39 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 some money-saving Asian dinner recipes that are easy to prepare, healthy, satisfying, and delicious. They include popular dishes like u Kung Pao Chicken, Crispy Beef, Mapo Tofu, Kimchi Ramen, Yaki Udon, Thai Red Curry Chicken, and more.
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.
39 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 recipe makes satisfying ground beef bulgogi within 20 minutes. You get to enjoy authentic taste of Korean beef bowl without marinating the beef for a long time.
Spicy Pork Bulgogi (Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Make Korean spicy pork bulgogi quickly at home. Stir-fry thin pork slices with gochujang in 20 mins. Follow the recipe tips for a restaurant-style Jeyuk Bokkeum.
Easy Thai Red Curry Chicken and 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.
Fluffy Egg Fried Rice: Quick and Easy Chinese Dish
Learn how to 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!
Easy, Authentic Kung Pao Chicken
Learn to cook Kung Pao Chicken at home with our simple step-by-step guide. Experience Sichuan cuisine's spicy flavors with chicken, chilies, and peanuts. Ideal for beginners!
Quick Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)
Yaki udon is a Japanese stir-fried udon noodles with vegetables, protein, and savory sauce. Prepare it in 15 minutes using simple 5-ingredient yaki udon sauce for a delicious weeknight meal.
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.
Dakgangjeong (Korean Chicken Nuggets)
Dakgangjeong is a Korean dish made of crispy, bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken thigh that are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. It is often served as a snack or appetizer.
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 (Korean Glass Noodles Stir-Fry)
With this easy Japchae recipe, you will enjoy authentic Korean glass noodle stir-fry featuring sweet potato noodles, vibrant veggies, and succulent meat without the fuss.
Dakdoritang, Korean Spicy Chicken Stew
Dakdoritang is a hearty Korean spicy chicken stew that's sure to cozy up your meal times. This traditional dish, known for its robust blend of spices, offers tender, braised chicken, carrots, and potatoes in a thick, red sauce. Two cooking methods are introduced: stove top and pressure cooking.
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.
Authentic Sichuan Mapo Tofu Recipe
Sichuan Mapo Tofu, a spicy Chinese tofu dish, is easy to make at home with our authentic recipe. With soft tofu and ground pork in a savory sauce, it promises a fulfilling meal that goes great with rice.
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!
Pan-Fried Hong Kong Noodles
These pan-fried Hong Kong noodles offer a crispy and chewy texture, along with a smoky and savory flavor that you can personalize with your favorite ingredients. This versatile Cantonese dish takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.
5-Minute Kimchi Ramen
Kimchi Ramen is a quick and tasty meal in just 5 minutes made from Korean instant ramen with kimchi, canned tuna. Perfect for busy days.
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.
Jajangmyeon: How to Make Korean Black Bean Noodles
Learn how to make authentic jajangmyeon at home with this easy recipe. This guide walks you through making the perfect bowl of these iconic Korean black bean noodles, complete with savory Chunjang sauce, stir-fried meat and vegetables, all paired with chewy noodles.
Healthy Grilled Mackerel Fish in Parchment
Enjoy this easy grilled mackerel fish recipe that delivers smoky, crispy skin and juicy, tender flesh. Using the parchment paper method, you can eliminate unwanted fish odors while reaping all the benefits of Omega 3.
Easy Korean Beef Noodles
Create tasty Korean beef noodles with this easy recipe. Ground beef makes a flavorful sauce that perfectly complements tender wheat noodles. With just a few ingredients and basic cooking skills, make a satisfying and delicious meal your whole family will enjoy.
30-Minute Easy Tonkatsu: Japanese Pork Cutlet Recipe
Learn how to make crispy Tonkatsu, a popular Japanese pork cutlet, in just 30 minutes! Unlock the secrets to crafting this beloved Japanese pork cutlet that's crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside. This guide includes step-by-step instructions and an irresistibly tangy homemade Tonkatsu sauce. Ideal for quick and special dinners alike.
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.
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.
Authentic Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)
This authentic Thai basil beef (Pad Gra Prow) features thinly sliced beef stir-fried with garlic, chili, and Thai basil for a tasty and aromatic experience.
Check out this recipe
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)
A delicious pork belly recipe to create Butadon (Japanese pork and rice bowl) with a quick and easy homemade Teriyaki sauce.
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-Minute Mango Chicken Stir-fry
Mango chicken stir-fry is a healthy and delicious dish that can be prepared in just 20 minutes! With lean chicken breast and fresh mango in a slightly sweet and tangy sauce, it's the perfect option for a quick and tasty weeknight meal.
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.
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.
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.
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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