50 Best Asian Side Dishes

Introducing the king of all grains: steamed rice, Asia's staple side dish, perfectly cooked and ready to be the blank canvas for all your favorite dishes.

Fire up your taste buds with a side of kimchi, the spicy and fermented Korean condiment sure to add some zing to your meal.

It has tangy and spicy flavors and works well with radishes and cucumbers.

Whether you're looking to add some extra protein to your meal or want something to slurp on, noodles are a perfect choice. Serve hot or cold with either sauce or broth.

You can readily buy them from the store, but you'll be surprised at how easy to make them at home.

Take a tropical vacation with every bite of fried banana plantains, a sweet and savory side dish.

Fried ripe banana plantains are slices of coated ripe bananas in a mixture of flour and spices and then fried until crispy and golden brown.

Get your daily serving of vegetables with a stir fry filled with all your favorite colorful produce.

Expert tip: Stir-fry for a short period, just a few minutes, to retain their crunch and texture.

This is one of the ultimate Asian side dishes you can never go wrong with. You can even use any leftover vegetables to whip up this recipe.

Keep things cool and refreshing with a crisp cucumber salad dressed to perfection.

Cucumber salad is a refreshing and light side dish of sliced cucumbers with vinegar, salt, and other ingredients such as onions, herbs, and spices.

Warm up with a comforting bowl of miso soup filled with tofu, seaweed, and other tasty ingredients. A Japanese soup traditionally served for breakfast.

Sweeten things up with a side of roasted sweet potatoes. The taste is sweet and savory, with a slightly caramelized roasted flavor. They have a soft, tender texture and a rich, buttery taste.

Add some plant-based protein to your meal with braised tofu. Braised tofu has a rich and savory taste with a tender and slightly chewy texture.

Some describe the taste of braised tofu as similar to a savory stew or pot roast, with a slightly nutty or earthy flavor.

Add a touch of the sea with a sprinkle of roasted seaweed, a delicious and nutritious topping. Roasted seaweed has a savory, umami flavor with hints of saltiness and a slightly crunchy texture.

Tip: Go to any Asian store near you; they are available in small packs ready to eat.

Snack on edamame, boiled soybeans that are perfect for popping out of the shell. They have a soft, creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor.

Dive into a plate of egg rolls filled with a savory mixture of meat and vegetables.

Eggrolls have a crispy, crunchy exterior and a savory, slightly spicy filling. The wrapper is a thin, flaky pastry dough that adds layer of texture to the dish.

Get your stir fry with some okra, a tasty and healthy vegetable.

Stir-frying okra involves heating oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the okra to the pan and quickly stir to ensure even cooking.

Cook The okra for a few minutes until it becomes tender and slightly browned.

Enjoy a soothing bowl of egg drop soup, a simple yet satisfying Chinese classic. Egg drop soup has a delicate and savory taste with a smooth and silky texture.

The broth gives the soup a rich and flavorful base, while the beaten eggs add a subtle and creamy element.

Stir-fried anchovy is a traditional Asian side dish that involves quickly cooking small, salty anchovy fish in a pan with oil and various seasonings.

To make, coat the anchovies in a mixture of garlic, chili peppers, and soy sauce before stir-frying over high heat until crispy and caramelized.

Stir-fried anchovy has a strong, salty, and savory taste.

Get a taste of Japan with a slice of tamagoyaki, a sweet and savory rolled omelet. This is a dish of rolled thin layers of beaten eggs.

It has a tender and fluffy texture with a slightly sweet and salty taste. This Asian side dish is always present in Japan's bento (lunch) box.

Upgrade your grains with fried rice, a classic Chinese dish filled with vegetables, and your choice of protein, like eggs or chicken.

Fried rice is a simple and delicious way to use leftover rice, and it is best to cook in high heat.

Indulge in some gyoza, pan-fried dumplings filled with meat and vegetables. The wrapper has a slightly chewy texture, while the filling is usually a mixture of ground pork, cabbage, and other vegetables like green onions or ginger.

Treat yourself to sushi, a famous Japanese dish made of vinegared rice and various fillings.

Sushi tastes like a combination of flavors, including the taste of rice, seafood, or other protein (such as raw fish, chicken, or tofu), and any vegetables or condiments.

Roll into spring with some rolls filled with mixed vegetables and often served with a dipping sauce. You can have them deep-fried or fresh.

Add marine goodness to your meal with a seaweed salad, a refreshing and nutritious side dish.

Seaweed salad has a slightly salty and slightly sweet flavor with a crunchy texture. You can serve it with a dressing or marinade that can vary in flavor, such as sesame oil or soy sauce.

Get your greens with steamed kangkong, a popular leafy vegetable in Southeast Asian cuisine. Sprinkle with toasted minced garlic and a drizzle of olive oil.

Sauteed green beans have a slightly crispy texture with a hint of saltiness and a savory flavor. To enhance the flavor, add ingredients such as garlic, onion, or bacon to the saute.

Treat yourself to some crispy scallion pancakes, a savory Chinese pastry made with green onions and dough. Scallion pancakes have a savory, slightly salty taste with a hint of onion flavor.

Brighten your meal with a daikon radish salad, a refreshing and crunchy side dish.

The daikon radish salad has a crisp and refreshing taste. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor with a crunchy texture that is pleasing to the palate.

This grilled eggplant has a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and a soft, tender texture. It tastes slightly charred and has a slightly burnt, smoky aroma.

The inside is soft and creamy, while the skin is slightly crispy and has a slightly bitter taste.

Sauteed bok choy is a popular dish in many Asian cuisines. It consists of tender, crisp bok choy leaves and stalks lightly sautéed in a pan with oil or broth.

To make, season the bok choy with garlic, ginger, and other aromatic spices, and serve with a variety of flavorful sauces and accompaniments.

The most common vegetables you can use in Asian pickled vegetables are cucumbers, carrots, and radishes.

To make, slice the vegetables and place them in a jar with the pickling liquid. You can also add other vegetables, such as peppers, onions, and bean sprouts.

Hot and sour soup is like a spicy little firecracker in a bowl. It's got that perfect balance of heat and tang that'll make your taste buds dance.

This spicy and sour soup has ingredients like tofu, bamboo shoots, and wood ear mushrooms. You can season it with vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil, and it may also contain ingredients such as beaten eggs, meat (such as pork or chicken), and vegetables.

Bamboo shoots have a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.

To prepare bamboo shoots as a side dish, you first need to peel off the tough outer layers of the shoot.

Then, slice the bamboo shoots into thin pieces and rinse them in cold water. Next, you can sauté the bamboo shoots in a pan with oil and your choice of seasonings, such as garlic and soy sauce.

Spinach is a bright green color leafy vegetable. During the sauteing process, the leaves wilt and have a rich, buttery sauce that enhances the natural flavor of the spinach.

As it cooks, the aroma of garlic and onion fills the kitchen. Flavor the dish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, adding just the right amount of seasoning.

Bao buns are a type of soft, pillowy bread that has a variety of savory or sweet fillings.

To eat a bao bun, you can either hold it in your hand or use a fork and knife, depending on the filling and your personal preference.

Steamed bao buns are best because of their soft and fluffy texture.

Sesame balls are a traditional Chinese side dish made of glutinous rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste.

They are often round in shape and have a chewy, soft texture. The exterior of the sesame balls is coated in sesame seeds, giving them a slightly crunchy and nutty flavor.

Gai Lan, also known as Chinese broccoli, is a leafy green vegetable with thick stems and small florets. The oyster sauce adds a rich, umami flavor to the dish.

To cook, Gai Lan is cut into thin stalks, and the leaves are roughly chopped. It is then sautéed in a hot wok with a small amount of oil, and the oyster sauce is added to coat the vegetables. The dish is served hot and is paired with rice or noodles.

This fluffy, pillowy bread is a staple of Indian cuisine and is from a mixture of flour, yeast, and yogurt.

Its versatile nature makes it the perfect companion for curries, stews, and even pizza toppings. And let's not forget its ability to soak up every last drop of sauce, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

An Asian side dish, specifically in India, made with potatoes and cauliflower, seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.

Spicy squid is a tasty side dish that is marinated in a mixture of spices, such as chili pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. It is then either stir-fried or deep-fried.

A Japanese dish made by lightly battering and deep-frying vegetables or seafood.

Tempura involves coating ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, and meats with a light and crispy batter.

The ingredients are then deep-fried in oil to create a dish that is both delicious and visually appealing.

A Japanese salad made with imitation crab meat, often mixed with mayonnaise and other vegetables.

A type of Chinese steamed dumplings filled with meat, usually pork or seafood, and vegetables.

A Japanese snack of a ball of dough filled with diced octopus and other ingredients then grilled.

To make this, you need a special pan called a takoyaki pan. It is more popular as a snack than a side dish.

A spicy Thai salad made with papaya, a type of tropical fruit, often mixed with vegetables, herbs, and a spicy dressing.

A Filipino condiment made with fermented fish or shrimp. Bagoong is usually paired with mangoes, and fish and sauteed with vegetables.

Asian side dishes are never without a salad. This Filipino salad is made of grilled eggplant mixed with tomatoes and onions.

A Filipino condiment made with pickled green papaya often served with grilled meats.

A side dish made by marinating slices of tomato in a mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs.

A Filipino side dish made of salted hard-boiled eggs dyed red, often served with slices of tomato. They are perfect pairings for grilled fish, chicken, or pork.

Top your rice bowls with these seasoned bean sprouts. They are sprouted mung beans with a crisp texture and nutty flavor. You can season them with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil.

Experience the joy of Chinese wontons, boiled or fried dumplings filled with a combination of fillings.

These milk bread rolls are sweet and perfect with saucy and soupy recipes.