17 Asian Salad Recipes 2024

Asian salads are a delightful blend of vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and unique textures. They are perfect for anyone looking to add some variety and excitement to their meal plans. In this comprehensive guide, we present 17 Asian salad recipes, each with its unique twist. We’ve carefully curated these recipes to ensure they’re not only delicious but also easy to prepare. Let’s dive into the world of Asian salads and explore these culinary delights!

1. Thai Mango Salad

Ingredients:

• Ripe mangoes, julienned
• Roasted peanuts, crushed
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Fish sauce
• Sugar
• Lime, juiced
• Red chili, finely sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced

Thai Mango Salad is a refreshing mix of sweet mangoes, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy dressing. The combination of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar creates a perfect balance of flavors, while the chili adds a gentle heat. This salad is not just a treat to the taste buds but also a visual delight.

Recipe

2. Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Ingredients:

• Rice vermicelli noodles
• Cucumber, julienned
• Carrot, julienned
• Mint leaves
• Basil leaves
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Crushed peanuts for garnish

The Vietnamese Noodle Salad is a light yet satisfying dish. The fresh herbs add a burst of flavor, and the dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil gives it a distinctly Asian taste. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner option.

Recipe

3. Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

• Cucumbers, thinly sliced
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Green onion, chopped

Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad is a simple yet delicious side dish. The gochujang brings a unique Korean flavor, which is balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and the tanginess of the rice vinegar. This salad is a great way to spice up your meal.

Recipe

4. Japanese Seaweed Salad

Ingredients:

• Dried seaweed (wakame)
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Cucumber, thinly sliced

Japanese Seaweed Salad is known for its distinctive texture and rich flavors. Wakame, a type of edible seaweed, is the star of this salad. When paired with a dressing of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar, it creates a delightful umami experience.

Recipe

5. Chinese Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• Shredded chicken
• Cabbage, shredded
• Carrot, julienned
• Almonds, sliced
• Green onions, chopped
• For the dressing:
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar

Chinese Chicken Salad combines tender chicken with crisp vegetables and almonds. The dressing is a mix of hoisin and soy sauce, giving it a robust and savory flavor. This salad is an excellent choice for a hearty meal.

Recipe

6. Indonesian Gado-Gado

Ingredients:

• Mixed vegetables (boiled potatoes, green beans, sprouts)
• Tofu, fried
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peanut sauce
• Fried shallots for garnish
• Lime wedges for serving

Indonesian Gado-Gado is a colorful and hearty salad. It features a rich peanut sauce that perfectly complements the blend of vegetables and tofu. The fried shallots add a crunchy texture, making this dish a wholesome meal.

Recipe

7. Filipino Ensaladang Mangga

Ingredients:

• Green mangoes, thinly sliced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Shrimp paste (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Filipino Ensaladang Mangga is a tangy and refreshing salad. The sharpness of the green mangoes with the savory hint of shrimp paste creates a unique flavor profile. This salad is a great side dish for grilled meats.

Recipe

8. Malaysian Rojak

Ingredients:

• Mixed fruits (pineapple, apple, cucumber)
• Tofu, fried
• Rojak sauce (tamarind, sugar, chili)
• Crushed peanuts for garnish

Malaysian Rojak is a delightful mix of fruits and fried tofu, all coated in a sweet and spicy rojak sauce. The sauce’s tangy tamarind base is balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and the heat of the chili.

Recipe

9. Burmese Tea Leaf Salad

Ingredients:

• Fermented tea leaves
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Cabbage, shredded
• Roasted peanuts
• Sesame seeds
• Lime juice
• Garlic oil

Burmese Tea Leaf Salad is a unique salad with a robust flavor from the fermented tea leaves. The combination of crunchy nuts, fresh vegetables, and the distinctive taste of tea leaves makes it a must-try.

Recipe

10. Singaporean Chilli Crab Salad

Ingredients:

• Crab meat
• Lettuce leaves
• Cucumber, thinly sliced
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chilli crab sauce
• Coriander leaves for garnish

Singaporean Chilli Crab Salad brings the famous chilli crab flavor into a refreshing salad. The spicy and sweet sauce coats the succulent crab meat, creating a luxurious and flavorful salad.

Recipe

11. Laotian Chicken Salad (Larb Gai)

Ingredients:

• Minced chicken
• Shallots, thinly sliced
• Mint leaves
• Cilantro, chopped
• Toasted rice powder
• Fish sauce
• Lime juice
• Thai chilies, finely chopped

Laotian Chicken Salad (Larb Gai) is a popular dish in Laos, known for its combination of fresh herbs and a tangy, spicy dressing. The toasted rice powder adds a unique nutty flavor and texture.

Recipe

12. Indian Kachumber Salad

Ingredients:

• Cucumbers, finely chopped
• Tomatoes, finely chopped
• Onions, finely chopped
• Green chili, finely chopped
• Cilantro, chopped
• Lemon juice
• Chaat masala

Indian Kachumber Salad is a staple in Indian cuisine. It’s a fresh, crunchy salad with a hint of spice from the green chili and a tangy kick from the lemon juice and chaat masala.

Recipe

13. Korean Kimchi Salad

Ingredients:

• Kimchi, chopped
• Lettuce leaves
• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar

Korean Kimchi Salad is a simple yet flavorful dish. It combines the spicy and sour taste of kimchi with a sesame oil and rice vinegar dressing, making it a great side dish or a light meal on its own.

Recipe

14. Nepalese Aloo Achar

Ingredients:

• Potatoes, boiled and cubed
• Sesame seeds, roasted and ground
• Green chilies, finely chopped
• Lemon juice
• Mustard oil
• Fenugreek seeds
• Turmeric powder

Nepalese Aloo Achar is a spicy and tangy potato salad. The ground sesame seeds and spices give it a distinct Nepalese flavor.

Recipe

15. Japanese Soba Noodle Salad

Ingredients:

• Soba noodles
• Edamame beans
• Carrot, julienned
• Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Green onions, chopped

Japanese Soba Noodle Salad combines chewy soba noodles with crisp vegetables. The dressing is a classic mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, giving the salad a delightful Asian flair.

Recipe

16. Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

Ingredients:

• Green papaya, shredded
• Cherry tomatoes
• Long beans, cut into segments
• Roasted peanuts
• Garlic cloves
• Thai chilies
• Fish sauce
• Lime juice
• Palm sugar

Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tam) is a world-famous salad known for its bold flavors. The green papaya provides a crunchy base, while the mix of fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar creates a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory.

Recipe

17. Cambodian Green Mango Salad

Ingredients:

• Green mango, shredded
• Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Carrot, julienned
• Mint leaves
• Roasted peanuts
• Fish sauce
• Lime juice
• Sugar
• Garlic, minced

Cambodian Green Mango Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish. The tartness of the green mango pairs beautifully with the sweet and tangy dressing, while the mint leaves add a fresh aroma.

Recipe

In conclusion, this collection of 17 Asian salad recipes showcases the rich diversity and flavorful depth of Asian cuisine. From the tangy Thai Mango Salad to the hearty Laotian Chicken Salad, each recipe offers a unique taste and texture. These salads are not just delicious; they are also a testament to the culinary creativity found across Asia. So, whether you are looking to spice up your dinner routine or seeking new flavors to explore, these salads are sure to delight and inspire. Enjoy your culinary journey through Asia!