39 Asian Dinner Recipes on a Budget
These affordable Asian dinner recipes include fried rice, stir-fried dishes, meaty entrees, comfort soup, and much more. They are easy to make and each one tastes fabulous for the entire family to enjoy.
Ordering takeout is easy, but it can be expensive—especially if you have to feed a family. Here are some money-saving Asian dinner recipes that are easy to prepare, satisfying, and delicious.
These recipes use inexpensive ingredients from your local grocery store, or everyday items that you have in your pantry or in the refrigerator in your kitchen. There’s nothing better than adding your personal touch to family dinners you create from the comfort of your own home.
From rice to noodles, stir-fry to curries, these frugal Asian-inspired recipes have something for everyone. Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian or anywhere in-between, these recipes are sure to please you and your family.
39 Asian Dinner Recipes on a budget
Chicken Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Chicken)
Chicken bulgogi is a quick and flavorful Korean BBQ dish made with gochujang. Broiled to perfection and easy cleanup, it's a perfect weeknight dinner!
Ground Beef Bulgogi (Easy Korean Beef Bowl)
Make ground beef bulgogi in just 15 minutes for a satisfying Korean beef bowl. Savory, delicious, and budget-friendly, this quick dish comes together easily with pantry staples!
Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry)
Easy Japchae recipe with chewy Korean glass noodles, tender beef, and colorful vegetables in a savory-sweet sauce. Quick to make with authentic taste in every bite.
Spicy Pork Bulgogi (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
This spicy pork bulgogi (jeyuk bokkeum) is a quick and flavorful Korean stir-fry made with tender pork, gochujang, and a rich, smoky-sweet sauce. Caramelized sugar enhances the depth of flavor, giving it a restaurant-quality taste. Serve with rice or wrap in lettuce for a classic Korean BBQ experience!
Easy Thai Red Curry Chicken with Authentic Flavor
This Thai red curry chicken and vegetables is a quick weeknight meal with authentic Thai flavors. Made with tender chicken breast and fresh vegetables, it's ready in under 30 minutes using store-bought red curry paste.
30-Minute Chinese Crispy Beef
Make restaurant-quality Chinese crispy beef at home! Crispy beef strips in a sweet, tangy, and spicy glaze, perfect with rice. Ready in 30 minutes!
Korean Doenjang Pork (Maekjeok)
Easy Korean doenjang pork (maekjeok) marinated in soybean paste, then broiled for juicy, savory flavor. A simple recipe perfect for Korean BBQ!
Asian Meatballs with Pineapple Soy Glaze
Juicy, oven-baked Asian meatballs coated in a glossy pineapple soy glaze. A Korean-inspired twist on classic meatballs — sweet, savory, and perfect over steamed rice or veggies.
Makguksu (Perilla Oil Noodles)
Makguksu is a light and refreshing Korean buckwheat noodle dish tossed with perilla oil and a savory-sweet dressing. Easy, quick, and perfect for a no-cook summer meal.
Easy Filipino Chicken Adobo
Authentic Filipino chicken adobo made simple: tender chicken simmered until juicy in a soy-vinegar glaze with garlic and peppercorns. A tangy, savory classic that’s perfect with rice
Doenjang Pasta (Korean Soybean Paste Spaghetti)
Savory Korean fusion pasta made with doenjang, butter, and mushrooms. Umami-rich, simple, and ready in 15 minutes.
Easy and Authentic Kung Pao Chicken
Make Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken at home with this easy recipe. Enjoy this classic Chinese dish of stir-fried chicken, crunchy peanuts, and vegetables, perfect for beginners!
Quick Yaki Udon (Japanese Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)
Chewy udon noodles stir-fried with pork, cabbage, and a savory soy-based sauce. This quick Japanese yaki udon takes just 15 minutes and can be customized with chicken, shrimp, or tofu for an easy weeknight dinner.
Dakgangjeong (Korean Popcorn Chicken)
Dakgangjeong (Korean Popcorn Chicken) is crispy, sweet, and spicy. Double-fried for extra crunch and coated in a sticky gochujang glaze, this addictive Korean fried chicken is perfect for snacking or party food!
Ground Beef Curry (Beef Keema Curry)
Beef Keema curry is a simple Indian ground beef curry. With a few everyday ingredients, you can make a delicious Indian curry in no time – perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
20-Minute Beef Gochujang Noodles
Enjoy flavorful beef gochujang noodles in under 20 minutes! This easy Korean-inspired one-bowl meal combines spicy gochujang paste, sweet apple, and pantry staples, with simple customization options.
Dakdoritang (Korean Spicy Chicken Stew)
Easy Dakdoritang recipe made with tender chicken, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a bold gochujang and gochugaru sauce. This Korean spicy chicken stew is hearty, flavorful, and perfect with rice.
Skillet Korean Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Crispy pan-fried chicken wings coated in a glossy honey garlic glaze. This Korean-style recipe is cooked entirely in one skillet for less mess and bold flavor.
15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodles
Quick sesame soba noodles tossed in a savory sesame-soy sauce with green onion. Ready in 15 minutes and perfect with seaweed, tofu, dumplings, or grilled protein.
Quick Spam Fried Rice
Spam fried rice with egg takes less than 20 minutes to cook. Crispy pan-fried Spam, fluffy eggs, and simple vegetables creates a delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Stovetop Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks
Easy stovetop teriyaki chicken drumsticks with a sticky, glossy glaze! No marinating needed—just 20 minutes in a skillet with soy sauce, pineapple juice, garlic, and ginger.
Spicy Tofu and Egg in a Skillet
This Korean spicy tofu and egg dish in a skillet is a quick and easy to whip up, but is satisfying enough to justify making it for dinner. Gluten-free and vegetarian adaptable!
Crispy Pan-Fried Hong Kong Noodles (Cantonese Style)
Crispy pan-fried Hong Kong noodles are a quick and flavorful Cantonese dish. With a chewy texture, golden crispy edges, and smoky, savory flavors, this easy 20-minute recipe is perfect for customizing with shrimp, vegetables, or your favorite protein.
5-Minute Kimchi Ramen
Upgrade your instant ramen with this easy kimchi ramen recipe! Made with canned tuna, kimchi, and sesame oil, it creates a rich umami-packed broth in just 5 minutes.
Philly Style Bulgogi Cheesesteak
This fantastic Korean fusion Philly cheesesteak style bulgogi cheese steak sandwich is packed with flavor and texture. It’s a simple and quick sandwich that takes 15 minutes — no need to marinate the bulgogi beef at all.
Kimbap (Gimabp) – Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls
Kimbap (or Gimbap) is a traditional Korean rice roll made with seasoned rice, vegetables, and optional meat. This classic recipe is easy to customize and perfect for quick meals, parties, or picnics.
Crispy Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe with Cheese
Crispy on the outside and cheesy inside, this kimchi fried rice recipe with cheese brings the best of both worlds.
Korean Black Bean Noodles (Jajangmyeon)
Korean black bean noodles, or jajangmyeon, are a popular Korean-Chinese fusion dish. Thick, chewy noodles are coated in a rich black bean sauce with pork and vegetables. This easy recipe delivers authentic taste.
Korean Grilled Mackerel in Parchment
Korean-style grilled mackerel features smoky, crispy skin and juicy, tender flesh. With the parchment paper method, it’s easy to cook while minimizing unwanted fish smells.
Korean-Style Ground Beef Noodles
This ground beef noodles recipe is a Korean-style twist on a classic! Savory bulgogi-style beef simmered in soy sauce, garlic, and honey creates a rich, flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with vermicelli noodles. A quick, family-friendly meal ready in 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
Check out this recipe
Crispy Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet)
Make crispy Tonkatsu at home in just 30 minutes! This Japanese pork cutlet is coated in airy panko for a golden crust and served with rice, shredded cabbage, and your choice of sauce.
Vietnamese Chicken Curry Soup (Ca Ri Ga)
This Vietnamese chicken curry soup (Ca Ri Ga) is made with madras curry powder, lemongrass, and coconut milk. The addition of coconut water makes it lighter while still maintaining a rich flavored broth.
Quick Cumin Beef Stir-Fry
Cumin beef is a quick Chinese stir-fry featuring tender, juicy beef with aromatic cumin and chilies. With this easy recipe, whip up a delicious beef dinner at home in under 20 minutes!
The Best Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)
Scrumptious Thai basil beef in under 20 minutes! Tender beef, chili, garlic, and fragrant Thai basil make this dish delicious. Adjust the heat to your preference.
Check out this recipe
Vegetables in Coconut Milk (Sayur Lodeh)
Sayur Lodeh is a popular Indonesian vegetable dish cooked in coconut milk. This easy vegetable curry recipe is loaded with colorful veggies and packed with flavor. Turmeric is used to give it a beautiful shade of yellow.
Butadon (Japanese Pork Belly Rice Bowl)
Butadon is a savory Japanese pork rice bowl with tender pork belly glazed in homemade teriyaki sauce. Quick, comforting, and packed with flavor.
Easy Beef Massaman Curry
Beef Massaman Curry is a Thai coconut beef curry made easy with store-bought paste, then finished with tamarind, peanuts, and tender beef for authentic flavor at home.
20-Minute Mango Chicken Stir-fry
Mango chicken stir-fry is a quick and flavorful meal ready in just 20 minutes! This Thai-inspired dish combines tender chicken breast with fresh mango in a slightly sweet and tangy sauce—perfect for busy weeknights.
Korean Braised Chicken (Andong Jjimdak)
Andong jjimdak is a delicious Korean braised chicken dish made with tender chicken, vegetables, and chewy sweet potato noodles. Braised in a savory soy sauce blend with a touch of sweetness and spice, it’s a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for sharing.
10-Minute Ramen Stir-Fry with Vegetables
Make this satisfying ramen and vegetable stir-fry in 10 minutes. Use any vegetable you have in your fridge. Egg and bonito topping is an optional choice.
Beef and Cucumber Stir-fry
If you have abundant cucumbers, this quick tender beef and cucumber stir-fry is a perfect rice bowl dish for an easy weeknight meal.
39 Asian Dinner Recipes on a Budget: Korean Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowl
This Korean ground beef bulgogi recipe makes an easy Korean beef bowl within 20 minutes. It is perhaps one of the most satisfying ground beef recipes.
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef, preferably 90% lean
- 2 green onion , finely chopped, optional
For bulgogi sauce
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2-3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix all the bulgogi sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft, about 1-2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer until it is heated through and the sauce reduces, about 2 minutes. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.
Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 1149mg, Potassium: 394mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 3IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 3mg
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