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. 

39 recipes collection for cheap Asian dinner ideas.

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

Korean chicken bulgogi, dak bulgogi, made with gochujang
1

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!
Korean beef and rice bowl made with ground beef bulgogi in a serving bowl.
2

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 with colorful veggies and noodles served on a plate.
3

Easy Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles Stir-Fry)

Make japchae, Korean glass noodle stir-fry, the easy way with this simple recipe. Enjoy chewy sweet potato noodles, colorful veggies, and tender meat for an authentic Korean japchae taste.
Spicy Korean pork stir-fry is served with rice and lettuce.
4

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!
Thai red curry is made with chicken and vegetables in a pot
5

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.
A bowl of Chinese crispy beef is served with rice on a tray
6

30-Minute Chinese Crispy Beef

Make restaurant-quality Chinese crispy beef at home! Crispy beef strips are coated in a sweet, tangy, and spicy glaze, perfect over rice. Quick, easy, and ready in 30 minutes!
A bowl of egg fried rice is garnished with green onion.
7

15-Minute Chinese Egg Fried Rice

Make delicious egg fried rice in just 15 minutes. This popular Chinese dish features stir-fried rice with scrambled eggs, green onions, garlic, and soy sauce. Fluffy and delicious!
Filipino chicken adobo in a skillet.
8

Best Filipino Chicken Adobo

Filipino Chicken Adobo, the national dish of the Philippines, is made with chicken simmered in a tangy and savory soy sauce-vinegar marinade. This simple recipe allows you to enjoy juicy, tender chicken adobo using common pantry staples.
Kung pao chicken is served on a platter with a bowl of rice on the side.
9

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!
Stir-fried yaki udon noodles with pork and vegetables in a wok.
10

Quick Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)

Yaki Udon is a quick and easy Japanese stir-fried noodle dish with chewy udon, savory sauce, and your choice of protein and veggies. Ready in just 15 minutes!
One Pot Korean Noodles and Vegetables are topped with lunch ham slices.
11

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.
Crispy Korean chicken nuggets coated coated with sauce in a pan.
12

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!
Keema curry is an easy Indian curry made with ground beef and peas
13

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!
Gochujang noodles made with ground beef served in a bowl.
14

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.
A pan filled with spicy Korean chicken stew with vegetables.
15

Dakdoritang (Korean Spicy Chicken Stew)

Dakdoritang, or Korean spicy chicken stew, is a hearty and flavorful dish that's simple to make at home. This classic recipe combines tender chicken, carrots, and potatoes simmered in a rich, spicy-sweet sauce with gochujang (Korean chili paste) and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). It’s a perfect one-pot meal served with steamed rice.
Korean honey garlic chicken is garnished with fresh chilies and served in a bowl on a tray.
16

Korean Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

These pan-fried Korean honey garlic chicken wings are a crowd-pleasing favorite! Ready in under 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients, they’re perfect for parties, appetizers, or a quick meal.
Sesame soba noodles are topped with crumbled seaweed
17

15-Minute Sesame Soba Noodle Bowl

This sesame soba noodles makes a terrific weeknight dinner. Topped with crumbled seaweed and fried dumplings, you’ll have a hassle-free simple Japanese soba noodle bowl ready in 15 minutes.
Spam fried rice is served in a bowl with a spoon
18

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.
Mapo tofu is dished in a blue bowl with a spoon.
19

Easy Sichuan Mapo Tofu (Authentic Flavor)

Sichuan Mapo Tofu, a spicy tofu dish from Chinese cuisine, is easy to make with this simple recipe. It combines soft tofu and ground pork in a rich, savory doubanjiang sauce for an authentic taste. Serve with rice for a quick, satisfying meal.
Teriyaki chicken drumsticks are in the oval platter over a floral napkin.
20

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.
Tofu and eggs are cooked in a skillet with spicy sauce to serve with rice
21

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 noodles with shrimp served on a platter.
22

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.
A bowl of kimchi ramen is served on a tray with a pair of chopsticks on the side.
23

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 cheesesteaks are ready to serve.
24

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 slices are beautiful arranged in a serving dish.
25

Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Roll)

Kimbap (or Gimbap) is a traditional Korean seaweed rice roll made with rice, vegetables, and your choice of meat. This classic recipe offers a simple way to enjoy this flavorful Korean dish, perfect for quick meals or outdoor gatherings.
Crispy outside and cheesy inside kimchi fried rice recipe.
26

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.
A bowl of jajangmyeon (Korean black bean noodles) garnished with cucumber.
27

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.
Grilled mackerel is served with soy sauce and lemon wedges in a white plate
28

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
A bowl of noodles with ground beef sauce, cucumber, and hard boiled egg.
Japanese pork cutlet served with homemade tonkatsu sauce and crisp cabbage.
29

30-Minute Easy Tonkatsu: Japanese Pork Cutlet Recipe

Prepare crispy and juicy Tonkatsu, a Japanese pork cutlet, in 30 minutes! This easy recipe also includes a tangy homemade sauce made from simple pantry staples
A bowl of chicken curry with potato and carrot are placed on a napkin and paired with baguette slices and rice noodle nests on the side.
30

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.
Chinese pepper steak stir fry is best to serve hot with rice
31

30-Minute Chinese Beef and Pepper Stir Fry

Beef and Pepper Stir Fry (Pepper Steak Stir Fry) with the authentic Chinese flavor! This easy recipe pairs melt-in-your-mouth sirloin steak with vibrant bell peppers, all smothered in a savory black bean sauce infused with garlic and ginger. Enjoy restaurant-quality taste right at home, all whipped up in less than 30 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
Thai basil beef stir fry is served with rice on a plate.
Sayur Lodeh, Indonesian vegetable curry, with rice.
32

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 with pork belly and egg yolk in a serving bowl.
33

Pork Belly Rice Bowl Recipe (Butadon)

Butadon is a tasty Japanese pork rice bowl, often called pork donburi. This dish uses tender pork belly coated in a quick, homemade teriyaki sauce. It's a simple and satisfying meal for any occasion.
A bowl of beef massaman curry with rice.
34

Easy Beef Massaman Curry (Rich & Authentic Flavor)

Thai Beef Massaman Curry is perfect for Busy Weeknights. This easy recipe brings together the convenience of store-bought massaman curry paste with the rich, authentic flavors of traditional home cooking.
Chicken breast and mango is stir-fried quickly in sweet chili sauce and served with rice.
35

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.
Jjimdak in a serving bowl.
36

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.
Quick ramen and vegetable stir-fry is topped with fried egg and bonito flakes in a bowl.
37

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.
Quick stir-fried beef and fresh broccoli florets are serve with rice.
38

Easy Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This classic Chinese beef and broccoli stir-fry is quick, easy, and better than takeout! Tender beef and crisp broccoli are tossed in a savory sauce, making it the perfect 15-minute dinner for busy weeknights.
Beef and Cucumber Stir-fry makes a quick rice bowl dish under 20 minutes.
39

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 recipes collection for cheap Asian dinner ideas.

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.
5 from 4 ratings

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

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
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.