Asia is a vast continent, and it’s home to some of the most exotic food on the planet. Asian recipes offer a beautiful balance of flavors. It’s a wonder how a single dish can taste savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. There’s truly nothing quite like the food you get from this part of the world.
The next time you’re craving something Asian, why not put that takeout menu away? With these recipes, you can prepare some delicious curry or fried noodles in your own kitchen!
#1. General Tso’s Chicken
There’s only one way to make crispy battered chicken taste even better, and that is by covering it with some sweet and spicy sauce. Cooked to perfection, this fried chicken is dripping with flavors all over, and let’s not forget how juicy the meat is. The best way to enjoy this dish is to serve it with some piping hot steamed rice. To make it healthier, substitute the chicken thighs with breast meat.
#2. Asian Slaw
Asian slaw is fresh, colorful, bursting with flavor, and a very healthy choice for a meal. Made with a mix of cabbage, carrots, edamame, bell peppers, and peanuts, this salad will be the star of any setting. Dress the slaw in an irresistible sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and honey. It’s like eating a rainbow of vegetables!
#3. Chinese Vegetable Stir-Fry
The beautiful thing about a Chinese vegetable stir-fry is its simplicity. This recipe uses bell pepper, broccoli, and mushrooms, but feel free to add any other veggies you like. Simply prep your veggies, toss them in a wok (or a pan) and stir in a quick and easy sauce. This dish will make a beautiful side with rice, and it’s such a tasty way to eat your greens!
#4. Chinese Chicken Wings
These Chinese chicken wings are so crazy good, you won’t be able to stop at one! Plus, they’re baked and not fried, so don’t feel so bad about finishing a whole plate of these. And take it from us, the garlicky, sweet, spicy marinade is one you’ll want to add to many other dishes!
#5. Wonton Soup
There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot soup with some tender, juicy ground pork wontons thrown in. Don’t be nervous about wrapping the dumplings; it’s easy and fun once you get the hang of it. If you want this for a quick midweek dinner, make your broth and wraps beforehand and freeze them. This dish is the best way to feel warm during the cold winter months!
#6. Naan Bread
Homemade naan might take some extra effort on your end, but it’s so worth it. This bread is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with dips, stews, and curries. To enjoy a wholesome Indian fare, prepare your dough, roll it out, and simply cook it on a skillet. Make your naan even more exciting by adding some garlic into the mix — it’ll be such a shame to give it a pass!
#7. Dan Dan Noodles
A noodle dish with complex layers of flavor, dan dan noodles are a delicious explosion of spices. This recipe calls for a spicy chili scallion sauce that’s poured over meat, noodles, and vegetables.
Sichuan cuisine is known for its spice, so don’t be surprised if dan dan noodles leave you reaching for some milk in between. The pickled veggies are an essential element, so if you want authenticity, don’t leave them out.
#8. Sweet and Sour Chicken
Is there a Chinese dish more beloved among Americans than sweet and sour chicken? Probably not, and that’s because of the tart and sweet sauce that makes it such an addictive treat! All you need is 30 minutes to toss this recipe together. Nothing beats the beautiful combination of pineapple, onions, and bell peppers that make up this takeout favorite.
#9. Kung Pao Chicken
Another Chinese takeout favorite, Kung Pao chicken features stir-fried peanuts tossed with chicken and vegetables. It’s topped with a tantalizing sweet and sour sauce that will leave you asking for an extra bowl. To make your dish less spicy, simply reduce the number of dried chilies. This is easier to make than you think and so satisfying that you might prefer to cook it yourself from now on!
#10. Teriyaki Chicken
Today, you will find the super versatile Teriyaki sauce in anything, even North American dishes. This recipe takes a mere 15 minutes and is extremely simple to make. All you have to do is toss some chicken cubes in a sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch, and it’s done. This dish is best served with steaming hot rice and a side of stir-fried broccoli with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
#11. California Roll
When you learn how easy it is to make California rolls, you’ll make it any chance you get. All you need is some sushi rice, crab sticks, avocado, and seaweed. Make sure to serve this dish with some soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for an extra zing! This Bento box classic makes a quick dinner or snack and is incredibly healthy.
#12. Thai Green Curry
Making green curry from scratch can be pretty challenging, but if you use store-bought paste, most of the work is done for you! This dish gets its color from green chilies and kaffir lime leaves, which also provide a nice mild heat and tanginess. And this recipe makes the green curry extra green with the addition of asparagus.
Feel free to throw in some chicken if you want a non-vegetarian curry. It keeps really well in the fridge and goes perfectly with steamed Thai rice.
#13. Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala is perfect for any American who enjoys Indian flavors but doesn’t want anything too spicy. The chicken is marinated in spiced yogurt, which keeps the meat tender, and is seasoned with lots of Indian spices. Make sure to mop the sauce up with some naan or rice — it’ll be a shame to let it go to waste!
#14. Japanese Chicken Curry
Unlike most curries, this Japanese curry isn’t very spicy, so it’s perfect for a family dinner. It’s more like a hearty stew beautifully sweetened with caramelized onions and carrots. You’ll love the layers of spices and earthy flavors that come with this dish. As with other curries, it pairs beautifully with rice and tastes better on day two.
#15. Black Sesame Cookies
Black sesame is a popular ingredient in Japanese desserts, thanks to its rich nutty aroma. These buttery, crisp, sweet, and savory cookies will get you addicted! They’re easy to make; just rely on your trusty food processor to mix the dough. They bake in 15 minutes, are best consumed within three days, and pair perfectly with a favorite hot beverage.
#16. Char Siu – Chinese Barbecued Pork
Char siu is barbecued pork that you can eat with rice, noodles, in a bao, or even on its own. The star of this dish is its marinade that consists of brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, red fermented bean curd, and more. You can even substitute pork loin with its fattier friend, pork belly, for a juicier variation.
#17. Chinese Garlic Green Beans
If you want a simple vegetable side dish, you can’t go wrong with some Chinese-style garlic green beans. Because they’re flash-fried, your beans end up with blistered skin but remain tender on the inside. Here’s a quick tip: make sure to dry your beans thoroughly before throwing them into the oil because water equates to splatter. Enjoy with rice and a meat dish for a full meal.
#18. Chinese Tea Eggs
Chinese tea eggs are essentially hard-boiled eggs simmered in tea for hours. The result is a beautiful marble design as the tea seeps into the cracked shells. The eggs not only look good, but they’re also full of aroma, thanks to the rich spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise that flavor the tea.
#19. Pad Thai
Packed with a sweet-savory flavor, these Thai noodles are a popular favorite. You’ll love the delicious taste of slippery noodles coated with peanuts and tangy lime juice. This one complete meal comes with a healthy dose of vegetables and protein (chicken, prawns, and tofu), and makes a wonderful lunch or dinner!
#20. Onigiri
Onigiri can be made either by adding seasonings or using a filling. These delicious rice balls are a great way to mix things up because you can make a variety of them in a go. For the filling version, use cured salmon, cod roe, or pickled plums. And for the seasoned version, sesame seeds, red shiso powder, or dried salmon flakes work great. This fun meal offers a diverse variety — perfect for fussy children!
#21. Indian Vegetable Fritters (Pakoras)
When it comes to street food, it’s hard to beat the Asian options. Recreate the magic of roadside goodness at home by dredging chunks of potato in a light chickpea flour batter spiced with fragrant turmeric and spicy chili powder. You’ll then deep fry the potatoes until golden and serve them with cilantro and tamarind chutney.
If you have any leftover batter, use it for other vegetable fritters using cauliflower and eggplant.
#22. Chicken Satay
These grilled chicken skewers doused in a lovely peanut sauce are a mouthwatering appetizer. The most important part of this dish is the marinade used for the chicken, and you’ll get the best results by leaving it to marinate overnight.
Traditional home cooks will use a mortar and pestle to pound the lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and spices together, but feel free to use a food processor. Serve your satay with a creamy peanut sauce and some sliced cucumber and onions.
#23. Cantonese Steamed Fish
Once you discover the beautiful simplicity of steaming, you’ll never want to eat your fish any other way. It’s best to use fish like sea bass, cod, grouper, or tilapia — avoid the excessively oily ones.
The most challenging part is getting the timing right because you don’t want to end up with overcooked fish. Serve with ginger, scallion, and cilantro mixed with soy sauce to really bring out the fish’s flavor.
#24. Yang Zhou Fried Rice
Fried rice is a complete meal that contains protein and vegetables, so it’s great for lunch or dinner. For the best results, use day-old rice or cook it with slightly less water than you usually would. Some common ingredients you’ll find in this dish are egg, carrots, shrimp, and char siu.
However, feel free to substitute your meats and veggies with the leftovers you find in the fridge. It’s the perfect opportunity to use up leftovers and create a delicious meal.
#25. Basic Congee
When it’s cold outside or you’re feeling under the weather, a bowlful of this comforting congee is just what you want. Every mouthful brings some serious umami flavor that comes from dried shrimp, scallops, and mushrooms. For a smooth finish, make sure to stir often while cooking. Serve this rice porridge for any meal, along with scallions, fried shallots, fried dough sticks, and chili oil.
#26. Scallion Pancakes
The aromas of these savory pancakes cooking in the kitchen will transport you to the streets of Shanghai. This pan-fried bread is crispy on the outside and soft inside, with bits of pork lard and scallion mixed throughout. The pancakes are great on their own, but wait till you try them with the dipping sauce!
#27. Mapo Tofu
If you love Sichuan food, there’s one ingredient you should always have in your kitchen — fermented chili bean paste. It’s the essence and source of the bold flavor you find in mapo tofu. This dish is a delightful mix of smooth, silky bean curd coated with a pork chili sauce that’s both fragrant and slightly numbing. Pair this 30-minute dish with rice or noodles for a meal you’ll never forget.
#28. Yaki Udon
This dish is a one-pan meal complete with carbs, crisp vegetables, savory sauce, and slices of perfectly seared pork. Yaki udon is an easy dish that requires a mere 10 minutes to prepare. Top it with some seaweed and bonito flakes to enjoy this bowl of savory, chewy, and crispy meal.
