Asian and Pacific Islander Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Celebrating Asian and Pacific American heritage isn’t just for May. Cook up an at-home version of kalua pork from Hawaii; enjoy noodle dishes from Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines; make your own better-than-takeout orange chicken; or serve up a comforting fish curry from Fiji. And if you have a sweet tooth, we’ve got you covered with Samoan coconut rolls and Thai mango sticky rice.

1. Coconut sticky rice with mango

This treat makes a great dessert or sweet breakfast on hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Chef Hong Thaimee’s version of kao niaw mamoung comes together quickly and is fragrant and flavorful without being mushy.

2. Hawaiian-style lumpia

If your family likes egg rolls, you’ll love lumpia in lighter, crispier rice paper wrappers. This recipe from ‘Ono Hawaiian Recipes is a great place to start. Chef Tani offers multiple options for fillings and serving styles, as well as a wrapper 101 breakdown.

3. Saag aloo

This classic Indian dish brings together tender potatoes and leafy greens. This version from Swathi’s Recipes can be made in less than 45 minutes and is a great one-pot vegetarian meal for the whole family.

4. Vietnamese chicken salad with rice noodles

This salad is chock-full of crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs and chicken, tossed in a homemade dressing. Lindsay, author of the blog Pinch of Yum, says that the rice noodles and fish sauce are essential. 

5. Pancit

Pancit is a common Filipino noodle dish, and every family has its own version. This recipe includes chicken, but other common variations include pork, shrimp, or even Chinese sausage. We love that the blog author uses a pre-shredded coleslaw mix, which saves a lot of chopping! Read the full post at A Healthy Makeover.

6. Yakisoba

A tangy stir-fry made with ramen-like noodles, yakisoba is a popular street food in Japan. This recipe from the blog Cooking With Amber is vegetarian, but you can easily add meat to the dish. Using bottled yakisoba sauce makes this recipe easy.

7. Fijian fish curry

Fijian food culture includes a blend of flavors from other countries, especially India. Fish is a staple protein, making this dish a perfect example of Fijian cuisine. If spices such as turmeric aren’t a part of your spice cabinet, consider getting just a bit from the bulk spices section at the grocery store instead of purchasing a whole bottle. A pinch of ground cinnamon can be substituted for the cinnamon stick. Read the full post at Tara’s Multicultural Kitchen.

8. Crockpot kalua pork 

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii and attended a luau, you might have tasted kalua pork, a pulled pork dish that is slow-cooked in an underground oven. Luckily, you don’t need to dig a hole in your backyard to create this succulent dish at home — just use your slow cooker! Even better, it takes just three ingredients, and one of them is salt. Read the full post at Pineapple and Coconut. 

9. Chinese scallion pancakes

This simple recipe for savory Chinese pancakes can be made in a single bowl and then fried in a skillet. All of the ingredients are easy to source, and it’s a cinch to pull together. These delicious pancakes would be great for breakfast or dinner. Tina, the recipe blogger, likes to serve them for breakfast with a fried egg on top. Yum! Check out the full recipe on her blog The Worktop.

10. Pani popo (Samoan coconut rolls)

Delicious for breakfast, dessert or just an afternoon snack, these sweet rolls will hit the spot. You can make them with from scratch or frozen dinner rolls. Either way, this ooey gooey bread will be a crowd-pleaser. Read the full post at Favorite Family Recipes. 

11. Malaysian sweet potato doughnuts

These sweet potato doughnuts are Malaysians’ favorite sugar fix for breakfast or afternoon tea. They are made without yeast, but are deep-fried just like a regular donut. These fried treats can be served warm, sprinkled with sugar, and with a cup of coffee on the side. Read the full post at Lisa’s Lemony Kitchen. 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in May 2020, and was updated in July 2024 by ParentMap’s senior editor with additional recipes by AAPI chefs and creators, additional resources and new photography.