36 delicious umami recipes from around the world
A classic Vietnamese roast chicken, deeply influenced by French culinary techniques. This dish features a whole chicken marinated in a savory blend of fish sauce and honey, then roasted to a beautiful golden-brown with aromatic lemongrass and garlic, resulting in incredibly tender meat and crispy skin.
A rustic and flavorful dish from Jiangxi province, Gan Zheng Rou features tender pork belly coated in a fragrant mixture of ground rice flour, fermented black beans, garlic, and spices. It's slow-steamed until meltingly tender, resulting in a rich, savory, and deeply umami dish with a satisfying texture.
Gan Zheng Rou is a classic homestyle dish from Jiangxi Province, characterized by its tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly coated in a fragrant, savory mixture of toasted rice flour, fermented black beans, and spices. This comforting dish embodies the bold flavors and preservation techniques common in rural Chinese cuisine, offering a deeply satisfying umami experience.
A quintessential Cantonese dish where a whole fish is delicately steamed with pungent fermented black beans, garlic, and ginger, creating a savory and aromatic sauce. This method highlights the freshness of the fish while infusing it with deep umami flavors.
An essential and vibrant Malaysian chili condiment, Sambal Belacan is characterized by its pungent aroma and spicy kick, derived from fresh chilies and fermented shrimp paste (belacan). It's a staple served with rice dishes, grilled meats, and seafood.
A comforting and savory soup featuring tender pork ribs simmered with fermented salted mustard greens (kiam huay), creating a uniquely tangy and umami-rich broth. It's a classic home-style dish often enjoyed for its restorative properties.
A vibrant and pungent Indonesian chili paste, Sambal Terasi is a cornerstone condiment made by pounding fresh chilies, tomatoes, and fermented shrimp paste (terasi). It adds a complex depth of flavor and a kick of heat to any dish.
Ping Gai is a beloved Laotian dish of marinated chicken, grilled to perfection. It's a popular street food and home-cooked meal, characterized by its savory, umami-rich marinade featuring a blend of oyster sauce, fish sauce, garlic, lemongrass, and black pepper. The grilling process imparts a delightful smoky char and tender, juicy meat.
Neua Dad Diao, meaning 'beef dried in the sun,' is a classic Thai dish featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory and slightly sweet mixture, then dried until leathery, and finally deep-fried to a crispy, chewy perfection. It's a flavorful and addictive snack or appetizer.
A classic Pugliese dish featuring ear-shaped pasta tossed with slightly bitter broccoli rabe, fragrant garlic, a hint of chili, and savory anchovies, all brought together with good quality extra virgin olive oil.
A comforting and flavorful Malaysian noodle dish featuring springy yellow noodles bathed in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet gravy, thickened naturally with sweet potato and infused with the umami of dried shrimp and tender beef. Garnished with a variety of fresh and fried toppings, it's a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
A classic and beloved Taiwanese home-style dish, stir-fried water spinach (ong choy) is given a unique umami boost from fermented tofu (fu ru). This simple yet incredibly flavorful dish is quick to prepare and pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
