I cook almost every day. It’s part of my routine and a way to ensure my family eats well, steering clear of takeout and processed meals. When Matias and I moved to São Paulo, I quickly learned that cooking was about more than saving money. It gave me control, let me be creative, and helped our household run smoothly.
Over time, I’ve tried various cuisines. Some were easier than others. Certain dishes needed ingredients I had never heard of before living in Brazil, while others pushed my cooking boundaries in a good way. Cooking is complex, though. Not every cuisine matches in skill level; some demand years of experience.
If you’ve managed to cook any of these ten cuisines well, you’ve reached a level that many home cooks only dream of.
1. Japanese Cuisine
Japanese cooking emphasizes precision. You let the ingredients shine. Take sushi, for example. Perfecting sushi rice is tough—it requires the right texture, temperature, and seasoning. The knife skills for sashimi also take practice; one wrong move can ruin the dish. Even simple items like miso soup need careful balance. If you rush, you lose the essence of the meal.
I struggled with gyoza, too. It took weeks of practice to get the folding technique right. Yet, that’s the beauty of cooking; there’s always room for improvement.
2. French Cuisine
French cooking may sound fancy, but it’s about mastering the basics. The five mother sauces—béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato—are foundational. Making them well takes focus. Overheat your hollandaise, and it breaks. Not whisking enough leaves béchamel lumpy.
French cooking calls for patience. Dishes like beef bourguignon take hours. I once tried a soufflé that collapsed as soon as I took it out of the oven. But I kept at it, and eventually, I nailed it.
3. Indian Cuisine
Indian food delights with layers of flavors. It’s not just about tossing spices in a pot; there’s an art to it. Each spice blend serves a specific purpose. I’ve had success with dal makhani, a dish that looks simple but takes time. Lentils have to be cooked low and slow to reach that creamy perfection.
4. Thai Cuisine
Thai cooking is all about balance—sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. This can be incredibly challenging. Authentic ingredients like fish sauce or tamarind paste aren’t always easy to find. I learned this the hard way while making pad Thai. Get the noodles or the sauce wrong, and the dish falters.
5. Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Proper Mexican cooking goes beyond tacos. It’s rich with complex sauces. Mole can have over 20 ingredients. Each must be perfectly toasted and simmered. I’ve tried making carnitas, needing the right balance between tenderness and crispiness. There’s a beautiful regional variety in Mexican food, and mastering even one style is noteworthy.
6. Chinese Cuisine
Chinese food offers incredible diversity, from Cantonese to Sichuanese. Each region has its unique techniques. Stir-frying may seem simple, but it requires high heat and quick timing. I struggled to get the right sauce for mapo tofu. Achieving that signature balance is tricky.
7. Italian Cuisine
Italian cooking is often seen as easy but making authentic dishes from scratch is an art. Fresh pasta requires the right dough consistency. I found risotto demands consistent attention. Walk away, and you risk ruining it.
8. Middle Eastern Cuisine
Middle Eastern cooking relies on rich spices and slow cooking. Dishes like lamb shawarma need hours of marination to unlock their flavors. The bread is another challenge; making fresh pita at home takes skill and practice.
9. Korean Cuisine
Korean cooking is bold and layered. Making kimchi requires time and knowledge of fermentation, while dishes like bibimbap need individual attention for each component. I learned the hard way how crucial the marinade is for bulgogi.
10. Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan cooking is aromatic and intricate, often built around complex spice blends. Tagine demands careful layering and slow cooking for the perfect outcome. Crafting couscous from scratch is labor-intensive but rewarding.
Conclusion
Cooking offers endless learning. Every cuisine has distinct techniques and traditions. Mastering even one takes time and a willingness to fail. If you’ve tackled any of these cuisines, you’ve invested effort. That curiosity and patience make you more than just a cook—you’re an artist in the kitchen.
In 2022, a survey found that over 80% of people feel cooking at home boosts their mood. It seems there’s more to cooking than just feeding ourselves; it’s about creativity, joy, and connection, too. With each dish, you’re not just following a recipe—you’re creating a little piece of culture and history.
For more insights on cooking techniques, check out this article by the Culinary Institute.
