Easy Asian Weeknight Dinner Ideas

Say goodbye to bland, tiresome dinners with our EASY Asian weeknight dinner ideas! Find a Chinese or Vietnamese dish that suits your family, from recipes under 20 minutes to meals using just a handful of ingredients. We even show you our favorite make ahead dinners as well as kid friendly dishes that are perfect for lunch boxes!

I get it. We all know just how busy it gets as soon as you’re home from work. Unlike weekends, where you have a whole day to leisurely cook up a huge pot of noodle soup, weekdays can be INCREDIBLY difficult.

And after a long day, the last thing you want to think about is what to make for dinner!

But then it boils down to that same dilemma you have every night: The family can’t come home to a meal that’s boring and tastes like it was a last minute job.

Nobody deserves that. Not even you.

So here’s the solution. I present our tried-and-true Asian weeknight dinner ideas that continue to be loved by everyone at home. We have our easiest vegetarian, seafood, chicken, pork, noodle and vegetable recipes right here for you!

Why This Guide Is For You

You don’t have to justify anything. There are just some days where you’re zipping through life, while there are others where nothing is going right no matter what you’re doing.

I need you to know that it’s okay. Just remember that we’ve got your back this weeknight (and every other weeknight, no judgements at all)!

Here are some reasons why you might want to check out our easy Asian weeknight dinner ideas:

• You’re tired. This is me almost all the time. Maybe you just celebrated a special occasion and making the feast drained every drop of energy from you. Or maybe you just didn’t sleep well because the kids were keeping you up all night.
• Time poor. Balancing work, family, friends and your own health is not an easy thing to do! Sometimes you end up sacrificing one to do another well.
• Bad day. There are some days where even a homemade DIY edible gift won’t cut it. When nothing seems to be going your way, you can rest assured because these easy Asian weeknight dinner recipes will take the stress away.
• New to Chinese and Vietnamese cooking. Never fear, you’ll learn a ton about Asian cuisine here. From heartfelt family memories to pantry favorites like our best oyster sauce substitutes, there’s a recipe (and story) to suit everyone!

Recipes

Here is our treasure trove of regular side dishes that we know and love. The best way to serve them is with a hearty bowl of hot rice!

Under 20 Minutes

When you’re really running low on time, these quick dishes will save the day. They can all be made in under 20 minutes, prep time included. We’ve made each too many times to count!

Minimal Ingredients

You won’t need to spend extra time at the shops buying supplies because these side dishes don’t need many, OR you’ll already have the ingredients in the pantry!

Fuss-Free

Make these dishes in just a few steps and plate them in no time. They’re perfect for when you need more me time!

Make Ahead

These dishes would be ones that you meal prep in advance. They freeze exceptionally well and just need to be reheated or fried to be enjoyed immediately!

One Pot

These are what I like to call Grandma’s ‘one pot’ or ‘one dish’ meals. You won’t need to juggle multiple woks and pans because they can all be made using the one pot. It’s perfect for saving yourself from extra dishwashing!

Kid Friendly

Some kids can be quite the picky eater, but getting them cooking with you might be just the solution! They’ll love these simple and comforting dishes and happily pack it in their lunchboxes to show off to their school friends.

FAQs

This post was originally published on 27/04/21 and updated with new recipe suggestions in February 2022.

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