If you’re hoping to bring some new flair to the kitchen, here are 25 awesome Asian recipes for dinner and beyond.
You should also check out this easy and delicious Asian chicken salad.
Jonesing for a vacation to Asia, but can’t quite get there? Time to break out the cooking gear! Making food from the countries we dream of traveling to can inspire us, or at the very least fill our bellies with delicious food inspired by the regions we dream of traveling to.
When preparing an Asian-inspired meal, it is important to note that the continent contains multiple countries, each with a different cultural influence. China, India, and Japan are all Asian countries, and each has unique food styles.
Tips For Cooking Simple Asian Food
Asian food, from Japanese cuisine to Chinese recipes, from Thai to Korean, is becoming increasingly popular. One of the reasons for its popularity is the ease of preparing the food in the comfort of your own home. Cooking simple Asian food and your favorite Asian recipes can be quick with the following tips.
As with any recipe, collect the ingredients you’ll need before you begin cooking.
In general, you do not need to go to an Asian supermarket to have access to Asian ingredients. Most American supermarkets carry common ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, ginger root, Asian noodles, and rice. Then, keep your pantry stocked with non-perishable items such as noodles and rice.
Having certain cookware at your disposal will also make cooking these recipes easier for you. For example, making a stir fry or noodle dish is more easily done with a wok than a frying pan. The former has high, sloping sides, making it easy to toss the recipe’s ingredients without spilling out the sides.
Start with some easy Asian recipes that do not require too many unfamiliar ingredients. It is easy to get carried away; there are so many recipes from different Asian countries, and from provinces within those countries, that it is tempting to want to try them all.
Sometimes, though, the best recipes are those that include just a few ingredients.
For example, stir fry dishes are easy to make and customizable. You can use shrimp instead of beef, or chicken instead of pork, or you can make a strictly vegetarian stir fry.
You can also make chicken satay or Thai basil chicken very easily because the ingredients are not difficult to find and they are relatively inexpensive.
And perhaps the best tip to remember when you want to cook Asian food is that this type of cuisine is as simple as you want it to be. You can add exotic ingredients to recipes and make them your own, or you can stick to the basics.
Take your Belly to Asia
This list provides a wide array of options in the form of side dishes, lunch, and dinner meals.
There are plenty of meat-based dishes as well as some vegetarian and vegan options. There’s a little something for everyone here, much like at some of the restaurants you’ll get to visit when you DO get to the region.
Pair these dishes with your favorite noodles or tang yuan and you have a tasty, somewhat authentic Asian meal.
You’ll find dishes originating from China and Japan, as well as others pulled from different regions of Asia. Some have quite a unique twist! You’ll find the braised beef short ribs and pork belly ramen to be among the more original and interesting iterations.
There are enough options in this list to provide more than three full weeks of amazing Asian recipes for dinner. All you’ll need to do is decide which one to try first!
Need more easy dinner inspiration? Give one of these poke bowls a try or make up a batch of homemade sushi!
25 Must-Try Asian Recipes
Immerse yourself in Pan-Asian culture with these 25 Asian dinner recipes.
Legit Asian Veg Stir-Fry With Ponzu Citrus Sauce
Ponzu citrus sauce gives this Asian veg stir-fry the most incredible umami-rich flavor. You won’t be able to get enough healthy vegetables, which you can mix and match to your taste.
Instant Pot Pho
This easy Instant Pot Pho (pressure cooker pho) is made with tender chicken, rice noodles and fresh herbs in a rich and flavorful savory broth.
Japanese Clear Soup
This delicious soup is a traditional Japanese soup and a favorite at hibachi restaurants, but it's easy to make at home. Your taste buds will be so happy!
Easy Asian Inspired Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These easy lettuce wraps incorporate plenty of fresh vegetables, making them a healthy lunch or dinner meal.
Best Vegetarian Ramen Recipe
This vegetarian ramen recipe features a flavorful broth and simple ingredients to make a healthy and satisfying meal. Omit the eggs to make it vegan.
Vegetarian Fried Cauliflower Rice
This cauliflower fried rice recipe is a winner! It's suitable for a paleo or keto diet, but everyone will enjoy this vegetarian dish.
Easy & Delicious Asian Chicken Salad
Ready in under half an hour, this easy Asian chicken salad recipe is packed with healthy ingredients and TONS of fresh flavor.
Crispy Korean Fried Chicken
Learn how to make Korean Fried Chicken that is golden brown and extra crispy on the outside, with tender and juicy meat on the inside.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
An authentic Thai Pineapple Fried Rice that's served in pineapples! Ready to make in 30 minutes, this Shrimp Fried Rice that's easier to make than you think.
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ground chicken, crisp carrots, bean sprouts, and basil all cooked in a flavorful Thai inspired simmer sauce and wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves. This meal is SO fresh and SO flavorful with so many different ways to enjoy it.
Vegan Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew) ⋆ Earth to Veg
Soondubu jjigae is one of the most popular Korean dinners out there, featuring spicy-sour notes from kimchi paired with the creamy, custard-like texture of silken tofu. And now you can make it at home!
Tofu Thai Red Curry (Kaeng Phet, A@G) ⋆ Earth to Veg
This easy Thai red curry is creamy, savoury, and a little spicy. Use a store bought curry paste to cook up a delicious Asian dinner in under 30 minutes.
Pho Recipe (How to Make Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
This unbelievably delicious Vietnamese Pho Recipe is made with a nourishing beef broth infused with fragrant spices, chewy noodles, and tender slices of meat. Filled with the same delicious and authentic flavors as your favorite pho restaurant, learn how to make this Vietnamese Noodle Soup from scratch and serve topped with fresh herbs and vegetables.
Chinese Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
This tender and juicy Chinese Braised Pork Belly (also called Hong Shao Rou) is melt-in-your-mouth delicious with a thick and sticky sauce that’s both sweet and savory! Serve it with steamed rice and some veggies for a delicious weeknight meal!
Instant Pot Lamb Curry
Instant Pot Lamb Curry is made with tender and juicy lamb, warm Indian spices, tomatoes, and coconut milk. Normally slow cooked for hours, this lamb curry cooks in less than an hour in the pressure cooker!
Gochujang Pork Belly Ramen
This pork belly ramen is so comforting and delicious! The pork belly is braised in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce then seared until crispy and placed on top of a warm bowl of ramen with fresh toppings!
Homemade Crispy Pork Belly With Best Crackling Skin
This homemade crispy pork belly recipe will show you how to make such perfectly golden, crackling skin of a roast pork belly every time with a secret step. Other than that puffy skin, it also has a restaurant-quality juicy and tender texture. This paired with a hot bowl of white rice makes a perfect dinner meal.
Gluten-Free General Tso's Chicken (Soy-Free, Paleo, Top-8 Allergy-Free)
A sweet and slightly spicy Chinese takeout favorite you can easily make right at home! This recipe for Gluten-Free General Tso's Chicken is soy-free, paleo, top-8 allergy-free, and can be whipped up for the dinner table in a flash!
Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
This quick and easy recipe for shrimp stir fry features a delicious sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with crisp vegetables. Best of all it's ready in under 20 minutes!
Yaki Udon | Stir Fried Udon Noodles
Yaki udon is an easy stir fried udon noodle recipe ready in 20 minutes! Add any vegetables and protein for a quick and easy dinner!
The Best Chicken Lo Mein
This chicken lo mein is mad with Chinese egg noodles, tender chicken, and tossed in a savory lo mein sauce! It’s a quick and easy meal that’s sure to satisfy!
Gochujang Braised Beef Short Ribs
Braised beef short ribs are cooked low and slow for a long time until the meat becomes meltingly tender. This classic recipe is given a deep, spicy kick with the addition of gochujang, a traditional Korean red chili paste.
Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Skip the take-out and make this Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry at home on your Blackstone griddle or stovetop instead. This healthy and tasty restaurant quality in less than 30-minutes that will have your family lining up for seconds and thirds.
Easy Vegan Pad Thai (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free)
A healthier homemade version of your takeout favorite! This Easy Vegan Pad Thai recipe is gluten-free and allergy-free, meaning no nuts or soy! With authentic rice noodles, veggies, and a delicious Pad Thai sauce, you'll have dinner on the table in a flash and the best leftovers for lunch!
Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
The best quick and easy recipe for Sweet & Sour Chicken! A Chinese takeout favorite that's homemade, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! This healthier unfried version is made in a wok or skillet on the stove and tossed with a sweet and sticky sauce that's naturally sweet!
Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian
Gobi Manchurian is every vegan Indo-Chinese food lover’s favorite winter meal. Crispy Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian is a healthier alternative to deep-fried Manchurian because it’s air-fried and requires very little oil.
Easy Asian Eggplant Vegan Tacos
You will never see eggplant the same way after tasting these tacos! This recipe is a lovely refreshing Asian dinner dish for any day of the week.
Kung Pao Shrimp
Delicious shrimp stir fry dish tossed in a homemade Kung Pao sauce, combined with crunchy veggies and peanuts. So much yummier and healthier than Chinese takeout!
Steak Fried Rice
This fried rice recipe is full of flavor and combines juicy, marinated steak pieces with rice and veggies. An easy and yummy one pan meal!
General Tso Chicken
This General Tso chicken is a tasty Asian-inspired dish featuring breaded chicken tossed in a tasty spicy sauce.
