilies and melted farmer cheese into a creamy stew.
Phaksha PaaThimphu, Bhutan · easy · 60 minFatty pork strips braised Bhutan-style with whole dried red chilies and sweet white radish into a fiery, glossy stew.
Tepsi BaytinijanBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 90 minAn Iraqi tray bake of fried eggplant, potato, tomato and spiced meatballs braised together in a tangy tomato sauce.
Iraqi QuziBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 210 minThe Iraqi feast dish: spice-braised then roasted lamb piled on saffron rice and showered with toasted nuts and raisins.
Palestinian MaqlubaWest Bank, Palestine · medium · 110 minThe Palestinian upside-down pot: spiced chicken, fried vegetables and rice layered, cooked, then flipped into a tower.
SumagiyyaWest Bank, Palestine · medium · 120 minThe signature Gazan stew: beef, chard and chickpeas thickened with sumac-steeped water and tahini, spiked with dill and chili.
JareeshRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · medium · 165 minA Najdi Saudi comfort dish of crushed wheat slow-cooked with meat and yogurt into a creamy, savoury porridge.
SaleegRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · medium · 95 minA Hijazi Saudi dish of short-grain rice cooked soft in milk and chicken broth to a creamy porridge, topped with roasted chicken.
Bahraini MachboosManama, Bahrain · medium · 90 minBahrain national dish: chicken braised in a baharat and dried-lime spiced tomato base, then rice cooked in that broth.
Bahraini Hammour with DaqqusManama, Bahrain · easy · 50 minWhole grouper baked Bahrain-style with turmeric and dried lime, served with daqqus, the Gulf spiced tomato sauce.
Kuwaiti MargoogKuwait City, Kuwait · medium · 105 minA hearty Kuwaiti one-pot of lamb and vegetables with sheets of hand-rolled dough torn straight into the spiced broth.
GaboutKuwait City, Kuwait · advanced · 105 minKuwaiti stuffed dough dumplings filled with spiced lamb, simmered in a golden saffron and dried-lime broth with vegetables.
Qatari MachboosDoha, Qatar · medium · 90 minQatar national rice dish: chicken braised in a loomi and baharat spiced tomato base, then rice steamed in that broth.
Qatari ThareedDoha, Qatar · medium · 100 minA Qatari lamb and vegetable stew ladled over torn regag bread so the thin flatbread soaks up the spiced broth.
Emirati MachboosDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 95 minEmirati spiced chicken and rice cooked in one pot with dried lime, bzar spices, saffron and a finishing touch of rosewater.
Emirati HareesDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 230 minAn Emirati dish of whole wheat and lamb simmered for hours and beaten to a smooth savoury porridge, finished with ghee.
MishkakMuscat, Oman · easy · 45 minOman favourite street food: cubes of meat in a tangy tamarind and spice marinade, skewered and grilled over charcoal.
Omani HareesMuscat, Oman · medium · 200 minThe Omani wheat porridge: cracked wheat and chicken slow-simmered creamy, scented with saffron and a spiced Omani ghee.
FahsaSana’a, Yemen · medium · 180 minA bubbling Yemeni lamb stew served in a hot stone pot and crowned with hilbeh, whipped fenugreek foam, with hawaij spice.
ZurbianSana’a, Yemen · advanced · 150 minA Yemeni celebration biryani: saffron rice layered with yogurt-marinated lamb and potatoes, finished over low heat.
Katong LaksaSingapore, Singapore · advanced · 85 minSingapore Katong laksa: rice noodles cut short in a rich coconut and dried-shrimp gravy with prawns, tofu puffs and laksa leaf.
Chilli CrabSingapore, Singapore · medium · 50 minSingapore unofficial national dish: mud crab wok-tossed in a sweet, spicy, savoury tomato-chili sauce laced with egg ribbons.
FattoushDamascus, Syria · easy · 30 minA bright Syrian chopped salad of crisp vegetables and toasted flatbread in a tangy sumac and pomegranate molasses dressing.
Shish BarakDamascus, Syria · advanced · 105 minLittle Syrian meat dumplings baked then simmered in a warm, garlicky cooked-yogurt sauce, finished with fried garlic and pine nuts.
Kazakh MantiAlmaty, Kazakhstan · advanced · 105 minLarge Kazakh steamed dumplings filled with hand-chopped lamb, pumpkin and plenty of onion, served with sour cream.
Kazakh PlovAlmaty, Kazakhstan · medium · 95 minThe Kazakh celebration pilaf: rice cooked over lamb, sweet carrots and onion in a cauldron until every grain is separate and rich.
AshlyanfuBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · medium · 60 minA cold Kyrgyz noodle bowl of wheat noodles and springy starch jelly in a spicy, vinegary vegetable broth with egg ribbons.
KuurdakBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · easy · 55 minOne of Central Asia oldest dishes: chunks of meat fried in their own fat with onion and potato until browned and crisp.
Oshi PalavDushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 100 minTajikistan national dish and king of meals: rice steamed over lamb, yellow carrots, chickpeas and cumin in a single pot.
Tajik SambusaDushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 70 minFlaky Tajik pastry triangles filled with spiced minced meat and onion, sprinkled with sesame and baked golden.
Kukulhu RihaMalé, Maldives · easy · 60 minA gently spiced Maldivian chicken curry simmered in coconut milk with curry leaves, pandan and island spices.
Bis KeemiyaMalé, Maldives · medium · 60 minCrisp fried Maldivian pastry parcels filled with tuna, cabbage, onion and boiled egg, the islands favourite tea-time snack.
BindaetteokPyongyang, North Korea · medium · 50 minPyongyang market pancakes of coarsely ground mung beans mixed with kimchi and pork, pan-fried thick and crisp-edged.
Pyongyang MandugukPyongyang, North Korea · advanced · 150 minA clear northern Korean dumpling soup: hand-folded mandu of beef and tofu simmered in a light, restrained beef broth.
Bruneian Nasi LemakBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · medium · 65 minBrunei coconut rice plate: fragrant santan rice with a caramelised sambal, crisp anchovies, peanuts, egg and cucumber.
Bruneian Beef RendangBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · advanced · 210 minA Bruneian dry curry of beef slow-simmered in coconut milk and a lemongrass spice paste until dark, tender and richly reduced.
TukirDili, Timor-Leste · medium · 140 minA festive Timorese stew of goat or lamb braised with tamarind, turmeric, lemongrass and mint, traditionally cooked in bamboo.
Caril de GalinhaDili, Timor-Leste · easy · 65 minA mild Timorese chicken curry built on roasted red capsicum and coconut milk, gently spiced and subtly sweet.
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