10 Healthy Asian Side Dishes You Need to Try

1. Steamed Bok Choy with Garlic

Bok choy is a nutritious leafy green that is low in calories but high in vitamins A, C, and K. This simple dish elevates the flavor with garlic, making it a delicious and healthy side.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups bok choy, cleaned and halved
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a steamer, add bok choy and steam for about 4-5 minutes until tender.
  2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds.
  3. Remove the bok choy from the steamer, drizzle with garlic oil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

2. Cucumber Salad with Sesame Dressing

This refreshing cucumber salad provides a crisp contrast to heavier main dishes. The sesame dressing adds a nutty flavor that complements the coolness of cucumbers.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar. Whisk until well blended.
  2. Add sliced cucumbers to the bowl and toss to coat.
  3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

3. Spicy Kimchi

Kimchi is a fermented Korean dish made from seasoned vegetables, typically napa cabbage and radishes. It’s packed with probiotics, making it a healthy side dish to accompany any meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 medium napa cabbage, cut into quarters
  • 1/4 cup sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
• Instructions:
  1. Sprinkle salt between the cabbage leaves and let it sit for 1-2 hours to wilt.
  2. In a bowl, mix ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and fish sauce to form a paste.
  3. Rinse the cabbage and squeeze out excess water; then coat it with the spice paste.
  4. Add green onions and mix well. Store in a jar and let it ferment for 3-5 days at room temperature before refrigerating.

4. Stir-Fried Snow Peas with Carrots

This colorful and crunchy stir-fry is quick to prepare and packed with vitamins. Snow peas and carrots are not only tasty but also add a vibrant touch to your plate.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup snow peas, trimmed
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Instructions:
  1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add ginger.
  2. Add carrots and stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
  3. Then add snow peas and soy sauce, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp. Serve immediately.

5. Miso Glazed Eggplant

This dish features eggplant coated in a savory miso glaze that elevates its natural flavors. It’s a perfect vegetarian side dish that pairs well with rice or noodles.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 medium eggplants, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 3 tablespoons miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix miso paste, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to create the glaze.
  3. Brush the cut sides of the eggplant with the miso glaze and place on a baking sheet cut side up.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized. Serve hot.

6. Thai Mango Salad

This bright and zesty salad combines the sweetness of mango with a tangy dressing, making it a refreshing side dish that perfectly complements spicy main courses.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine mangoes, bell pepper, carrots, and cilantro.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve chilled.

7. Chinese Garlic Green Beans

This simple yet flavorful dish features green beans sautéed with garlic and soy sauce. It’s a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while enjoying bold flavors.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
  2. Add green beans and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil before serving. Enjoy hot!

8. Japanese Daikon Salad

Daikon radish is a low-calorie vegetable that adds a crunchy texture to salads. This simple daikon salad is refreshing and easy to prepare, making it a perfect side dish.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 medium daikon radish, peeled and julienned
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine daikon, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss well to combine.
  2. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes before serving. Top with green onions for garnish.

9. Vietnamese Pickled Vegetables

Known as “Đồ Chua,” these pickled vegetables are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. They provide a tangy crunch that enhances the flavors of many dishes.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1 cup daikon radish, julienned
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  2. In a jar, place the carrots and daikon. Pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables.
  3. Let it cool before sealing the jar. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.

10. Sautéed Spinach with Sesame

This quick and easy dish features spinach sautéed with sesame oil, offering a nutritious option that is both delicious and full of health benefits.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, washed
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat and add garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
  2. Add spinach and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt.
  3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

These healthy Asian side dishes are not only simple to prepare but also bursting with flavor and nutrition. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, these dishes are sure to impress your family and friends. Experiment with these recipes and enjoy the wonderful flavors of Asian cuisine while maintaining a healthy lifestyle!

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11. Korean Cucumber Salad

This refreshing salad is a popular Korean banchan (side dish) that combines the crunch of cucumbers with a zesty dressing, making it a delightful accompaniment to any meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and gochugaru until well combined.
  2. Add the sliced cucumbers and toss to coat in the dressing.
  3. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before serving, topped with green onions.

12. Miso Glazed Eggplant

This dish features eggplant brushed with a savory miso glaze and roasted to perfection. It’s rich in flavor and a great way to enjoy this healthy vegetable.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 medium eggplants, halved
  • 3 tablespoons miso paste
  • 2 tablespoons mirin
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix miso paste, mirin, sugar, and sesame oil until smooth.
  3. Spread the glaze over the cut sides of the eggplants and place them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.

13. Thai Mango Salad

This vibrant salad combines fresh mango, herbs, and a zesty dressing, providing a refreshing and nutritious side dish that’s perfect for warm weather.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups green mango, julienned
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, julienned
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine mango, bell pepper, and cilantro.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar until dissolved.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

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14. Chinese Garlic Spinach

This simple yet flavorful side dish features fresh spinach sautéed with garlic and soy sauce, bringing out the natural sweetness of the greens while providing a healthy boost.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and drained
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the spinach and soy sauce, stirring until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving, if desired.

15. Vietnamese Pickled Vegetables

These pickled vegetables are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, adding a tangy crunch to any meal. They are easy to make and can be prepared in advance!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1 cup daikon radish, julienned
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, combine water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Heat until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Place the carrots and daikon in a jar and pour the vinegar mixture over them.
  3. Allow to cool before sealing the jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

16. Japanese Seaweed Salad

This nutritious salad features a mix of various seaweeds, dressed in a tangy sesame dressing, offering a unique taste and a plethora of health benefits.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup dried seaweed (wakame or similar), rehydrated
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine the rehydrated seaweed, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
  2. Toss well to combine and let sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

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