Asian cuisine offers a wide range of flavors and cooking styles. From spicy curries to savory stir-fries, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can easily make many popular Asian dishes at home with the right ingredients and techniques.
These 30 Asian recipes will help you create delicious meals in your own kitchen. You’ll find options for quick weeknight dinners as well as more complex weekend cooking projects. The recipes cover dishes from countries like China, Japan, Thailand, and India. Get ready to explore new tastes and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.
Chicken teriyaki is a popular Japanese dish that combines tender chicken with a sweet and savory sauce. To make it, you’ll need chicken thighs or breasts, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and ginger.
Start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Let it sit for about an hour to absorb the flavors.
Cook the chicken in a hot pan until it’s nicely browned on both sides. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
Serve your chicken teriyaki over steamed rice with a side of vegetables. You can garnish it with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Beef and broccoli is a popular Chinese-American dish you can easily make at home. Start by slicing beef thinly against the grain. Marinate it in soy sauce and cornstarch for 10-15 minutes.
Blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Heat oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Quickly sear the beef until browned, then add garlic and ginger.
Pour in a sauce made of soy sauce, water, and seasonings. When it bubbles, add the broccoli. Stir-fry everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
This tasty meal comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve it over rice for a satisfying dinner that’s better than takeout.
Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish loved for its crispy texture and sweet-savory flavor. To make it, you’ll coat chicken pieces in a mixture of egg, flour, and cornstarch.
Fry the coated chicken until golden brown and crispy. The sauce typically includes soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and sesame oil for a perfect balance of flavors.
After cooking the sauce, toss the crispy chicken in it. This creates a sticky, flavorful coating. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added crunch and nutty taste.
Serve your sesame chicken over steamed rice. You can add steamed broccoli or other vegetables on the side for a complete meal. This dish is sure to become a favorite in your home cooking lineup.
Sweet and sour pork is a popular Chinese dish you’ll love. To make it, start by cutting pork into bite-sized pieces and marinating them.
Next, coat the pork in cornstarch and deep-fry until golden. Set the meat aside.
In a wok or pan, stir-fry bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks. Add a homemade sweet and sour sauce made with vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce.
Combine the sauce and vegetables with the crispy pork. Toss everything together until the pork is well-coated. Serve your sweet and sour pork hot with steamed rice for a tasty meal.
Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy, savory dish from China’s Sichuan province. You’ll love its mix of tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and zesty sauce.
To make it, you’ll need diced chicken, peanuts, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns. The sauce combines soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
Start by cooking the chicken until golden brown. Then stir-fry garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Add the sauce and peanuts, and cook until everything is well-coated.
This dish is best served hot over rice. Its bold flavors and contrasting textures make it a favorite in Chinese restaurants worldwide.
To make it, you’ll marinate chicken chunks in a mixture of soy sauce and other seasonings. Then coat the chicken in cornstarch and flour before frying until golden.
For the sauce, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Cook it briefly with garlic, ginger, and chilies for extra flavor.
Toss the fried chicken in the thickened sauce just before serving. The result is a delicious blend of crispy texture and bold flavors that you’ll love.
Pho is a beloved Vietnamese noodle soup. You’ll find a flavorful broth at its core, made by simmering beef bones, onions, and spices for hours.
To make pho at home, start by roasting beef bones and onions. Then simmer them with ginger, cinnamon, star anise, and other aromatics.
Add thin slices of beef or chicken to your bowl of hot broth. Top with rice noodles, bean sprouts, herbs, and lime. A splash of fish sauce and hoisin sauce adds depth.
For a quicker version, use store-bought broth and add spices. Slow cookers work well for making pho too.
Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish that’s as delicious as it is colorful. You’ll love this mix of rice, veggies, and protein topped with a fried egg.
To make bibimbap, start by cooking rice and preparing various toppings. Common choices include sautéed spinach, carrots, zucchini, and bean sprouts.
Cook each vegetable separately with a bit of oil and garlic. You can also add cooked beef or tofu for extra protein.
Arrange the rice in a bowl and place the toppings in neat sections on top. Add a fried egg and a dollop of gochujang (Korean red chili paste) for flavor.
Mix everything together before eating to enjoy all the tastes and textures in each bite.
Green curry is a popular Thai dish known for its vibrant color and bold flavors. You can make it at home in about 30 minutes using store-bought curry paste or by creating your own.
The key to a great green curry is frying the paste before adding other ingredients. This helps release the aromatics and enhances the overall taste.
You can customize your green curry with chicken, tofu, or shrimp. Add vegetables like snow peas for extra nutrition and texture.
The curry sauce is made with coconut milk, giving it a rich and creamy consistency. Garlic, ginger, and Thai basil contribute to its complex flavor profile.
Ramen is a beloved Japanese dish that has gained worldwide popularity. You can make delicious ramen at home with a few key ingredients.
Start with a flavorful broth like shoyu (soy sauce-based) or miso. Add cooked noodles, typically wheat-based and slightly chewy.
Top your ramen with sliced chashu (braised pork belly), a soft-boiled egg, and fresh vegetables like green onions and bamboo shoots. For extra flavor, include a dollop of garlic oil or chili paste.
Experiment with different broths and toppings to create your perfect bowl. With practice, you’ll be making restaurant-quality ramen in your own kitchen.
Tom Kha Gai is a popular Thai coconut chicken soup. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor.
To make it, you’ll simmer chicken in coconut milk with aromatic ingredients. These typically include lemongrass, galangal or ginger, and kaffir lime leaves.
Mushrooms are a common addition, giving the soup extra texture. You can use shiitake or button mushrooms.
The soup gets its sour kick from lime juice, added at the end. Fish sauce provides saltiness and depth.
For heat, add Thai chilies to taste. Garnish with cilantro and green onions for freshness.
Tom Kha Gai is easy to make at home. You can have a delicious bowl ready in about 30 minutes.
Mapo tofu is a spicy Sichuan dish that combines soft tofu with ground pork in a flavorful sauce. To make it, you’ll start by cooking ground pork until crispy.
Next, fry doubanjiang (spicy bean paste) in oil to release its flavors. Add minced garlic and ginger for extra taste.
Cut soft tofu into cubes and gently add it to the pan. Pour in a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili oil. Let it simmer until the tofu is heated through.
For extra heat, add Sichuan peppercorns. Finish with green onions and serve over rice. This dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and umami flavors.
Peking duck is a famous Chinese dish known for its crispy skin and tender meat. You can make a simplified version at home with some preparation.
Start by patting the duck dry and brushing it with a mixture of maltose, hot water, and vinegar. Let it rest uncovered in the fridge for 24-48 hours to dry out the skin.
When ready to cook, sear the duck skin-side down in a pan. Then roast it in the oven, flipping halfway through. A honey and five-spice glaze adds flavor as it cooks.
Serve the crispy duck with thin pancakes, sliced scallions, and hoisin sauce. Wrap the meat and toppings in the pancakes to enjoy this classic dish.
Banh mi is a tasty Vietnamese sandwich that combines French and Vietnamese flavors. It’s made with a crispy baguette filled with savory meats, pickled veggies, and herbs.
To make banh mi at home, start with a fresh baguette. Spread mayo and pâté on the bread. Add your choice of meat like grilled chicken, pork, or tofu.
Top with pickled carrots, daikon radish, cucumber slices, and cilantro. For extra flavor, add a dash of soy sauce or Maggi seasoning. Sriracha mayo gives it a spicy kick.
Banh mi is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. You can customize it with different meats and toppings to suit your taste.
Mongolian beef is a popular Chinese-American dish you’ll love. It features tender slices of beef cooked in a sweet and savory sauce.
To make it, you’ll need flank steak or sirloin, cut into thin strips. The sauce combines soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger for a perfect balance of flavors.
Cook the beef quickly over high heat to get a crispy exterior. Then toss it in the sauce until well-coated.
Serve your Mongolian beef over rice or noodles. Add some green onions on top for extra flavor and crunch.
This dish is quick to make, usually ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a great choice when you want a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Dim sum is a Chinese meal of small dishes shared with tea. It’s often eaten for brunch. You can enjoy many tasty bites like dumplings, buns, and rolls.
Popular dim sum dishes include shumai, spring rolls, and steamed pork buns. You might also find turnip cakes, custard buns, and egg tarts on the menu.
Making dim sum at home can be fun. Try steaming pork dumplings or baking BBQ pork buns. You can even make a quick congee or rice noodle rolls.
Many dim sum items freeze well. Make extra dumplings or wontons and cook them from frozen later.
Red curry is a popular Thai dish known for its rich, spicy flavor. You can make it with chicken, vegetables, or other proteins. The key ingredient is red curry paste, which gives the dish its distinctive taste and color.
To prepare red curry, start by cooking garlic and ginger in oil. Add the curry paste and fry it briefly. Pour in coconut milk and broth to create a creamy sauce.
Add your chosen protein and vegetables like bell peppers or carrots. Simmer until everything is cooked through. For extra flavor, include fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice.
Serve your red curry over steamed rice for a satisfying meal. You can garnish it with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
Szechuan chicken is a spicy Chinese dish that will wake up your taste buds. You’ll love the bold flavors of this stir-fry.
To make it, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat with cornstarch. Fry the chicken until golden brown.
In a wok, stir-fry vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Add dried chilies and Szechuan peppercorns for heat and flavor.
Combine the chicken, veggies, and a sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. Cook everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
Serve your Szechuan chicken over rice for a tasty meal. The mix of spicy, savory, and slightly numbing flavors is unforgettable.
Yangzhou fried rice is a popular Chinese dish known for its colorful ingredients and great flavor. You’ll find a mix of veggies, meats, and eggs in this tasty meal.
To make it, start by cooking rice and letting it cool. Then, stir-fry your choice of vegetables like carrots and peas. Add in small pieces of meat such as ham or shrimp.
Push everything to one side of the wok and scramble some eggs. Mix the eggs with the other ingredients and add your cooled rice. Stir-fry everything together, adding soy sauce for flavor.
The key to great Yangzhou fried rice is using day-old rice and cooking quickly over high heat. This helps keep the rice grains separate and prevents sogginess.
Korean BBQ is a popular way of grilling meat at the table. You can make it at home too. The most famous dish is bulgogi, which means “fire meat” in Korean.
Bulgogi uses thinly sliced beef in a sweet and savory marinade. The marinade often has soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. You grill the meat quickly over high heat.
Another tasty option is galbi, which are marinated beef short ribs. The marinade is similar to bulgogi but may include fruit like Asian pear.
You can also grill pork, chicken, or seafood for Korean BBQ. Serve the meat with lettuce wraps, rice, and small side dishes called banchan.
Sichuan hot pot is a popular Chinese dish perfect for cold weather and group meals. You cook raw ingredients in a spicy broth at the table.
The key to authentic Sichuan hot pot is the flavorful soup base. It combines beef tallow, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil for a numbing, spicy kick.
You can customize your hot pot with various meats, seafood, and vegetables. Common additions include thinly sliced beef, tripe, tofu, and leafy greens.
To enjoy, dip ingredients in the bubbling broth until cooked. Then savor the spicy, flavorful results. Prepare for a mouth-tingling experience!
Satay skewers are a tasty Asian dish you can easily make at home. They feature tender chicken pieces marinated in flavorful spices and grilled on skewers.
The marinade often includes ingredients like soy sauce, lemon juice, and garlic. This blend gives the chicken a rich, savory taste.
A key part of satay is the peanut dipping sauce. It’s creamy, slightly spicy, and complements the grilled chicken perfectly.
You can serve satay skewers as an appetizer or main dish. They pair well with rice or a cucumber salad for a complete meal.
Grilling the skewers gives them a nice char and smoky flavor. You can also cook them in the oven if you don’t have a grill.
Thai Basil Chicken is a quick and tasty dish. You can make it in about 10 minutes. It’s spicy, savory, and full of flavor.
To make it, you’ll need ground chicken, Thai basil leaves, garlic, chili peppers, and sauces. Fry the garlic and chilies first. Then add the chicken and cook it well.
Mix in soy sauce, fish sauce, and a bit of sugar for taste. Add the basil leaves last. They’ll wilt quickly in the hot pan.
Serve your Thai Basil Chicken over rice. For extra flavor, top it with a fried egg. The runny yolk mixes well with the spicy chicken.
Common Ingredients in Asian Cuisine
Asian cooking uses many unique ingredients that give dishes their distinct flavors and textures. These key components form the base of countless recipes across East and Southeast Asia.
Essential Spices and Herbs
Garlic and ginger are must-haves in Asian kitchens. They add zip to stir-fries, soups, and marinades. Five-spice powder blends cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel, and peppercorns. It brings depth to meats and savory dishes.
Lemongrass gives a citrusy note to Thai and Vietnamese food. Its stalks flavor curries and soups. Chili peppers add heat to many dishes. Fresh, dried, or as pastes, they range from mild to fiery.
Sesame oil has a nutty taste perfect for finishing dishes. A little goes a long way. Soy sauce is salty and umami-rich. Light soy sauce is for everyday use, while dark adds color and stronger flavor.
Staple Grains and Noodles
Rice is the main grain in most Asian cuisines. White rice is common, but brown and jasmine rice are also used. You can serve it plain or make fried rice.
Noodles come in many types:
Wheat noodles: Lo mein, udon, ramen
Rice noodles: Thin vermicelli, wide pho noodles
Egg noodles: Chow mein, wonton noodles
Each type has its own texture and best uses. Some are great for soups, others for stir-fries.
Miso paste is made from fermented soybeans. It adds rich, salty flavor to soups and sauces. You can use it in marinades or dressings too.
Typical Proteins Used
Tofu is a soy-based protein used in many dishes. It comes in soft, firm, and extra-firm types. You can fry, steam, or add it to soups.
Fish sauce gives a salty, savory kick to Southeast Asian food. It’s made from fermented fish and adds depth to dips and dressings.
Oyster sauce is thick and sweet. It’s great for stir-fries and marinades. There are veggie versions made with mushrooms.
Eggs are used in many ways. You’ll find them in fried rice, egg drop soup, and as a binding agent in dumplings.
Cooking Techniques
Asian cuisine uses several key cooking methods to create its signature flavors and textures. These techniques help bring out the best in ingredients and create delicious dishes.
Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is fast and uses high heat. You cook small pieces of food in a wok or large pan. Move the food constantly to prevent burning. This keeps veggies crisp and meats tender.
Heat your wok first. Add oil and let it get very hot. Toss in aromatics like garlic or ginger. Add meat and cook until almost done. Take it out and set aside.
Next, add harder veggies. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Put in softer veggies last. They need less time. Return the meat to the wok. Add sauces and seasonings. Stir to combine everything.
The whole process takes just minutes. This quick cooking keeps foods fresh-tasting and colorful.
Steaming
Steaming is gentle and healthy. It keeps foods moist without added fats. Many Asian dishes use this method for fish, dumplings, and veggies.
You need a steamer basket and a pot with water. Bring the water to a boil. Place food in the basket above the water. Cover and let the steam cook the food.
Steaming times vary. Veggies might take 5-10 minutes. Fish fillets need about 10 minutes. Dumplings can take 6-8 minutes.
This method keeps nutrients in the food. It’s great for delicate items that might fall apart in boiling water. Steaming also helps foods keep their natural flavors.
Grilling
Grilling adds smoky flavors to Asian dishes. It’s used for meats, seafood, and even some fruits and veggies.
Marinate foods before grilling. This adds flavor and keeps them moist. Common marinades use soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean the grates and oil them lightly. This prevents sticking.
Place food on the grill. Don’t move it too much. This helps create nice grill marks. Flip once halfway through cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Let meats rest after grilling. This helps keep the juices inside.
Grilling is great for outdoor cooking. It adds a unique taste that you can’t get from other methods.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
