Salads in Asian Cuisine: 5 Popular Ingredients You Need to Try

Author: Joost Nusselder, author of The Essential Japanese meal planner cookbook Updated September 2, 2022

Salads in Asian cuisine? Yes, they’re a thing. But they’re not just any old salad. They’re often the main dish, served with a dressing and often contain a variety of ingredients including fruits, vegetables, noodles, seafood, and meat.

As an American, I’m not a big fan of salads. But as I’ve learned more about Asian cuisine, I’ve come to appreciate them more. In this post, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about them.

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Salads in Asian Cuisine: Are They Really a Thing?

When it comes to Asian cuisine, salads might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, salads are definitely a part of Asian cuisine, but they might not be the same as the salads you’re used to in the West. Here are some insights into the salad culture in Asia:

• Salads are not a main dish: In Asia, salads are usually served as a side dish or an appetizer. They are not typically eaten as a main course like they are in the West.

• Different types of salads: In Asia, salads can be made with a variety of ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, noodles, and seafood. Some popular Asian salads include papaya salad, seaweed salad, and glass noodle salad.

• Dressings are different: While Western salads are often dressed with oil and vinegar, Asian salads are typically dressed with soy sauce, fish sauce, or sesame oil. These dressings give the salads a unique flavor that is different from what you might be used to.

• Salads are not always raw: In the West, salads are often made with raw vegetables. In Asia, however, salads can be made with cooked vegetables or even meat.

• Salads are not always healthy: While salads are often seen as a healthy option in the West, this is not always the case in Asia. Some Asian salads can be high in calories and fat, especially if they are made with fried ingredients or dressed with a heavy sauce.

So, while salads might not be as popular in Asia as they are in the West, they are definitely a part of Asian cuisine. If you’re looking to try something new, be sure to give an Asian salad a try!

Exploring the Diverse Range of Asian Salads

1. Japanese Salads

Japanese cuisine is known for its healthy and fresh ingredients, and their salads are no exception. Some popular Japanese salads include:

• Sunomono: A salad made with thinly sliced vegetables and seafood marinated in vinegar and sugar.
• Gomae: A salad made with boiled spinach or other greens, dressed with a sesame sauce.
• Wakame Salad: A seaweed salad dressed with sesame oil, soy sauce, and vinegar.

2. Thai Salads

Thai salads are known for their bold flavors and spicy kick. Some popular Thai salads include:

• Som Tam: A salad made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, and a spicy dressing.
• Yum Woon Sen: A salad made with glass noodles, shrimp, and a tangy dressing.
• Larb: A salad made with minced meat (usually chicken or pork), herbs, and a spicy dressing.

3. Korean Salads

Korean cuisine is all about balance, and their salads are no exception. Some popular Korean salads include:

• Gimbap Salad: A salad made with the ingredients of gimbap (Korean sushi roll) arranged on a bed of lettuce.
• Japchae: A salad made with glass noodles, vegetables, and beef, dressed with sesame oil and soy sauce.
• Kongnamul Muchim: A salad made with soybean sprouts, dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce.

Asian Salad Ingredients: Adding a Crunch to Your Bowl

When making an Asian salad, it’s best to start with some basic ingredients that are versatile and easy to find. Here are some great options:

• Shredded cabbage
• Sliced onions
• Carrot sticks
• Beet sticks
• Cooked red rice
• Noodle sticks

Add Some Freshness with Fruits and Herbs

To give your salad a sweet and tangy twist, add some fresh fruits and herbs. Here are some options:

• Sliced apple
• Chopped celery stalks
• Grated ginger
• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced tomato

Get a Crunch with Nuts and Seeds

For an extra crunch, add some nuts and seeds to your salad. Here are some options:

• Toasted sesame seeds
• Black sesame seeds
• Roasted peanuts
• Almond slices

Top it Off with a Homemade Dressing

To tie everything together, you’ll need a dressing. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own:

• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake well. Drizzle over your salad and toss to combine.

Tip: Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions to help you find the best way to serve your Asian salad:

• Top with sliced mozzarella for a creamy twist
• Serve with extra hot sauce for those who like it spicy
• Let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together
• Sprinkle some crunchy rice sticks on top for an extra crunch

Asian salads are a healthy and delicious dish that can be customized to your favorite ingredients. With these popular ingredients and a homemade dressing, you’ll have a salad that’s sure to impress.

Asian Salad Dressings That Will Make Your Taste Buds Sing

This dressing is a classic in Asian cuisine and is perfect for salads with kale, cucumber, and asparagus. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Prep time: 5 mins
3. Total time: 5 mins
4. Servings: 4

Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

This dressing is perfect for salads with roasted veggies, nuts, and fruits. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Prep time: 5 mins
3. Total time: 5 mins
4. Servings: 4

Balsamic Sesame Dressing

This dressing is perfect for salads with noodle and veggies. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Prep time: 5 mins
3. Total time: 5 mins
4. Servings: 4

Roasted Garlic Dressing

This dressing is perfect for salads with nuts and gluten-free veggies. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon roasted garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Prep time: 5 mins
3. Total time: 5 mins
4. Servings: 4

Sesame Peanut Dressing

This dressing is perfect for salads with kale, asparagus, and cashews. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Prep time: 5 mins
3. Total time: 5 mins
4. Servings: 4

Conclusion

As you can see, Asian cuisine has a wide variety of salads to offer. They’re usually served as a side dish but can be a main course too.

The salad culture in Asia is different from that of the West, but they’re both delicious and healthy. So, don’t be afraid to explore the unknown and give an Asian salad a try!

Check out our new cookbook

Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.

Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:

Read for free

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.