Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Hurry the Food Up. A lot of Asian cultures have vegetarian or even vegan recipes built into their standard cuisine, which is why you’ll almost never struggle to find vegetarian options at an Asian restaurant. Plus, there are all kinds of delicious Asian recipes that have been made vegetarian by the good chefs out there on the internet, like vegetarian spring rolls, vegetarian banh mi, vegetarian pulao or vegetarian lo mein. Honestly, there are so many sites claiming to have the best vegetarian Asian recipes that you might get a little overwhelmed! If you find wading through recipe blogs a little frightening, this list is for you.
But why are vegetarian Asian recipes so common?
When you think of Asian recipes, you probably think of Indian food, chinese food, maybe thai food or vietnamese food. All of these types of cuisine have vegetarian dishes, but Indian (particularly South Indian) is known as being one of the most vegetarian friendly cuisines in the world. This is because Hindus make up about 80% of the population of India, and their religion extols the virtues of a vegetarian diet. That means that there are loads of vegetarian indian recipes, particularly vegetarian curries like chickpea curry or cauliflower curry! Other countries in the region tend to produce more vegetarian recipes simply because of a focus on traditional ingredients like tofu (there are so many good vegetarian tofu dishes!) and rice. So you can thank a combination of culture, religion, and local ingredients for these delicious easy vegetarian Asian recipes. Since they’re so easy, when you wonder what to cook when you get home from work this week, why not check out some of these delicious Asian dinner ideas! Or if you’re planning to pack lunches for your family, there are plenty of easy Asian lunch ideas to be found below.
Mains
Bonus: creamy, nutty and easy A delicious peanut sauce compliments this fantastic stir fry with simple to follow cooking tips. Beginner friendly and super quick to make! Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: PinchAndSwirlBonus: mega delicious and nutritious A spicy and delicious vegetarian version of classic Kung Pao inspired by this recipe in Bon Appetit magazine. Bonus: easy, delicious, quick preparation Delicious Fake Lo Mein. You’ll find all ingredients in a regular supermarket. Just as delicious as the original and ready in only 20 minutes. Recipe by: RainbowNourishmentsBonus: easy, delicious and filling These lemongrass tofu bahn mi are made with pita pockets and a lighter and gluten-free version of the classic! They are packed with marinated tofu, crispy veggies and mayo. Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUpBonus: super easy and protein-packed These Asian-Style Easy Egg Muffins are beautifully different. The carrot and ginger are a fresh and zippy combo. The soy sauce rounds it all up! Enjoy Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: FunFoodFrolicBonus: healthy and easy one-pot meal This healthy tofu stir fry with veggies is ready in 30 minutes. It is a naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free stir-fry recipe (if you need gluten free we got you covered with 100 vegetarian gluten free dishes right here). Bonus: healthy, delicious and full of flavor 🙂 An exciting fusion of Pakistani spices combine with crunchy roasted cauliflower in this classically cooked dish. Bonus: healthy, tasty and mega nutritious, can be stored for a while in the fridge Vegan Chickpea Curry. Our awesome vegan take on the insanely popular dish. Ridiculously tasty and nutritious – just look at all that protein, fibre and iron. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: WentHere8ThisBonus: mega easy, crispy and caramelized Sweet and caramelized on the outside, fluffy and tender on the inside, these Korean Sweet Potatoes have that ultra combination of sweet and salty, with a touch of spice. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: ForkfulOfPlantsBonus: tasty, healthy, flavorful This vegan Mongolian beef is super easy, significantly healthier than its takeaway counterpart, and tastes just as good! The perfect meal after a busy day. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: LoveAndGoodStuffBonus: easy to make, tasty and nutritious Spicy black bean tofu and eggplant is easy and flavourful plant based stirfry. Cubed tofu and eggplant are cooked up with a black bean chilli sauce along with aromatics like garlic and ginger in this easy to make meal. Bonus: very tasty, quick and spicy breakfast A savory pancake begging to be eaten with pickles and chutneys or yogurts and cream. East meets West with this beautifully, wonderfully healthy dish. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: LoveAndGoodStuffBonus: comforting and satisfying Vegetable chow mein is the ultimate take out at home meal. These slightly crisp noodles topped with stir-fried veggies in a flavourful sauce are on the table in 25 minutes. Add your favourite protein for a complete meal. Bonus: super-fast, easy and incredibly delicious Make the perfect banana curry with our stress-free and much loved recipe (one of our more unexpected healthy banana meals). It’s so easy you can’t go wrong – from pan to plate in minutes! Bonus: simple, delicious and versatile dish Flavourful Pea Pulao with Lemon. A zesty yet sweet, light but filling rice dish handed down through generations. Ready in: 45 minutesRecipe by: TheBellyRulesTheMindBonus: super tasty yet healthy dish Orange cauliflower is a vegetarian friendly take on Panda Express’s popular orange chicken recipe. Loaded with a sweet and spicy orange sauce, this lightened up take out classic will have your family happily eating their vegetables! Ready in: 6 minutes cooking + 30 minutes soakingRecipe by: LathisKitchenBonus: the easiest rice ever Jeera Rice/ Cumin Rice is a popular dish to order in Indian Restaurants and it will be in the Buffet. This recipe is so easy to make in your kitchen. Let’s learn how to make restaurant-style, Vegan, Gluten-free, Jeera rice in under 15 minutes. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: SavoryBitesRecipesBonus: simple but so delicious Delicious vegetarian alternative to the Kung Pao Chicken – its Kung Pao Cauliflower! Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: RunningToTheKitchenBonus: super tasty yet healthy dish Make this sweet and sour tofu in under 30 minutes. Crispy tofu and a sticky sweet & sour sauce mimic the classic Chinese takeout dish in this vegetarian friendly meal (just one of many delicious vegetarian Chinese recipes you can make at home!). Bonus: easy, tasty and full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge. Sooooo easy! This coconut curry is the easiest one we’ve ever made, but mixes it up with the top brass. You won’t find a better effort vs taste curry ANYWHERE! Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: VeggieDessertsBonus: tangy, soft, versatile These pulled jackfruit bao buns are really easy to make in less than 30 minutes! The vegan recipe makes the most of beautifully seasoned pulled jackfruit nestled in fluffy bao buns topped with quick pickled onions. Bonus: great taste, easy and quick meal 🙂 Our stress-free take on the cauliflower classic. Sweet yet punchy, spicy yet smooth. Perfection is here. Bonus: quick, fresh, healthy and delicious curry This virtually vegan mango curry is refreshing, tropical, super-quick and soooooo easy! Don’t miss out on this one. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: MayurisJikoniBonus: quick, creamy and kid-friendly Yogurt Potato Curry is a creamy, delicious, slightly spicy curry. Enjoy it with any Indian Flatbread or rice. Easy to make, this curry generally features on my table when I have guests over. It is relished both by adults and kids. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: KiipFitBonus: quick, spicy, satisfying This Spicy Cashew Broccoli Stir Fry (and lots more vegan stir-fries over here) is a delicious blend of Asian flavors and is quick to serve. It’s made with a savory and spicy sauce that is absolutely lip smacking. This vegan entree is a beautiful and an aromatic dinner for any weeknight. Bonus: quick, spicy and full of flavour Fiery Dragon Noodles. Our tasty take on the insanely popular and easy spicy Asian dish. The perfect recipe for using up leftover pasta or noodles! Bonus: easy, delicious and versatile Bring glory to the kitchen with this awesome Chinese inspired vegan stir fry (even more plant-based Chinese recipes over here!). Quick, tasty and full of veg! Bonus: fresh, tasty and spicy Gỏi cuốn – these summer rolls are easy, authentic and require absolutely no cooking. We’ve even included two simple but to die-for sauces! Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: SandhyaHariharanBonus: easy to make, comforting and tasty Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala – So much better than a takeout and so much quicker! This one pot Vegan Tikka Masala is ready in just 30 minutes. Serve warm over steamed rice or with naan to scoop out all the creamy sauce. Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUpBonus: light, tasty, creamy and satisfyingly filling This speedy and roasted creamy corn soup is here to show the world just how much vegan food rocks. Why should vegans have all the fun?! Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: EatWithClarityBonus: easy to make, deliciously savory and customizable These spicy chili garlic noodles are ready in about 15 minutes and FULL of flavor. They’re gluten free and vegan but delicious with some extra stir fried veggies and your choice of protein! Bonus: quick, healthy and satisfying! 🙂 Ready in 30 minutes and packed full of taste, spice and a fresh lime kick. Delicious, nutritious and it’s even vegan, yaay. Bonus: simple to make, tasty and nutritious Everybody should know how to make veggie fried rice. Hands down one of the most delicious and easiest ways to use up leftovers. Ready in max. 15 minutes! Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: TheVegSpaceBonus: easy, tasty, flavorful This creamy vegan korma made with coconut yoghurt and blended cashews is rich and delicately spiced. Serve with rice and naan for a showstopping vegan Indian feast (more delicious plant-based Indian recipes).
Sides and Salads
Bonus: fresh, tasty and incredibly healthy salad Thai Quinoa Salad – Tropical Vibes. A refreshingly light, tasty Asian super-dish with lots of protein, fiber and tropical flavour. Get your summer feeling here. Ready in: 10 minutesRecipe by: TheForkedSpoonBonus: totally simple, easy, and delicious Crisp, fresh, and bursting with loads of unexpected flavor, this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe is guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: CubesNJuliennesBonus: quick and versatile This Aloo jeera is a delicious cumin flavored boiled potato dish which you can prepare just in few minutes with handful of ingredients only. Serve with Indian breads for main course or enjoy it like a snack or appetizer. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: TheArtOfFoodAndWineBonus: simple, fresh and beautiful This Asian coleslaw with a flavorful peanut dressing is a perfect side dish and also tastes great on top of your pulled chicken or pork sandwiches! No dairy so perfect for picnics. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: CooktoriaBonus: mega easy, tasty and light dish Easy Sautéed Napa Cabbage – A flavorful way to enjoy Napa cabbage that is easy to make and ready in less than 10 minutes. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: IHeartUmamiBonus: light, healthy, and easy Chinese Green Beans recipe sauteed in garlic sauce with blistered green beans and loads of garlicky flavor, made easy and not oily! Bonus: quick, beautiful, crispy and so healthy Asian Tofu Salad, High in Protein, Low-carb and Vegan. A crunchy and colourful mix of delicious vegan foods that look great and taste even better! Ready in: 5 minutesRecipe by: aSimplePalateBonus: mega quick, protein-packed, flavorful You’ll love this crunchy edamame salad for any occasion! It’s filled with chopped kale, roasted almonds, and sweet dried cranberries – all mixed with a carrot ginger dressing. The easiest salad with the tastiest results! Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: TheKitchenGirlBonus: colorful, healthy, delicious Thai Peanut Zucchini Noodles are zoodles quickly sauteed with fresh vegetables and tossed in a delectable peanut sauce (learn how to make courgette noodles here!). Zucchini pasta is an easy dinner recipe that can be served warm or chilled as a pasta salad for lunch (check out our vegan zucchini recipes for more like this!). Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: ThisHealthyKitchenBonus: crunchy, rich and spicy For a healthy spin on traditional coleslaw, this healthy coleslaw salad is a must try! Drizzled in Thai peanut dressing that is delicious and oil free! Bonus: fast, spicy, delicious and so good! We guarantee you’ve never eaten curried potatoes this good – they’re the perfect fusion of Indian curry and Irish ingenuity. They will not be beaten. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: VeganPunksBonus: quick, spicy, delicious Traditionally a meat-based salad, adopted by the Thai people from Laos – we’ve created our own vegan and vegetarian friendly mushroom larb. A delicious mix of mushrooms, fresh herbs and the crunch of toasted rice! Ready in: 23 minutesRecipe by: BoulderLocavoreBonus: easy, flavorful and full of taste Perfectly cooked pan fried cauliflower coated with an easy homemade Korean BBQ sauce makes a delicious sweet, salty and tangy dish. It’s fast to prepare and is great over rice or paired with other Asian inspired dishes for a full meal. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: WornSlapOutBonus: so simple and versatile These hibachi vegetables are an at-home version of what you find at your favorite Japanese steakhouse. Use whatever vegetables you have at home and have the meal ready in under 20 minutes.
Appetizers, Snacks and Dips
Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: ThisHealthyKitchenBonus: easy, flavourful, savoury and satisfying For AMAZING fresh wraps with peanutty, delicious flavour, look no further than these nutritious Asian slaw vegan wraps (if you like this, you need to check out our other vegetarian wraps!). Perfect to feed a crowd. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: ForkfulOfPlantsBonus: healthy, super easy, high in protein These roasted chickpeas tick all the boxes for a satisfying snack- crispy, protein-packed, filled with umami flavour and slightly spicy (try our easy vegetarian chickpea recipes for more like this!). Bonus: fresh, tasty and so quick Take your cucumber dips to the next level with this plush Persian variety – you won’t be able to stop dipping – promise! Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: ItsNotComplicatedRecipesBonus: easy to make, crispy and delicious Inspired by a classic Chinese appetiser, these Tofu Sesame Toasts are quick and easy to make and have a delicate balance of flavours. Bonus: smoky, soft and beautifully delicious dip 🙂 Baba Ganoush – (Eggplant Dip / Aubergine Dip) Flatbreads and pitas go perfectly with this beautiful fusion of Arab-Mediterranean cuisines (more delicious easy dip ideas this way!). Ready in: 36 minutesRecipe by: TheBellyRulesTheMindBonus: fresh, tasty and so satisfying Easy vegan sushi is easier than you think to make at home. It’s a great family activity to do when you want to enjoy some time together. This Vegan sushi recipe uses fresh veggies and tofu to provide a well-balanced and delicious meal you can serve any time of day. Make it ahead to have an easy lunch, dinner, or snack any time you want! Ready in: 55 minutesRecipe by: MadhusEverydayIndianBonus: delicious and kids-friendly snack Vegan potstickers are pan fried dumplings filled with vegetables and tofu. Crispy and soft pot stickers dunked in sweet and spicy chili sauce is just irresistible. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: OhMyFoodRecipesBonus: easy, tasty, protein-packed Crispy teriyaki tofu not only it’s crispy outside, but also soft inside. Also, it tastes amazing delicious when it serves with homemade teriyaki sauce. This pan fried teriyaki tofu is great for appetizer, party food, side dish or even as main course that serve with rice. Ready in: 23 minutesRecipe by: TheArtOfFoodAndWineBonus: easy, versatile and crispy Korean Scallion Pancakes are perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. Can be made with shrimp or vegetarian. Paired with a Ginger Soy dipping sauce. Bonus: super fast, fresh, healthy and delicious The ultimate companion to any curry, this cucumber raita is incredibly quick and cooling – a refreshingly perfect side dish. Whether you’re whipping up a quick vegetarian stir fry for a weeknight dinner, an Asian salad for a summer potluck or vegetarian bao to impress a special someone, our best vegetarian Asian recipes won’t disappoint. We’ve covered as many of the Asian inspired sides, salads, soups and main meals that we could. They will serve you well as everything from interesting new sides to tried and true Asian dinner recipes. If this all seems a little too complicated for you (especially the vegetarian part), don’t forget to check our guide to going vegetarian!
