Cheese And Asian Food: A Tasty Pairing Guide

While cheese is a staple in many cuisines worldwide, it is notably absent from traditional East Asian dishes. This absence can be attributed to a variety of factors, including historical and cultural influences, lactose intolerance, and the functional use of cows as work animals rather than dairy sources. However, with the growing influence of Western culinary traditions, cheese is slowly making its way into East Asian fusion dishes, creating a unique blend of flavours.

Mozzarella with Japanese food

While Japanese cuisine traditionally does not use dairy, cheese has become increasingly popular in Japan, with cheese consumption growing in volume and variety. Mozzarella is a mild, fresh cheese that can complement some of the more delicate flavours of Japanese food.

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for incorporating mozzarella into Japanese cuisine:

• Fresh mozzarella made from the milk of water buffaloes raised in Miyazaki Prefecture has been recommended by a Japanese cheese expert, Keiko Kubota. This mozzarella can be served as part of a cheese board or platter, paired with other cheeses, nuts, and fruits.
• Mozzarella is often used in pizza, which is a popular dish in Japan. You can create Japanese-inspired pizzas by using Japanese ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, or even adding a twist to traditional Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki or takoyaki.
• Mozzarella can be melted and used as a topping for Japanese curry or added to dishes like gyoza or spring rolls to add a creamy texture and mild flavour.
• For a unique twist, try making mochi, a Japanese rice cake, with a mozzarella filling. This combination of chewy mochi and stretchy, melted mozzarella can be a delicious and unexpected treat.
• Mozzarella can also be incorporated into Japanese-style sandwiches or bentos. Pair it with ingredients like grilled chicken, vegetables, or a tangy sauce for a balanced and tasty meal.

When pairing mozzarella with Japanese food, consider the delicate flavours and textures of traditional Japanese cuisine. Experiment with different types of mozzarella, such as fresh mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, or mozzarella with added herbs or spices, to find the best match for your dish.

Cheddar with Korean food

Korean food is known for its bold flavours, with garlic and chilli being two of its most prominent ingredients. When it comes to cheese pairings, a heavy and bold cheese is what you'll want to aim for. Cheddar is a great option for this. Its sharp and tangy flavour can stand up to the robust flavours of Korean cuisine.

When creating a cheese board to pair with Korean food, consider adding some variety by including other cheeses that complement the flavours of Korea. A soft, double cream cheese can help to balance the heat of spicy dishes, while thin slices of a mild, white cheese like Swiss or Havarti can provide a refreshing contrast. If you're looking for a pop of colour, a sharp Cheddar will deliver, both in terms of taste and visuals.

To enhance your cheese board, include sweet and savoury elements that will complement Korean flavours. For instance, you could add some citrus fruits like orange slices, or edamame beans for a crunchy and healthy bite. Pickles are also a great addition, especially Asian-style pickles like sweet and sour cucumbers.

Korean dishes like Bibimbap, which is a rice dish with vegetables, a fried egg, beef, chilli pepper paste, and soy sauce, can be a fantastic pairing with Cheddar. The dish's mild heat and variety of flavours and textures create an exciting playground for the tangy and earthy flavours of a sparkling Vouvray or a mild Cheddar.

So, if you're looking to experiment with cheese and Korean food, Cheddar is a bold and flavourful option that can hold its own against the robust flavours of Korean cuisine.

Cheese with Asian appetizers

While cheese is not a traditional part of East Asian cuisine, it has been incorporated into Asian dishes in fusion cooking. Here are some ideas for cheeses to pair with Asian appetisers:

A soft double or triple cream cheese can complement the heat and saltiness of Asian appetisers. A soft, mild, fresh cheese like mozzarella can complement the delicate flavours of Japanese appetisers. For heavier, bolder Korean appetisers with lots of garlic and chilli, a sharp Cheddar or Gloucester cheese might be a good match. For colour contrast, a bright orange sharp Cheddar can also complement the colours of an Asian-inspired cheeseboard.

For a creative Asian-inspired cheeseboard, you could include some Asian appetisers like gyoza potstickers, chicken satay skewers, spring rolls, or steamed BBQ pork buns. Nuts such as wasabi-flavoured almonds, cashews, or peanuts can also add an Asian flair to your cheeseboard. To add some sweetness and crunch, consider adding some sliced orange or other citrus fruit, edamame, or snow peas. Pickled cucumbers can also add a tangy, vinegary element to your cheeseboard.

Cheese with Asian-inspired main courses

While cheese is not a traditional component of East Asian food, it is becoming more common as Western culinary influences continue to grow in the East.

If you're looking to serve cheese with Asian-inspired main courses, here are some options to consider:

• Mild, fresh cheeses: These can complement the more delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine. Mozzarella, for example, could be a good choice.
• Heavy, bold cheeses: A heavier, stronger-flavoured cheese might pair well with bolder, spicier cuisines like Korean food. A sharp Cheddar or Gloucester cheese could stand up to the garlic and chilli often used in Korean dishes.
• Semi-soft cheeses: A semi-soft cheese like Swiss or Havarti could be a good option to pair with a variety of Asian dishes. These cheeses have a mild flavour that won't overwhelm the other flavours on the plate, while still offering a creamy texture.
• Spicy cheese: For those who enjoy a little extra kick, a spicy cheese like Pepper Jack could be a fun addition to an Asian-inspired meal. This can add a nice contrast to the other flavours on the plate.

When creating an Asian-inspired cheese board, it's a good idea to include a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours. You can also add some Asian-inspired bites, such as edamame or snow peas, and some sweet and sour elements to contrast the salty, spicy notes that are common in Asian cuisine.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to cheese and Asian food. The most important thing is to experiment and find combinations that you enjoy!

Beer with Asian food

While Asian food is often paired with light, easy-drinking beers like Sapporo or Singha, these beers are more designed to avoid clashing with the food than to pair with it. If you want to elevate your Asian meal with a beer that truly complements it, there are several options to consider.

Firstly, if your Asian dish is spicy, avoid strong, bitter, or overly acidic beers, as these can make the heat more intense. Instead, opt for beers with malt sweetness and effervescence, such as malty lagers, fruit-forward ales, or Belgian witbiers. If your dish is deep-fried, on the other hand, a crisp, effervescent lager or a vibrantly tart sour beer will cut through the richness.

For Indian curries or tandoori dishes, a malty beer is a great choice. Try amber lagers, doppelbocks, English milds, or Belgian dubbels to complement the depth of flavour and charred notes of these dishes.

Nuts, coconut, and soy are all ingredients that pair well with dark beers. The chocolate and coffee notes of stouts, porters, and black lagers go perfectly with dishes that feature nuts or sesame seeds, like sesame chicken or Kung Pao. These dark beers also complement coconut milk-based Thai recipes like tom kha gai soup. However, if a dish is rich in umami or soy, these dark beers can become too heavy and flabby.

If you're eating a herb-heavy Southeast Asian dish like Thai larb gai or Vietnamese bánh mì, a bright, aromatic beer will highlight the flavours of the dish. Try a Belgian-style saison, a German ale, a hazy IPA, or a fruity, creamy double IPA.

Finally, when it comes to sushi, a pale lager is a classic choice. Pilsners, in particular, offer a brisk balancing counterpoint to the salt and umami of sushi, while adding their own floral, lemony, and herbal notes. For ramen, a black lager is an excellent choice, providing a peppery balancing contrast to the saltiness of the broth.

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