12 Best-Selling International Cooking Books Millions Love

Bill Leung and his family turn decades of Chinese culinary tradition into accessible recipes that demystify authentic home cooking. Drawing from their blog's popularity and personal restaurant experience, they guide you through Cantonese specialties like Roast Duck and pantry essentials, while daughters add modern, vegetable-forward dishes. You'll find clear explanations of techniques such as meat "velveting" and tools like the wok, making it easier to recreate flavors from spicy Biang Biang noodles to pork belly fried rice. This book suits both newcomers curious about Chinese cooking and seasoned cooks seeking reliable family-tested recipes without fuss.

Drawing from her unique experience as a Korean American trial lawyer and viral TikTok creator, Joanne Lee Molinaro offers a fresh perspective on Korean cuisine through a plant-based lens. You explore traditional ingredients like doenjang and gochujang, learning how to craft authentic dishes such as Jjajangmyun and Gamja Guk with vegan substitutions that don't sacrifice flavor. Beyond recipes, Joanne weaves poignant family stories that deepen your understanding of Korean culture and immigrant identity, making this more than a cookbook—it's a narrative journey. This book suits anyone curious about Korean flavors or seeking to expand vegan cooking with rich cultural context. However, if you want purely traditional Korean barbecue recipes, this might not be the place to start.

This tailored book explores expert techniques for blending international flavors and spices, focusing on your unique culinary interests and background. It delves into the art of combining diverse global ingredients to create bold, harmonious taste experiences that excite the palate. With a personalized approach, it matches your specific goals and preferences, guiding you through flavor pairing principles, spice layering, and fusion recipes that reflect your individual taste journey. By concentrating on your desired cuisines and methods, it offers a rich, immersive exploration of global cooking that ignites creativity and deepens your understanding of bold flavor fusion.

What started as Margarita Carrillo Arronte's decades-long dedication to Mexican culinary heritage became this extensive collection of over 700 authentic recipes. You dive deep into Mexico's rich food history, learning to master dishes from street food like tamales to sophisticated moles, all organized thoughtfully by type and style. The book doesn’t just share recipes; it immerses you in the ingredients and techniques that define Mexican cooking, with chapters offering detailed introductions and chef-curated menus. If you want to explore Mexico's vibrant flavors beyond Tex-Mex, this book equips you with the skills and cultural context to do so confidently.

Maangchi’s decades of experience as a Korean home cook and YouTube personality culminate in this extensive exploration of Korean cuisine. You learn not only how to prepare staples like bibimbap and bulgogi but also discover less common dishes such as vegan temple fare and street vendor snacks, complete with clear ingredient photos and step-by-step techniques. The chapters on party foods, kimchis, and lunch boxes reveal cultural nuances that deepen your appreciation for Korean food traditions. If you want to expand your cooking beyond familiar recipes and embrace authentic Korean flavors with confidence, this book is for you.

Jerusalem: A Cookbook offers a vivid culinary journey through the vibrant and complex food landscape of Jerusalem, crafted by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, who grew up in the city's Jewish west and Arab east respectively. You explore 120 recipes that reveal the intersection of diverse cultural traditions, from innovative vegetable plates to indulgent desserts, reflecting the city's rich Muslim, Jewish, and Christian heritage. This book teaches you how to blend spices and ingredients characteristic of Middle Eastern and Israeli cooking, with practical insights on balancing flavors and textures. It's particularly suited for home cooks intrigued by cross-cultural cuisine and those eager to recreate authentic Jerusalem flavors in their own kitchens.

This AI-created book explores a customized 30-day plan to learn global cuisines, designed to match your background and culinary interests. It covers essential techniques, ingredient selection, and step-by-step recipes from a variety of international food traditions. The book focuses on your specific goals to master authentic dishes efficiently, blending widely valued culinary knowledge with tailored insights for your cooking journey. By concentrating on the cuisines and skills you want to develop, it reveals how to build confidence and versatility in the kitchen through a manageable, personalized schedule.

Unlike most international cookbooks that skim the surface, this one dives deep into Chinese cuisine through the lens of two generations. Kevin Pang, a James Beard Award-winning food writer, and his father Jeffrey bring personal stories that illuminate recipes ranging from Sichuan street foods to American Chinese classics. You learn precise techniques like folding Shanghai soup dumplings and get insider tips on ingredients, all backed by America's Test Kitchen's rigorous testing. Whether you’re curious about dim sum or want to master stir-frying, this book offers a thoughtful, approachable way to expand your cooking skills and cultural understanding.

Nancy Singleton Hachisu brings a rare insider’s perspective to Japanese cooking, shaped by decades of living alongside her Japanese farmer husband in Saitama prefecture. In this book, you’ll explore over 400 recipes that go beyond sushi and tempura to include regional specialties and traditional dishes organized by course. Chapters on soups, noodles, pickles, and sweets offer detailed notes that illuminate the cultural context and cooking techniques, making the cuisine accessible without watering it down. If you’re eager to deepen your understanding of authentic Japanese home cooking and want recipes that balance simplicity with elegance, this is a fitting guide.

Drawing from her upbringing in Thailand and formal training at Le Cordon Bleu, Pailin Chongchitnant presents an intimate look at Thai cuisine that goes beyond recipes. You gain a clear understanding of essential ingredients, flavor profiles, and cooking techniques, with chapters dedicated to curries, soups, and even vegan dishes. The inclusion of QR codes linking to video tutorials makes the experience interactive and accessible, empowering you to replicate authentic Thai flavors at home. Whether you’re a curious home cook or someone eager to deepen their culinary skills, this book offers a thoughtful guide to mastering Thai cooking without oversimplification.

Jet Tila’s decades of culinary experience shape this vibrant collection of Asian recipes that balance authenticity with approachability. Drawing from his Thai and Chinese heritage and formal training, he demystifies dishes like Korean BBQ Short Ribs on Coke and Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich, showing you how fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques bring out bold flavors. The book goes beyond recipes, offering insights into flavor layering and ingredient history that deepen your cooking skills. If you want to bring genuine Asian tastes into your kitchen without fuss, this book guides you through 101 dishes that will elevate your home cooking.

What started as a desire to share authentic Russian cuisine blossomed into a cookbook that goes beyond recipes to capture the spirit of Russian food culture. Alexandra' Kropotkin invites you into the rhythms of Russian mealtimes, from hearty breakfasts to satisfying dinners, with over 300 dishes including classics like beef stroganoff and borscht alongside everyday favorites such as kotleti and piroshki. The book's expanded edition enriches your cooking with cultural insights, Russian table traditions, and guidance on special utensils, making it ideal if you want to master traditional Russian flavors and understand the stories behind them. This is a practical guide for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of Russian culinary heritage, though casual cooks seeking quick meals might find its scope extensive.

Drawing from her background as a Mellon Lecturer in Turkish at UC Berkeley, Ayla E Algar offers a rich exploration of Turkey's culinary heritage that bridges simple peasant dishes with refined palace cuisine. You gain access to 175 recipes that open up the vibrant flavors of kebabs, pilafs, meze, and traditional sweets like baklava, all presented alongside cultural context that deepens your appreciation of the ingredients and techniques. Chapters on dolmas, manti, and the use of olive oil reveal how Turkish cooking balances healthfulness with exciting combinations. This book suits anyone eager to expand their cooking repertoire with authentic Turkish dishes and cultural insights, whether you're a curious home cook or seasoned culinary explorer.

What if everything you knew about cooking for kids was wrong? Marilyn Ratner and co-authors challenge the idea that young cooks need simplified, limited recipes by offering a lively collection of international dishes tailored for girls and boys. You’ll explore not just recipes, but essential kitchen skills like tool use, safety, and precise measuring, making this book both educational and engaging. Chapters blend colorful illustrations with practical guidance, helping youngsters navigate global cuisines confidently. This book suits families and educators eager to expand children’s culinary horizons beyond the usual fare.