It is no secret by now that I am absolutely obsessed with all things Asia. It’s the dark allure of smoking alleyways and street side food cart grills. It’s the heaping bowls of noodles for 100 baht or 3 American dollars. It’s the motorbikes wizzing by while you’re skipping around in your summer dress that nearly knock you off your feet. Yes, Asia and I have had quite the love story. So I lunge at any chance I get to turn my Faraway Kitchen into a portal to take me to the motherland. Asia is where you go when you want to bring your soul back to life, quote me.
These are some of my absolute favorite vegan asian creations that have inspired me during my vegan journey. I hope that lift you up and take you anywhere, just as they did me.
1. Chinese Orange Cauliflower
Vegan version of the classic Chinese takeout dish orange chicken. Cauliflower is battered and fried until golden, then covered in homemade orange sauce. Served with a side of white rice and topped with green onion.
2. Filipino Turon
Vegan version of the Filipino street food dessert. The sweet egg roll snack is stuffed with banana, fresh jackfruit, and fried in brown sugar oil.
3. Vietnamese Pho Cuon
Vegan version of the Hanoi, Vietnam’s specialty Pho Cuon (Pho Roll). Some of your favorite Pho Soup ingredients are stuffed into a vegan spring roll with a healthy portion of rice noodles, sautéed onion and shiitake mushrooms, and fresh veggies are mixed with vegan oyster sauce and rolled into a spring rolls.
4. Korean Kimchi Pancakes
Vegan version of a Korean favorite. These pancakes are incredible easy and require minimal ingredients. Fluffy pancakes stuffed with Korean kimchi, green onions, and topped with a spicy mayo.
5. Korean/Japanese Miso Sweet Potato
Air-fried sweet potatoes torched in a miso glaze topped with fresh kimchi, Thai basil stems, cilantro, furikake, and creamy tahini miso sauce.
6. Indian Corn Curry
This corn curry has a little bit of sweet and a little bit of spicy. The roasted mini corn addition adds the rustic feel of Indian cuisine. Serve with a side of traditional basmati rice and naan, topped with fresh cilantro.
7. Japanese Okonomiyaki (street pancakes)
Okonomiyaki literally translates to “as you like it” in Japanese. These Japanese street pancakes can be made in a hundred different ways, but this is how I like them. Pan fried with cabbage and zucchini until crispy, and then topped with spicy sriracha mayo, green onions, and asian barbecue sauce. (Pro tip: If you live in the Chicago area, there is an Okonomiyaki restaurant called Guijin that will knock your socks off).
8. Korean Barbecue Egg Rolls
Crunchy fried egg rolls stuffed with vegan Korean barbecue shredded king oyster mushrooms, avocado, red cabbage, and carrot. Serve as a starter with a side of sriracha mayo.
9. Japanese Sake Flatbread
Homemade vegan flatbread dish prepared with plant-based feta cheese, Japanese sake infused peaches simmered with sprigs of thyme, and baked until crispy. Top with balsamic glaze and cracked peppercorn.
10. Indian Sweet Corn Hummus
Homemade Middle Eastern hummus with a sweet corn flare. Served warm, topped with chives, smoked paprika, and warm bread.
