16 Asian Holiday Recipes That Will Add Flavor to Your Feast

Asian cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors and diverse ingredients, making it the perfect choice to elevate your holiday spread. Whether you’re craving something spicy, sweet, or savory, there’s a dish for every palate. These recipes will take you on a journey through some of Asia’s most beloved culinary traditions, offering a fusion of fresh flavors and mouthwatering textures.

Sweet and Sour Chicken (Chinese Style)

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular Chinese dish made with crispy chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet sauce. The dish includes chicken breast, cornstarch, and egg for the crispy coating. For the sauce, you’ll need vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and a dash of salt. Once the chicken is cooked, toss it in the sweet and sour sauce, along with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple for extra flavor and texture. Serve this dish with steamed rice or noodles to complete the meal.

Pad Thai (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)

Pad Thai is a famous Thai noodle dish full of flavor. To make this dish, you need rice noodles, eggs, shrimp (or chicken), bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts for garnish. The sauce is made with tamarind paste, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili flakes, giving it a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and sour. Stir-fry the ingredients together in a hot pan until everything is well-mixed and the noodles are tender. Top with fresh lime wedges and cilantro for a refreshing twist.

Chicken Satay (Indonesian Skewers)

Chicken Satay is a delicious Indonesian appetizer of marinated grilled chicken skewers served with a rich peanut sauce. You’ll need chicken breast, coconut milk, soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar for the marinade. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and grill them until golden and cooked through. The peanut dipping sauce is made with peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and a bit of lime juice for a perfect sweet-savory combo. Serve with a side of cucumber relish to cut through the richness.

Sushi Rolls (Japanese Style)

Making sushi rolls at home can be fun and easy with the right ingredients. For basic sushi rolls, you’ll need sushi rice, nori (seaweed), and fillings like cucumber, avocado, and crab or tuna. Cook the rice, mix it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, and let it cool before spreading it on a sheet of nori. Add your fillings and roll tightly using a bamboo mat. Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for that authentic sushi experience.

Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ)

Beef Bulgogi is a delicious Korean dish made with marinated beef that’s grilled or stir-fried. The marinade includes soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, ginger, and green onions. Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes, then stir-fry it until it’s cooked through and tender. Serve the beef over rice with a side of kimchi or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Bulgogi can also be served in lettuce leaves for a fun, interactive dish.

Dim Sum (Chinese Dumplings)

Dim Sum is a variety of small Chinese dishes served with tea. You can make your own Dim Sum at home by using dumpling wrappers filled with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, pork, or vegetables. The filling is usually seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, and then the dumplings are steamed or fried until golden. Serve your Dim Sum with soy sauce or chili oil for dipping. These little bites are perfect as appetizers or part of a larger meal.

Thai Green Curry

Thai Green Curry is a rich, aromatic dish made with green curry paste, coconut milk, and a variety of vegetables or meats. The paste is typically made from green chilies, garlic, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. For the curry, you’ll need coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, and Thai basil leaves. Simmer everything together until the flavors meld and the vegetables are tender. Serve this spicy, fragrant curry with jasmine rice for a complete, comforting meal.

Spring Rolls (Vietnamese Style)

Vietnamese Spring Rolls, or Goi Cuon, are fresh, light, and packed with flavor. For the filling, you’ll need shrimp, rice noodles, lettuce, cilantro, and mint. The key to these rolls is the rice paper, which is softened in water before being filled with the fresh ingredients. Once rolled, serve these with a dipping sauce made from hoisin sauce, peanut butter, garlic, and chili. They’re the perfect healthy appetizer or light meal.

Tandoori Chicken (Indian Style)

Tandoori Chicken is a vibrant Indian dish made by marinating chicken in yogurt and a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. After marinating for several hours, the chicken is cooked in a tandoor oven or grilled until charred and tender. The tangy yogurt marinade gives the chicken a deep flavor, while the spices add warmth and complexity. Serve this with naan bread or basmati rice and a side of cucumber raita for a refreshing contrast.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Korean Comfort Food)

Kimchi Fried Rice is a savory and spicy Korean dish made by stir-frying rice with kimchi, vegetables, and a fried egg on top. The key ingredient is kimchi, a fermented cabbage dish that brings a tangy kick to the fried rice. You’ll also need soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and green onions for seasoning. Stir-fry the rice and ingredients until well-mixed, and top with a fried egg for extra richness. This dish is perfect for using leftover rice and is great as a quick lunch or dinner.

Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Pho is a comforting Vietnamese noodle soup made with a flavorful broth, rice noodles, and your choice of meat (usually beef or chicken). The broth is simmered for hours with spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and ginger to develop its deep flavor. Once the broth is ready, add cooked noodles, meat, and garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and bean sprouts. Serve with lime wedges and chili for added zing.

Mongolian Beef (Chinese Stir-Fry)

Mongolian Beef is a delicious stir-fried dish made with thin slices of beef cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce consists of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Stir-fry the beef until it’s browned and crispy, then toss it in the sauce until well-coated. Serve this dish over steamed rice or noodles for a filling meal. Mongolian Beef is a favorite in Chinese-American cuisine and is sure to be a hit with your guests.

Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings filled with a mixture of ground meat (usually pork), garlic, ginger, and vegetables. The dumplings are either pan-fried or steamed and are typically served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. To make the filling, mix the ingredients together, then place a small amount in each gyoza wrapper. Seal the edges and cook until crispy on one side and tender on the other.

Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng is a popular Indonesian fried rice dish made with a mix of savory ingredients. You’ll need day-old rice, eggs, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables like carrots and peas. For the sauce, you’ll need soy sauce, chili paste, and a bit of sugar. Stir-fry the rice with the ingredients until everything is evenly mixed, and top with a fried egg. Serve this dish with cucumber slices and crispy shallots for added texture and flavor.

Char Kway Teow (Malaysian Stir-Fried Noodles)

Char Kway Teow is a beloved Malaysian dish made with stir-fried flat rice noodles, shrimp, eggs, and Chinese sausage. The dish is cooked in a hot wok with garlic, soy sauce, and a little chili for spice. You can also add bean sprouts and chives for extra crunch and flavor. This savory stir-fry is a great way to enjoy a delicious, hearty meal that’s packed with flavor.

Laksa (Spicy Noodle Soup)

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup popular in Malaysia and Singapore. The base of the soup is made with coconut milk, curry paste, and tamarind to create a rich, tangy broth. Add rice noodles, shrimp or chicken, and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint for garnish. The soup can be adjusted to your preferred spice level, and it’s best served with a side of lime wedges and chili for extra heat.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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