Difference between Continental and Oriental foods
Different types of cuisines are prepared in a different region of the world, each has its own identity and stories that tell about its region, tradition, and culture it belongs to. From Chinese to continental, Lebanese to Japanese, and Asian dishes of Pakistani and Indian all have their own taste. However, there’s always been a confusion between the Continental and Oriental dishes. Most of the people consider it as one kind.
What is Oriental Food?
Continental and Oriental Foods refer to the dishes that derive a large influence from Southeast Asia foods from countries including Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. Dried ingredients like dry apricots and dry plums, nuts, almonds, etc. are typically used in oriental food. Sauces are used as a part of the dishes.
According to the Indian Chef Ajay Saha, “Oriental food is highly influenced by Asian cooking practices, while continental food traces its origin from the European cooking procedure.”
According to Wikipedia, “Asian cuisine styles can be broken down into several tiny regional styles that have roots in the peoples and cultures of those regions. The major types of cuisine roughly can be defined as East Asian with its origins in Imperial China and encircling modern Japan and the Korean peninsula; Southeast Asian which encompasses Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines; South Asian countries that are made up of India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as several other countries in this region of the continent.”
Food Type: Oriental dishes offer a variety of Asian dishes without definite cuisine boundaries, and these can fall in both categories of continental and oriental foods as a matter of fact like Gyoza or Lumpia for an appetizer, selling rojak or Gado-Gado for salad, satay, offering beef as the main course, or teriyaki chicken or tom yam and Laksa as soup, and Ogura ice or Cendol for dessert. Oriental food also contains a lot of noodles and rice.
What is Continental Food?
Continental foods are prepared in the continent of Europe. Olive oil, wine, herbs, garlic, and spices are a major part of continental dishes. Unlike oriental food, less amount of vegetables are used in continental dishes. Tea or coffee, rolls or pastry with jam and butter, and some seasonal fruits are included in the continental breakfast.
According to Wikipedia, “Continental cuisine is a universal term that is referring to the cuisines of Europe and other Western countries including non-indigenous cuisines of Australasia, Latin America, North America, which derive substantial influence from European settlers in those regions”.
Food Type: Meat is the most obvious and substantial part of continental cuisine. Steak is one of the traditional dishes in many of the western countries. Dairy products are also used in continental food cooking. Wheat flour bread is also used in a continental meal which is the great natural source of starch. Cornmeal is a major part of the cuisine, especially in the Balkans and in Italy.
Continental Food is rich with high calories it involves various cooking techniques such as baking, roasting, and frying.
