Explore and Indulge in the Top 5 Comfort Foods in Asia

From hot bowls of noodles to spicy stir-fried rice and hearty loaded sandwiches to creamy soups. Comfort food evokes a sense of nostalgia and is sure to bring a smile to our faces. Let’s take a trip and explore the top 5 comfort foods around Asia.

Ramen – Japan

First stop, Japan. Ramen is a noodle soup originally imported from China and has now became the most popular food in Japan. Inexpensive and easily available, this dish is such an ideal choice for budget travellers.

There is a wide variety of ramen to choose from. Some popular ones include Shoyu (soy sauce), Shio (salt), Miso (soybean paste) and Tonkotsu (pork bone). Each bowl of ramen comes with several toppings namely, tamago (egg), seaweed, butter and corn.

Apart from toppings, you can also order side dishes like gyoza or fried rice that will complement and add depth to your meal. Finally, sip on some iced/hot green tea that will help cleanse your palate making this a popular lunch/dinner option amongst the masses.

Pho – Vietnam

Let’s fly to Vietnam and indulge in their traditional pho noodles. Similar to ramen, pho is a noodle soup dish that is popular in Vietnam. It is normally enjoyed during breakfast and sometimes lunch.

The broth is made from simmering beef bones with oxtails, ginger and garlic and poured over linguine-like rice noodles with thin slices of beef, complete with cuts of greens, herbs and vegetables. 

This dish originated from the south of Hanoi in the 20^th century in Nam Định Province when it was sold by mobile hawkers to the textile workers. Looking for a hearty and warm bowl of noodles? Pho is a great option for you.

Pilaf – Middle East

Next stop, the Middle East. Rice is a staple in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Pilaf or pilau is rice stewed with vegetables along with a protein of choice such as beef or lamb. Spices such as cumin and coriander are then added to enhance the flavours.

Back in the days, dishes with rice and meat were mentioned as early as the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. Alexander the Great was served pilaf to celebrate his capture of Samarkand and the dish was later brought back and shared across Europe in which its popularity grew to become a staple in Soviet countries.

Boasting a rich taste and usually complemented by savoury meat and vegetables. The special aroma of the Pilaf is sure to leave you craving for more.

Fried Rice – Indonesia

Let’s head over to Indonesia. Known for a number of spicy dishes such as ayam geprek and balado, Indonesia fried rice or nasi goreng is one of the most popular food choices among its citizens.

Pre-cooked rice or leftover rice is stir-fried with added condiments such as soy sauce and other ingredients such as eggs and shallots. A choice of protein such as chicken or prawns are added for extra flavour as well.

This dish was created as a way to get rid of food wastage and is a go-to meal that is easy to whip up for every household. Today, several versions of the Indonesian fried rice can be found in Malaysia and back in Singapore.

Kaya Toast, Soft-Boiled Eggs and Kopi – Singapore

Enjoy the taste of simplicity with kaya toast and a hot cup of kopi in Singapore. Enjoyed by many locals, this breakfast item is perfect to start the day. Nothing can go wrong with this sweet combination of flavours.

As its name suggests, kaya toast is a smooth coconut or pandan spread and a slice of butter sandwiched between two crispy toasts. This is normally served with a soft-boiled egg, complete with a cup of hot coffee or kopi. This dish can be found at almost every coffee shop in Singapore and is one of the top breakfast choice amongst Singaporeans.

Now that you know some of the comfort foods in Asia, share these dishes with friends and family and experience the exciting flavours of Asia.