Oriental Favorites

This Bon Appetit cookbook is serviceable but not fancy, designed chiefly for serious gastronomes who want to dip into the possibilities of Asian cuisine. In this serendipitous collection of more than 200 dishes from what is loosely called the OrientChina, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailandrecipes are appealing and easy to follow. The meat section, in particular, offers many unusual suggestions, including Korean bulgogi, sweet-and-spicy barbecued beef, and pakbet, a Filipino pork dish made with bitter melon, eggplant and okra. Color photographs are included, along with useful tips on stir-fry techniques and Japanese food preparation. Some chefs may find the book's scope too broad, blurring distinctions between the various national cuisines, but it's hard to find fault when so many fine recipes appear in one place. (September 11)