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  5. DIY Asian-Inspired Main Dishes Way Better Than Takeout

DIY Asian-Inspired Main Dishes Way Better Than Takeout

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By Katlyn Moncada Updated February 11, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Asian Broccoli and Beef
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Skip ordering takeout tonight and make an Asian-inspired dinner recipe at home! Chinese-, Thai-, Vietnamese-, and Japanese-inspired recipes are all here. So whether you're in the mood for a popular Asian dish featuring spicy curry sauces, a big bowl of pho, or a steamy stir-fry, we've got you covered. Put on a pot of rice (because many of these Asian cuisines are delicious served over a fresh bed of rice) and try one of these Asian dinner recipes.
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Indonesian-Style Beef and Rice Bowls

Indonesian Beef and Rice Bowl with chopsticks
Credit: Andy Lyons
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They might start out with plain white rice, but these rice bowls are anything but bland. Red curry paste and fresh chile pepper (optional if you can't take the heat) gives this dish the just-right amount of spiciness. Cucumber slices and cabbage add a healthy helping of veggies.

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Asian Broccoli and Beef

Asian Broccoli and Beef
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Bring traditional beef and broccoli to your dinner table without picking up the phone to place an order. Slow cooking the beef in a citrus-sesame sauce mixture makes it tender and juicy. Fresh broccoli adds a bright burst of green to your plate.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($60, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Shrimp and Mango Rice Paper Rolls

Shrimp and Mango Rice Paper Rolls
Credit: Blaine Moats
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It's so much easier than you think to make your own spring rolls at home. Ready in less than an hour, this vibrant Asian dish by Vietnamese-born cookbook author Andrea Nguyen features rice paper wraps filled with noodles, fresh herbs, cucumber, mango, and plenty of shrimp. The sweet-sour homemade Nuoc Cham dipping sauce gives each bite the perfect amount of tang.

Buy It: Blue Dragon Spring Wrappers ($3, Target)

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Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs

Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Marinating tofu in mirin (rice cooking wine), honey, and sriracha turns the otherwise neutral-tasting block of soy into the delicious star of this Asian-inspired dinner bowl. Top your noodle- and veggie-filled bowl with a poached egg to add the richness from that perfectly runny yolk.

Related: 26 Noodle Bowls You Can Happily Slurp for Dinner Tonight

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Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice

Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice
Credit: Carson Downing
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If you haven't had a chance to dive into Filipino cuisine yet, this chicken adobo is a great introduction. Chicken adobo takes on the tangy-sweet flavor of a sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. It's delicious served with plain rice, but the coconut-infused rice really makes the tropical flavors pop.

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Banh Mi Sandwiches

Banh Mi Sandwiches
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Just because these sandwiches are simple to make doesn't mean they're not delicious. Stuffed with pork tenderloin, cucumber slices, and red pepper, this quick Asian-inspired recipe will definitely bring big flavor to your dinner table. Bonus: These are a great make-ahead meal! Wrap them up and store in the fridge up to 24 hours.

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Thai Green Curry Chicken

Thai Green Curry Chicken
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Get ready to bring the heat! Depending on how spicy you like it, you can add more or less green curry paste to this chicken and rice dish. The coconut milk gives the curry a smooth, rich flavor. Add a boost of nutrients to your dinner by serving this Asian dinner over brown rice, which has more fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants than white rice.

Buy It: Aroma One-Touch Rice Cooker ($20, Kohl's)

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Tiger Cry Steaks (Thai Grilled Steaks)

Tiger Cry Steaks (Thai Grilled Steaks)
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To give your next steak night a Thai twist, marinate skirt steaks in lime juice, fish sauce, and molasses for 30 minutes before grilling. If you really want to pump up the flavor, make your own Thai steak sauce with red pepper, lime juice, and tamarind to serve on the side. Look for fish sauce in the ethnic food section of larger grocery stores or your local Asian market.

Related: The 9 Best Indoor Grill Pans to Make Your Summer Favorites from Your Stove Top

  • Find a great side dish to go with dinner with help from these healthy fried rice recipes!

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Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu

Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Bibimbap translates to "mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables." Here we've created a vegetarian version of the Korean rice dish into a one-dish dinner with tofu and eggs for an easy Asian recipe ready in 45 minutes. Drizzle with sriracha for a spicy finish.

Buy It: Huy Fong Sriracha Chili Sauce, 28-Ounce ($4, Target)

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Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken
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Sheet-pan meals are easily one of our favorite ways to get dinner on the table fast (and with less cleanup). We added bell peppers and onions to this Asian-inspired dinner, but you can easily add other veggies from the fridge such as broccoli or zucchini to roast in the oven along with the chicken mixture.

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Make-It-Mine Thai Curry Pot

large enamel pot with Thai curry
Credit: Carson Downing
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Ever stare at the meat and veggies in the fridge and have no idea what to make? This Asian meal idea is here to solve that problem for good. Use our master formula to make a one-pot dinner featuring whatever protein, veggies, and curry paste you want. Once it's ready, serve with rice, noodles, or even pita bread.

Related: Homemade Curry Recipes You Can Make in Under 45 Minutes

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Peanut Sauce Noodles with Veggies

Peanut Sauced Noodles
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Peanut butter isn't just for your PB&J. It actually works wonders in this tangy, slightly spicy sauce. Toss the homemade sauce with noodles and your favorite veggies for a delicious side to serve at your Asian-inspired dinner. Or you can make it a meal on its own by adding grilled chicken or baked tofu. Gluten-free? Follow the recipe but swap in this spicy gluten-free peanut sauce for the sauce.

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Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry

Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry
Credit: Karla Conrad
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You don't need a fancy wok to make your own chicken stir-fry. A large skillet works just as well. Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite stir-fry veggies (we love using green beans and red sweet pepper). Tip: Try the quick-pickled veggies that you make for this recipe with other recipes on this list.

Buy It: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet with Helper Handle and Lid ($70, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Soba Noodle Bowl

Soba Noodle Bowl
Credit: Andy Lyons
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This warm noodle bowl is the perfect Asian-inspired comfort food at the end of a long day (or to warm up from frigid winter temperatures!). Soba noodles, chicken, peas, and carrots gain a little heat from jalapeño pepper. Be careful when cutting those chile peppers since the oils in them can burn your skin.

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Quick Szechwan Chicken

Szechwan Chicken on plates with chopsticks
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Feed the family a takeout-inspired dinner on a budget with this easy Asian-style recipe. Boneless chicken thighs and a myriad of veggies combine with a thick garlic-chili sauce. Top with honey-roasted peanuts for an irresistible crunch. You can also make the chicken mixture in advance and store it for up to three days for fast meals.

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Fast Pho

Fast Pho
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Yes, you can accomplish delicious homemade pho from the comfort of your kitchen. The broth gets a rich flavor due to a combination of fish sauce, cinnamon, ginger, and star anise. Complete your meal with an Asian-inspired side of egg rolls or slaw.

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Quick Mu Shu Pork

Quick Mu Shu Pork
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When you can make homemade mu shu pork in just 20 minutes, you'll be making this quick Asian dinner for the family all the time. Add your favorite ingredients, like mushrooms and shredded cabbage for extra nutrients and texture.

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Ginger Shrimp and Vegetables

Ginger Shrimp and Vegetables
Credit: Carson Downing
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Our Test Kitchen took the flavors of a classic orange chicken dish to inspire this quick sheet-pan dinner. That citrus-infused sauce is tossed with shrimp and vegetables before a quick roast in the oven. It's a delicious 25-minute dinner for busy weeknights.

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Thai Cauliflower Curry

Thai Curry with Cauliflower in blue bowl
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Give your meatless Monday an Asian-inspired twist with this delicious curry dinner. The recipe calls for fish sauce, but you can simply swap it out with soy sauce to keep it vegetarian-friendly. Oh, and check your curry paste ingredients to make sure it's free of any meat or fish products.

Buy It: Thai Kitchen Premium Authentic Red Curry Paste ($3, Target)

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    1 of 19 Indonesian-Style Beef and Rice Bowls
    2 of 19 Asian Broccoli and Beef
    3 of 19 Shrimp and Mango Rice Paper Rolls
    4 of 19 Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs
    5 of 19 Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice
    6 of 19 Banh Mi Sandwiches
    7 of 19 Thai Green Curry Chicken
    8 of 19 Tiger Cry Steaks (Thai Grilled Steaks)
    9 of 19 Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu
    10 of 19 Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken
    11 of 19 Make-It-Mine Thai Curry Pot
    12 of 19 Peanut Sauce Noodles with Veggies
    13 of 19 Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry
    14 of 19 Soba Noodle Bowl
    15 of 19 Quick Szechwan Chicken
    16 of 19 Fast Pho
    17 of 19 Quick Mu Shu Pork
    18 of 19 Ginger Shrimp and Vegetables
    19 of 19 Thai Cauliflower Curry

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