I Tried 21 Asian Recipes and Saved Money Doing It

ByMandy

Eating out adds up fast, but trying out 21 Asian recipes made a surprising dent in the weekly expenses; in a good way. Swapping restaurant meals for homemade ones didn’t just cut the costs, it actually made dinner more interesting. There’s something oddly fulfilling about watching leftovers stack up like savings.

Close-up of sweet and sour pork with chunks of bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, garnished with sesame seeds and chives.
Sweet and Sour Pork. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Easy Bibimbap

A bowl of bibimbap with sliced beef, egg yolk, carrots, cucumber, greens, and bean sprouts, topped with sesame seeds and red sauce.
Easy Bibimbap. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Saving money on takeout is easier with this option for mixing flavors together in one bowl. Easy Bibimbap features simple, layered rice topped with a variety of different foods. It combines simple ingredients but feels versatile and filling. This recipe makes a great meal with minimal spending.
Get the Recipe: Easy Bibimbap

Chicken Fried Rice

Close-up of chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, sliced green onions, and chopsticks.
Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sometimes, simple recipes are the best for cutting costs, and Chicken Fried Rice is a great example. It’s quick to make and uses ingredients you likely already have. It’s savory, hearty, and works well as a complete meal. Leftovers taste just as good, stretching your food budget further.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Dashi

A wooden ladle pouring fish sauce into a white ceramic bowl, with ripples visible on the liquid surface. A brown napkin is partially visible in the background.
Dashi. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Broths tend to be affordable to create, and Dashi makes a flavorful base for other dishes. It’s rich but incredibly simple to prepare. You can use it as a base for soups or noodle recipes. With its versatility, it’s ideal for saving money and experimenting in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Dashi

Pork Belly

Sliced roast pork with crispy, golden-brown skin on a wooden surface.
Pork Belly. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

If you want something quick and budget-friendly, Pork Belly can be surprisingly affordable. It’s tender and packed with flavor when cooked properly. A bit goes a long way, making it a great dish for small gatherings or daily meals. You’ll love the balance of simplicity and flavor in this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Pork Belly

Massaman Curry

A creamy shrimp curry with peppers, chopped nuts, sliced green onions, red chili slices, and lime wedges. Metal spoon submerged in the dish.
Massaman Curry. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Fragrant dishes like Massaman Curry offer comfort and great value when cooked at home. It combines sweet and slightly tangy flavors that work well on a tight budget. This dish pairs beautifully with rice for extra servings. The leftovers reheat well, making it perfect for planning ahead.
Get the Recipe: Massaman Curry

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

A bowl of rice topped with broccoli, chicken, red peppers, green onions, and sesame seeds, with black chopsticks resting on the side.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Stir fry is a smart way to save money with meals, and Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry proves it. It’s fast to prepare and tastes great paired with rice or noodles. Using just a few pantry staples can stretch this into multiple servings. It’s a reliable recipe to keep for regular nights.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions.
Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Trying something new while saving cash gets easier with recipes like Bang Bang Shrimp. It’s a lighter protein-based dish but still flavorful and fulfilling. Great for sharing or serving as an appetizer. Making this at home often costs less than ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Cashew Chicken

Close-up of Cashew Chicken featuring tender chicken, broccoli, edamame, cashews, and red bell peppers. This delightful dish is topped with sesame seeds and served over a bed of rice.
Cashew Chicken. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Stretching proteins is key in saving money, and Cashew Chicken achieves that while being easy to make. It’s hearty without requiring extra ingredients. With rice as a base, it can go further for multiple meals. You’ll appreciate how straightforward and affordable this dish is.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Rice Paper Rolls

Close-up of sliced spring rolls filled with rice, avocado, purple cabbage, and sesame seeds, arranged on a white plate.
Rice Paper Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fresh and light, Rice Paper Rolls create a customizable and affordable meal option. They’re simple to assemble and work both as snacks or a full dish. You can use leftover ingredients to make these rolls, making them practical for saving money on groceries. Dipping sauces complement them well.
Get the Recipe: Rice Paper Rolls

Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

A bowl of white rice topped with glazed chicken and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Restaurant flavors without restaurant prices are the focus with Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. It balances sweet and salty elements in a simple way. Perfect for making in larger batches at home to spend less on takeout. This recipe’s flavor takes little effort to achieve.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Tom Yum Soup

Close-up of a spicy tom yum soup with shrimp, mushrooms, tomato chunks, lime wedge, and chopped herbs in a rich, red broth.
Tom Yum Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Soup recipes like Tom Yum Soup always bring bold flavors for less money. It’s light yet strong in taste, while being easy to adapt for different portions. A few simple steps make this meal work as comfort food in any weather. Cooking it at home is far cheaper than eating out.
Get the Recipe: Tom Yum Soup

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice.
Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Skewers offer flexibility and affordability, and Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers show how easy it can be. They’re great for serving at home or during casual gatherings. Minimal prep creates maximum flavor with this dish. Leftovers are even suitable for simple lunch options the next day.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Tonkotsu Ramen

Close-up of a bowl of ramen with noodles, a halved boiled egg, sliced meat, green leafy vegetables, and mushrooms in broth.
Tonkotsu Ramen. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Making ramen at home is not just fun, it’s affordable, and Tonkotsu Ramen is no exception. The broth here is rich and flavorful and perfect for cheaper cuts of meat. This dish feels like restaurant dining at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you control what goes into it completely.
Get the Recipe: Tonkotsu Ramen

Crispy Rice

A stack of crispy rice topped with a dollop of white sauce, red sauce, and sliced green onions, with a blurred dish of green garnishes in the background.
Crispy Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Not letting leftover rice go to waste is smart with recipes like Crispy Rice. Quick frying transforms an everyday ingredient into something new. You can pair it with small portions of toppings to keep meals affordable. Versatility makes it a go-to money-saving option for repeat use.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce in a small bowl on a light green cloth.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Homemade sauces save money long-term, and Thai Sweet Chili Sauce is perfect for that. It’s simple to prepare and pairs well with many dishes. Creating it at home costs less than buying packaged versions. Storing it also means you’ll always have it ready for adding flavor to meals.
Get the Recipe: Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Spicy Udon Noodles

Close-up of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, including carrots, green beans, and chopped red peppers, garnished with sesame seeds. Chopsticks are picking up some noodles.
Spicy Udon Noodles. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Noodle dishes like Spicy Udon Noodles are great for budget-friendly meal plans. They’re quick to prepare and work as a main dish or a side option. This recipe doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients, keeping costs low and flavor fresh. Cooking them in larger portions makes mealtime easier.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodles

Vegetable Stir Fry

Vegetable Stir Fry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Keeping meals versatile and healthy works with Vegetable Stir Fry. It’s convenient for using leftover vegetables and turning them into a complete dish. Meals like this are fast and affordable and perfect for regular nights. Pair it with rice or noodles for added filling options.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Coconut Ramen

Close-up of a bowl of ramen with noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, half a boiled egg, sesame seeds, and lime, garnished with chili slices. Black chopsticks hold some noodles above the bowl.
Coconut Ramen. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Adding a twist to ramen recipes, Coconut Ramen brings creamy flavors without costing much. It’s comforting and mixes easily with simple toppings for extra flexibility. Affordable ramen packets turn into a fulfilling meal with this recipe. It’s economical and fit for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Ramen

Tofu Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with grilled tofu, diced carrots, peas, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of dark sauce, served on a red cloth.
Tofu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Recipes using tofu, like Tofu Fried Rice, make for cost-friendly ways to enjoy light meals. Affordable and easy to prepare, this dish balances protein and flavor well. Simple rice pairing makes it stretch further for larger portions. Try making it ahead for quick meal options later.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Asian Slaw

A bowl of colorful coleslaw with shredded purple and green cabbage, carrots, chopped peanuts, and greens, mixed with dressing.
Asian Slaw. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fresh veggies meet practicality with dishes like Asian Slaw. It’s light and works as a side dish that’s easy on the wallet. Preparing it at home ensures you can tweak the flavors the way you prefer. Serve it with other recipes to make meals feel complete without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Asian Slaw

Sweet and Sour Pork

Close-up of sweet and sour pork with chunks of bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, garnished with sesame seeds and chives.
Sweet and Sour Pork. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Combining budgets with bold flavors is easier when making Sweet and Sour Pork at home. It’s hearty and goes well with rice to extend servings. Affordable cuts of pork turn into something flavorful with a bit of effort. This recipe makes eating well while saving easy and flexible.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

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