Asian cuisine is diverse and delicious and offers a vast array of delicious plant-based dishes. With its focus on vegetables, grains, and tofu, Asian recipes provide a wealth of options for vegans looking to enjoy tasty and healthy meals. From stir-fries and curries to noodles and dumplings, there is no shortage of vegan options available. Here a 4 easy to cook recipes to try at home:
Vegan Katsu Curry
Katsu curry has become a beloved comfort food in Japan, served in a variety of settings ranging from casual cafes to high-end restaurants. It is often considered a quintessential Japanese comfort food, and is beloved by foodies and casual diners alike.
Vegan katsu curry is a plant-based version of the popular Japanese dish that typically features a breaded and fried cutlet of meat served with curry sauce and rice. In vegan katsu curry, the meat is replaced with vegetables or a vegan protein source, such as tofu or seitan, and the sauce is made with vegetable stock instead of meat-based stock.
To make vegan katsu curry, fry onion, garlic, and chilli in vegetable oil until soft. Add your spices, flour, stock stock bit by bit, stirring as you go, followed by your coconut milk. Finish with sugar and soy sauce and leave to simmer until your sauce is deliciously thick and silky.
Toss chopped vegetables in flour and coat in batter, then toss in panko crumbs. Fry evenly on both sides until crisp. To serve, place the fried vegetables on top of your rice, then lather the rich and velvety curry sauce on top.
Vegan Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a popular Thai noodle dish that has a fascinating history that combines Thai and Chinese culinary traditions. Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, which were a Chinese import that had become popular in Thailand. The dish also includes other Chinese inspired ingredients, such as bean sprouts and tofu, as well as Thai flavours, such as tamarind, fish sauce, and chilli. Over time, pad Thai has become a stir-fried noodle dish designed to be affordable, easy to prepare, and delicious.
Vegan pad Thai is a plant-based version of the beloved Thai noodle dish that is easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients. In vegan pad Thai, the meat and eggs are replaced with a variety of vegetables, tofu, or other plant-based protein sources.
To make vegan pad Thai, cook rice noodles then set aside. Stir-fry vegetables, such as beansprouts, carrots, and sweet peppers, in a wok or large skillet with garlic and tofu or other protein sources until tender. Then, make a sauce with a combination of tamarind paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other seasonings.
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss together with the vegetables and sauce until everything is well combined. To garnish, sprinkle a handful of chopped peanuts and fresh herbs, such as coriander or Thai basil, to add texture and flavour.
Vegan Sushi Rolls
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. The history of sushi dates back to the 8th century, when sushi was not eaten as a dish on its own, but rather as a way to preserve fish by wrapping it in rice and fermenting it for several months.
Today, there are many different varieties of sushi, including vegetarian and vegan options that use ingredients such as avocado, cucumber, carrot, sweet potato, and tofu. To make vegan sushi rolls, cook sushi rice then season with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Slice the vegetables and protein sources into thin strips and then arrange on top of the rice on a nori sheet.
Next, roll the nori sheet tightly around the ingredients to create a cylindrical shape. To finish, slice the cylinder into bite-sized pieces and serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Vegan Ramen
Vegan ramen is a plant-based version of the popular Japanese noodle soup dish that typically features a moreish broth, chewy noodles, and a variety of toppings. In vegan ramen, the traditional broth made with animal bones or seafood is replaced with a vegetable broth that is just as satisfying and delicious.
To make vegan ramen, simmer vegetables such as onions, garlic, ginger, and mushrooms in water for several hours. This creates a rich broth that can be seasoned with soy sauce and miso paste to enhance the flavour. The noodles are boiled until tender and then added to the hot broth. A variety of toppings can be added to vegan ramen, including tofu, mushrooms, beansprouts, seaweed, and spring onions.
Whether you’re looking for spicy and savoury dishes like Szechuan tofu stir-fry and Thai green curry or lighter fare like Japanese vegetable sushi rolls and Vietnamese pho, there is something for everyone in vegan Asian cuisine. With its focus on fresh, healthy ingredients and bold flavours, vegan Asian food is a great way to explore new culinary horizons while staying true to your vegan lifestyle.