35 Asian Dinner Recipes on a Budget
These affordable Asian dinner recipes include variations on 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.Â
Ordering takeout is easy, but it can be expensive—especially if you have to feed a family.
Here are money-saving Asian dinner recipes that are easy to prepare, healthy, satisfying, and delicious.
Plus, 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 the Asian family dinners you create from the comfort of your own home.
From rice to noodles, stir-fry to curries, these frugal Asian-inspired dinner 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.
Asian Dinner Recipes on a budget
Chicken Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Chicken)
Chicken bulgogi is an easy and quick Korean BBQ chicken to prepare on a busy weeknight. You can grill this slightly sweet and savory chicken dish, broil it in the oven, or pan-fry it.
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.
Spicy Pork Bulgogi (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Pork bulgogi is a Korean spicy pork stir fried with a spicy gochujang sauce. This Korean pork recipe is easy and quick to prepare in just 20 minutes.
Easy Thai Red Curry with Chicken & Vegetables
This easy Thai red curry with chicken and fresh vegetables captures the authentic flavor of Thai and makes a quick and healthy weeknight meal. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
Chinese Crispy Beef Under 30 Minutes
This Chinese crispy beef is a restaurant-quality recipe featuring super crispy strips of beef smothered in a sweet tangy glaze. Easy to prepare and loaded with flavor, your Asian dinner will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
One Pot Korean Noodles and Vegetables
The Korean noodle and vegetable dish is a perfect one pot meal one pot meal for hot summer days and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. Use any cold cut meats or deli ham, and whatever vegetables you have in hand to suit your taste.
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.
Dakgangjeong (Crispy Korean Chicken Nuggets)
Dakgangjeong is a crispy Korean chicken coated with a sticky, tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Chicken thigh pieces are deep-fried twice and glazed with a dakgangjeong sauce made with gochujang and chili sauce
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!
Easy Japchae Recipe (Korean Glass Noodles)
Make classic Korean glass noodles, japchae, with this easy recipe. Korean glass noodles (Dangmyeon) are made from sweet potato starch, and this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian adaptable
Spicy Korean Chicken Stew (Dakdoritang)
Dakdoritang is a Korean chicken stew that combines sweet, savory, and spicy flavors to create a delicious and comforting dish. It's easy to make and a great way to add some heat to your dinner routine.
Korean Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
These pan-fried Korean honey garlic chicken wings are a party winner. They are healthier than the deep-fried wings. Making these is super easy and simple, with just a few ingredients.
15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodle Bowl
This sesame soba noodle recipe makes a terrific weeknight dinner. Topped with crumbled seaweed and fried dumplings, you’ll have a hassle-free simple soba noodle bowl ready in 15 minutes. Serve warm.
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.
Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks (Easy 25 Minute Recipe)
These skillet teriyaki chicken drumsticks are a no-fuss one pan recipe prepared on the stove top. The tender, moist chicken drumsticks are coated with an irresistible sticky teriyaki glaze made with pineapple juice.
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!
Hong Kong Style Cantonese Pan-Fried Noodles
These Hong Kong style Cantonese pan fried noodles are crispy, chewy, and packed with smoky yet savory flavor. You can customize this versatile noodle dish with pretty much anything you feel like adding.
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 (Korean Seaweed Rice Roll)
Kimbap is Korean seaweed rice roll including rice, vegetables, and seaweed. It serves as a perfect finger food. This easy to follow recipe help you make beautiful Korean kimbap at home.
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 Noodles with Beef Sauce
Top your Korean vermicelli noodles with an uncomplicated beef sauce. Simple and perfect, especially on warm days.
30-Minute Crispy Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet)
Use this easy 30-minute tonkatsu recipe to make crispy Japanese deep-fried pork cutlets even better. Serve with quick homemade tonkatsu sauce.
How to make Vietnamese Chicken Curry Soup (Ca Ri Ga)
This Vietnamese chicken curry soup 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.
Authenthic Thai Basil Beef Stir-Fry (Pad Gra Prow)
Thai basil beef is one of the popular Thai street foods and this recipe takes only 20 minutes to prepare. You can use steak beef or ground beef.
Easy Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk (Sayur Lodeh
Vegetable curry in coconut milk is a popular dish in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. This easy coconut curry recipe is loaded with veggies and packed with flavor. Turmeric is used to give it a beautiful shade of yellow.
Pork Belly Rice Bowl Recipe (Butadon)
Japanese pork rice bowl is made with crisped pork belly and glazed with homemade teriyaki sauce. Serve over the rice with quick sauteed onion and fresh egg yolk .
Easy Beef Massaman Curry
Cook this easy and delicious Thai beef Massaman curry with potato and a store-bought Massaman curry paste. You can have a rich flavorful curry without much effort.
20-Minutes Chicken Mango Stir-fry
Chicken breast, mango, green pepper are stir-fried with gently sweet chili sauce. This quick meal will be ready in 20 minutes from start to finish
Korean Braised Chicken (Andong Jjimdak)
This Korean braised chicken (Andong Jjimdak) uses chicken pieces, onion, carrots, and potatoes, along with sweet potato glass noodles, and braised in a spicy soy sauce together with dried red chilies.
Chinese Beef and Pepper Stir-Fry
Authentic Chinese beef and pepper stir-fry is easy to make at home and tastier than any takeout dinner. Thin slices of beef sirloin steak are quickly stir-fried with onion, peppers, and fermented black beans. It takes only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Best Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Tender beef and fresh broccoli florets are stir-fried together with a savory sauce. This beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe is a healthy, quick dinner choice and ready in 15 minutes.
Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)
Jjajangmyeon is a Korean black bean noodle dish made with pork, vegetables, and thick black bean sauce.
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.
Grilled Mackerel Fish in a Parchment Paper
Mackerel fish grilled in a parchment pouch on a pan delivers perfectly cooked and delicious results, while allowing you to eliminate any strong fish odor in your kitchen using recipe tips.
Korean Pan-Fried Spicy Mackerel (Gogalbi)
Gogalbi is a Korean mackerel dish grilled with spicy paste. Traditionally it is grilled, but you can pan-fry to get a similar taste.
35 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.
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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