Big Asian Feast Recipes & Tips

All my pan-Asian recipes in one place along with my advice for putting together an easy and cohesive feasting menu. Or simply pick and choose a few dishes to create and everyday feast for one or two.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my Disclosures Page for more details.

Why an Asian Feast?

Asian food is always my go-to. I love everything from traditional Chinese dim sum to old school stir-frys. I also really can’t resist any pork belly dish, especially when it’s smothered in Korean flavours.

So creating this collection of recipes for a feast was easy. I love to share food and some of my favourite dishes really lend themselves to my feasting style. This feast is therefore all about sharing dishes.

You Say Asian…What Exactly Do You Mean?

I will take this opportunity to point out that I am aware that “Asian” is a very broad word to use. For the purposes of this and any other “Asian” inspired feasts that I’ve created, I am primarily referring to the cuisines of Japan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea.

I do hope to create more recipes and feasts based on Western Asian cuisines in the future. Let me know if I should make this a priority!

Nibbles

These chilli beans are perfect to serve with drinks whilst people are arriving and socialising. You might want to go easy on the chilli if you have some more sensitive people coming. You could even make 2 batches, one with and one without chilli.

Salt & Chilli Edamame Beans Recipe

My Salt & Chilli Edamame Beans are inspired by the tasty morsels served by Wagamamas. But with my version, there is no popping beans out of pods or wasting precious seasoning on the inedible bits! Did I mention they’re ready in under 10 minutes?

I also like to serve some prawn crackers. Sometimes I pop them myself but for ease I usually just grab a bag from my local Chinese takeaway or the supermarket. You could alternatively serve crackers with any of the other courses. Maybe not dessert!

Starters/Appetisers

I tend to pick a sub cuisine when deciding what to serve for the first course. So maybe I’m serving a selection of steamed dumplings, a platter of sushi or keeping it simple with Vietnamese summer rolls. I like to make my own but don’t be shy of using store-bought options if you prefer.

Steamed Dumplings

Siu Mai (Steamed Chinese Pork Dumpling Recipe)

Sui Mai (shumai) is a type of Chinese steamed dumpling that is ever popular as part of a dim sum feast. Minced pork and prawn are wrapped in a ready made wonton wrapper and simply steamed. They are fun and easy to make in a large batch to stash extras in the freezer for later.

Har Gow (Steamed Chinese Prawn Dumplings Recipe)

Har Gow (ha gau or har gau) are the white skinned prawn dumplings that are my personal highlight on any dim sum platter. They are surprisingly easy, fun to make and much cheaper than buying them ready prepared.

Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings

Tofu Crystal Dumplings (Chinese Vegan Har Gow Recipe)

These Tofu Crystal Dumplings are my vegan version of the classic steamed Har Gow dumplings which I love. They’re folded slightly differently to mark them apart but the highly flavoured tofu filling is easily on par with the original prawn filling.

Tofu Siu Mai (Vegetarian Steamed Chinese Dumplings Recipe)

My Tofu Siu Mai (shumai) are a vegetarian version of the classic pork sui mai dumplings. Flavoured and minced tofu is wrapped in ready made wonton wrappers and simply steamed. Easy, delicious and fun to make, they’re perfect to batch make and freeze too.

Dumpling Dipping Sauces

Dumpling Dipping Sauce Recipe

A Dumpling Dipping Sauce is essential when making and eating Chinese dumplings like siu mai, har gow and fun gwor. This dipping sauce really is the ultimate in simplicity with just 2 ingredients. And it takes less than a minute to make!

Cranberry Dumpling Dipping Sauce Recipe

This Cranberry Dumpling Dipping Sauce is a cheeky festive twist on a basic soy and vinegar condiment for dumplings. Whilst it is ideal to serve with turkey steamed dumplings, the sweet and sour flavour makes a great twist for any homemade or shop bought dumpling.

How to Serve Dumplings

There are a couple of options for how to serve the dumplings. You can plate up a certain number of dumplings for each person or serve them on platters.

The one thing to bear in mind is that they are best kept warm. Because of this, I like to serve the dumplings in their bamboo steamer baskets.

But annoyingly I don’t have a lid for every basket. So instead I put my plate over the top as a makeshift lid. When I want more dumplings, I just lift my plate and grab more. Genius!

Soup

For ease you could omit the tofu although if you are making tofu dumplings and tofu stir fry, you may wish to utilise any leftovers.

I always serve my soup individually in small bowls. It is simply less messy that way.

Miso Soup with Ginger & Tofu Recipe

My Miso Soup with Ginger & Tofu is my go-to side for almost any of my favourite Chinese and Japanese inspired dishes. Its light but filling, tasty but subtle and includes a little extra hit of tofu-based protein. Best of all, its ready in less than 10 minutes.

Peanut Lentil Soup Recipe

My Peanut Lentil Soup uses satay sauce and coconut milk along with carrots and red lentils to make a thick, rich and extra tasty soup. My satay soup is accidentally vegan and can be gluten free too. Super easy to make and even easier to eat, give it a go for a flavour packed lunch.

Sushi

3 different types of sushi makes a nice platter but make as many or as few as you wish.

To serve, buy sushi ginger, wasabi paste and serve with soy sauce.

Sushi can be made earlier in the day and needs no time in the kitchen before serving which makes it ideal for feeding a crowd.

Summer Rolls

Vietnamese Summer Rolls with King Prawn Recipe

Vietnamese Summer Rolls are incredibly easy to make, naturally gluten free and everything you need is available right in the supermarket. King Prawn adds a touch of luxury to a stunning dish with barely any cooking. They’re perfect for a warm summers day!

Tofu Spring Rolls (Vietnamese Summer Rolls Recipe)

These Tofu Spring Rolls are the super tasty vegan version of my classic Vietnamese King Prawn Summer Rolls. They are naturally gluten free, spicy and packed with flavour. And they're easy to make, light and fresh to boot. Perfect.

Main Course

Choose one main, a starch and a few veggie sides or pick and mix lots of small plates. What you choose to make will depend on the time you want to spend cooking, budget, number of people you’re cooking for and of course preference.

Meat Mains

I have designed the main course to be served family style with the dishes plated up and served on the table. Your guests can simply themselves.

Korean Belly Pork Recipe

My Korean Belly Pork is one of my most popular recipes and one of my absolute favourites. The perfectly glazed and soft Pork Belly is not too spicy but has a little warmth, sweetness and bags of umami. I know that this Korean Bossam Pork dish will be your instant favourite too. 

Korean Ramen with Belly Pork Recipe

My Korean Ramen recipe uses leftovers from my Korean Belly Pork recipe to make a warm but not overly spicy broth spiked with chewy noodles, greens, a runny boiled egg and soft pork belly.  Top tip – do not attempt to eat this while wearing a white shirt

You can also include simpler recipes like simply air fried meat. Add sauces, glazes or seasonings as you see fit. Try these chicken options:

• How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs (On The Bone)
• How To Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks
• How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
• How to Air Fry Chicken Mini Fillets

Or you can find all of my air fryer pork recipes here:

Fish Mains

Sweet Chilli Salmon Recipe

Sweet Chilli Salmon is my go to fish dish for a quick weeknight meal or gussied up with sides and extras as part of an Asian inspired feast. I serve my sticky salmon with sticky rice & steamed greens for a full meal with pungent flavours. Best of all, its really quite quick to make and rather impressive to boot.

To reduce cooking time on the day of the feast, I sear the salmon in advance. But then instead of continuing to pan fry it, I leave it on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven to warm and finish cooking.

As I cook less fillets than there are guests, I serve the salmon flaked in a bowl with some of the sauce.

You can also try some air fried fish and shellfish options:

How to Air Fry Cod Fillets

These simple instructions for How to Air Fry Cod Fillets result in classic white fish portions with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Simply seasoned but as versatile as you want to make it, this is the new top cooking method for delicious fish cookery.

How to Air Fry Scallops

This guide will show you How to Air Fry Scallops effortlessly. Large king scallops are cooked to juicy perfection without their shells for maximum flavour and ease. I'll tell you all the tips and tricks to make delicious air fryer scallops including how to cook them straight from frozen.

How to Air Fry Whole Plaice

Flat fish are brilliant to cook on the bone for extra flavour and to keep the fillets beautifully moist. This guide for How to Air Fry Whole Plaice tells you everything you need to know to cook this delicate white fish from fresh or frozen in the air fryer.

How to Air Fry Salmon Fillets (Fresh or Frozen)

Find out how to quickly and easily Air Fry Salmon Fillets from either fresh or frozen in this easy to follow guide. I've kept things simple so these instruction are a great starting point to add your choice of extra seasoning, marinade or glaze.

Vegetarian/Vegan Mains

Crispy Tofu Teriyaki (Vegan Recipe)

This Crispy Tofu Teriyaki stir fry combines fried tofu chunks with sweet veg and a deeply sticky savoury sauce packed with umami. It’s a vegan recipe that's enough to satisfy a carnivore and a perfect addition to an Asian style feast or served simply with rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

The stir-fry can again be prepared in advance. To keep the tofu as crispy as possible, I only add it to the dish when it is reheated for serving.

Vegetable Sides

Sesame Tenderstem Broccoli Recipe

Sesame Tenderstem Broccoli is a brilliant side dish that can be thrown together in minutes with very few ingredients. Tenderstem (or broccolini) is one of my go-to greens and I love coming up with new ways to serve it!

Ginger & Chilli Courgettes (Zucchini) Recipe

These simple Ginger & Chilli Courgettes are soft, spicy and the perfect vegan friendly side to any number of Asian inspired dishes. The courgettes (also known as zucchini) are gently and slowly fried then doused in seasoning just before serving.

Satay Sprouts (Vegan Recipe)

Satay Sprouts are the flavour bomb we’ve been looking for all these years. Incredibly simple to put together, these satay coated brussels on a skewer make a unusual canape, side for a feast or even a vegan main course.

Noodles & Rice

Plain Chow Mein Recipe

Plain Chow Mein is a simple fakeaway classic which is just as great served as a side or a main course. Plain in name but anything but plain in flavour. Plus choose your favourite ready-cooked noodle and its ready to go in less than 10 minutes.

How To Cook Sticky Rice

I always thought that I'd never master the secret of How to Cook Sticky Rice but then I found the easiest ever method that works every single time. With no need for a rice cooker or any specialist equipment, this easy step by step guide shows you how to make glutinous rice in just 25 minutes.

The rice is so easy to make that it can be prepped in advance and then simply put on the heat to cook just as you dish up the starter course.

Plain Egg Fried Rice (Chinese Fakeaway Recipe)

Egg Fried Rice is a staple of Chinese cuisine. This version keeps things super simple and plain so you can serve it as is on the side or add any proteins or vegetables to make it the star of the show!

Dessert

I don’t tend to consider dessert to be the most important part of an Asian feast. A little ice cream, maybe some fruit and on the whole folk are happy. Here are a couple of options that are a nice way to round off the meal including some not typically “Asian” options but refreshing and delicious nonetheless!

Chinese Steamed Cake (Ma Lai Gao Recipe)

This Chinese Steamed Cake is my version of a classic dim sum dish. There are no unusual ingredients or techniques (except the steaming bit!), just great flavour and a lovely and moist muscovado perfumed cake.

This traditional dim sum cake which is traditionally served alongside the other savoury dishes. But for the purposes of this Feast, I think that serving it as a dessert is most appropriate.

The cake can be warmed before serving or put on to cook as the main course is served. It can be served with cream, ice cream or even custard.

Drinks at An Asian Feast

Just like with the food, the key to serving drinks is to set things up so that guests can help themselves as much as possible. You should have less waste and everyone gets exactly what they want whilst relieving you of some running around.

The first thing that I suggest you do is hop over to my dedicated Asian inspired Drinks post which features a ton of ideas.

Have a look at what strikes you fancy. You can choose to serve as many or as few different drinks as you like. I would suggest making sure that you include at least one soft drink in your plan.

Drinks on Arrival

I just could not resist trying a cocktail called Thai Peanut Colada from a site called thegooddrink.com. Unfortunately the site is no longer live. I switched out the gin for rum to make it more akin to an actual pina colada. Also, because I hate gin. This is a great example of being flexible and adapting recipes to suit your tastes. Don’t be scared.

For my soft drink option, I made a jug of Vietnamese Limeade. I stuck to the recipe this time and left the jug available with some glasses for guests to help themselves. I also made sure that water was available. (The recipe is now also unavailable, sorry!)

Drinks with Food

As well as having more cocktail, limeade and water available, I like to serve this Sake Shandy. It is a great way to have a longer drink but with a little extra kick of Japanese flavour.

Asahi beer is the most readily available oriental larger available in the UK but realistically you can use any light-ish flavoured lager. I came across some imported Chang beer from Thailand in the world food aisle so thats what I used.

Obviously some people might prefer to just drink the beer, in which case don’t deny!

Drinks with Dessert

You can serve another cocktail with the dessert course but it’s less work not too. I do however made sure that all the other drinks continued to be available and serve hot green tea instead.

I sometimes also serve a bottle of Korean Soju. This bottle was mandarin flavour and perfect to just drink neat like the Koreans do!

Like with dipping sauces, sometimes just keeping it simple is a good idea. My favourite green tea is this Twinings with Orange and Lotus Flower. Perfectly on theme, it is available in all the supermarkets too.

Catering for Allergies at A Big Asian Feast

Each of my recipes includes details of whether they are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free and/or nut-free. Each recipe also gives suggestions for how to adapt them for these dietary requirements if needed.

If you have one or more people coming to your feast that have dietary requirements, often the easiest (and the nicest) thing to do is to make all of the dishes suitable for them. If this isn’t possible, making as many of the dishes suitable as possible is great.

Anyone with allergies will be super grateful for your effort but I would always recommend talking about the menu with them directly.

There may be things to consider that you haven’t thought of and you could equally waste time making unnecessary changes. There is no point in making gluten-free cake if the gluten-free person doesn’t like cake. (Bad example, who doesn’t like cake?!).

And also don’t be offended if anyone wants to bring their own food. I would much rather that someone came to my Feast and enjoyed themselves worry-free rather than giving us both anxiety about allergy-friendly food.

Please note that this recipe may contain other allergens not referred to above and any variations suggested have not been tested unless otherwise stated. For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

Pin Big Asian Feast Recipes & Tips For Later

Hit one of the share buttons to save this page to your Pinterest boards so you can come back and find it at anytime!