What herbs and spices are used in Asian cuisine
William Smith
Updated on April 23, 2026
The spices that are typically used in Asian cuisine are basil, cassia (cinnamon), cilantro, coriander, chiles, cloves, cumin, galangal, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, spearmint, star anise and turmeric.
What are Asian herbs and spices?
- Lemongrass. Lemongrass is a perennial grass that grows in clumps. …
- Vietnamese mint. Vietnamese mint has a distinct and strong flavour, with a peppery fire. …
- Common/round mint. Also known as Moroccan spearmint, applemint or sage of Bethlehem. …
- Coriander. …
- Thai basil. …
- Garlic chives. …
- Kaffir lime leaves.
What spices are good in Asian food?
- Chilli. A staple in Asian cooking, the possibilities are endless when cooking with chilli. …
- Cinnamon. …
- Ginger. …
- Star anise. …
- Cumin. …
- Galangal root (Thai ginger) …
- Saffron. …
- Turmeric.
What is the most used spice in Asia?
- Ginger. Ginger is an essential ingredient in most Chinese dishes. …
- Cloves. Cloves are one of the famous Chinese Five Spice Powder. …
- Star Anise. Star anise is another one of the Chinese Five Spice Powder; it’s mostly used in a powdered form. …
- Chinese Cinnamon.
What are some of the more common spices herbs used in Southeast Asian cuisine?
- Chilies.
- Chinese chives.
- Cinnamon (and cassia bark)
- Fresh coriander (aka cilantro)
- Curry leaves.
- Fenugreek.
- Galangal.
- Ginger.
What are the most popular herbs and spices?
The infographic above shows that, surprisingly, cumin is the most popular spice in the world, and coriander (or cilantro) is the most commonly used herb. In Europe and Africa, garlic is the most common among all dishes considered, and—no surprises here—oregano is common in the Mediterranean regions.
What fresh herbs are used in Chinese cooking?
- Ginger (姜 jiāng) Ginger Root. …
- Garlic (大蒜 dàsuàn) …
- Star Anise (八角 bājiǎo) …
- Cloves (丁香 dīngxiāng) …
- Chili (辣椒 làjiāo) …
- Cassia, Chinese Cinnamon (肉桂 ròuguì) …
- Green Onions, Scallions (葱 cōng) …
- Sesame Seed (Oil) (芝麻油 zhīma(yóu))
What are 3 common herbs or spices?
- Black peppercorns. Pepper is a spice that’s familiar to everyone. …
- Ground cinnamon. A warm spice packed with antioxidants, cinnamon adds a touch of sweetness to dishes. …
- Chili powder. …
- Hot-red-chili flakes. …
- Cumin. …
- Ground ginger. …
- Nutmeg. …
- Smoked paprika.
What herbs are used in Vietnamese cooking?
- Coriander (Cilantro) – Rau Mùi or Ngò
- Vietnamese Coriander – Rau Răm.
- Culantro – Ngò Gai.
- Vietnamese Perilla – Tiá Tô
- Fish Mint or Heart Leaf – Diếp Cá
- Vietnamese Balm – Kinh Giới.
- Thai Basil – Húng Quế
- Peppermint – Húng Cây.
Thai Basil (aka licorice basil) – A variety commonly used in Southeast Asian and Chinese cuisine known for its smaller, darker leaves and spicy, anise-heavy flavor. Used frequently as a garnish in Thai and Vietnamese cooking.
Article first time published onWhat spices are found in Southeast Asia?
It’s the lesser known spices – the common spices and herbs used in daily cooking throughout Southeast Asia – like lemongrass, bird’s eye chili peppers, galangal, Thai basil, kaffir lime leaves, torch ginger flower, Vietnamese mint leaves, coriander root, tamarind, pandan leaves, curry leaves and many more.
What are the main Chinese spices?
The traditional five spices are cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorns, but additional spices are used to customize to regional or personal tastes.
What are the different herbs and spices used in different cuisines?
- All Spice Berries. Type – Used as whole or ground. …
- Anise / Star Anise. Type – Whole or ground spice. …
- Basil. Type – Herb leaf, fresh or dried. …
- Bay Leaf. …
- Bouquet Garni. …
- Caraway. …
- Cardamom. …
- Cayenne.
What are the most common herbs used in cooking?
- #1 MINT. Mint is one of the most famous herb used in cooking. …
- #2 CORIANDER. Coriander, also known as cilantro, is a very fragrant herb. …
- #3 BASIL. Basil is perhaps the most easily recognized herb in cooking. …
- #4 PARSLEY. …
- #5 CHIVE. …
- #6 DILL. …
- #7 THYME. …
- #9 ROSEMARY.
Which herbs are in pho?
What gives pho broth it’s flavor? Pho broth is made by adding in charred onions and ginger followed by whole spices like anise, fennel, coriander, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods.
What spices do Vietnamese use?
- Black Cardamom.
- Black Peppercorns.
- White Peppercorns.
- Cinnamon.
- Coriander Seeds.
- Casia Bark.
- Fennel Seeds.
- Cloves.
What is Tito herb?
Vietnamese Perilla – Tiá Tô Vietnamese perilla has striking leaves that are green on top and purple on the undersides. In the kitchen, the earthy and fragrant leaves are popular in Vietnamese soup dishes. In the garden, the beautiful Vietnamese perilla plant adds a great pop of color and texture to displays.
Are chives from garlic?
The flavor of garlic chives is a mild garlic instead of the onion of common chives. Garlic chives are a member of the allium family. They are very easy to grow and produce edible leaves all season. Garlic chives have flatter leaves than common chives.
How do you grow spices indoors?
- Pick the Right Plants. Plants. …
- Select a Container with Drainage. Drainage. …
- Choose the Sunniest Spot. Plants. …
- Water-but Not Too Much. Water. …
- Harvest a Little at a Time. Plants. …
- Transplant When Ready. Plants.
Can lemongrass and basil be planted together?
Some great ways of companion planting with lemongrass are by using herbs, which appreciate full sun and well-drained soil. Possible options include: Cilantro. Basil.
What are the 10 herbs?
- Basil.
- Cilantro.
- Dill.
- Mint.
- Oregano.
- Parsley (Italian)
- Parsley (Curly)
- Rosemary.
What are English herbs?
- Red Rubin Basil.
- Siam Queen Basil.
- Sweet Italian Basil.
- Sweet Mammoth Basil.
- Catnip.
- Garlic Chives.
- Chives.
- Cilantro.
What are the names of all herbs?
- allspice (Pimenta dioica)
- angelica (Angelica archangelica)
- anise (Pimpinella anisum)
- asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida)
- bay leaf (Laurus nobilis)
- basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- bergamot (Monarda species)
- black cumin (Nigella sativa)
Is cilantro used in Chinese dishes?
Cilantro is a dominant ingredient in cuisines around the globe including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Caribbean, Mediterranean, North African, and Eastern European.
What is Parsley used in?
Put chopped parsley on everything: Don’t chop it too finely — bigger pieces are prettier and have more flavor. Throw it with abandon on top of grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, a cold green-bean salad, stews, soups, pasta, hot or cold grain dishes like couscous or quinoa or tabbouleh or …
What flavor is bay leaf?
When the herb is infused into water, broth, or another cooking liquid, an almost minty flavor (somewhere between spearmint and menthol) develops, with subtle hints of black pepper and Christmas tree pine. They add a subtle bitterness that keeps heavy soups and stews from being so, well, heavy.
What are the most important ingredients and spices in Southeast Asia?
- 01 of 06. Shrimp Paste. Ulana Switucha / Moment / Getty Images. …
- 02 of 06. Fish Sauce. Ben Fink / Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images. …
- 03 of 06. Vinegar. The Spruce / Connie Veneracion. …
- 04 of 06. Soy Sauce. …
- 05 of 06. Tamarind Paste. …
- 06 of 06. Citrus (lime or calamondin) juice.
What are the most important ingredients in Southeast Asia?
Ingredients common to many cultures in the East and Southeast regions of the continent include rice, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, chilies, dried onions, soy, and tofu.
What are Thai spices?
- Cinnamon (Ob-choey) Everybody knows cinnamon, as it’s one of the most popular spices in the world. …
- Coriander Root (Rak-pak-chee) …
- Coriander Seeds (Look-pak-chee) …
- Cumin (Yee-rah) …
- Ginger (Khing) …
- Garlic (Kra-tiam) …
- Green Peppercorns (Prik-thai-orn) …
- Holy Basil (Bai ka-prow)