Vegetables and more vegetables. Strong spices, and often a kick of heat. Rice and noodles. Seafood, in island nations and along the coasts of the main land mass. Tofu and other soy products. All of these are common in traditional Asian Diets.

With a geographical base including countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesian, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, the traditional Asian Diet covers a lot of territory, in both a geographical and a culinary sense.

Vegetarian traditions are strong in most Asian countries, with pulses and whole grains such as millet and barley, all enlivened with soy sauce, fermented fish sauce, or various spicy condiments. Despite their differences, almost all Asian countries share one food in common: rice, which is prepared and eaten somewhat differently from country to country. But as the staple food central to survival, especially during times of famine, rice has acquired an almost sacred status in Asian societies, and it is served in many ways. It is a significant part of each meal of the day; incorporated as a main ingredient in confections such as candy and cakes; fermented to make wine (a tradition in most countries) or beer; and traditionally offered to the gods to ensure a good harvest.

Available either as a downloadable PDF (at the PDF link above) or as a pre-printed hard copy.

To purchase hard copies of the pyramid card (printed on letter-size 8.5”x11” cardstock), please visit our Oldways store at the link below.