• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wok and Kin logo

  • About
  • Asian Pantry Ingredients
    • Herbs & Aromatics
    • Vegetables and Leafy Greens
    • Dehydrated, Cured and Preserved Ingredients
    • Dry Spices
    • Everything You Need to Know About Asian Noodle Types
    • Sauces & Oils
  • Recipes
    • Appetisers
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Egg
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
    • Rice
    • Noodles
    • Noodle Soup
    • Soup
    • Dessert
    • Sauces
    • Drinks
    • How-To’s
    • Asian-Inspired Holidays
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Egg
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
    • Rice
    • Noodles
    • Noodle Soup
    • Soup
    • Dessert
    • Sauces
    • Drinks
    • How-To’s
    • Asian Holiday Recipes and Menus
  • Asian Pantry Ingredients
    • Herbs & Aromatics
    • Vegetables and Leafy Greens
    • Dehydrated, Cured and Preserved Ingredients
    • Dry Spices
    • Everything You Need to Know About Asian Noodle Types
    • Sauces & Oils
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » How-To's » Easy Asian Weeknight Dinner Ideas

    Published: Feb 15, 2022 · Last Modified: Feb 17, 2022 by Jeannette ·

    Easy Asian Weeknight Dinner Ideas

    Pin32
    Share
    Yum1
    Email

    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!

    Asian dishes on a poster.

    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!

    Table of contents

    • Why This Guide Is For You
    • Recipes
      • Under 20 Minutes
      • Minimal Ingredients
      • Fuss-Free
      • Make Ahead
      • One Pot
      • Kid Friendly
    • FAQs
    • Want More Home Cooked Recipes?
    • Join The Family!

    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!

    Stir Fried Pea Shoots in a dish.

    Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic

    Chinese Steamed Eggs in a dish garnished with spring onions.

    Chinese Steamed Egg (蒸水蛋)

    Lemongrass Chili Tofu on a plate.

    Lemongrass Chili Tofu (Đậu Hũ Chiên Sả Ớt)

    E-Fu Noodles with Roast Duck in a wok twirled by chopsticks.

    E-Fu Noodles with Roast Duck

    Black Pepper Beef on a plate.

    Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry (黑椒牛柳)

    Tomato Tofu with Minced Pork in a bowl with a spoon in it.

    Tomato Tofu with Minced Pork

    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!

    Chopsticks hoding up crispy pork belly over a bowl of stir fry.

    Crispy Pork Belly Stir Fry

    Steamed Pork Belly with Salted Radish on a dish.

    Steamed Pork Belly with Salted Radish

    Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce.

    Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce (Cá Chiên Sốt Cà Chua)

    Steamed with with ginger and shallots on a plate.

    Steamed Fish with Ginger and Shallots

    Salted Egg Yolk Prawns on a plate garnished with a wedge of lemon.

    Salted Egg Yolk Prawns (牛油黃金虾)

    Stir Fried Water Spinach with Shrimp Paste on a plate.

    Stir Fried Water Spinach with Shrimp Paste

    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!

    Steamed oysters with ginger and shallots on a plate with a dish of light soy sauce.

    Steamed Oysters with Ginger and Shallots

    Gà Kho Gừng in a pot.

    Ginger Chicken (Gà Kho Gừng)

    Grilled Pork Chops on a plate.

    Grilled Pork Chops (Sườn Nướng)

    Lemongrass Chicken in a bowl.

    Spicy Lemongrass Chicken (Gà Xào Sả Ớt)

    Vietnamese Egg Meatloaf in a dish.

    Vietnamese Steamed Egg Meatloaf (Chả Trứng Hấp)

    Vietnamese Beef Salad on a plate.

    Vietnamese Beef Salad (Bò Xào Xà Lách Xoong)

    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!

    Chao Tom on a board with a dish of fish sauce.

    Sugar Cane Shrimp (Chạo Tôm)

    Banh Bao in a bamboo steamer.

    Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns (Bánh Bao)

    A ladle scooping up Purple Yam Soup.

    Creamy Purple Yam Soup (Canh Khoai Mỡ)

    A slice of Baked Pork Chop Rice on a plate with a fork next to it.

    Hong Kong Style Baked Pork Chop Rice (焗豬扒飯)

    Cha Gio Chay close up.

    Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Chả Giò Chay)

    Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken on a board with a side of spices.

    Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (鹽酥雞)

    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!

    Braised Wings in a wok with a wooden spoon in it.

    Braised Chicken Wings and Mushrooms in Oyster Sauce

    Braised Mushrooms on a plate over cooked lettuce.

    Braised Mushrooms and Black Moss in Oyster Sauce

    Ga Ragu in a dish next to some bread.

    Vietnamese Chicken Ragu (Ga Ragu)

    Steamed Pork Ribs in a dish with chopsticks.

    Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁蒸排骨)

    Thit Kho in a wok.

    Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly and Eggs in Coconut Water (Thịt Kho)

    Fish Congee in a pot with a spoon in it.

    Fish Congee (魚片粥)

    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.

    Xiu Mai in a bowl garnished with coriander.

    Xíu Mại (Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)

    Vietnamese Pork Mince in lettuce cups.

    Vietnamese Pork Mince

    Shaking Beef on a plate on top of salad.

    Shaking Beef (Bò Lúc Lắc)

    Kabocha Squash Soup in a pot.

    Kabocha Squash Soup (Canh Bí Đỏ Thịt Bằm)

    Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce on a plate.

    Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) with Oyster Sauce

    Steamed Three Colored Eggs on a plate being scooped by a spoon.

    Steamed Three Colored Eggs (三色蒸水蛋)

    FAQs

    I want to make multiple dishes for my family. How can I save time there?

    Make them at the same time. This may require a little planning, but you can coordinate your dishes so that while one is cooking or being prepped, another might be starting or finishing.

    Can I pack the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch?

    Definitely! Not only will that save you time since you won’t have to make another dish, but you can put them in reusable containers and reheat them when it’s time to eat.

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

    Want More Home Cooked Recipes?

    Subscribe to our email list and be the first to get recipe updates as soon as they’re posted. You can also follow Wok & Kin on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter!

    Join The Family!

    Share the love:

    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
    « XO Claypot Crab with Vermicelli (金沙粉絲蟹煲)
    Fried Fish with Pickled Mustard Greens »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mairead says

      April 28, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks for an amazing collection of recipes and meals. Plus they’re all super easy, no-fuss recipes to make weeknight meal prep a breeze.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        April 28, 2021 at 9:37 pm

        You’re very welcome, Mairead! I hope you get to make them soon!

        Reply
    2. Helen says

      April 28, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      Such a great selection of recipes – thanks! I can’t decide which to make first…

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        Haha, any will work well! 😉

        Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo says

      April 28, 2021 at 8:00 pm

      What a great selection for Asian food it’s one of our favorites I will be trying them all!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        That’s wonderful to hear, Claudia!

        Reply
    4. Allyssa says

      April 28, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks a lot for this super awesome ideas! It’s really helpful and I’m so excited to try it! Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        April 28, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        You’re very welcome, Allyssa!

        Reply
    5. Devy says

      April 28, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Wow, such a good list. No need for me to get a takeout as you cover all the menus that we normally get. Thanks in a bunch

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        April 28, 2021 at 10:42 pm

        You’re welcome, Devy!

        Reply

    Leave A Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Let’s be Friends

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    Sweeten Your Day!

    Mango pancakes on a board with mint and a bowl of sliced mango

    Yum Cha Mango Pancakes (芒果班戟)

    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls in a bowl with a spoon in it.

    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls (Chè Trôi Nước)

    Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie in a cup in front of a second cup and avocados

    Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie (Sinh Tố Bơ)

    Thạch Dừa pieces on a plate with mint on top.

    Thạch Dừa (Vietnamese Coconut Jelly)

    Taro and Sweet Potato Balls Dessert in a bowl with a wooden spoon in it.

    Taro and Sweet Potato Balls Dessert (九份芋圓)

    Sweet Potato and Ginger Dessert Soup in a pot.

    Sweet Potato and Ginger Dessert Soup (番薯糖水)

    Reader Favorites

    Braised Abalone with Mushrooms in a pot surrounded by a teapot, teacups with tea and a dish of mushrooms

    Braised Abalone with Mushrooms (红烧鲍菇)

    Ham Sui Gok on a board with chopsticks, tea and dishes of chili sauce and spring onions

    Ham Sui Gok (Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings 咸水角)

    Chicken curry and noodles in a bowl

    Cà Ri Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Curry)

    Chicken rice in a rice cooker with a wooden spoon

    Rice Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Rice

    Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil in a bowl with a wooden spoon next to it.

    Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil

    Grilled pork chops with spring onions on a plate with tomatoes, cucmbers and fish sauce

    Sườn Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chops)

    As Featured On

    Wok & Kin

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

     

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • X

    Food Lovers

    Recipe Index

    Things We Love

    Subscribe

     

    Copyright © 2025 · Brunch Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    Asian dishes on a poster.