Let’s Cook
Browse all of my recipes here. Leave me questions or comments.
Appetizers
Avocado toast just got a major glow-up! This Japanese Avocado Toast is packed with umami, customizable for the whole family, and a ridiculously easy way to make breakfast way more exciting. Think creamy avocado mashed with soy sauce, topped with furikake, a jammy egg, and a drizzle of Kewpie mayo. It’s the perfect balance of savory, crunchy, and downright delicious. Ready to take your toast to the next level? Let’s go!
Learn how to make easy homemade pork dumplings with this step-by-step recipe! Dumplings are a universal comfort food enjoyed across Asian cultures, and this version features a savory pork filling wrapped in crispy, golden perfection. Perfect for the upcoming Lunar New Year!
No potluck or gathering is complete without Spam and Egg Musubi! This easy-to-make Hawaiian classic combines savory caramelized Spam, fluffy tamago (egg), and perfectly seasoned rice wrapped in nori. Learn the secrets to making it at home, plus tips for fun toppings like shoyu green chili.
Spice up your deviled eggs for the holidays with this amazing, umami version! These are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Fried pork wontons make the perfect appetizer for any Asian meal. These wontons are made just how my mom makes them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re best hot out of the frying pan (or air fryer) and topped with sweet and sour sauce. They will be gone before you know it. I’ve also included options to make them vegetarian or vegan!
Shoyu Hot Dogs and Rice Balls (Onigiri) are the ultimate road trip or lunchbox snack—savory, nostalgic, and super easy to make with just a few ingredients!
Sauces
This bold and savory Japanese curry dipping sauce is a rich, concentrated take on traditional Japanese curry—no potatoes, just pure flavor! Perfect for dunking crispy grilled cheese sandwiches, adding to udon noodles, or using as a stir-fry base. Easy to customize and made with pantry staples, this curry is cozy comfort food with a creative twist.
Learn how to make ssämjang sauce. This spicy Korean dipping sauce is perfect for topping eggs and rice, mixing with noodles, and is great with bo ssäm or any type of grilled meat.
Catching onto the garlic chili crisp sauce craze? Here’s a recipe of my spin on it. All you need is garlic, shallots, oil and a few tasty aromatics to make this sauce that goes well with everything. This is a great way to customize your chili crisp exactly how you like it to taste.
An addictive and aromatic ginger scallion sauce that’s delicious on everything from poached chicken and noodles to congee and rice bowls. Quick, versatile, and seriously good.
This easy miso butter recipe uses just two ingredients and adds rich umami flavor to everything from eggs and veggies to steak and toast. Learn how to make it, customize it, and use it!
These are 3 of my favorite sauces, sides, condiments that are easy to make and highly addictive. This post will walk you through ginger scallion sauce (drool), miso butter (ah-mazing), and the easiest salted chili flake pickles ever. In times when we are not going to the store as much, these recipes will help you spice up what you already have in the fridge and pantry.
Comfort Foods
Looking for a quick, family-friendly dinner that’s packed with flavor? Anna Paul’s viral Turkish pasta is a must-try! This creamy, garlicky, and savory dish is as comforting as it is easy to make. Plus, I’ve given it a healthy twist—using whole wheat pasta for extra fiber and swapping in lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter take. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights. Keep reading to learn how to make this TikTok-famous pasta at home!
These Asian turkey burgers are a healthier, flavor-packed alternative to beef, featuring ground turkey, shoyu, furikake and panko for a juicy, umami-rich bite. The special ingredient? A creamy, spicy wasabi mayo that elevates every bite! Whether you serve them on a toasted bun, over rice, or protein style, these versatile burgers are an easy weeknight meal. Perfect for meal prep, grilling, baking or air frying.
These Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs) combine the rich umami of Japanese shoyu eggs with the sweet-savory-spicy kick of Korean Mayak eggs. Marinated in soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and a touch of sweetness, these jammy eggs make the perfect topping for ramen, rice bowls, or a quick, protein-packed snack. Easy to make and packed with flavor—your new favorite meal prep staple!
This Asian meatloaf recipe is a game-changer! A bold twist on the classic comfort food, this version is packed with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and panko crumbs for incredible flavor and a perfectly tender texture. The best part? It’s super easy to make—just 20 minutes of prep! Plus, you’ll learn my special dipping sauce recipe that takes this dish to the next level! Whether you're making it for dinner, meal prep, or leftovers, this Asian-inspired meatloaf is sure to become a new favorite.
Japanese Caesar salad with creamy miso dressing is full of umami and endlessly customizable. This salad is sure to become a favorite. Get the recipe and add it to your rotation!
Quick, easy and delicious! Learn how to make chicken katsu in the air fryer - a satisfying dinner or bento lunch.
Change up your baked potato recipe with this Japanese sweet potato version. Miso butter is the perfect savory compliment to the sweet and nutrient rich potatoes. Top your potatoes with anything you’d like. Some favorites include; broccoli, radishes, furikake sprinkles and garlic chili oil.
Simple, cozy, and full of family memories—this hamburger and pea okazu is a no-fuss Japanese-style stir fry that comes together fast and hits all the comfort food notes.
Shepherd’s pie is a winter favorite. For a Japanese twist, let’s add Japanese Curry! It’s flavorful and hearty to keep you warm on the chilly winter nights. This comes together in an hour and the leftovers taste just as great. Perfect for all Japanese curry lovers.
Elevate traditional spaghetti with a kick of spicy green chili! Eat over noodles or as a regular chili topped with shredded cheese, onions, cilantro, and Tabasco.
Combining two classic comfort foods from two different countries equals a winning combination. Learn how to make an Asian version of American pot pie with savory Japanese curry.
Puff pastry “pizza” is delicious and fast. It’s also super customizable and a great way to get rid of all the veggies in your fridge. This is a great weeknight staple and a fun way to use puff pastry.
Craving Panda Express orange chicken? This Instant Pot version is faster, healthier, and totally addictive—no deep frying required!
Craving porridge? Top this chicken and rice based porridge soup with homemade garlic chili oil for the ultimate kick!
Make chow mein in this simple, one-pot recipe. Serve hot over pan-fried noodles or rice. Or, use both!
Cook a delicious bowl of Japanese comfort food to warm up a chilly night. Easy oyako donburi (chicken & egg over rice) is the perfect fall meal made of simple ingredients.
Make a bowl of hot rice and add in green tea, dashi or plain hot water. Add your favorite toppings and you’ve got a delicious bowl of Japanese ochazuke.
Soups & Stews
Master the basics of miso soup with this easy, comforting Japanese recipe. Made with dashi, miso paste, and your favorite add-ins, it's a cozy, customizable bowl of umami you’ll want on repeat.
Learn how to make traditional Japanese dashi with kombu and katsuobushi. This simple umami-rich broth is the base for miso soup, udon, sauces, and more!
Tired of bland chicken noodle soup? This Asian Chicken Noodle Soup is the upgrade you need! Infused with ginger, lemongrass, and a savory soy-based broth, this cozy, customizable soup is perfect for cold nights, sick days, or anytime you’re craving big, bold flavors.
Everything you need to know about udon noodles! Learn what udon is, how to cook it, essential ingredients, and delicious hot and cold variations to try at home.
Warm up on chilly nights with this hearty Kale, Sausage, and Tortellini Soup! This easy-to-make recipe features savory sausage, tender tortellini, and nutrient-packed kale for the ultimate winter comfort food. Customize it to your liking and enjoy a cozy, satisfying bowl in no time!
Leftover turkey congee is a delicious twist on traditional congee that makes the most of your holiday turkey. This silky, savory rice porridge is the perfect antidote to post-holiday fatigue, blending the hearty richness of homemade turkey stock with bold Asian-inspired garnishes like chili garlic crisp, green onions, and furikake.
Craving that tangy, spicy hot and sour soup from your favorite Chinese restaurant? This homemade version is quick, customizable, and way more satisfying than takeout.
This easy kimchi jjigae (Korean kimchi stew) is spicy, comforting, and packed with bold flavor. Made with kimchi, broth, and your choice of protein—perfect for cozy nights.
Even if you’re feeling under the weather, you can whip up this hearty chicken noodle soup in less than 45 minutes. It’s a no fuss way to get everyone feeling great in no time. My secret ingredient of turmeric is added for an extra immunity boost.
Learn how to make spicy green chili, a Colorado staple. This flavorful stew is perfect for breakfast burritos, smothered over tamales, on top of egg and potatoes or simply served in a bowl with a tortilla on the side.
Craving porridge? Top this chicken and rice based porridge soup with homemade garlic chili oil for the ultimate kick!
Learn to make this traditional Japanese soup which features mochi as the main ingredient. This is traditionally eaten on the first day of the year to bring good fortune, happiness and prosperity. The long, stretchy mochi is symbolic of longevity.
Make a bowl of hot rice and add in green tea, dashi or plain hot water. Add your favorite toppings and you’ve got a delicious bowl of Japanese ochazuke.
Salads
If you’re looking for a salad that’s fresh, flavorful, and anything but boring, you’ve just found it! Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Gỏi Gà) is packed with juicy poached chicken, crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and the most addictive fish sauce dressing. It’s light, healthy, and incredibly customizable—perfect for a quick meal or meal prep. And don’t worry, poaching chicken is way easier than it sounds (I promise!). Get ready to upgrade your salad game with this vibrant, umami-packed dish!
Japanese Caesar salad with creamy miso dressing is full of umami and endlessly customizable. This salad is sure to become a favorite. Get the recipe and add it to your rotation!
Looking for a colorful winter salad that’s anything but boring? This Fuyu persimmon salad is bright, crunchy, and perfectly balanced with roasted veggies and seasonal greens. Inspired by Japanese ingredients and winter produce, it’s an easy, show-stopping salad that’s full of flavor and cultural roots.
This Asian-inspired roasted veggie salad is a warm, satisfying twist on your usual leafy bowl. With toasty vegetables, a sesame oil vinaigrette, and punchy toppings like chili crunch and scallions, it’s the perfect way to upgrade your veggie game.
This chilled somen noodle salad is a family favorite and a staple at Hawaiian potlucks. Inspired by my Aunt Tracie’s version, it’s a Japanese-American fusion dish layered with cold noodles, crisp lettuce, kamaboko, char siu, and a savory sesame-soy dressing. It’s light, flavorful, and easy to make ahead for any gathering.
Inspired by the New York Times' viral breakfast salad, this copycat recipe brings fresh flavor and a few personal upgrades — like marinated feta, a bright shallot vinaigrette, and all the brunch vibes. If you're looking for a savory, satisfying twist on your usual morning greens, this one’s for you.
Looking for a fresh and flavorful kale salad that’s easy to customize? This versatile kale salad recipe is packed with garlic, lemon, soy sauce, and parmesan, making it the perfect base for your favorite add-ins. Want to make it a full meal? Just toss in poached chicken, rotisserie chicken, or baked chicken for an extra protein boost! Quick, healthy, and endlessly adaptable, this is the only kale salad recipe you’ll ever need.
Chinese chicken salad is a fun dish to bring to any kind of gathering. It’s got crispy maifun noodles, tender boiled chicken and deliciously sweet Mandarin oranges. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a homemade dressing.
If you love elote (Mexican street corn) and have a soft spot for Hot Cheetos, get ready for your new favorite side dish! This Hot Cheeto Elote Salad takes all the creamy, cheesy, tangy goodness of classic elote and transforms it into an easy-to-eat, flavor-packed bowl—finished with a spicy, crunchy Hot Cheeto topping. Perfect for taco night, burritos, or a big bowl of pozole, this dish brings the heat and the fun. Warning: you will want seconds.
Chop up some tomatoes and garnish with herbs, olive oil and flaky Maldon sea salt. The perfect side dish for hot, summer nights!
A low carb option for a Mexican flavored meal plus my favorite ingredient to add to salads, canned corn!
Add some color and zest to the cold winter nights with a citrus salad that’s simple to make.
Combining two ingredients very different types of ingredients can make one delicious salad. Get creative and add avocado, a hard boiled egg, and an herb vinaigrette to this delicious shrimp and squash salad recipe.
Proteins
These homemade meatballs are everything you want—juicy, flavorful, and endlessly versatile. Whether you bake, pan-fry, or smoke them, this meatball recipe starts with a rich combo of beef, pork, and veal (or lamb!) and packs in garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Perfect for pasta night, sandwiches, or meal prep.
Looking for a quick, family-friendly dinner that’s packed with flavor? Anna Paul’s viral Turkish pasta is a must-try! This creamy, garlicky, and savory dish is as comforting as it is easy to make. Plus, I’ve given it a healthy twist—using whole wheat pasta for extra fiber and swapping in lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter take. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights. Keep reading to learn how to make this TikTok-famous pasta at home!
These Asian turkey burgers are a healthier, flavor-packed alternative to beef, featuring ground turkey, shoyu, furikake and panko for a juicy, umami-rich bite. The special ingredient? A creamy, spicy wasabi mayo that elevates every bite! Whether you serve them on a toasted bun, over rice, or protein style, these versatile burgers are an easy weeknight meal. Perfect for meal prep, grilling, baking or air frying.
This Asian meatloaf recipe is a game-changer! A bold twist on the classic comfort food, this version is packed with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and panko crumbs for incredible flavor and a perfectly tender texture. The best part? It’s super easy to make—just 20 minutes of prep! Plus, you’ll learn my special dipping sauce recipe that takes this dish to the next level! Whether you're making it for dinner, meal prep, or leftovers, this Asian-inspired meatloaf is sure to become a new favorite.
Quick, easy and delicious! Learn how to make chicken katsu in the air fryer - a satisfying dinner or bento lunch.
Bo Ssäm is a Korean pork dish that is served in thinly sliced lettuce, cabbage, or daikon wraps. Topped with various accoutrements, it’s the perfect party dish. This recipe uses pork butt instead of boiled pork belly and the meat can be repurposed for different meals! I love it in a quesadilla served alongside some kimchi.
Lion’s Head meatballs are the juiciest and most flavorful meatball of all time. This recipe will yield enough for 5-6 meals and you can freeze any of the remaining meatballs for another time.
Forget everything you thought you knew about roast chicken—this recipe is about to become your go-to. Whether you’re cooking a quick weeknight meal or planning a full dinner party spread, this post walks you through two no-fail methods: a fast-and-flexible version and a marinated masterpiece that’s worth the wait. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and major crowd appeal? Yes, please.
Think prime rib is too intimidating to cook at home? Think again. This reverse sear method is surprisingly simple and delivers juicy, tender meat every time. Whether it’s your first time making prime rib or you’re looking to perfect your technique, this recipe is your new go-to. Bonus: It’ll totally wow your guests.
Sweets
This Hawaiian-style Furikake Chex Mix is the ultimate holiday snack—sweet, salty, crunchy, and totally addictive. A nostalgic treat perfect for gifting or snacking!
Lightly sweet, chewy, mochi butter cake with the bonus of Cinnamon Toast Crunch! This easy recipe is a great primer to baking and getting familiar with mochi flour. Perfect for an afternoon snack or dessert for an outdoor picnic lunch.
Craving something crunchy, tangy, and addictive? These quick pickled cucumbers are made with pantry staples and no fermentation fuss. Enjoy them right away or stash them in the fridge—they’re perfect with rice bowls, grilled meats, or as a refreshing snack. Totally customizable and super versatile!