31 Asian-inspired recipes to make when takeout is on your mind

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This roundup brings together 31 Asian-inspired recipes for times when takeout is on your mind but cooking at home still sounds doable. It includes a mix of noodle dishes, stir-fries, curries, soups, rice bowls, and a few sides and sauces that help round out the meal. Some are lighter, some are richer, and all of them bring more variety than the usual dinner routine.

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

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.

Bang Bang Shrimp is a strong pick when you want something crispy, saucy, and full of flavor without ordering takeout. It works well as a starter or part of a bigger dinner and brings the kind of bold bite people usually go out for.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

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.

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers are a good way to bring bold flavor into dinner without a lot of fuss. They work well for casual meals, sharing plates, or nights when you want something a little different from the usual routine.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak

A bowl of stir-fried beef strips with red and green bell peppers, topped with sesame seeds.
Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak is a solid choice when takeout sounds good but staying in sounds easier. The steak and peppers make it feel like a restaurant-style dinner without needing to leave the house.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak

Thai Drunken Noodles

A colorful dish of shrimp stir-fry with noodles, vegetables, and sesame seeds, garnished with basil leaves and green onions. Chopsticks rest on the dish.
Thai Drunken Noodles. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Thai Drunken Noodles are a great option when you want a noodle dish with real flavor and a little heat. This is the kind of dinner that breaks up the usual routine and feels worth making when takeout is on your mind.
Get the Recipe: Thai Drunken Noodles

Chow Mein

A close-up view of a plate of chow mein stir-fried noodles with vegetables and black sesame seeds, with chopsticks visibly picking up a portion.
Chow Mein. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chow Mein is one of those dependable dishes that works whenever you want something quick, familiar, and full of flavor. It brings the kind of takeout-style comfort that is easy to come back to again and again.
Get the Recipe: Chow Mein

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Close-up of a stir-fry dish with chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and sesame seeds, coated in a soy-based sauce.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry is a practical choice when you want something flavorful that still feels manageable for a weeknight. It brings together a takeout favorite in a way that is simple enough to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

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.

Massaman Curry is a good option for nights when you want something rich, warm, and a little more comforting. It has the kind of flavor that makes dinner feel more satisfying without needing to order in.
Get the Recipe: Massaman Curry

Crispy Sesame Chicken

A close-up of glazed chicken pieces with sesame seeds and chopped scallions on a bed of rice.
Crispy Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Crispy Sesame Chicken is a strong pick when you want that sweet, crunchy takeout-style dinner at home. It works well for sharing, but it is just as easy to make when you want a familiar favorite for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

A plate of beef and broccoli stir-fry garnished with sesame seeds, featuring glazed beef strips and broccoli florets.
Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Beef and Broccoli is a reliable dinner when you want something hearty, flavorful, and easy to recognize from a takeout menu. It is one of those dishes that feels like a safe bet when you are not in the mood to experiment.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Sweet Orange Chicken

A bowl of crispy tofu coated in sesame sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served on a bed of lettuce.
Sweet Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet Orange Chicken is a good choice when you want something a little sweet, a little tangy, and easy to pair with rice. It brings the kind of bold, familiar flavor people usually look for in takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Orange Chicken

Vegetable Fried Rice

A bowl of Vegetable Fried Rice with mixed vegetables including carrots, bell peppers, and peas.
Vegetable Fried Rice. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Vegetable Fried Rice is a practical option for nights when you want something simple but still full of flavor. It works well on its own or alongside other dishes, which makes it easy to fit into whatever dinner you have in mind.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Fried Rice

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Close-up of sweet and sour chicken with bell peppers and pineapple chunks in a thick sauce.
Sweet and Sour Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic pick when you want bold sauce, a little sweetness, and a dinner that feels familiar. It is an easy way to bring a takeout favorite into the weeknight rotation.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

Close-up of Sticky Sesame Cauliflower: crispy florets coated in a glossy sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Sticky Sesame Cauliflower is a good option when you want a meatless dish that still feels like a takeout-style dinner. The sauce and texture give it enough punch to hold its own on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

Bibimbap

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

Bibimbap is a great choice when you want variety in one bowl and something that feels more interesting than the usual dinner routine. It brings together different textures and flavors in a way that keeps every bite from feeling the same.
Get the Recipe: Bibimbap

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

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

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken is a smart option when you want something familiar without making a takeout run. It has the sweet-savory flavor people expect and works well with rice or simple sides.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Kimchi Stew

Close-up of a wooden spoon in a vibrant kimchi stew with tofu and pork, garnished with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes.
Kimchi Stew. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Kimchi Stew is a strong choice for nights when you want something bold, warm, and comforting. It has enough depth and heat to make dinner feel more satisfying, especially when the weather is cooler.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew

Butter Chicken

A bowl of creamy curry with chicken pieces served over white rice, garnished with cilantro, and accompanied by flatbread.
Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Butter Chicken is a reliable dinner when you want something rich, familiar, and full of flavor. Served with rice or bread, it brings the kind of comfort that makes staying in feel like the better option.
Get the Recipe: Butter Chicken

Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir fried vegetables in a pan with sesame seeds.
Vegetable Stir Fry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Vegetable Stir Fry is a useful recipe to have when you want something fast, colorful, and easy to work into dinner. It brings takeout-style flavor in a lighter format that still feels like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Thai Peanut Curry (Better Than Take-Out!)

A bowl of vegetable curry with leafy greens, chunks of squash, diced tomatoes, peanuts, and cilantro, served with a spoon.
Thai Peanut Curry (Better Than Take-Out!). Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thai Peanut Curry is a good choice when you want a dinner that feels rich, bold, and a little different from the usual routine. It is the kind of dish that works well when takeout sounds tempting but home cooking still feels doable.
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Curry (Better Than Take-Out!)

Elevated Ramen Noodles

A bowl of ramen with soft-boiled egg, vegetables, and sesame seeds.
Elevated Ramen Noodles. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Elevated Ramen Noodles are a smart way to turn a simple ingredient into something that feels much more complete. This is a good pick for nights when you want a quick dinner that still feels like more than a basic fallback.
Get the Recipe: Elevated Ramen Noodles

Chickpea Curry

Bowl of chickpea stew with spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, and topped with fresh cilantro.
Chickpea Curry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Chickpea Curry is a solid option when you want a plant-based dinner that still feels filling and flavorful. It works well with rice or bread and gives you a hearty meal without relying on meat.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Curry

Chicken Tikka Masala

A close-up of chicken tikka masala served on rice, garnished with fresh cilantro, with lime wedges and naan on the side.
Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Chicken Tikka Masala is a dependable choice when you want something bold, rich, and firmly in comfort-food territory. It is the kind of curry that makes dinner feel more satisfying without needing much explanation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Kimchi

A bowl of spicy, pickled kimchi cabbage on a light-colored surface.
Kimchi. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Kimchi is a useful recipe to have when you want to add something bold and tangy to a meal. It works well alongside richer dishes and helps round out the kind of spread people often associate with takeout at home.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi

Hot and Sour Soup

Bowl of hot and sour soup with mushrooms, tofu, and sliced green onions, with a spoon on the side.
Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hot and Sour Soup is a good addition when you want something warming with a little sharpness and depth. It works well as a starter or side and helps bring more variety to a takeout-style meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Miso Soup

A bowl of miso soup with tofu cubes, seaweed, and green onions.
Miso Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Miso Soup is a simple option that works well when you want something light to go alongside a richer main. It adds variety to the table without making the meal feel heavier than it needs to be.
Get the Recipe: Miso Soup

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.

Rice Paper Rolls are a fresh option for nights when you want something lighter as part of the meal. They work well as a starter, side, or lighter main and help balance out richer dishes in the lineup.
Get the Recipe: Rice Paper Rolls

Crunchy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Crunchy Korean Cucumber Salad That’s Addictive. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crunchy Korean Cucumber Salad is an easy way to add something fresh and sharp to the table. It works best as a side that helps balance heavier mains and brings a different texture into the meal.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Korean Cucumber Salad That’s Addictive

Egg Drop Soup

A comforting bowl of egg drop soup elegantly garnished with fresh cilantro, vibrant chives, and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
Egg Drop Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Egg Drop Soup is a simple, comforting option that works well as part of a takeout-style meal at home. It is light enough to serve alongside other dishes but still feels like a proper addition to dinner.Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Dum Aloo Curry

Dum aloo in a balti dish, with roti by the side of it.
Dum Aloo Curry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dum Aloo Curry is a good pick when you want something filling, flavorful, and a little different from the usual weeknight meal. It brings a richer curry option to the page without feeling out of place.
Get the Recipe: Dum Aloo Curry

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.

Crispy Rice is a fun addition when you want to bring a little extra texture to the table. It works best as a side or snack-style recipe that helps round out a bigger takeout-inspired spread.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice

Sweet Asian Style Pork Chops

Close-up of sliced grilled pork belly garnished with sesame seeds and green chili, served on a bed of kale.
Sweet Asian Style Pork Chops. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sweet Asian Style Pork Chops are a good option when you want something hearty with a bold, slightly sweet flavor. They bring variety to the page while still fitting the kind of dinner people crave when takeout is on their mind.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Asian Style Pork Chops

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