Rice takes center stage in Asia, with flavors that range from bold and savory to rich and sweet. It’s the kind of food that comforts, surprises, and sticks with you.
We prepare Asian rice dishes multiple times in a week at home because most recipes are flavore-packed, easy to prepare, budget-friendly meals that do not require special equipment.
My focus in this collection was to highlight rice dishes from across the continent. Fried rice is probably the most common Asian rice dish that will come to your mind when you think of rice and Asia, but I really wanted to go beyond that.
Below you will find mostly savory meals but also a few sweet rice recipes, with authentic background and a few modern twists.
Quick Indian Lemon Rice
![Lemon Rice Recipe - How to make South Indian Lemon Rice [EASY]](https://www.masalaherb.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Lemon-Rice-Recipe-gog.jpg)
This quick Indian lemon rice is bright, tangy, and full of flavor without needing any nuts. A simple tempering of spices brings the rice to life in minutes. It’s the perfect side or light meal when you want something zesty and satisfying.
Mango on Coconut Sticky Rice
Get the Recipe: mikhaeats.com
Sweet mango and coconut sticky rice come together in a dessert that’s creamy, slightly salty, and just the right amount of sticky. It’s the kind of treat that wins hearts with every spoonful. Simple to make, hard to share.
Chicken Pulao
Get the Recipe: cookwithkushi.com
Chicken pulao brings tender meat and fluffy rice together in a fragrant one-pot meal that's full of depth. The spices do the heavy lifting, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. It’s an easy go-to when you want something hearty without the fuss.
Spicy Salmon Roll Sushi with Avocado
Spicy salmon roll sushi brings heat, creaminess, and freshness all in one bite. The rich salmon and smooth avocado are wrapped in seasoned rice with a kick of chili. It’s bold, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Lao Crispy Rice Salad
Get the Recipe: carolinescooking.com
Nam khao is a crispy rice salad that hits all the right notes—crunchy, tangy, savory, and fresh. Fried rice balls are crumbled and tossed with herbs, peanuts, and a burst of citrus for a dish that’s anything but boring. It’s light, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying.
Mandu Rice
Get the Recipe: theunlikelybaker.com
Mandu rice is the weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed. Juicy dumplings, fluffy rice, and bold flavors come together in one pot with zero hassle. It’s cozy, satisfying, and easy to make with whatever you have on hand.
Fried Rice with Frozen Vegetables
This fried rice with frozen vegetables is a fast, fuss-free way to get dinner on the table. It’s savory, satisfying, and comes together with pantry staples and whatever veggies you’ve got in the freezer. No chopping, just pure comfort in every bite.
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Get the Recipe: greedygirlgourmet.com
Singapore Hainanese chicken rice is fragrant, juicy, and full of flavor from the first bite to the last. Made with simple ingredients, it’s an easy one-pot dish that doesn’t cut corners on taste.
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Get the Recipe: chocolatesandchai.com
Nasi Goreng is bold, slightly sweet, and spicy fried rice from Indonesia that’s anything but boring. It’s made with a rich splash of kecap manis, a spoonful of sambal, and finished off with a golden fried egg.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
![Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe [Vegetarian]](https://www.masalaherb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Thai-Pineapple-Fried-Rice-gog.jpg)
Thai pineapple fried rice is a vibrant mix of sweet, savory, and spicy in one colorful dish. Juicy pineapple chunks, golden rice, and fragrant spices come together with just the right balance. It’s bold, bright, and perfect for when you want something a little unexpected.
Biryani
Get the Recipe: theforkedspoon.com
Biryani is a fragrant, spiced rice dish layered with tender meat and bursting with bold flavors. Long-grain basmati rice soaks up the aromas of cinnamon, cumin, saffron, and more in every bite.
Pumpkin Rice Cakes
Get the Recipe: earthtoveg.com
Crispy on the outside with a soft, sticky center, these Chinese pumpkin rice cakes are a nostalgic treat with a lightly sweet flavor. Made with glutinous rice and pumpkin, they’re chewy, golden, and seriously addictive. One bite and it’s easy to see why they’re still a favorite.
Basic Brown Rice Congee
This Goan-style brown rice congee is warm, earthy, and perfect for slow mornings or soothing meals. Made with brown rice for extra heartiness, it’s a simple dish that lets the comforting flavors shine. Light, nourishing, and easy to make your own.
Peas Pulao with Fried Onions
Get the Recipe: homecookingcollective.com
Fragrant rice infused with whole spices, sweet golden raisins, and crisp fried onions makes this peas pulao anything but ordinary. Cashews add a rich bite, while mint keeps it bright and refreshing.
Purple Sweet Potato Congee
Get the Recipe: thesoundofcooking.com
Velvety rice porridge meets the natural sweetness of purple sweet potato in this comforting bowl of congee. It’s a Taiwanese classic made quicker, easier, and just as satisfying. Ready in 25 minutes, it’s the kind of dish that soothes from the first spoonful.
Hibachi Fried Rice
![Hibachi Fried Rice Recipe [Copycat] - Make your own tasty hibachi japanese style fried rice. Healthy Pan Asian Rice recipe with video. www.MasalaHerb.com #friedrice #copycat #hibachi](https://www.masalaherb.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Hibachi-Fried-Rice-gog-4.jpg)
Hibachi fried rice is smoky, buttery, and packed with flavor from the grill. With garlic, soy sauce, and perfectly cooked rice, every bite is savory and satisfying. It’s the kind of fried rice that makes you feel like you’re sitting front row at the teppanyaki table.
Yaki Onigiri
Get the Recipe: mikhaeats.com
Crispy on the outside, warm and savory inside, these salmon yaki onigiri are the ultimate way to turn leftovers into something crave-worthy. Packed into a handheld rice ball and pan-seared to golden perfection. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re fast, fun, and seriously satisfying.
Congee with Pork Meatballs
Get the Recipe: delightfulplate.com
Tender pork meatballs simmered in silky rice porridge make this congee a warm hug in a bowl. Mild, comforting, and gentle on the stomach, it’s perfect for slow days or when you just need something soothing. Simple ingredients, big comfort.
Handai Japanese Seasoned Rice
Handai is a gently seasoned Japanese rice that’s all about subtle flavor and perfect texture. Lightly mixed with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, it’s the base for sushi but just as good on its own. Simple, delicate, and deeply satisfying.
Asian Sticky Rice
Get the Recipe: chewoutloud.com
This Asian sticky rice is chewy, savory, and packed with flavor, no special equipment needed. Cook it in a regular pot and toss in your favorite protein or keep it simple. It’s an easy, adaptable dish that works for any craving.
Saffron Rice
Get the Recipe: healingtomato.com
Golden, aromatic, and full of flavor, this saffron rice is anything but plain. Each grain is infused with the warmth of saffron, creating a vibrant side that pairs beautifully with so many dishes. It's elegant enough for a feast, yet easy enough for a weeknight.
Kimchi Korean Rice Balls
Get the Recipe: hwcmagazine.com
Fiery, funky, and totally addictive, these kimchi Korean rice balls bring serious flavor with minimal effort. Each bite delivers a punch of heat and umami, all wrapped up in soft, sticky rice. They're quick to roll and even quicker to disappear.
Middle Eastern Rice with Ground Beef and Yogurt Sauce
Fluffy rice scented with cardamom meets savory ground beef spiced to perfection in this comforting Middle Eastern dish. It’s a flavorful mix of warmth, richness, and texture in every bite. Easy to prepare and hard to forget.
Sweet Orange Rice
Get the Recipe: loveincrediblerecipes.com
Fragrant and lightly sweet, this orange rice brings a citrusy twist to a comforting dish. Cooked with fresh orange juice and zest, it’s soft, aromatic, and just the right amount of bright. A lovely side or a simple treat on its own.
Filipino Chocolate Rice Porridge
Get the Recipe: theunlikelybaker.com
Champorado is a warm, chocolatey rice porridge that brings comfort with every spoonful. Made with sticky rice and pure cacao, it's thick, creamy, and deeply satisfying. A beloved Filipino breakfast that feels like dessert but powers your day.
Lap Cheong Fried Rice
Get the Recipe: garlicallday.com
Lap Cheong fried rice is loaded with juicy bits of Chinese sausage and garlicky goodness in every bite. It’s rich, savory, and packed with flavor that hits all the right spots. Comfort food doesn’t get much more satisfying than this.
Korean Tuna Rice Bowl
Get the Recipe: streetsmartnutrition.com
The Korean tuna rice bowl, or chamchi deopbap, is quick, comforting, and full of bold flavor. With just a few pantry staples, you can pull together a satisfying meal in minutes. It’s no surprise this easy favorite shows up on repeat in my kitchen.
Japanese Fried Rice with Pork Belly (Chashu Chahan)
Get the Recipe: carolinescooking.com
Chashu chahan takes leftover pork and rice and turns them into something worth craving. The savory, caramelized chashu adds rich depth to this quick Japanese fried rice. It’s easy to make, great for lunch, and pairs effortlessly with other dishes.
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