A perennial trend, the culinary traditions of the vast Asian continent are riding a new wave of popularity. This upswing in interest comes from within the mainstream as individual regions jockey for their share of the limelight, and from outside, with smaller countries whose culinary traditions are less familiar to American palates seeking to make their mark.
The former is exemplified by an expansion of Thai cuisine, to include new twists on old favorites and a deeper exploration into regional cooking. Similarly, Vietnamese cooking is experiencing a “back to the roots” movement, taking it beyond the familiar phô into more authentic street cuisine.