10+ Easy Quick Asian Recipes for Busy Weeknights

When you’re short on time but craving delicious flavors, easy quick Asian recipes can be a lifesaver. These recipes are designed to be simple and fast, allowing you to enjoy a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

From stir-fries to salads, there are plenty of options that bring the vibrant tastes of Asia to your table in no time.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting friends, these quick meals can impress without the fuss. You can whip up satisfying dishes using familiar ingredients, making it easy to fit into your busy lifestyle.

Enjoy the journey of cooking without the stress!

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and tasty dish you can whip up in no time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and satisfying.

Start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the chicken and cook until it’s browned, which takes about 4-5 minutes.

Next, toss in your choice of vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snow peas. Stir-fry these for a few minutes until they are tender.

Finally, pour in some teriyaki sauce and mix everything together until well coated.

This dish is not just easy to make but also packed with flavor. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) teriyaki sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
3. Add chicken and cook until browned (4-5 minutes).
4. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
5. Pour in teriyaki sauce and mix well.

2) Ginger Soy Salmon

Ginger Soy Salmon is a quick and tasty dish you can whip up any night of the week. The combination of soy sauce and ginger creates a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with salmon.

You can prepare this dish using fresh or frozen salmon fillets. Just remember to thaw the frozen salmon before cooking.

To make the glaze, mix soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and a touch of sesame oil. This mixture adds depth and enhances the salmon’s natural flavor.

Once ready, cook the salmon in a skillet or bake it in the oven. A temperature of 400°F (200°C) is great for baking. This ensures the salmon is tender and flaky.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
3. Place the salmon in the mixture and marinate for 15 minutes.
4. Transfer the salmon to a baking dish.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.

3) Sweet and Sour Tofu

Sweet and sour tofu is a delicious and quick dish you can make at home. It’s a great vegan alternative to the classic sweet and sour pork. The tofu absorbs all the yummy flavors of the sauce.

You can make this dish in under 30 minutes. Crispy tofu pairs perfectly with the sticky sauce. You’ll also add colorful vegetables like bell peppers and onions for extra crunch and taste.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 14 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu
• 1 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks (or fresh pineapple)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• ½ cup sweet and sour sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu to remove excess water and cut it into cubes.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 180°C).
3. Add tofu cubes and fry until golden brown.
4. Add vegetables and pineapple to the skillet.
5. Pour in sweet and sour sauce and stir well.
6. Cook for 5 more minutes, then serve hot.

4) Sesame Garlic Noodles

Sesame garlic noodles are quick and delicious. They make a perfect meal for busy days. You can whip them up in just 15 minutes!

Start by cooking your favorite noodles according to the package instructions. While they boil, prepare the sauce. Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and a bit of sugar for sweetness.

When the noodles are ready, drain them and toss them in the sauce. Stir well to make sure every strand is coated.

You can add cooked shrimp or veggies for extra flavor and nutrition.

Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a nice crunch. These noodles are simple, tasty, and sure to impress!

Ingredients

• 8 oz noodles
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Sesame seeds (for topping)
• Sliced green onions (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles as per package instructions.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and sugar.
3. Drain the noodles and combine them with the sauce.
4. Stir well to coat the noodles.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

5) Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef is a quick and tasty dish that you’ll love. It features tender sliced beef cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

To make it, you’ll start with flank steak. Slice it thinly and coat the meat with cornstarch for a nice texture. Then, fry it in a hot pan until browned.

The sauce is made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. This combination creates a delicious flavor that pairs well with the beef. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¼ cup canola oil
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the flank steak thinly.
2. Coat the beef in cornstarch.
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
4. Cook the steak in batches for 30 seconds on each side.
5. Remove the beef and set aside.
6. In the same pan, add garlic and ginger, cooking briefly.
7. Mix in soy sauce and brown sugar.
8. Return beef and stir until coated.
9. Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with green onions.

6) Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, also known as Pad Krapow Gai, is a quick and delicious dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken, Thai basil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and some spices. This dish cooks quickly, so have everything ready.

In a hot skillet, cook diced chicken until it’s no longer pink. Add garlic, chilies, and sauces, stirring everything together.

Finally, fold in the fresh Thai basil just before serving. This will keep it vibrant and flavorful.

Serve Spicy Thai Basil Chicken over rice and enjoy a tasty meal!

Ingredients

• Chicken
• Thai basil
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Garlic
• Chilies
• Oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (around 375°F or 190°C).
2. Add diced chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Stir in garlic and chilies.
4. Mix in soy sauce and oyster sauce.
5. Add Thai basil just before serving.

7) Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delicious and easy Asian recipe perfect for a quick dinner. You can make this dish in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy nights. The mix of crispy shrimp, crunchy walnuts, and a sweet sauce creates a delightful flavor.

For this recipe, you’ll fry the shrimp until golden brown. The candied walnuts add a special touch. You can enjoy it over rice or on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (around 350°F or 175°C).
2. Fry the shrimp until golden, then set them aside.
3. In a separate pan, mix sugar and walnuts. Cook until caramelized.
4. Combine honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice in a bowl.
5. Toss the shrimp in the sauce and add the walnuts. Enjoy!

8) Korean Beef Bulgogi

Korean Beef Bulgogi is a delicious and quick dish that’s easy to make. This version uses thin slices of beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. It’s perfect for busy nights!

For this recipe, you’ll want to slice your beef thinly. A tip is to freeze the beef for 20-30 minutes to make slicing easier. You can use pre-sliced bulgogi beef from your local Asian grocery store too.

The marinade combines soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Adding Korean pears can help tenderize the meat and boost the flavor. After marinating, cook the beef in a hot skillet for a few minutes until it’s nicely browned.

Serve it with rice and your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) beef flank steak, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 Korean pear, grated (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix a bowl of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and pear.
2. Add the beef and marinate it for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over high heat.
4. Cook the beef for about 5 minutes until it browns.
5. Serve with rice and garnish with green onions.

9) Lemon Grass Pork Chops

Lemongrass pork chops are a tasty and easy dish to make. The fresh flavor of lemongrass adds a unique taste to juicy pork chops. You can marinate the pork for added flavor and tenderness.

To start, use pork chops that are about 1 inch thick. Marinate them with garlic, fish sauce, and lemongrass for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, marinate them overnight.

When you’re ready to cook, heat your pan over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil and then the marinated pork chops. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).

Serve the pork chops hot with rice or vegetables. This dish is not only quick to make but is also full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops
• 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate pork chops with lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Cook pork chops for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
4. Check that the internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
5. Serve hot with rice or vegetables.

Quick Vegetable Pad Thai

Quick Vegetable Pad Thai is a tasty dish that’s easy to make. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights. This dish highlights fresh veggies and delicious flavors.

Start with pad Thai noodles, which are thin rice noodles. You can use any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli. The colorful mix makes your meal look great.

Next, you’ll need a sauce made from soy sauce, peanut butter, and a bit of brown sugar. This gives the dish a nice balance of salty and sweet.

For a bit of protein, consider adding tofu or scrambled eggs. They blend well with the flavors. You can also sprinkle some chopped peanuts or green onions on top for extra crunch.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pad Thai noodles
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
• Tofu or eggs (optional)
• Chopped peanuts or green onions (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pad Thai noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and peanut butter.
3. In a pan, sauté your vegetables until tender.
4. Add the cooked noodles and sauce to the pan.
5. Stir everything together until well combined.
6. Top with tofu or eggs if desired.
7. Finish with chopped peanuts or green onions before serving.