In Asia, there are a wide variety of cuisines. A typical Chinese meal comprises a carbohydrate, meat or fish and a vegetable. The Chinese cuisine is _____ 16 _____ by its different origin. Often being referred to as the Chinese food by foreigners, Cantonese cuisine from the south of China, for instance, scarcely uses fresh herbs in the cooking. Szechuan and Hunan cuisine from the west of China, however, contains many spicy dishes. Japanese cuisine, on the other hand, values the presentation, spices, and quality of the food. A _____ 17 _____ such as rice or noodles accompanies several side dishes. Some renowned Japanese cuisine includes sushi, sashimi, tempura, and sake. In Korea, spicy food like kimchi is perhaps the most famous one as garlic and chili peppers are widely used in the cooking. They are, namely, the _____ 18 _____ ingredients in most dishes. In Southeast Asia, many dishes and flavors abound. People in Vietnam emphasize the use of herbs, fresh produce, and sauces, but tastes vary in different areas of the country. People in North Vietnam favor spicy food like pho noodles dishes while people in the south prefer sweet tastes and use the herbs _____ 19 . In Thailand likewise, cuisine differs according to geographical differences. In the south, the use of coconut milk in the curries is essential _____ 20 _____ it is the use of lime that is crucial in the northeast. In almost every part of Thailand, both rice and noodles are liked by people. The only difference from other Asian cuisines is that Thai food is usually eaten with a fork and spoon. [Fill in blank 17]