Indulge your taste buds across the vibrant and diverse flavors of Asian desserts for corporate catering. From delicate pastries to refreshing tropical delights, Asian desserts offer a tantalizing range of sweet treats that satisfy any craving. Discover the most popular and delicious Asian desserts that have captivated hearts and palates worldwide.
Whether you’re a fan of iconic treats like Japanese mochi and Thai mango sticky rice or want to explore lesser-known gems like Indonesian onde-onde and Filipino halo-halo, this article will take you on a delectable adventure through the rich culinary heritage of Asia. Get ready to discover new flavors, textures, and mouthwatering desserts that will leave you craving more.
Asian Desserts: Corporate Catering Tips
Asian cuisine has spread worldwide in the last decades, making Asian desserts known for their unique flavors, textures, and presentation, which have become more popular.
Whether you’re hosting a corporate event or a business meeting or simply want to treat your clients to something special, incorporating Asian desserts into your menu can be a great way to impress and satisfy your guests.
- Understand the culture: Asian desserts are deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of various Eastern countries. To truly create an authentic Asian experience, it’s essential to understand the flavors, ingredients, and techniques used in these dishes. Take the time to research and learn about the specific Asian country you’re focusing on, as each has its unique culinary heritage and techniques.
- Choose the right ingredients: Asian desserts often rely on staple ingredients such as rice, coconut milk, sesame, matcha, and tropical fruits. Incorporating these ingredients into your desserts will help create the traditional Asian flavors your clients or guests will appreciate. Think about offering a variety of desserts that showcase different Asian ingredients to cater to a wide range of tastes.
- Balance flavors and textures: Asian desserts are known for their balance of flavors and textures, which means sugar and its equals will not always be the ingredients to stand out. It’s important to create desserts that offer a mix of sweet, savory, and sometimes even tangy flavors. The use of contrasting textures such as crunchy, chewy, and smooth can also enhance the overall experience with each dish. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance of the Asian desserts you’re thinking about serving.
- Presentation is key: In Asian cultures, presentation is just as important as taste. Pay attention to the visual appeal of your desserts by incorporating vibrant colors, artistic plating techniques, and garnishes that reflect the Asian aesthetic and traditions. A well-presented dessert not only looks appetizing but also creates a memorable dining experience for your clients.
The 5 Best Asian Desserts
Now that we’ve covered some tips on how to incorporate Asian desserts into your corporate catering services, let’s dive into the top five Asian desserts that are sure to impress your clients.
Mochi
The Japanese rice cake known as mochi is made from glutinous rice, also called mochigome. People pound the rice into a sticky paste and have developed techniques to make it easily at home. Mochi has a chewy texture and people often fill it with sweet bean paste or fruit preserves. Many people choose mochi as a dessert because of its unique texture and variety of flavors. You can serve mochi by itself or alongside other desserts. Mochi is also used as a base for pastries, mochi ice cream, and even the exotic shikuro, a type of Japanese sweet soup.
Matcha Green Tea Desserts
Matcha, a powder made of young green tea leaves with a distinct flavor and vibrant green color, dates back to the Tang Dynasty in 6th century China. People incorporate matcha into desserts such as ice cream, cakes, cookies, swiss rolls, cheesecakes, and puddings. Matcha desserts visually appeal and offer a pleasant balance of sweetness and earthy flavors, also known as the umami taste that gourmet circles seek after. Health-conscious individuals particularly love matcha desserts due to the antioxidant properties of matcha. However, it is important to know your suppliers as smaller details in green tea cultivation can result in very different flavors and nuances in the final matcha powder.
Taiyaki
Seijiro Kobe, a store owner in the early 1900s, is credited with conceiving Taiyaki, a fish-shaped Japanese cake usually filled with sweet red bean paste. Each bite of Taiyaki brings a little taste of the island country. It’s made from a pancake-like batter and cooked in a specially designed fish-shaped mold. Taiyaki has gained popularity worldwide due to its cute shape and delicious filling, making it a popular street food in Japan.
You can get creative with different fillings like chocolate, custard, or even Nutella, and the cake has also been used as a substitute for ice cream cones.
So how about using your creativity to impress your catering services with this peculiar ‘fish’ dessert?
Thai Mango Sticky Rice
This classic Thai dessert – Khao niao mamuang in its original language – consists of sweet sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and served with fresh mango slices. The combination of creamy coconut rice and sweet mango creates a delightful, light and satisfying dessert. With a relatively easy recipe and common ingredients, this dish is common among street vendors and is very popular with tourists traveling in Southeast Asia. Thai Mango Sticky Rice is a refreshing option for those who prefer lighter desserts with tropical flavors and is sure to provide that something extra to your guests.
Boba Milk Tea
Boba Milk Tea, which originated in Taiwan before gaining global popularity, has become a popular Asian-inspired beverage that can also be enjoyed as a sweet treat. It is made by adding Boba, also known as tapioca pearls, to a milky tea base, resulting in a unique and satisfying chilly and texture-rich drink. You can provide your clients with a refreshing and enjoyable Asian-inspired experience by offering Boba Milk Tea as a dessert option.
Incorporating Asian desserts into your corporate catering services can elevate the overall dining experience for your clients. By understanding the culture, selecting the right ingredients, balancing flavors and textures, and focusing on presentation, you can create a memorable dessert menu showcasing the best Asian cuisine.
Consider adding these top five Asian desserts to your menu and watch your clients’ taste buds delight in the flavors of the East.
