Why is it that anything made with sesame seeds or crispy noodles is automatically categorized as Asian?

Question

Real asian food is not made with sesame seeds or crispy noodles or even orange slices. It bothers me because I think that is alittle sterotypical. A new dish somewhere comes out (a sald, a chicken entree) from a resturant then throw some sesame seeds and now its the new "asian chicken" dish. Being asian it doesnt bother me that much but I always find myself asking "why when they add this is it now an asian dish?". I find myself asking this alot.
Please could someone enlighten me?

Answer 1

I think mostly because it's just easy marketing for the restaurants/food companies who perpetuate this stereotype. Flavors that Americans generally associate with Asian foods (even if they're not authentically Asian) will be easier to market as "Asian." Like the Wendy's Asian chicken salad or whatever: It probably has sesame seeds, mandarin oranges (mandarin=Chinese in some peoples' thought processes I guess), and a soy-based dressing....it would be easier to label it Asian Chicken Salad than Sesame Chicken Salad or a non-descript name like Yummy Chicken Salad. People know what to expect out of the taste if they call it by a particular name; my guess is also that these restaurants name the things before they actually create them, if that makes any sense. So yeah, it's definitely stereotypical, but when it comes to things like fast food and other things which are marketed to the masses, stereotypes sell.

Answer 2

I know, it's odd. But they've probably spent a fortune in market research, and that's what the public thought it should be called.

Of course, it's not limited to "Asian" salads.

French fries
Canadian bacon
the supposedly Australian, Outback Steakhouse
and so on.

And then there's the whole "Chinese" food routine. When most of the dishes are entirely American. And as if China didn't have gazillions of different regions and styles of food.

Ditto on "Mexican" food.

You could have your own mini protest, and either write to the company and complain, or order the salad, and refuse to use the name on the sign. And refuse to acknowledge the name. Ask for the orange and sesame salad. Of course, then you're just punishing the poor minimum wage worker.

Oh man, all of this talk of food, no matter what it is called, or where it originated, is making me hungry...

Answer 3

"Hey good looking, what cha got cooking?"

Aside from the traditional dishes, any chef worth his/her salt need to come up with 'new' ideas in presenting and preparing food. This is specially true in metropolitan cities with a good mix of different ethnicities. In Adelaide for example, I had one of the best-tasting version of an oversized "won ton" in an Asian-Mediterranean restaurant. Sized like a granny smith apple, bunched up with a string of lava seaweed, the parcel of minced pork, shrimp, chestnuts, mushrooms were absolute bliss in a consomme garnish with parsley.

A Chinese chef in a traditional Chinese restaurant in Switzerland use the blunt edge of a knife to shave off the slightly burnt brownish layer of white rice (side, bottom); lays them overnight to dry and harden; he'd then deep fry and separately cook up a veg-meat dish with garvy which was then poured over the crispy crunchy rice - tastes superb!

I love the restaurants in Singapore, Asian or Western, the chefs here are some of the most creative creatures in the region. Dining is a pleasure, traditional or noveau.

Answer 4

It shows people in your region or country know very little about Asian cuisine. There are many places in Asia where people don't use sesame seeds for cooking. Just like when you are some people in Asia what American Cuisine is all about. Many of them would say burger.

Answer 5

These are food items often associated with Asian flavors in cooking, but they are certainly not exclusive to Asian cooking. Sesame can be found in lots of cooking styles, notably middle eastern Tahini paste. Fried ravioli, pan fried pergoies and sauteed spetzle are also forms of fried 'noodles.'

Answer 6

Its where its used the most.People do identify certain foods with places.Its not just an asian thing.

Answer 7

Ya that's stupid

Answer 8

thats just stupid!!