Asian cooking = no baking? (ovens)?

Question

Is it true that most Asians don't bake / use an oven?

Answer 1

The oven is a highly inefficient, wasteful means of cooking.

Answer 2

Some things 'bake' in a steamer. Though this is considered 'steaming' its a bit more like dry steaming.

Char Siu Bao, or Pork Buns, are done this way. A very little bit of water is put in the steamer and the heat cooks by convection around the buns rather than by steam application. Though white, Char Siu Bao have the texture of lovely soft bread.

In north China they do indeed bake with traditional baking methods like clay pots and central town ovens. Wheat is the staple there rather than rice.

Now, I'm sure, many modern Chinese have at least small convection ovens to use.

Then BBQ is done in open air oven-like things where they hang the meat and the heat from the fire cooks the meat while they turn it.

I don't know the Chinese name for this method of cooking, but its how traditional BBQ Pork or Char Siu is done in Canton.

Answer 3

Ya its true.In India,almost all homes in cities will have ovens but Indian food is not made in Ovens.

Alhough we bake chapati,but it is done through a utensil called TAWA, which is kept directly on stove.Chapati or roti is basic Indian food which is flat bread.It is served along with Curries of different vegetables, salads , pickles.

We use oven only for making cakes,Pizzas,etc.

Answer 4

yes. at least in karachi pakistan an oven is a rare and expensive kitchen item. cakes and sweets are often made in a pan on the stovetop.The weather is way  to hot to include the heat of an oven. Most also dont use any other appliances that create heat and some wil cook one meal daily and serve that for the day. Also, they do not use hot water unless they can afford to buy a water heater(called geyser) again very expensive and it creates additional heat in the home.

Answer 5

I would agree with that... breads are not typically baked.  Meats are roasted/"baked", but steaming, boiling, grilling, deep-frying and stir-frying are the most common methods.

However, I would consider meat dishes like Peking Duck and Roasted Pig as a form of baking.

Answer 6

They use woks on an open fire.

Answer 7

most asian cultures were without a large supply of fuel that is required to keep the ovens hot for large periods of time. they made up for it by cutting the meats and vegetables up quite small and cooking over very high heat. it takes a very short time to cook and conserves the fuel.

Answer 8

A lot of Asian food is cooked on the stove top via a Wok/Steamer/Deep Fryer.  I'm sure they do have ovens and some Asian folks probably make some amazing baked foods, but I really don't think its very common.

Answer 9

India is most famous for its oven:  the TANDOOR!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandoor