The diverse and flavorful cuisine of Asia offers a plethora of vegetable-based side dishes that are both satisfying and delicious. Explore these Asian Vegetable Side Dishes Recipes recipes to add a touch of culinary adventure to your meals.
Stir-Fried Garlic Bok Choy
Ingredients
- Baby bok choy, halved
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add baby bok choy and stir-fry until wilted.
- Drizzle with soy sauce and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Thai Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- Roasted peanuts, crushed
- Dressing: lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, red chili flakes
Instructions
- Toss cucumber slices, red onion, and chopped cilantro in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and red chili flakes to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss.
- Sprinkle with crushed roasted peanuts before serving.
Korean Spinach (Sigeumchi Namul)
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach leaves
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Blanch spinach leaves in boiling water, then transfer to ice water to preserve color.
- Squeeze out excess water from the blanched spinach.
- In a bowl, mix minced garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create the dressing.
- Toss the dressing with the spinach.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (Gai Lan)
Ingredients
- Chinese broccoli (gai lan), trimmed and blanched
- Oyster sauce
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add blanched Chinese broccoli and stir-fry briefly.
- Drizzle with oyster sauce and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Japanese Miso Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku)
Ingredients
- Japanese eggplant, halved
- Miso paste
- Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- Sugar
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Score the flesh of the eggplant halves with shallow cuts.
- Mix miso paste, mirin, and sugar to create the glaze.
- Brush the eggplant with the miso glaze.
- Broil or bake the eggplant until tender and caramelized.
- Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.
Vietnamese Green Bean Salad (Dua Dau)
Ingredients
- Green beans, blanched and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Carrots, julienned
- Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- Fresh mint leaves, torn
- Dressing: fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, red chili
Instructions
- Combine blanched green beans, julienned carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and torn mint leaves in a bowl.
- Whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, and finely chopped red chili to make the dressing.
- Toss the salad with the dressing and let it marinate for a few minutes before serving.
These Asian vegetable side dishes recipes bring the essence of Asian cuisine to your table, showcasing bold flavors and diverse ingredients. Whether you’re craving the umami of miso or the freshness of Thai herbs, these recipes offer a culinary journey through the flavors of Asia. Enjoy these dishes as standalone sides or as part of a larger Asian-inspired meal.
