How Is Oriental and Continental Cuisine Different?

Every cuisine has an identity and boasts of a particular region, tradition, culture, and so on. There are many techniques used, ingredients added, and that makes each dish distinctive from one another. There can be similarities between the two cuisines, but they cannot be identical. This is similar in the case of oriental and continental cuisine, and some people tend to confuse the two.

What is oriental food?

Oriental food refers to dishes that originate from Southeast Asian countries. These include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and more. These dishes tend to have lots of spices, dry ingredients, and dry fruits. Oriental includes stir-frying, quick frying, and boiling. The fermented sauces and pickles are add-ons that make the dishes more desirable.

What is continental food?

Continental food is dishes that originate from European countries. These have a touch from Spain, Italian, French, and you can get their best taste. The key specialty of this kind of cuisine is olive oil, herbs, wine, and little spices. Even continental food involves frying, but they are more inclined towards roasting and baking. This cuisine adds lots of calories to their dishes and usually an occasional excellent dining outing for most.

Difference between continental and oriental cuisine

The following points will help you understand the difference between these two cuisines more vividly:

1. Influence
   

Asian countries and cooking styles influence Eastern food. Continental is based on European cooking techniques.

2. Spices
   

Since spices are greatly harvested in Asia, their access to this kind is at large. Asians use lots of spices in their food, while Europeans keep it minimal. Many people who tend to have their food hot and spicy don’t like continental cuisine.

3. Sauces
   

Sauces are a part of the dish when you have Eastern cuisine. However, for continental plates, sauces are used as seasoning and condiment.

Best continental dishes to try

Try out the following continental dishes as and when you have access to:

1. Yorkshire Lamb Patties
   

Try out tasty lamb patties that melt in our mouth and served with crisp salads.

2. Chicken and cheese salad
   

It is one of the most common continental dishes where you have tender chicken, cheese, and seasoned with pepper, salt, and mayonnaise.

3. Baked potato with Aubergines
   

These are seasoned potatoes that are layered with tangy tomato sauces and well cooked.

4. Peppered Pasta Salad
   

It is a cheesy pasta salad with tangy type dressing.

5. Roesti And Salad
   

These are potato cakes that are crispy yet creamy. They have a fresh salad and perfect as brunch.

6. Apple Sausage Plait
   

If you’re looking for a winter delight, you can try this filling for apples, which have sausages wrapped in puff pastry added with lime and herbs.

7. Cottage cheesesteak
   

You can try out pan fried cottage cheese patties that are baked with tomatoes and cheese – a perfect delight for vegetarians.

8. Batter Fried Fish
   

You must try a fish coated in batter, fried crisply, and topped with cheese sauce.

Best oriental dishes to try

The following lists some of the Asian dishes you must try out:

1. Crunchy Iceberg Dumpling
   

Iceberg dumpling recipe is phenomenal especially if you love the concept of dumplings.

2. Chicken in chilies and cashew
   

If you like chunks of fried and crispy chicken along with fiery red chilies, try this out. It will include crunchy cashews, spring onions, Asian sauces, and more.

3. Quick Noodles Recipe
   

Noodles are tossed with veggies, peanuts, lemon juices, and unusual seasonings. This is a perfect snack for hungry kids.

4. Thai Green Chicken Curry
   

This is one of the best Thai recipes where chicken is cooked in coconut milk, lime and basil leaves, and added with onions. The aroma of Thai green curry paste gives the final touch.

5. Cantonese chicken soup
   

This is an authentic Chinese soup that is a hearty mix of chicken, veggies and is chopped into tiny pieces of hot chicken stock.

6. Prawn and sesame toast
   

It is an excellent option for dinner parties and gives you the ideal snack. It is made of chopped prawn pieces, added with perfect oriental flavors and layered on bread. It is further topped with sesame seeds and crispy baked.

7. Indonesian Nasi Goreng
   

Nasi Goreng is a type of chicken fried rice but comes in a Balinese rendition. It includes cabbages, chicken, carrot, bokchoi, Balinese red paste, kafir lime leaves, and more.

8. Balinese chicken
   

You must try out the traditional chicken recipe that has amazing Bali flavors. These use boneless chicken leg pieces and are cooked in stock added with lemongrass, sweet soy, and veggies.

You need to understand the intricacy of every cuisine to figure out the logic behind the way they’re prepared. These depend on climatic conditions and availability, over situations like taste and preferences. Every kitchen has a different approach to cook and give you different types of taste. Try it all and then choose your favorite options!