Not much compares to enjoying a delicious plate of Asian cuisine. Whether you’re partial to Korean barbecue or Japanese sashimi, you’ve likely enjoyed some type of Asian food at home or a restaurant. When you take a closer look at Asian cuisine, you’ll find people using a few different names for it, two of which are Pan-Asian and Asian fusion.

What’s the difference between Pan-Asian and Asian fusion? Below, we’ll explore more about what makes each kind of Asian cuisine special.

What Is Pan-Asian Food?

Most people think of cuisine from East Asia when they imagine Asian food. Chinese and Japanese food are arguably the two most well-known Asian cuisines in America. However, traditional Asian food comes from countries throughout the continent of Asia — Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more. There is an abundance of amazing food options in addition to the most popular dishes.

When deciding which restaurant to visit, you may have a specific cuisine in mind — maybe you’re in the mood for Chinese — or you may be torn between two — would you rather have Thai or Japanese? At a Pan-Asian restaurant, you don’t have to choose. Instead, you have your pick of tasty dishes from various Asian countries. When browsing a Pan-Asian menu, you’ll find dishes from different Asian regions, such as pad Thai from Thailand, Cantonese shrimp dumplings or Vietnam’s famous pho.

If you’re interested in exploring new and diverse types of Asian food, trying Pan-Asian cuisine is the perfect way to start.

Is Pan-Asian Food Healthy?

Several traditional Asian dishes are healthier than many popular Western foods. While Asian dishes can be high in sodium and fat, they typically feature fresh meats and vegetables. These dishes include simple, delicious ingredients that offer essential vitamins and nutrients — for example, traditional Indian fish curry is made with fresh fish, tomatoes, onions and plenty of spices and served with rice.

Ultimately, whether your Pan-Asian meal is healthy will depend on what you order. Korean bibimbap, filled with various vegetables and an egg for protein, is healthier than a heavy dish of meat and rice in a salty sauce. Overall, however, you can expect Pan-Asian food to be filling and nutrient-dense, so you certainly won’t find yourself looking for a snack after finishing your meal.

Types of Pan-Asian Cuisine

Are you curious about specific types of Pan-Asian cuisine? There are hundreds of traditional Asian dishes throughout the continent, and sampling even a portion of them makes for a delicious challenge. Here are a few examples of dishes you might enjoy at a Pan-Asian restaurant to get you started on your journey:

• Tonkotsu (Hakata) ramen: Tonkotsu ramen, originating from Fukuoka, Japan, is a bowl of pork-bone broth with cooked ramen noodles, sliced pork belly and your choice of fresh toppings. Though the names are similar, this dish is different from tonkatsu, a Japanese fried pork cutlet.
• Bánh mì: A French-inspired Vietnamese baguette sandwich, bánh mì is slathered with mayonnaise and topped with meat, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots and pickled daikon. You can also find numerous variations, such as ones with pâté.
• Bulgogi: Bulgogi is beef that has been marinated, sliced and barbecued. First made in the Korean Peninsula, bulgogi translates to “fire meat” and is often served over steamed white rice or with a leafy green vegetable.
• Green curry: Known as “Kaeng Khiao Wan,” green curry comes from central Thailand. This dish is comprised of green curry paste, coconut milk, sugar, fish sauce and a choice of protein, traditionally fish. Typically, this curry is served with roti, a round flatbread originating from India.
• Soup dumplings: Tangbao, or soup dumplings, are steamed buns with pork and a clear soup inside. These dumplings are a traditional Chinese meal often eaten for breakfast.

These are just a few dishes you might spot on a Pan-Asian restaurant’s menu. Though you can enjoy them individually at a restaurant that serves one particular cuisine, heading to a Pan-Asian eatery will give you a chance to try numerous stand-out dishes from several Asian regions. No matter what Pan-Asian eatery you visit, you’re sure to find an array of delicious traditional Asian meals.

How Does Asian Fusion Cuisine Differ From Pan-Asian Food?

There are different kinds of fusion cuisines all around us. Like Tex-Mex, Asian fusion food uses multiple existing cuisines to create something new. Rather than serve a dish traditionally, Asian fusion restaurants combine two or three types of cuisines into a single dish. Bánh mì is one example. France introduced the baguette when they colonized Vietnam, and today it serves as the bread for this traditional sandwich.

At an Asian fusion restaurant, you might find food that combines dishes from multiple Asian cultures, such as a Chinese beef stew served with Korean kimchi. You might also come across Western-inspired fusions on the menu, such as sushi pizza or pad Thai tacos. The range of dishes depends on the restaurant — some Asian fusion establishments focus on “fusing” one type of cuisine while others run the gamut.

However, there’s more to creating a fusion meal than simply putting any two dishes together. The ingredients still have to pair well — it’s rare to find a restaurant serving a taco shell stuffed with authentic chow mein and topped with salsa. Instead, Asian fusion dishes adapt concepts from one cuisine with food from another. For example, an Asian fusion burrito would be a “sushirrito,” or tuna, avocado, cucumber and spicy mayo rolled up in a burrito shell made with rice and seaweed.

If you’re interested in sampling more than one style of Asian cooking, a Pan-Asian eatery will be your best bet. If you’re up for a creative take on a traditional Asian dish, you should head to a spot that offers Asian fusion dishes — like USS Nemo Restaurant.

Try the Top Asian Fusion Dishes in Naples, Florida

If you’re interested in trying some of the best Asian fusion bites in Naples, Florida, USS Nemo Restaurant offers an array of Asian-inspired and Asian fusion meals. Take a moment to peruse our menus, where you’ll find tasty options like the Dinner Sashimi Salad, which incorporates everything you love about sushi in a fresh salad. If you’re looking for vegetarian options, our Miso Glazed Tofu and Admiral Tso’s Cauliflower are the perfect entrees.

The next time you find yourself in beautiful Naples, Florida, be sure to book a reservation with us to enjoy some of the area’s best cuisine — we can’t wait to see you!