Top 10 Best Asian Recipes for Filipino Dinner! (Answered)

In every Filipino home, dinner is sacred. It’s the time when families gather, conversations flow, and meals become memories. And while Filipino cuisine is rich on its own, there’s growing excitement for Asian recipes that feel new but taste like home.

Across Asia, flavors like umami, spice, sweetness, and sourness come alive in ways that Filipino palates deeply appreciate. With familiar ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice, and chili, Asian dishes slide naturally onto the Filipino dinner table.

They’re flavorful, bold, and comforting—just like the meals we grew up loving.

This post shares 10 of the best Asian recipes that Filipinos will enjoy cooking and eating. They’re practical, affordable, and full of flavor. Whether you’re feeding a big family or just yourself, these dishes will add depth and variety to your dinners—and maybe even become new favorites.

1. Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

This spicy stir-fry is perfect for a quick but flavorful dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 500g ground chicken
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 pcs bird’s eye chili, chopped
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp oil

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic and chili until fragrant.
  • Add ground chicken, cook until no longer pink.
  • Pour in sauces and sugar. Stir well, then add basil leaves. Cook until wilted.

2. Korean Lamb Bulgogi

Sweet and savory lamb that’s tender, juicy, and great with rice.

Ingredients:

  • 500g thin-sliced lamb sirloin
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 grated pear
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 stalk green onion, sliced

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients and marinate lamb for at least 1 hour.
  • Heat a pan, add lamb and stir-fry until caramelized.
  • Sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds before serving.
Top 10 Best Asian Recipes for Filipino Dinner

3. Japanese Chicken Teriyaki

A sticky-sweet glaze over juicy chicken—a classic comfort.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pcs chicken thighs (boneless)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp mirin or sweet rice wine
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp oil

Steps:

  • Pan-fry chicken skin side down until golden brown.
  • Mix sauce ingredients and pour into pan.
  • Simmer until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

4. Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls (Cha Gio)

Crispy, savory rolls packed with pork and veggies.

Ingredients:

  • Rice paper or spring roll wrappers
  • 300g ground pork
  • ½ cup carrots, shredded
  • ½ cup vermicelli noodles, chopped
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 egg

Steps:

  • Mix all filling ingredients in a bowl.
  • Roll tightly in wrappers and seal with water.
  • Deep-fry until golden and crunchy. Serve with vinegar dipping sauce.

5. Chinese Mapo Tofu (Filipino Style)

Silky tofu in a spicy, savory sauce with ground pork.

Ingredients:

  • 300g ground pork
  • 1 block firm tofu, cubed
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp bean paste or hoisin sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili oil

Steps:

  • Sauté garlic and pork until browned.
  • Add sauces and tofu, simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in chili oil before serving. Best with steamed rice.

6. Malaysian Chicken Satay

Tender grilled skewers with a bold peanut sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 500g chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup coconut milk

Steps:

  • Marinate chicken with curry, soy, and sugar for 1 hour.
  • Grill skewers until charred and cooked through.
  • Mix peanut butter and coconut milk for sauce. Simmer and serve.

7. Indonesian Nasi Goreng

This spicy fried rice is full of smoky depth and heat.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups day-old rice
  • 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
  • 1 small shallot, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 pc egg
  • Optional: shrimp, chicken, or lamb

Steps:

  • Sauté shallots, garlic, and meat of choice.
  • Add rice and sweet soy sauce, stir-fry well.
  • Top with a fried egg and serve hot.

8. Japanese Miso Soup

Light but full of umami and warmth.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups dashi broth
  • 2 tbsp miso paste
  • ½ block tofu, cubed
  • 1 stalk green onion, chopped
  • 1 pc nori or seaweed

Steps:

  • Heat dashi and dissolve miso paste in.
  • Add tofu and seaweed, simmer for 3 mins.
  • Top with green onions and serve warm.

9. Thai Green Curry with Vegetables

A creamy, spicy curry full of flavor and color.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp green curry paste
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (eggplant, bell pepper, beans)
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Steps:

  • Sauté curry paste until fragrant.
  • Add coconut milk, simmer with vegetables.
  • Season with sugar and fish sauce, then serve.

10. Korean Japchae (Glass Noodles Stir-fry)

Sweet, savory noodles with meat and veggies.

Ingredients:

  • 200g glass noodles
  • 1 small carrot, julienned
  • 1 pc bell pepper, sliced
  • 100g lamb, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

Steps:

  • Cook noodles, rinse, and set aside.
  • Stir-fry lamb, then vegetables. Add sauce.
  • Toss everything with noodles and sesame oil.
Top 10 Best Asian Recipes for Filipino Dinner

Conclusion

Asian cuisine is a treasure chest of flavors, and these dishes prove that it blends beautifully with Filipino food culture. From the heat of Thai basil chicken to the comfort of Japanese miso soup, each recipe offers something special for your table.

What makes these recipes shine is their balance of flavor, tradition, and simplicity. Most ingredients are already in your pantry, and the rest can be found in your local market or grocery. They’re easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.

If you want to level up your Filipino dinners, adding a few Asian classics is a great way to start. Cooking these meals isn’t just about taste—it’s about discovery, creativity, and connection. Bring Asia into your kitchen tonight.

FAQs

1. Can I use Filipino ingredients as substitutes?

Yes! Use calamansi for lime, soy sauce for kecap manis, or patis instead of fish sauce.

2. Are these recipes kid-friendly?

Most are, just adjust the spice and skip strong chilies where needed.

3. Can I meal prep these dishes?

Definitely. Cook ahead and store in airtight containers for 2–3 days.

4. What side dishes go best with these meals?

Serve with plain rice, atsara, or light soup to balance bold flavors.

5. Are these budget-friendly?

Yes. Many use common pantry staples, and proteins can be swapped for more affordable ones.

6. What’s the best drink pairing for Asian dishes?

Try iced green tea, cucumber lemon water, or light beer to complement strong flavors.

I’m Venessa Ruybal, the passionate traveler behind this blog, and I invite you to join me on a quest to delve deeper into the heart of destinations near and far.

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