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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Effortless Asian Dinners for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 26, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, Asian cuisine offers plenty of quick and easy options. From stir-fries to curries, these 22 recipes are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to whip up something delicious in no time. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy a flavorful dinner without the hassle.

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty dashi pairs perfectly with some of the most flavorful mushrooms you'll ever enjoy. This dish is simple to prepare and brings a delicious Asian twist to your dinner.

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    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Curry Fried Rice is a quick and simple meal you can whip up at home in just 15 minutes. Packed with real Thai flavors from fish sauce, curry paste, cashews, lime, and cilantro, you can even add some Sriracha if you like it spicy.

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    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

    A bowl of fried spaghetti with green curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai curry and spaghetti come together in a dish that's so good you'll want to have it every week. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for dinner tonight.

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    Yaki Udon

    Yaki Udon (Stir Fried Udon Noodles) on a white bowl.
    Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon.

    Yaki udon with ground chicken and veggies is a quick and tasty dinner that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. This stir-fried noodle dish features soft udon noodles mixed with savory chicken, baby bok choy, mushrooms, and carrots, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Chicken breasts are cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, then shredded and topped with the sauce. This is a simple and satisfying dinner served over rice.

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    Kimchi Fried Rice with Spam

    A plate of kimchi fried rice.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    This kimchi fried rice is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's packed with flavor from kimchi, spam, and rice, and topped with a fried egg for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a quick dish that you can whip up in just 15 minutes, featuring a spicy and tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with the salmon. This easy recipe is a great choice for dinner and is sure to impress everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Beef Stew

    Thai Beef Stew.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    This Thai Beef Stew is simple to prepare, whether you use a slow cooker or cook it on the stove. Just toss everything into a pot and let it simmer for a few hours.

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    Orange Chicken

    Air fryer orange chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Orange chicken can be made at home to be healthier and cheaper than takeout. This dish features crispy air-fried chicken coated in a delicious orange sauce, and you can have it ready in under 30 minutes with just a few easy steps.

    Get the recipe

    Red Curry Tofu Stir Fry

    Red curry tofu stir-fry in a pan.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This flavorful curry is a great alternative to takeout. It's simple to prepare and perfect for dinner tonight.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.

    A classic noodle favorite that's very easy to make at home.

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    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. Packed with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, it’s a satisfying low-carb dish that can stand alone or be served with noodles or rice.

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    Panang Curry with Tofu & Veggies

    A pot full of vegan panang curry.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This Panang Curry is creamy and packed with a nice mix of sweet and spicy flavors. It's simple to prepare and perfect for dinner.

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    Kung Pao Spaghetti

    Kung Pao Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Spice Cravings.

    Kung Pao Spaghetti is a fun twist on your favorite Chinese takeout. It combines tasty pasta, chicken, and veggies in a simple homemade sauce, topped with peanuts and spring onions, making it a quick and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Wonton Soup

    Wonton Soup.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    Wonton Soup is a comforting dish that's perfect for dinner. It's a simple and tasty meal that warms you up and satisfies your hunger.

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    Asian Sesame Instant Pot Chicken

    Asian Sesame Instant Pot Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This chicken cooks in the pressure cooker in just 5 minutes. It's perfect for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight!

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    Egg Fried Rice

    A bowl of egg fried rice.
    Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon.

    This is a simple meal that beats takeout any day. Using common ingredients, you can whip up a tasty fried rice dish in under 10 minutes, perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is a simple dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes, perfect for a quick dinner during the week. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, it's a meal that will leave you wanting more.

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    Japanese Mentaiko Spaghetti

    Japanese Mentaiko Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Nomss.com

    This Japanese-style pasta is simple to prepare and uses just a few ingredients. It features a unique texture from creamy fish roe and strips of nori seaweed, giving it an elegant touch.

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    Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

    Sticky Chinese Pork Belly.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This dish showcases the amazing results of slow cooking. You'll discover how to create meat that's so tender it falls apart easily.

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    Thai Ginger Coconut Soup

    20-Minute Almost Vegan Thai Ginger Coconut Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Ginger Coconut Soup is a simple and tasty dish that's great for spring. With ginger instead of galangal, it offers a comforting blend of flavors that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of coconut milk.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi.
    Photo Credit: Delightful Plate.

    This pulled pork banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette filled with juicy pulled pork, crunchy pickled veggies, and zesty sriracha mayo. Using a slow cooker for the pork makes this a simple and satisfying dinner option.

    Get the Recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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