Healthy Asian Recipes that You Have to Try!
Asian cuisine is a wonderful fusion of flavors, textures, and spices. There are some signature ingredients that aren’t popular anywhere else in the world except in the East. Of course, there are some incredibly healthy ingredients, but also those packed with sodium, unhealthy fats, simple carbs, and calories.
I listed some of my favorite dishes from this cuisine, but with boosted nutritional values, with more proteins, nutrients, less sodium, and more complex carbs. Scroll down for healthy Asian recipes that are also super simple to whip up, so you have 0 reasons not to eat nutritive-rich meals!
15-Minute Quinoa Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Quinoa salad is simple and loaded with vegetables, but the most significant difference is the sesame ginger-based dressing. You will see this combo in various Asia-inspired recipes, as ginger, white vinegar, and sesame are an elite fusion.
Baked Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki chicken is one of the best ones you can ever taste! Of course, well-prepared teriyaki sauce is the key – you can go for a store-bought one or make it from scratch with low-sodium soy sauce, orange juice, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes.
Healthy Air Fryer Salmon with Ginger and Scallion
I love preparing fish in an air-fryer as it is ready in a blink of an eye! Coat fine-quality salmon fillet in spices – pepper, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Whip up some ginger scallion oil to boost the flavors!
10-Minute Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad
This viral Korean spicy cucumber salad makes a flawless side dish or a snack rich in fiber! Just coat cucumber slices with spices: white vinegar, garlic, Korean chili flakes, sesame seeds, and oil.
Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
This is a simple but filling dish, loaded with protein and with minimal carbs. The combination of lean ground turkey and water chestnuts with different spices is fabulous, especially when served in these lettuce “bowls.”
15-Minute Cauliflower Fried Rice
If you fancy a serving of fried rice but want to stick to a low-carb diet, prepare this dish! Cauliflower is actually a fine substitute, while some edamame and eggs are there for protein. YUM!
Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Eggplants and ground meat are the match made in heaven! Chinese eggplants are hands down the best variety for this dish. Serve them on a bed of spiced-up mince, and don’t forget to add garlic sauce to skyrocket the flavor!
Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls
One thing is certain here – you will get the layers of flavor and textures. Wrap up shrimp, rice vermicelli, carrot, cucumber, red bell pepper, mint, and butter lettuce in the rice paper sheets. Peanut sauce is spot on!
Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing
The main thing you need for this salad is a spiralizer to achieve its signature consistency and crunch. The ingredients are super simple: just soba noodles, cucumber, carrots, cabbage, and spring onion drenched in fabulous ginger soy dressing.
Thai Chicken Curry
Thai chicken curry is bursting with flavors because of some amazing additions that shift the flavor profile, like ginger, lemongrass, red curry paste, Kaffir lime leaves, fish, and soy sauce. Cook the curry with vegetables and chicken, and plate it with brown rice or glass noodles.
Miso Soup
Miso soup calls for seven ingredients only – water, dried kombu, dried bonito flakes, silken tofu, scallions, wakame seaweed, and miso paste. It is the epitome of a dish that is rich in probiotics that skyrocket gut health and strengthen the immune system.
Easy Korean Beef Bibimbap
Korean bibimbap is a signature dish that is incredibly flavorful and gut-healthy. Load the bowl with rice, mung bean sprouts, watercress, carrot, ground beef, egg, and napa cabbage kimchi. Check out the spice selection!
High-Protein Sushi Rolls
This is a healthier version of sushi, as it calls for short-grain brown rice instead of regular white variety and loads of protein-rich ingredients. Load the sushi rolls with light cream cheese, tofu, fish, and veggies!
Green Papaya Salad
This is one of the best side dishes, as it pairs peculiarly with chicken and fish. Mix up some thinly sliced green papaya, carrot, Persian cucumbers, and mint. Lastly, make a dressing with rice vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, chili pepper, and shallots.
Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Spring Onions
You must admit, steamed white fish tends to be pretty bland taste-wise, but the right marinade changes everything! This one is a fusion of ginger, Shaoxing wine, and soy sauce, but choose the low-sodium variety.
Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is a staple for winter, as it is packed with micronutrients and antioxidants to boost your immunity. Besides loads of veggies in the recipe, there are some spices, aka antioxidant gems: lemongrass, garlic, anise, ginger, cinnamon, coriander…
Healthy Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken and vegetables are the ultimate combo for a healthy lunch; I like the selection here: carrots, multicolored bell peppers, snow peas, button mushrooms, and broccoli. You can definitely swap white rice for brown if you want slower-digesting carbs.
Dear creators, thank you for sharing these healthy Asia-inspired recipes with us!
