A collection of tasty and easy to make Asian recipes, including Beef Pho, Chicken Pho, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Char Siu Pork, Chinese Barbecue Pork, Satay Chicken, Bun Cha, Pickled Chillies.

How to Freeze Lemongrass

How to freeze lemongrass, ready to use in soups, stir-fries and marinades. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Freezing Lemongrass In my other posts, I have raved about using frozen garlic and frozen ginger as a way to save time when cooking on busy work nights. It only felt natural to continue this series and to also include a recipe on freezing lemongrass, another ingredient which I commonly use in stir-fries and marinades. In fact,

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How to Freeze Ginger

How to freeze finely chopped ginger, ready to use in stir-fries and marinades. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Freezing Ginger In addition to freezing garlic and lemongrass, I regularly keep ginger in the freezer so that I always have some to hand for my stir-fries and marinades. I use to always keep fresh ginger in the fridge, cutting off pieces as and when I needed them, and storing the remainder in a glass container.

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Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a classic Chinese Sichuan dish which consists of tofu cooked in a delicious meat sauce. It’s hot, spicy and addictive! Recipe for Mapo Tofu with step-by-step photos. Mapo Tofu If you are a tofu fan, chances are that you have tried Mapo Tofu. It is one of my favourite dishes to order when we go to a Chinese restaurant, except I rarely order it because none of my family members

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Easy Onigiri

Onigiri are a tasty and nutritious snack made with sushi rice, filled with a delicious tuna mayo filling, and wrapped in crispy seaweed. Make these delightful rice balls at home for the perfect snack or light meal. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Onigiri Step aside soggy sandwiches … the ultimate portable snack right now is Onigiri. On those days when I need to pack lunch for my kids, I like to make Onigiri because

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How to Cook Sushi Rice

How to cook and season sushi rice for making sushi, onigiri, poké bowls and much more. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Sushi Rice My family love Japanese food, especially sushi and poké bowls, so I find myself making sushi rice at least once a week in our home. Making sushi rice is very similar to making Jasmine Rice, except a few additional steps are added which differentiates sushi rice from other types of rice.

Japanese Red Bean Buns (Anpan)

Soft and fluffy Japanese Milk Buns filled with red bean paste. These Red Bean Buns are a delicious snack for any time of the day! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Japanese Red Bean Buns My first encounter with Japanese baked goods was, surprisingly, here in Zurich. Having constant access to delicious cakes and pastries of Swiss, French, Italian and German origins is a luxury I never take for granted. But one day, I came

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How to Freeze Garlic

Freeze finely chopped garlic in ice cube trays, ready to use for quicker and more efficient meals! Freezing Garlic If you cook a lot, chances are that you use everyday staple ingredients such as onions and garlic frequently. For the longest time, I was content to peel and chop my garlic whenever needed. The process only required a few minutes, and it never occurred to me that it was a process I could

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Red Bean Mooncakes

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with these classic Red Bean Mooncakes. Full and comprehensive recipe to make mooncakes from scratch with step-by-step photos. Red Bean Mooncakes The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of my favourite food celebrations, partly because autumn is my favourite season, and partly because I love the mooncakes which are gifted and eaten at this time of the year.

Butter Mochi Cake

Soft and chewy Butter Mochi Cake. Make this delicious Hawaiian dessert for your next party or potluck dinner! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Butter Mochi Cake Mochi is currently having its time in the limelight, which makes me very happy because I love it in all its variations. I grew up eating Vietnamese and Chinese-style mochi, and a recent discovery for me is this Hawaiian Butter Mochi Cake.

Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Buns

Pan-fried Pork Buns with a soft and fluffy bao bun wrapping, and a golden and crispy bottom! Make these delicious Shanghai bao buns at home with this step-by-step recipe. Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Buns A few years ago, a small Japanese festival was held in our neighbourhood, much to my delight, as well as for my sushi-loving kids. I spontaneously announced a break from the kitchen that weekend and we happily ate tasty Japanese

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Steamed Custard Buns

Sweet and fluffy Steamed Custard Buns, a yum cha favourite! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Yum Cha When I was young, I used to envy my friends who would sit down to a proper roast lunch every Sunday. I imagined their family gatherings to be like in the TV commercials – happy faces all around the dining table, someone proudly bringing a platter of roast meat to the table, everyone tucking into their Sunday

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How to Cook Jasmine Rice

How to cook perfectly steamed and fluffy Jasmine rice on the stove, with step-by-step photos. Tips for cooking rice with cast-iron and stainless steel pans. Have You Eaten Rice Yet? In the Vietnamese language, we ask “Have you eaten rice yet?” as a way of saying “Hello” or “How are you?” The phrase is intended as a greeting, as a way of asking if you are well and healthy, if everything is going

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Chashu Pork

Meltingly soft and tender Chashu Pork which is caramelised to perfection. Chashu Pork is a delicious accompaniment to Ramen or served simply with steamed rice. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chashu Pork If you love ramen, specifally Shoyu Ramen, you may be familiar with Chashu Pork. Thin slices of Chashu Pork are a typical accompaniment to ramen noodle soups, but it is also delicious served simply with steamed Jasmine rice and Asian greens.

Japanese Udon Noodle Soup

A quick and tasty Japanese Udon Noodle Soup which takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! Perfect for weeknight dinners. Udon Noodle Soup Comfort food to me is usually a big bowl of steaming noodle soup, no matter the weather. Even in the midst of a heatwave, you will find me hunched over a bowl of noodles, slurping away happily. This Japanese Udon Noodle Soup is one of my favourite noodle soups, not

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Shoyu Ramen

Make a homemade Shoyu Ramen from scratch with this easy and delicious recipe! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Ramen Noodle Soup When I think of ramen, I think of the many cheap and cheerful meals my friends and I used to eat at the food courts in Brisbane during our years as university students or new graduates. Back then, even though money was tight, we somehow ate out a lot, and the Japanese and

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Honey Soy Chicken with Pineapple Cucumber Salad

This Honey Soy Chicken takes a few minutes to prepare for a delicious and no-fuss weeknight meal, and is perfect served with a refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad. Honey Soy Chicken If time is short and you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry, this recipe for Honey Soy Chicken is a winner. The caramelised and sticky chicken is full of flavour, and the best part is that you do not need to marinate the chicken beforehand!

Homemade Dumpling Wrappers

Make homemade dumpling wrappers from scratch with this easy recipe with step-by-step photos. These dumpling wrappers are perfect for potstickers or gyozas. Homemade Dumpling Wrappers The secret to the most perfect dumplings start with the dumpling wrappers. Homemade dumpling wrappers have a thicker and chewier texture, which makes the dumplings more interesting to eat. And because they are more robust than ready-made dumpling wrappers, the dumplings taste more substantial and filling.

Bun Bo Hue

A deliciously spicy and fragrant Vietnamese beef noodle soup with lots of fresh herbs and garnishes.  Bun Bo Hue There is often a debate amongst my Vietnamese friends as to what our favourite noodle soup is. For me, it is always a toss-up between a classic Vietnamese Beef Pho, a tomato and crab soup called Bun Rieu, or a spicy Bun Bo Hue.

Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns

Serve crispy homemade Korean Fried Chicken in freshly steamed Bao Buns for a delicious snack or meal! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns Give me a bao bun over a sandwich any day! My family are big fans of bao buns too, so I am always finding new ways to serve them, although this particular recipe is mostly for the adults 😉 If you love the fiery heat of Korean

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Vietnamese Spaghetti Bolognese

This Vietnamese Spaghetti Bolognese is a delicious Asian twist on an Italian classic. Vietnamese Home Cooking Recently in the kitchen, I have been busy rustling up various Vietnamese dishes, including one of my favourite soups called Bun Rieu – a pork broth flavoured with crab and tomatoes, and served with vermicelli noodles and a pile of aromatic herbs. I love to make a big pot of this soup so that we can eat

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Steamed Bao Buns

How to make the perfect, soft and fluffy steamed bao buns with step-by-step photos. Follow these tips and tricks to make the perfect homemade bao buns, perfect for filling with your favourite ingredients. Includes instructions for steaming the bao buns on the stove and in a steam oven. Bao Buns When David Chang first offered his version of Pork Belly Buns on his restaurant menu at Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York, back

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Chocolate Fudge Mooncakes

Sweet and decadent Chocolate Fudge Mooncakes for a fun twist on a classic Chinese Mooncake. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Asian Cakes and Desserts So my kids are not the biggest fans of Asian cakes and desserts. Which I can somewhat understand because, when I was their age, it was hard to tempt me with a cake filled with durian paste too 😉 Plus, my parents ran a bakery selling French-style and Australian breads

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Mooncakes with Lotus Seed Paste & Salted Egg Yolks

Exquisite and delightful Mooncakes with Lotus Seed Paste and Salted Egg Yolks, perfect for celebrating the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival! Full and comprehensive recipe to make mooncakes and their fillings from scratch with step-by-step photos. Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival or the Harvest Festival, is celebrated in many countries in south-east Asia. The festival is celebrated in different ways – and for different

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Salted Egg Yolks

An easy recipe for Salted Egg Yolks with step-by-step photos. What are Salted Egg Yolks? Salted egg yolks are a popular ingredient in Asian cooking, particularly in Asian cakes and desserts, like Mooncakes. In the same way that salt is often added to counter the sweetness of a cake or dessert (think salted caramel sauce), salted egg yolks bring a similar salty hit.

Lotus Seed Paste

How to make homemade Lotus Seed Paste for use in Asian breads and cakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Lotus Seed Paste Many Asian breads and cakes contain a sweet paste-like filling, and Lotus Seed Paste is a popular option. Lotus Seed Paste is very mild in flavour and has no distinct smell like some other Asian pastes used in baked goods. It is one of my favourite filling for Mooncakes.

Lye Water

How to make homemade lye water for use in recipes such as Pretzels and Mooncakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. What is Lye Water? Lye water is a food-grade alkaline water used in some recipes to help with texture or colour. For example, lye water gives Pretzels their signature dark brown colour and taste. For Mooncakes, a small amount of lye water is used to give the dough a deep, golden colour.

Korean Fried Chicken

Crispy and crunchy fried chicken coated in a fiery and spicy sauce! This Korean Fried Chicken will blow you away! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Korean Fried Chicken Korean cuisine is having its time in the limelight right now, and I couldn’t be happier. Whether it’s a simple plate of Kimchi Fried Rice or a comforting bowl of Kimchi Jjigae, I savour every mouthful. And because fried chicken is among one of my (many)

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Satay Chicken Stir Fry

satay chicken stir fry with rice

Make dinner in about 30 minutes with this totally delicious Satay Chicken Stir Fry which uses peanut butter, creamy coconut milk and your favourite vegetables. You could also substitute the chicken for beef or tofu. Minimalism with Kids In the past 12 months or so, I have been on a mission to declutter our home. I have long aspired to have a minimalist home (I blame Pinterest) but I always felt that minimalism

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Japanese Milk Buns

Try these incredibly soft and fluffy bread rolls which are delicious served with a sweet or savoury filling. Recipe for Milk Buns with step-by-step photos. Japanese Milk Buns If you are looking for the softest, fluffiest and tastiest bread rolls, look no further than these Japanese Milk Buns! These are the perfect buns for making sandwiches, hamburgers, or to just eat as they are.

Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

This Kimchi Jjigae is comforting and nourishing, and super easy to make! Make this Kimchi Stew at home with this easy recipe with step-by-step photos. Kimchi Jjigae If there is a dish that defines my early days as a fresh-faced lawyer in Brisbane, this Kimchi Jjigae would be it. After long days of drafting affidavits, court hearings, mediations and other thrilling adventures, I always looked forward to grabbing dinner in town with my

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Japanese Milk Bread Loaf

This Japanese Milk Bread Loaf is the softest and most delicious white bread you have ever tasted! Try this Milk Bread recipe with step-by-step photos. Japanese Milk Bread While the rest of the world has been busy baking sourdough bread, I have been busy perfecting my milk bread recipes. Of course, there are days when a crusty loaf of sourdough is exactly what I want (especially for my toast with avocado!), but most

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Hot Dog Flower Buns

Fun and tasty Hot Dog Flower Buns! Hot dog sausages wrapped in a soft, fluffy dough, and baked in a cute flower shape. You’ll never want to eat a normal hot dog again! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Hot Dog Flower Buns I had never seen nor heard of Hot Dog Flower Buns until a trip to Hong Kong many years ago for a friend’s wedding. I was travelling on my own at the

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Chinese Coconut Buns

Fluffy and delicious Chinese Coconut Buns, just like from the Chinese bakery, except they are better! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chinese Coconut Buns As a child, my parents owned a Vietnamese bakery in Australia. They sold everything from Vietnamese baguettes to Aussie Meat Pies. And despite the vast array of delicious treats on offer, it didn’t stop us from visiting other bakeries and getting our sweet fix elsewhere. One case in point was

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Homemade Chilli Oil

A quick and delicious Chinese-style Chilli Oil with crispy chilli pieces to season your favourite Asian dishes. The oil is flavoured with Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, green cardamom and cinnamon for the perfect combination of spices. Chilli Oil A staple condiment in our kitchen is a Chinese-style Chilli Oil. I use it in a multitude of recipes (like my Steamed Tofu with Soy & Chillies), as well as in dipping sauces or to

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Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

These homemade Steamed BBQ Pork Buns are soft and fluffy with a succulent savoury filling. Make this classic Dim Sum favourite at home! Complete recipe for the bao buns, plus the Chinese Barbecue Pork filling, with step-by-step photos. Steamed BBQ Pork Buns One of my favourite dishes at Yum Cha are Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, also called Char Siu Bao. As a child, I tried to only eat them towards the end of

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How to Make Bubble Tea (Boba Tea)

How to make a classic Taiwanese-style Bubble Tea (Boba Tea) at home from scratch! Try this easy and delicious bubble tea recipe with step-by-step photos. Bubble Tea Bubble tea has finally arrived in Switzerland and I couldn’t be happier to be reunited with my favourite beverage from my student days!

Chinese Lemon Chicken

Easy and delicious Chinese Lemon Chicken which tastes better than your local take-away! Crispy pieces of fried chicken tossed in a fresh and vibrant sticky lemon glaze. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Lemon Chicken A classic dish found on many Chinese restaurant menus is Lemon Chicken. It is typically a plate of chicken pieces deep-fried in batter, and tossed in a sticky lemon glaze.

Homemade Popcorn Chicken

Crispy and crunchy bite-sized pieces of fried chicken which the whole family will love! Make this delicious Taiwanese-inspired Popcorn Chicken with step-by-step photos. Popcorn Chicken Anyone who knows me will know that I LOVE fried chicken! Nothing makes me happier than to see fried chicken on a restaurant menu, but as we haven’t been to a restaurant in the longest time, homemade fried chicken is a real treat at the moment. The easiest

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Chinese Turnip Cake (Daikon Radish Cake)

Recreate this Dim Sum specialty, Chinese Turnip Cake (or Daikon Radish Cake), at home with the delicious and authentic recipe. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chinese Turnip Cake With Chinese New Year around the corner, I’m already thinking ahead to our lunch menu. I typically make the same spread every year, mostly because my family expect the same dishes, but also because there is always something for everyone.

Chinese Scallion Pancakes

Step-by-step recipe for making Chinese Scallion Pancakes (Spring Onion Pancakes). These light, flaky and crispy pancakes are a great appetiser or as a side dish to many Chinese meals. Chinese Scallion Pancakes (Spring Onion Pancakes) I was first introduced to Chinese Scallion Pancakes (also called Spring Onion Pancakes) when I moved to Zurich many years ago. I had had the good fortune of meeting some enthusiastic Chinese food lovers in my German language

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Pork & Vegetable Potstickers

Delicious Potstickers with a tender and juicy filling made with pork and bok choy. Make these potstickers from scratch with an easy-to-make dumpling wrapper. Potsticker recipe with step-by-step photos. Pork Potstickers I never understand those restaurants which offer potstickers as an appetiser or starter, maybe four potstickers per serve. When I eat potstickers, I want to eat a whole plate!

Chicken Katsu Curry

An easy and authentic recipe for Chicken Katsu Curry which you can make at home from scratch. The chicken is coated with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch, and the curry sauce contains a secret ingredient for the best flavour. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chicken Katsu Curry There used to be a Wagamama’s restaurant in Zurich which we really enjoyed visiting, often to satisfy my cravings for ramen, but mostly because they had a great

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Crispy Honey Chicken

A delicious Honey Chicken recipe with crispy and crunchy chicken, served in a sticky and sweet honey sauce. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Crispy Honey Chicken My children love chicken nuggets, and this Honey Chicken recipe is essentially a Chinese version of crispy chicken nuggets served in a delicious, sticky honey sauce which the whole family will love.

Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho)

A Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho) which is fragrant with lemongrass, star anise and cloves. Serve with crusty baguette or flat rice noodles. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho) There are many who claim that Vietnamese Beef Stew, known as Bò Kho in Vietnamese, is derived from the French Boeuf aux Carottes. But upon closer inspection of both recipes, beef and carrots is pretty much all they have in common.

Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup

A classic and authentic recipe for Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup. This beef pho recipe uses oxtail and beef brisket for a delicious and full-flavoured pho broth. Classic pho recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Pho Pho could perhaps be described as the national dish of Vietnam. But what many people don’t know is that Pho is predominantly a breakfast dish in Vietnam.

Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup

A delicious and comforting Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup using fresh corn. It’s so easy to make this classic Chinese takeaway dish at home, plus it is healthier and fresher! Chicken and Corn Soup If you love Chinese food, chances are that you have tried Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup at one time or another. Despite it being popular and well known as a Chinese starter, it also happens to be quite common

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Kimchi Fried Rice

A quick and tasty Kimchi Fried Rice. Perfect for weeknight dinners, and it takes only 20 minutes to make! Kimchi Fried Rice As an Asian, I always have leftover cooked rice in the fridge. As my children often come home for lunch during the school day, I find that having leftover rice to hand means that I can quickly whip up something warm for lunch with a myriad of other leftover and/or pantry

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Black Pepper Chicken

Hot and spicy Black Pepper Chicken! Make this Chinese restaurant classic in less than 30 minutes! Black Pepper Chicken If you like your food hot and spicy, you will love this Black Pepper Chicken. This classic Chinese restaurant dish hits all of the right notes with fresh flavours and, as a bonus, you can make it in less than 30 minutes!

Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

Sticky and savoury Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs which will become a family favourite! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Teriyaki Chicken I’m a big fan of Japanese cuisine and, after some years of relentless persuasion and bribery, I recently succeeded in convincing my children to eat sushi. With raw fish. And now we have an expensive food addiction, but at least it’s healthy, right?