Asian Cuisine: Ethical Considerations

Abstract

SynonymsAsian Food; Religious AspectsVegeterianismIntroductionNumerous factors shape decisions aboutwhat to eat, including region and geography, nationality, socialclass, ethnicity, and -- central to this piece -- ethicalconsiderations.Ethical belief systems influence not only whatpeople eat or do not eat, but also how people eat and who theyeat with. Other food and cuisine-related issues having ethicalimplications include hunger and food security, shifting dietsand their repercussions, and sustainability.This piece focuseson South Asia, especially India, and East Asia, primarily China,Japan, and Korea. China has some of the world’s oldest cuisineswhich have had an enormous impact on other countries --especially in East Asia -- in terms of ethical/religious beliefsystems and their impact on food. I also briefly considermainland Southeast Asia, especially in terms of the influence ofIndia or China. This omits large areas of Asia, such as theso-called Middle East and other ar ...