Make a culinary journey across Asia with these mouth-watering Asian salad recipes that pack a punch of delicious flavors, colors, and textures. Gone are the days when salads were seen as dull and unexciting – it’s time to jazz up your everyday routine with these vibrant and versatile Asian salads that will transport your taste buds to the far East without ever leaving home.
Save on the plane ticket and transport yourself to the heart of Asia through taste, where fresh, crunchy, aromatic ingredients come together in perfect harmony. From classic Thai green papaya salad to bold gochujang pork tenderloin salad, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just starting your culinary adventure, these Asian salad recipes are the perfect excuse to get creative and try new things.
So, don’t be shy – take a chance and dive into this delicious world of Asian-inspired salads that will leave you wanting more.
Ramen Noodle Asian Salad
Often overlooked as a quick and easy meal solution, dried packaged ramen is actually a genius ready-in-minutes option. However, on hot summer days, you don’t want another reason to sweat. This fresh ramen noodle salad is the perfect answer to all your problems. Not only does it use the seasoning packet in the dressing, but it’s also incredibly refreshing and light.
The addition of shredded cabbage, carrots, almond slivers, sunflower seeds, and crunchy ramen noodles adds a delightful mix of textures that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad
Making the most of vibrant South-Eastern flavors, this salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The star of the show is undoubtedly the shredded rotisserie chicken, which not only adds a generous amount of protein but also bulk to the dish. Typically, salads are relegated to being a healthy side dish, however, this chicken salad defies convention and can easily pass as a main course due to its satisfying and filling nature.
Mostly, what sets this recipe apart is its simplicity – simply shred your chicken, chop up the vegetables of your choice, whisk together the dressing ingredients, and combine everything in one easy step. With minimal effort required, you can enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal without breaking a sweat. Go to Recipe
Spicy Thai Carrot and Zucchini Ribbon Salad
Vibrant side salads are always a hit with dinner guests, especially when they’re bursting with an array of colours and flavours. The combination of yellow zucchini ribbons, orange carrots, and red bell peppers creates a stunning visual effect that’s almost too beautiful to eat. However, it’s the slightly spicy kick from the chili in the dressing that truly elevates this recipe. If you prefer a milder taste, feel free to skip the chili or reduce its quantity to suit your taste buds.
This recipe is sure to impress and satisfy even the most discerning palates, making it an excellent choice for any dinner gathering.
Asian Cucumber Salad
You’ll be thrilled to discover that this Asian cucumber salad is the perfect refreshing appetizer for hot summer evenings. Its light and fresh qualities, combined with its healthy ingredients, make it an ideal treat for those long sunshine-filled days. However, what truly sets this dish apart is the incredible dressing that’s both garlicky and savory, yet still manages to have a hint of sweetness. The best part?
This salad is incredibly easy to prepare – so simple, in fact, that if you know how to cut a cucumber, you can make it from scratch without any hassle. Whether you’re looking for a quick appetizer or just want to enjoy the flavors of Asia, this Asian cucumber salad is sure to satisfy your cravings!
Gochujang Pork Tenderloin Salad with Snap Peas & Peanuts (GF)
Often overlooked as a side dish, salads can be incredibly versatile and satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Meat lovers, in particular, will adore this pork tenderloin salad, which is sure to impress with its bold flavors and textures. Tender slices of caramelized pork are carefully layered over a fresh mix of butter lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes, herbs, and peanuts, creating a delightful harmony of crunch and softness.
The true magic happens when the spicy gochujang dressing is drizzled on top, adding a depth of flavor that elevates this dish to new heights. This mouth-watering salad makes for an excellent dinner party option, guaranteed to leave your guests begging for more. Serve it up, and you can expect requests for repeat invitations – it’s that good!
Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
Slipping into a culinary paradise, one bite of this fresh, authentic, and aromatic salad can transport you straight to the bustling streets of Thailand. The zesty, tangy, and sweet dressing is elevated by a burst of spicy heat from a hit of fresh chili, making it an absolute delight for those who crave a little excitement in their meals. For those who are yet to experience the unique charm of green papaya, now’s the perfect time to give it a try – all it is, after all, is unripened papaya.
With its crunchy texture and neutral flavor profile, green papaya provides the ideal canvas for showcasing that luscious dressing in all its glory.
Thai Mango Salad
Making a salad as vibrant and flavorful as the Thai mango salad is a breeze, requiring only 30 minutes of preparation time. This fresh and light side dish is ideal for Thai-themed dinners, where it can serve as a palate cleanser between hearty mains. The key to this salad’s success lies in its use of green mangos, which are essentially unripened mangoes with a similar texture and taste to green papayas.
The result is a delightful combination of flavors that highlights the delicious dressing perfectly.
Rainbow Chopped Salad with Sesame-Garlic Dressing
Keep your taste buds dancing with a nutrient-packed rainbow salad that’s as visually stunning as it is deliciously flavorful. The vibrant colors and refreshing crunch of this fresh salad are sure to impress, and the garlicky, ginger dressing adds an extra layer of perfection. Whether you serve it alongside grilled meats, fish, or summer-themed frittatas, this delightful salad is the perfect pairing partner for any meal.
Thai Pomelo Salad (Yam Som-O)
Understanding the allure of a fresh and fruity salad with an exotic twist, I frequently turn to this pomelo recipe as my go-to option. It’s packed full of flavors, protein, and goodness, making it impossible to resist. So, what exactly is a pomelo? This large citrus fruit boasts a taste similar to grapefruit, but with a sweeter undertone. Its popularity has been steadily increasing on this side of the sea, ensuring that you should be able to find one without much trouble.
To prepare this dish, simply toss together poached shrimp, pomelo, roasted peanuts, lime juice, cilantro, and seasonings. Serve it immediately, as the flavor is at its best when consumed straight away.
Asian Chicken Salad
Spruced up with a delightful blend of Asian-inspired flavors, this dish features tender, juicy teriyaki chicken perfectly balanced by the crunch of carrot, cabbage, and toasted cashews. It’s an incredibly satisfying combination that’s elevated even further by the rich, garlicky dressing.
One of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity – if you can grill chicken, chop a few vegetables, and whisk together a tasty dressing, you’re well on your way to creating a mouth-watering masterpiece. Plus, it’s an excellent choice for those looking to fuel up with nutrients, fiber, and protein. So go ahead, indulge in seconds (and maybe even thirds) – you deserve it!
Miso Ginger Edamame Salad
Kickstarting the summer season with a refreshing twist, crunchy cabbage and edamame are harmoniously paired in a delicious miso ginger dressing that’s nothing short of amazing. The perfect blend of flavors has left many speechless, but we’ll let you be the judge. If you’re on a mission to incorporate more veggies into your diet, this salad is an excellent choice. Even those who claim to dislike certain vegetables will find themselves devouring every last bite. It’s that good!
So, go ahead and put some extra plants on your plate this summer. This crispy veg salad pairs surprisingly well with various meats and fish, making it a great addition to any meal.
Gado Gado (Indonesian Salad with Peanut Sauce)
Beyond the realm of ordinary salads lies a true Indonesian culinary gem – Gado Gado! This delightful dish has the power to transform plain, blanched vegetables into mouth-watering masterpieces thanks to its signature peanut sauce. The sauce works like a miracle, turning tasteless veggies into flavorsome delights that will leave you and your family wanting more. What’s more, this clever trick is an excellent way to get kids to eat their greens, as it guarantees a pleasurable experience.
Filipino Mango and Tomato Salad
Renowned for its vibrant flavors, Filipino cuisine offers a delightful twist with the fresh and fruity mango and tomato salad. Rich in texture and taste, this medley of juicy mangoes and tomatoes is perfectly balanced by a zesty vinaigrette dressing, making it a lovely side to pair with your favorite grilled meats and fish. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor gathering or a casual barbeque, serve this eye-catching salad and be sure to have smiling faces all around!
The combination of sweet mangoes and tangy tomatoes is seriously delicious and will undoubtedly become a new favorite among your guests.
Buko Salad
Avid foodies will adore this sweet and refreshing Buko salad, a traditional Filipino dish often served at celebrations and fiestas. It’s no wonder it’s a crowd-pleaser – the combination of flavors and textures is truly a party in your mouth! Some ingredients might be unfamiliar to you, such as kaong (sugar palm fruit) and nata de coco (coconut jell), but rest assured that they can easily be found at your local Asian grocery store.
This unique fusion of flavors makes Buko salad a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their usual fruit salad game.
Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing (Gomaae)
Taking center stage as one of my favorite quick fix meals, this spinach salad is always my top pick when I’m looking for an easy way to incorporate leafy greens into my meal plan. Its versatility in pairing with a wide variety of dishes makes it an excellent addition to any menu. This salad’s Japanese inspiration stems from the popular side dish known as ‘Osozai’, or spinach gomaae, which has gained significant popularity worldwide for its unique blend of flavors and textures.
To assemble this delightful salad, blanched spinach leaves are generously coated in a rich and nutty sesame dressing, then topped with an assortment of white sesame seeds. This simple yet effective combination not only adds depth to the dish but also makes it an excellent way to discreetly boost one’s daily greens intake.
17 Best Asian Salads to Try Tonight
Elevate your mealtime experience with our delectable Asian-inspired salad recipes. These scrumptious creations combine the bold flavors of Asia with fresh ingredients like ramen noodles, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet papayas, guaranteeing a satisfying light dinner option that will leave you wanting more.
Instructions
Finding the perfect balance between simplicity and flavor is key to creating a delicious meal quickly. To do this, select a tried-and-true recipe that has been tested for speed and taste. Next, gather all of the necessary ingredients and have them ready to go in advance, making it easy to prepare an Asian salad in under 30 minutes.
