Skip to content
Asian cuisine – easy recipes to cook at home: Discover the diversity of Asi: from spicy Pad Thai and creamy Tikka Masala to hearty Laghman. Here you’ll find authentic recipes that are easy to recreate in your own kitchen.
What is Asian cuisine and why is it so diverse?
Asian cuisine encompasses a wide variety of culinary traditions across an enormous continent. Its diversity is reflected in the use of spices, cooking techniques, and ingredients: from spicy curries to mild soups, from steamed dumplings to flavorful stir-fries.
Which countries are part of Asian cuisine?
Asian cuisine can broadly be divided into several regional types:
- East Asian: e.g., China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
- Southeast Asian: e.g., Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
- South Asian: e.g., India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal
- Central Asian: e.g., Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan
Each region brings its own specialties and techniques, which contributes to the incredible variety of this cuisine.
What makes Asian food so special?
Even though Asian cuisine comes from many different regions, some of which vary greatly, there are common features. Dishes are usually cooked gently and are heavily seasoned, often with noticeable spiciness. Rice plays a key role and is a central part of many dishes. Seafood, fish and meat are also common ingredients.
Typical Ingredients and Flavors
Which Asian spices and sauces are essential?
- Soy sauce: Adds savory depth
- Fish sauce: Brings umami flavor to Vietnamese and Thai dishes
- Ginger and garlic: Core aromatics in many Asian dishes
- Curry paste (red, green, yellow): Quick and flavorful base
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty finish
- Chili: Used fresh, dried, or as a sauce to add heat
How to achieve authentic Asian flavor at home?
Great Asian dishes balance the five taste sensations: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami. Seasoning is often done by taste rather than by strict measurements. Always taste as you cook and experiment with different ingredients and amounts, practice makes perfect! Here’s a guide for common flavorings:
- Sweet: Sugar, honey, sweet soy sauce (Kecap Manis)
- Sour: Lime juice, rice vinegar, tamarind
- Salty: Soy sauce, fish sauce, miso
- Spicy: Fresh chili, chili paste, sambal oelek
- Umami: Dried mushrooms, miso, seaweed, fish sauce, fermented sauces
What is Asian Fusion?
Asian Fusion is a modern cooking style that blends traditional Asian dishes with global cuisines. It creates new taste experiences without losing the essence of Asian cooking. Examples include Thai curry burgers or sushi burritos. If you’re new to Asian cooking, fusion can be a great entry point: start with familiar base recipes and slowly introduce Asian flavors.
Asian Cuisine – Easy Recipes to Try at Home
East Asian Cuisine: Japanese Miso Ramen
- 200 g ramen noodles
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 750 ml chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 egg
- 1 spring onion
- 1 garlic clove
- Small piece of ginger
- Toppings of choice: nori, corn, pak choi, bamboo shoots, sesame, meat or tofu
Instructions:
Boil egg until soft, peel and halve. Bring broth to a boil with miso, garlic, and ginger. Cook noodles separately. In a bowl, combine broth, noodles, egg, and chosen toppings. Garnish with spring onions.
Southeast Asian Cuisine: Thai Pad Thai
- 200 g rice noodles
- 200 g shrimp or tofu
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- 2 spring onions
- Peanuts, chili, oil
Instructions:
Cook noodles. Mix sauce from fish sauce, tamarind, and sugar. Sauté shrimp/tofu, add eggs and scramble. Add noodles, pour over sauce, and mix well. Stir in sprouts, spring onions, peanuts, and chili.
South Asian Cuisine: Indian Tikka Masala
- 500 g chicken breast, cut into pieces
- 200 g yogurt
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric, paprika, cumin
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 100 ml cream
- Salt, pepper, coriander
Instructions:
Marinate chicken in yogurt and spices, refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Fry chicken in a pan, then remove. Sauté onion and garlic, add tomatoes and cream. Return chicken to sauce and simmer for about 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve with basmati rice or naan.
Central Asian Cuisine: Kazakh Laghman
- 250 g beef (or chicken, cut into small pieces)
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 carrot
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves
- 250–300 g noodles (e.g., spaghetti, udon, or Asian wheat noodles)
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt, pepper
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- Water or broth (approx. 200 ml)
Instructions:
Cook noodles. Brown meat in oil. Cut onion, carrot, and bell pepper into strips, add to meat and sauté for 5–7 minutes. Add tomato paste and chopped garlic, simmer 2–3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add water or broth and simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve noodles topped with the sauce.
Conclusion: Asian Cuisine – Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking
Asian cuisine is not only incredibly diverse but also surprisingly easy to integrate into daily life. Whether spicy, sweet-sour, or umami-rich: with just a few basic ingredients, you can create authentic dishes from all over Asia at home.
Now it’s your turn: try one of our simple recipes and bring some fresh inspiration into your cooking routine!
Mediterranean Cuisine – Easy Recipes
Mediterranean cuisine captivates with fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and wholesome recipes. In this article, discover what makes the Mediterranean diet so unique, which essential ingredients define Mediterranean food, and how you can easily recreate authentic Mediterranean recipes at home. Perfect for anyone who wants to eat healthy and delicious!
Epigenetics and Nutrition: How Diet Affects Your Health
Are you curious about how your eating habits can change not only your body but also your genes? Find out more about the benefits of epigenetic nutrition and how to implement the diet. Epigenetics and Nutrition: understanding the connection Our DNA consists of up to 25,000 genes. These genes are essentially the blueprint for our […]
10 rules for a healthy diet
Whether for physical and mental performance, to prevent certain diseases, or for a long and vital life, a fundamental building block is a healthy and balanced diet. But what exactly does that mean? We will explain it to you and give you 10 rules for a healthy diet.
