13 Asian recipes to try at home with clever cooking tricks
There are cuisines that can surprise you even on the most ordinary days, and Asian cuisine is one of them. All it takes is a sauce that smells of soy and sesame, a well-heated pan, or a different texture than usual to give dinner a different direction. Asian recipes have this talent: they are immediate, enveloping, and make you want to get back to the stove.
In this article you will find 13 easy Asian recipes designed for everyday cooking. Dishes that don't put pressure on you, adapt to what you have at home, and really work, from the first bite to the last. Noodles, steamed dishes, crispy stir-fries and irresistible sauces, with clever little tricks that make all the difference. If you fancy a change in flavor without complicating your life, you've come to the right place.
1. Chinese Chow Mein: easy and super tasty stir-fried noodles
Chinese chow mein is one of the most beloved dishes in Asian cuisine: stir-fried noodles, crispy vegetables and an intense sauce that envelops everything. It's quick, customizable and perfect for a different kind of dinner, homemade but with authentic flavor.
Smart tip: Use a very hot pan and saute the ingredients a few at a time so the noodles stay dry and don't get mushy.
Love Chinese cuisine? Make it at home by trying our Chow Mein recipe! A mix of Chinese noodles, chicken, ginger, and vegetables. A complete, balanced, and easy dish to prepare! Tested and approved by the entire Ptitchef team, we leave you with the...
2. Light chicken ramen: Asian soup that pampers
Chicken ramen is one of the most beloved Asian recipes for those who want a hot, nutritious and flavorful dish, but in a lighter and easier version at home. Here we prepare it with vegetable broth and tender chicken, soft noodles and fragrant vegetables, perfect for a dinner that warms body and spirit without guilt
Smart Tip: for a flavorful broth in minutes, flavor it with ginger and fresh spring onion-they'll give intense aroma without weighing it down.
When we talk about comforting Asian recipe , we immediately think of Ramen ! A very hot broth that we decided to garnish here with ramen noodles, chicken and mushrooms . Not forgetting the soft-boiled egg which will bring that irresistible touch...
3. Dakgangjeong: crispy and sweet-spicy Korean fried chicken
Dakgangjeong is the classic Korean-style fried chicken that wins you over at the first bite: super crispy chicken pieces wrapped in a sweet-spicy sauce with a strong character. This Asian recipe is ideal if you want to bring something different than usual to the table, perfect for dinners with friends or evenings with an international flavor.
Smart tip: Dry the chicken chunks well before breading them: this will make the frying even crispier and the sauce will adhere better.
Lovers of sweet and savory and spicy food, this recipe is for you! We love the Asian flavours and crunch of these bite-sized chicken Dakgangjeong . The gochujang will warm your heart and take you on a trip to Korea , where fried chicken...
4. Chinese steamed eggs: velvety with only two ingredients
Chinese steamed eggs are the perfect expression of simple and surprising Asian cuisine: with just two ingredients you get a silky smooth texture, almost like a savory flan. It is an ideal recipe for those who like delicate dishes but full of character, perfect to serve as an appetizer or side dish with an oriental scent.
Smart tip: Straining the mixture and removing air bubbles before cooking makes a huge difference on the final texture, making the eggs incredibly smooth. Check out the full recipe and try it now.
If you haven't already tried Chinese steamed eggs , you're in for a pleasant surprise ;) With just two ingredients , you get eggs with an incredibly smooth, soft and melting texture, almost like a savory flan ! It's simple, quick and really...
5. Udon with shrimp and spicy peanut sauce: ready in less than 10 minutes
Shrimp and spicy peanut sauce udon is proof that Asian cooking can be super fast and surprisingly tasty. Soft sautéed udon noodles with juicy shrimp and a peanut sauce with a spicy kick, perfect when you want a dish that looks like a restaurant but is made in a flash.
Smart tip: Have all the ingredients ready before you start (mise en place)-this keeps the udon cooking fast and the shrimp tender and not chewy.
Today we're preparing udon noodles with a sweet, salty and spicy wrap sauce. You'll love the peanut taste in this spicy Asian dish. Add the accompaniments of your choice for a complete meal. Here, the noodles are served with sautéed shrimp ....
6. Crispy rice omelet with gochujang: the anti-waste with Asian flavor
Gochujang crispy rice omelet is the perfect recipe for turning leftover rice into a tasty, flavorful dish with a Korean twist. Gochujang, a fermented chili sauce, gives this omelet a bold flavor and inviting color, while pan cooking creates a crispy outside and soft inside.
Smart tip: Use well-chilled rice and a hot skillet with little oil-this way you'll get an irresistible golden crust without it sticking.
This omelette combines pre-cooked basmati rice sautéed in neutral oil, enriched with a Korean fermented chili paste ( gochujang ) and butter for a savory base. Beaten eggs are poured over crispy rice and cooked covered, then topped with edamame...
7. Asian tacos with salmon tartare: irresistible fusion finger food
Homemade Asian tacos with salmon tartare served in rice-sheet chips are proof that Asian cuisine can be young, fresh and fun. Crispy rice-sheet "shells" enclose a flavorful tartare, perfect as a creative appetizer or for a dinner party with an international flavor.
Smart tip: Lightly toasting the rice sheets before using them makes the chips sturdier and crispier, so they don't soften right away with the filling.
If you were looking for a highly original alternative to tacos , you won't be disappointed with this variation ;) No tortillas here, but light, crispy fried rice paper sheet chips , which host a salmon tartar seasoned with mayonnaise, soy sauce...
8. Katsu vegetarian curry: breaded eggplant with Japanese panko
Vegetarian katsu curry is a lighter, fragrant version of a classic Japanese dish: breaded eggplant with crispy panko served with a thick, aromatic Japanese curry sauce. It is a dish that combines the crispiness of breading with the sweetness of eggplant, perfect for those who want a flavor-packed but meatless Asian meal.
Smart tip: Dry the eggplant slices well and coat each piece in Japanese panko twice-you'll get an even crispier breading that resists the sauce.
Turn your kitchen into a corner of Japan with this recipe for eggplant breaded with panko breadcrumbs katsu curry-style vegetarian! Imagine the crispy texture of traditional katsu curry, but without meat. This aubergine-based version is not only...
9. Tuna onigiri: the Japanese classic to prepare at home
Tuna onigiri are the Japanese rice sandwich triangles that you find in kombini and bento shops throughout Japan: simple, flavorful, and perfect both as a snack and as a light main dish. With well-seasoned rice and tuna filling, these bites are ideal if you're looking for a practical Asian recipe to bring to the table every day. You can also enjoy onigiri with all types of fillings: salmon, eggs, shrimps, mackerel...
Smart tip: When shaping the onigiri, lightly wet your hands with water and a pinch of salt-so the rice doesn't stick and the onigiri stays firm and flavorful.
When we think of Japanese culinary culture, we obviously think of sushi , ramen and even the famous Okonomiyaki omelette... But what we particularly adore is the onigiri ! This little triangle of rice is the ideal snack for an on-the-go lunch,...
10. Mayak Gyeran: mouthwatering Korean marinated eggs
Mayak Gyeran, or Korean marinated eggs, are one of those little pleasures that turn even a snack into something extraordinary. It's name literally means "drug eggs" because once you've taste it, you can't stop eating and want more. Soft, flavorful and slightly sweet-savory, these eggs are dipped in a fragrant marinade that makes them irresistible. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish or Asian-style snack that can be prepared in advance.
Smart Tip: Let the eggs marinate for at least 12 hours in the refrigerator - the marinade intensifies the flavor and gives the surface that inviting color that makes you want to bite into them.
The name Mayak Gyeran (마약계란) literally means "drug egg" and clearly, their name doesn't lie: once you've tasted them, it's impossible to stop! With their fragrant marinade of soy sauce, garlic and chili pepper, they explode with flavor and are the...
11. Caramelized pork: intense and irresistible Asian flavor
Caramelized pork is one of those Asian recipes that win you over at first taste: tender morsels of meat wrapped in a sweet-savory glaze that blends sugar, soy sauce and spices. It's a perfect dish if you want to bring deep, enveloping flavor to the table, ideal for a special but uncomplicated dinner.
Smart Tip: While cooking the pork, don't stir too frequently. Letting the meat caramelize well at the bottom of the pan creates that rich, golden glaze that really makes a difference.
This vietnamese recipe is the perfect marriage between meat and sugar...Try it and you'll see!
12. Spring rolls with marinated beef: so flavorful
Spring rolls with marinated beef are a classic of Asian cuisine reinterpreted with a rich and flavorful twist. These rolls combine the lightness of vegetables with the depth of well-marinated beef for an appetizer or main course that wins over with every bite.
Smart tip: Marinating the meat at least 30 minutes before cooking it up ensures that each bite is rich in flavor and well balanced.
These spring rolls with marinated beef are even better than those in Asia! Follow the step-by-step instructions to make this recipe filled with marinated beef for maximum flavor at mealtime. The marinade made of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sesame...
13. Okonomiyaki: the flavor - dense Japanese cabbage omelet
Okonomiyaki is the famous Japanese omelet that combines soft textures and flavorful ingredients in one rustic and complete dish. Often referred to as "Japanese pancakes," it is perfect for those who enjoy a rich, versatile, and convivial meal - you can customize it with shrimp, pork, or octopus, depending on your taste. The most common and known is the one from Osaka city. But in Hiroshima city, Okonomiyaki is also stuffed with noodles, don't hesitate to try it this way!
Smart tip: Cook okonomiyaki over medium-low heat and without rushing, so it forms a golden crust without burning the inside.
How about adding a little Japanese flavor to your omelette ? That's the promise of Okonomiyaki! It's a Japanese dish, particularly from Osaka, although you can also eat it in Tokyo. Like any traditional dish, it's cooked differently in different...
Why these Asian recipes always work
These Asian recipes have something that makes them irresistible: they are flexible, satisfying and play on contrasts that always work, from crunchy to creamy, sweet to savory. They prove that to bring flavor to the table, you don't need to complicate your life. It only takes a few Asian cooking tricks to adapt them to what you have at home and turn an ordinary dinner into something special. Comfort food, light dishes or stronger flavors, here you'll find ideas to remake again and again.
Now it's your turn: pick a recipe, fire up the stove and let the scents of Asia guide you. The journey begins in your kitchen.
Daniele Mainieri
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