The Surprising Allure of Century Egg
Come discover the appetizing wonder of Century Egg!
Every Asian food street, night market, and hawker spot would have at least one barbecue stall with an array of skewered meats or seafood on the grill top, greeting you with their irresistible aromas and succulent charms. The skewer sticks make the meats easy to hold and munch, and foodies would often buy them by the dozens to share with friends and family.
Asian skewered meats come in a range of tasteful flavours too, as every cuisine has their own unique combo of herbs, spices and seasoning in their marinades. Some cuisines also pair their skewered meats with yummy dipping sauces.
The meats are often marinated overnight or hours before grill, and well-cooked over an open charcoal flame till fragrant. The smothering heat ‘locks in’ the meats’ natural juices and infuses them with a savoury smoky aroma. Some cuisines may also add a sauce baste for the grill to enrich the meat. Served piping hot and fresh, with the flavours engulfing your senses as you bite.
Japanese Skewers
Grilled meats are collectively called Yakiniku in Japanese cuisine, and includes beef, pork, chicken, squid, fish and even offal and vegetables. Yakitori or grilled chicken skewers are among the favourites, made popular since the Edo period in the 1600-1800. So beloved that it is a must-have food in Japanese nightlife, often paired with alcoholic drinks shared with colleagues and friends.
The basic Yakitori sauce is a blend of dark soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sake, to marinate the chicken beforehand or to baste during the grill. Try it with our authentic recipes!
Ikayaki is another Japanese fave. Whole squid cleaned and marinated with shoyu, red miso paste, mirin, sake, grated ginger and sancho pepper. Then grilled and glazed to spicy, savoury perfection. Especially popular during summer festivals, served as skewers-to-go from the stalls.
Meats and seafood aren’t the only Japanese skewers. There’s also a variety of Dango glutinous rice ball desserts. The Mitarashi Dango is the most common, sold at Japanese convenience stores. Boiled glutinous rice balls with a sweet glaze made of mirin, light soy sauce, sugar and potato starch.
There’s also the Kurogoma Dango with black sesame seeds, the Kinako Dango coated with sweet roasted soy flour, Anko Dango with red bean paste, the colourful Hanami Dango for the spring flower-viewing festival, and the Tsukimi Dango for the Japanese moon festival.
South Korean Skewers
Korean skewers favour the spicy touch of Gochujang chilli paste, used in the marinade for this award winning Dakkochi grilled chicken delight, and this scrumptious Saewu Gui grilled shrimp. But the most popular Korean skewer is probably the deep fried Korean corndog, with a crispy crust and supple, savoury fish stick inside; enjoyed with a sauce blend of mayo and Gochujang.
Thai Skewers
Grilled meat and seafood skewers are aplenty in Thai cuisine and features a plethora of spellbinding flavours. The Southern Thai Gai Golae chicken skewers is a cousin dish to the Satay, both has turmeric to add colour and a spicy fragrance. The Gai Golae marinates the chicken in a curry paste and coconut milk, which gives the skewers a fruity, nutty taste.
Meanwhile, the Thai Moo Ping grilled pork skewer is flavoured with the classic 3 Best Friends of Thai cooking: garlic, coriander roots and peppercorns. The marinade is made savoury with oyster sauce, sweetened with brown sugar, and smoothened with coconut milk. Grilled and basted with rice bran oil. Richly savoury and juicy to munch!
Chill Lime Prawns skewer is another Thai specialty. Flavoured with a marinade paste of garlic, cumin, chilli, ginger, coriander, sesame oil and lime juice. A scrumptious savoury, spicy bite balanced with the prawns’ natural flavours and a citrusy aroma.
Chinese Skewers
Five Spice Powder, Shaoxing wine and soy sauce are the common Chinese flavour-makers for grilled meats, like this tantalising Char Siu pork skewer that’s sure to wow your tastebuds and have you wanting more!
But the most famous and beloved Chinese skewer is the Cumin Lamb skewers. Lamb and mutton are the favoured meats of Northern Chinese cuisines, and cumin imbues the grilled skewers with a bold spicy aroma that also tempers and accentuates the lamb’s natural scent and flavour. Every bite is a rich sensational blast!
More Asian Barbecue Yummies
Grilled skewers are but one delicious category of Asian barbecues, as every Asian cuisine has its own uniquely-flavoured roast and grills for you to savour. Come check out more Asian barbecue delights in our special feature, and explore our massive collection of Asian barbecue recipes!
