30+ BEST Asian Side Dishes (with Easy Recipes)

Looking for some tasty Asian side dish recipes? There are so many great options! From rice dishes, to veggies, noodles and more! Here are 30+ of the BEST side dishes with Asian flavors.

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Below are some Asian dishes that you may or may not have tried.

Some of these, like Kimchi and Hot and Sour Soup, are traditional, while others, like these Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts and this Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, are more new-school recipes with an Asian cuisine influence. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re super delicious and easy to prepare!

Find something everyone will love with these 30+ asian sides.

The BEST Easy Asian Side Dishes

Soup

Overhead shot of bowl of udon soup with soup spoon.
Learn how to make Udon Noodle Soup (Kake Udon) at home. It’s a traditional Japanese appetizer made with tender udon noodles and a rich, dashi-based broth. This classic soup is warm, cozy, and the perfect umami-forward canvas for flavorful toppings.
Udon Noodle Soup
Overhead shot of kani salad in bowl topped with avocado and sesame seeds.
This light and refreshing Kani Salad, or crab stick salad, is a Japanese-style appetizer made with julienned cucumber, crab sticks, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing.
Kani Salad
Overhead shot of tan tan noodles in bowl with black chopsticks.
Tantanmen Ramen (aka Tan Tan Noodles or Dan Dan Noodles) combines delicious ramen noodles and ground pork with a spicy, creamy broth that's seasoned with chili oil, peanut butter and sesame paste.
Tantanmen Ramen
This classic Chinese Hot and Sour Soup recipe is easy to make in about 25 minutes, and tastes even better than the restaurant version!
Get the RECIPE from Gimme Some Oven

Appetizers

3 crispy rice sushi bites on plate topped with creamy sauce and spicy peppers.
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites feature creamy spicy salmon (or tuna). Crispy, crunchy and so flavorful! Cook the crispy rice in the air fryer or on the stove, and top with all your favorite toppings. The perfect appetizer for any occasion! 
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites
Overhead shot of kimchee in jar with chopsticks.
This easy Kimchee recipe will teach you to make authentic kimchi at home. It's easy to do with these simple steps!
Kimchee
Side view of glazed wings on sheet of parchment.
These Vietnamese Chicken Wings are baked in the oven until crisp & coated in a sweet-spicy combination of soy sauce, brown sugar and sambal oelek chili paste.
Vietnamese Chicken Wings
Hamachi crudo arranged on grey plate topped with lemon slices and serrano peppers.
This simple Hamachi Crudo appetizer dresses buttery yellowtail in a bright soy and yuzu dressing before it’s finished with serrano peppers and lemon zest. Similar to sashimi, this Japanese delicacy is sure to impress at dinner parties.
Hamachi Crudo
CLOSEUP OF VEGETARIAN SUSHI ROLLS ON GREY PLATE.
Vegetarian Sushi Spicy “Tuna” Rolls are loaded with soft, luscious, and spicy “tuna” made from tomatoes! They taste just like the classic sushi roll but are loaded with plant-based goodness.
Spicy “Tuna” Rolls
Easy Scallion Pancakes with Soy Dipping Sauce - Just a Taste
All you need is a few basic pantry and fridge ingredients for the ultimate recipe for Easy Scallion Pancakes with Soy Dipping Sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Just a Taste
Crispy fried Indo-Chinese (asian) style veg spring rolls that are perfect for a vegetarian (and naturally vegan) starter or appetiser filled with vegetables of your choice like carrots, capsicum, beans and cabbage.
Get the RECIPE from The Twin Cooking Project

Vegetables & Salads

Overhead shot of din tai fung cucumber salad on grey plate with chopsticks.
This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Blistered shishito peppers served on a black plate with lemon wedges.
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you. 
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Bowl of Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts with chopsticks.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sweet and spicy kung pao sauce. Toss with roasted peanuts and red chilis for a crazy delicious spin on a classic roasted vegetable.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
These copycat Din Tai Fung Green Beans are deliciously crispy and coated with lots of savory garlic and a spicy chili crisp. It’s the best umami-forward side dish to pair with all of your takeout-inspired favorites!
Din Tai Fung Green Beans
This Ginger Veggie Stir Fry is bursting with lots of fresh vegetables and coated with a spicy sauce flavored with garlic and ginger. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Ginger Veggie Stir Fry
Vietnamese noodle salad in white bowl topped with chopped nuts and lime wedges.
This Vietnamese Noodle Salad features rice noodles dressed in a tangy vietnamese rice vinegar dressing. Serve this vegetarian salad on its own, or top it with a protein like pork, shrimp, or chicken
Vietnamese Noodle Salad
Overhead shot of Thai Cucumber Salad in green bowl with spoon next to bunch of cilantro.
This Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It's a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.
Thai Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Salad with Toasted Rice Powder - This Asian-inspired salad is tangy, crunchy and refreshing, not to mention, EASY to make!| platingsandpairings.com
This Asian Cucumber Salad with Toasted Rice Powder is ideal for summer – Light, tangy, refreshing and crunchy. Perfect for picnics and outdoor barbecues!
Asian Cucumber Salad
Baby Bok Choy with Warm Garlic-Soy Dressing is a refreshing side of crisp-tender baby bok choy, paired with a savory Asian-style sauce made with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha.
Get the RECIPE from Diethood
Try some homestyle Chinese with this easy, healthy, and delicious bean sprout stir fry that takes just minutes to put on your dinner table! {Vegan, Gluten-Free Adaptable}
Get the RECIPE from Omnivore’s Cookbook
These Quick Asian Sugar Snap Peas are the perfect side dish to any meal. Made with simple ingredients for a taste and texture you’ll love.
Get the RECIPE from Eat Something Vegan
This Japanese sesame spinach salad is nutty, flavourful and a delicious way to enjoy spinach! Ready in 5 minutes, this healthy Japanese side dish is great for meal prep, too.
Get the RECIPE from Okonomi Kitchen
Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry. Asian leafy greens stir-fried in garlic with a simple soy oyster sesame sauce. A tasty way to get in your greens!
Get the RECIPE from Christie at Home
Spinach Ohitashi is an easy classic Japanese side dish, made of blanched spinach steeped in light dashi soy broth and garnished with bonito flakes.
Get the RECIPE from Just One Cookbook
Mouthwatering Asian slaw with red cabbage, green cabbage, carrots, and quinoa in a sweet and savory sesame ginger Asian slaw dressing.
Get the RECIPE from The Kitchen Girl

Noodles

Overhead shot of cold peanut noodle salad in white bowl next to small bowl of pickled cucumbers.
This 15-minute cold Peanut Noodle Salad features a Thai-style creamy peanut sauce, crunchy red cabbage and quick-pickled cucumbers.
Peanut Noodle Salad
Spicy cumin lamb wide noodles in brown bowl with chopsticks.
These boldly flavored Cumin Lamb Noodles are just as delicious as the restaurant version but use much more accessible ingredients. Made with tender lamb shoulder and toasted spices, you’re going to want to make this for more than just special occasions!
Cumin Lamb Noodles
Two hands holding bowl of sesame noodles.
These 20-Minute Sesame Peanut Noodles with Chicken feature a Thai-style creamy peanut sauce and crunchy red cabbage. The perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Sesame Noodles with Chicken
Kung Pao noodles in cast iron skillet on grey counter flecked with chopped peanuts.
Kung Pao Noodles will quickly become one of your favorite dishes. This vegetarian meal will be on your table in 20 minutes! Plus, it's easy to add your favorite protein like chicken, pork or tofu.
Kung Pao Noodles

Rice

Overhead shot of bacon fried rice in black bowl on teal counter.
This Bacon Fried Rice comes together easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand, and in only 15 minutes! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) version at home.
Bacon Fried Rice
Coconut rice in dome shape in bowl with chopsticks next to rice cooker.
This Rice Cooker Coconut Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make with a touch of a button. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.
Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Instant pot fried rice in serving bowl with spoon next to chopsticks.
Instant Pot Fried Rice with eggs & bacon comes together quickly & easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) fried rice at home.
Instant Pot Fried Rice
Bowl of rice and small bowl of soy sauce next to instant pot.
With these tips you’ll see it’s simple to learn how to cook perfect rice in the Instant Pot . The result is fluffy & flavorful rice that’s easy to prepare with minimal measuring.
Instant Pot Rice

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these Asian sides can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

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Close up of din tai fung cucumber salad on grey plate with chopsticks.

30+ BEST Asian Side Dishes

Looking for some tasty Asian side dish recipes? There are so many great options! From rice dishes, to veggies, noodles and more! Here are 30+ of the BEST side dishes with Asian flavors. Try this copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating & Resting Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 8 Persian cucumbers (sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces)
  • Tablespoons kosher salt

Dressing:

To Serve:

  • 1/2 Tablespoon chili oil (or more, to taste)
  • ½ Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 fresno chile pepper (minced (optional))

Instructions

  • Add sliced cucumber to a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 ½ TBSP kosher salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  • After 30 minutes, rinse off the salt mixture and pat the cucumbers dry.
  • Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl whisk together the rice vinegar, mirin, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and salt. Mix well and set aside.
  • Toss the rinsed and dried cucumbers with the dressing and let marinate for a minimum of 4 hours, up to 2 days.
  • To serve: Taste for seasoning, and add additional salt if needed. Drizzle with chili oil and sprinkle with fresno chile and serve chilled.
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Equipment

Knife
Small Bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2959mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

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