Why order it? These 9 popular dishes are faster and way more economical in your own kitchen

Friday 27 February 2026 10:57 - Adèle Peyches
Why order it? These 9 popular dishes are faster and way more economical in your own kitchen

Who hasn't fallen for a dish in a restaurant or on delivery, only to realize that it would have taken only three ingredients and 15 minutes to reproduce it at home? The result: a hefty bill for something you could have effortlessly prepared yourself. The good news is that some of our most popular dishes are actually the simplest to prepare. What's more, it's much more economical and often tastes even better!


Here's a selection of dishes we recommend you stop ordering and (re)discover at home!

1. Pasta carbonara

Paying USD $22 for a plate of pasta is a bit steep. Authentic carbonara is made in 15 minutes with guanciale (or pancetta if you don't have it), eggs and parmesan. The result is a thousand times more generous than the restaurant portion.

Spaghetti alla carbonara: the authentic italian recipe for carbonara!Recipe Spaghetti alla carbonara: the authentic italian recipe for carbonara!

Ahhh, pasta carbonara ... This iconic dish from Italian cuisine delights taste buds around the world, so much so that it even has its own world day (yes, really!). At Ptitchef, we absolutely love the recipe prepared by Daniele, which uses the...


2. Caesar salad

A classic menu item, often billed as a gourmet dish. However, with a few romaine leaves, grilled chicken, parmesan, homemade croutons and a quick dressing (yoghurt, mustard, lemon, parmesan), you get the same thing in 10 minutes, for three times less.

Foolproof caesar saladRecipe Foolproof caesar salad

A classic, you’ve probably ordered a "Caesar salad" at a restaurant before ;-) Why not make it at home this time? It’s very easy to make, and the secret to this salad topped with chicken strips lies mainly in the dressing! Simple and satisfying for...


3. Spring rolls

Crunchy or fresh, we love ordering them. But with rice cakes, a little vermicelli, crunchy vegetables and a few herbs, you can make your own rolls in less time than it takes to wait for a delivery. And for egg rolls, a quick trip to the oven or air fryer is all it takes!

Shrimp and mushroom spring rollsRecipe Shrimp and mushroom spring rolls

Tonight, we're making some Asian specialties. What better recipe than shrimp spring rolls?! We'll show you step by step how to make the filling and easily fold your rice wrappers to make perfect spring rolls. Follow our steps below in photos, in...

Spring rolls with marinated beefRecipe Spring rolls with marinated beef

With Ptitchef, spring rolls can be even better than in Asia! Follow the step-by-step instructions to make this recipe filled with marinated beef for maximum flavor at mealtime. The marinade made with soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sesame pairs perfectly...


4. Butter chicken

The star of Indian restaurants, this creamy, fragrant dish comes with a hefty price tag... even though it's so easy to prepare at home. Marinated chicken with yoghurt and spices, a tomato sauce with butter and cream, and you get the same generous, creamy result for a fraction of the price.

Butter chicken, the quintessential indian chicken dish!Recipe Butter chicken, the quintessential indian chicken dish!

Today, head to India without leaving your kitchen with this delicious, super-comforting dish in a rich sauce: butter chicken ! Tender pieces of chicken cooked in a creamy sauce made with tomatoes, cream, butter and a whole host of spices that will...


5. The poke bowl

Colorful, trendy... and overpriced in restaurants. Yet all you need is vinegared rice, fresh salmon (or even canned tuna if you want to simplify), avocado, cucumber and soy sauce to make a homemade poke bowl worthy of the best. And everyone can compose their own personalized bowl.

Salmon poke bowlRecipe Salmon poke bowl

Travel to Hawaii with this colorful and fresh salmon poke bowl! An easy and balanced dish that will brighten your day. Here, we present a marinated salmon version accompanied by mango pieces for an exotic and sweet touch. Try our recipe with...


6. Korean bibimbap

This emblematic South Korean dish, often offered at a premium price, is actually a plate traditionally made with leftovers and very simple to reproduce. Rice, a few sautéed vegetables (carrot, zucchini, spinach), a fried egg and a little gochujang sauce are all you need to recapture all the authentic flavors. You can add marinated meat, but even a vegetarian version is a complete and nourishing treat.

Bibimbap, the traditional korean dishRecipe Bibimbap, the traditional korean dish

Don't panic when you see all the ingredients and steps for bibimbap—with a little organization, you'll see that it's really quite easy! :-) The name bibimbap comes from the Korean words "bibim," meaning "mixed," and "bap," meaning "rice." It was...


7. Tiramisu

A cult dessert, but often sold for more than USD $11 a slice in restaurants. In reality? A few spoon cookies, mascarpone, eggs, sugar and a little coffee. The result: a great family dish to share for the price of a single slice on the terrace.

Italian tiramisu - video recipe!Recipe Italian tiramisu - video recipe!

Have a trip to Italy without leaving your kitchen ! Thanks to PetitChef, be the best at baking this classic : Tiramisu !



8. Japanese gyozas

These little steam-grilled ravioli are irresistible... but rarely given away. The good news is that with gyoza sheets (available in Asian grocery stores or supermarkets), a little pork or vegetable stuffing, and a pan-fry with a little water, you'll get homemade gyozas that will make those at the restaurant blush. Plus, you can make a big batch and freeze them.

Chicken, carrot, and mushroom gyozasRecipe Chicken, carrot, and mushroom gyozas

You probably know gyozas, those little Chinese dumplings that we can't resist! What if you made them yourself now? A recipe that's much easier to make than you can imagine. From the dough to the filling, we explain all the steps in detail with our...


9. Burgers

One of the most ordered dishes... but also one of the easiest to make yourself. With a good-quality hamburger, a soft brioche bun, melting cheese and a few toppings (tomato, lettuce, caramelized onions, homemade sauce), you've got a burger worthy of a gourmet restaurant, but at USD $3 instead of USD $20.

Quick and easy homemade burgerRecipe Quick and easy homemade burger

A homemade burger topped just the way you like it—pure perfection, right?! We invite you to try our recipe :-)

Adèle PeychesAdèle Peyches
Editorial manager who just can't wait for winter to enjoy fondue! Passionate about gastronomy and always on the lookout for new culinary gems, I first studied law before returning to my first love: the taste of good products and the joy of sharing around the table :)

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