12 Must-Try Asian Inspired Salads!

I’m forever banging the drum for the fact that salads really don’t have to be boring, and this collection of tasty, vibrant Asian inspired salads proves that! These 12 recipes are bursting with bold flavors, crunchy textures, and colorful ingredients, and whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish, or a main course, there’s an option here that you’ll love.

From crunchy ramen noodle salad, to crunchy chicken salad with crispy wonton strips, these meals are a celebration of Asian inspired flavors, and they’re perfect for adding a little variety to your regular dinnertime rotation.

Each recipe features a simple homemade dressing to tie everything together beautifully – I highly recommend that you don’t skip this step or replace with a store-bought version – the dressings take just a few minutes to prepare, and they’re well worth the little extra effort. Let’s get straight down to the recipes! 

1. Ramen Noodle Salad

Crunchy, colorful, and totally nostalgic, this Ramen Noodle Salad is a potluck classic for a reason. The toasted ramen noodles add an irresistible crunch – if you’ve never prepared them this way before, I think you’ll quickly be converted! 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 pack ramen noodles, crumbled (discard seasoning packet)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp grated ginger

Instructions:

1. Toast crumbled ramen noodles and almonds in a dry skillet until golden. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Add toasted noodles and almonds.
3. Whisk together dressing ingredients and toss with the salad. Serve immediately.

2. Teriyaki Chicken Salad

This Teriyaki Chicken Salad is sweet, savory, and packed with protein. The sticky teriyaki glaze makes it a standout dish, and it’s super easy to prepare on a busy weeknight when you’re in the mood for something fresh and colorful. I like to use pre-prepared teriyaki chicken to save time, though you can of course make it from scratch if you prefer. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup cooked teriyaki chicken, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing:

• 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Arrange greens, cabbage, chicken, cucumbers, and carrots in a bowl.
2. Whisk together teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Drizzle over the salad.
3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

3. Asian Chicken Crunchy Salad

Loaded with crispy veggies, crunchy wonton strips, and tender chicken, this Asian Chicken Crunchy Salad is super satisfying and perfect for dinner. The leftovers are great for lunch the next day, though I prefer to keep the wonton strips and dressing separate until I’m ready to serve. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp grated ginger

Instructions:

1. Toss lettuce, chicken, carrots, almonds, and wonton strips in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Serve immediately.

4. Thai Beef Salad

This Thai Beef Salad is bold, spicy, and bursting with vibrant flavors, and the tangy lime dressing ties it all together beautifully. I like to cook my steak so it’s really rare, but you can prepare yours to your own liking. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb steak (sirloin or flank)
• 4 cups mixed greens
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Grill or sear steak to your desired doneness. Let rest, then slice thinly.
2. Arrange greens, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro in a bowl. Top with steak slices.
3. Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Serve immediately.

5. Chinese Chicken Chopped Salad

This Chinese Chicken Chopped Salad is a refreshing mix of cabbage, mandarin oranges, and tender chicken, finished with a tangy sesame dressing. The sweet and savory flavors work so well together, and the result is a bright and refreshing dish that I always go back for seconds of! 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup mandarin orange segments
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Toss cabbage, chicken, oranges, and almonds in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Serve immediately.

6. Vietnamese Noodle Salad Bowl

Light and refreshing, this Vietnamese Noodle Salad Bowl is packed with herbs, veggies, and vermicelli noodles, all tied together with a tangy fish sauce dressing.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked vermicelli noodles
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced cucumbers
• 1/4 cup fresh mint
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Arrange noodles, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, mint, and cilantro in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss and serve.

7. Easy Asian Cucumber Salad

This Easy Asian Cucumber Salad is light, crisp, and perfect as a side dish or refreshing appetizer. Salads just like this one have been going viral on TikTok recently, and once you’ve tried it, I think you’ll see why – super easy, crunchy, and delicious, and it pairs with almost everything you can think of! 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sliced cucumbers
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Toss cucumbers with dressing ingredients.
2. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chill for 10 minutes before serving.

8. Sesame Chicken Salad

This Sesame Chicken Salad features tender chicken and a sesame-soy dressing that’s packed with umami flavor! I love this one for meal prep – just keep the dressing to one side until you’re ready to serve, to prevent the other ingredients from turning soggy. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Combine greens, chicken, carrots, and sesame seeds in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Toss and serve.

This Chopped Thai Salad is crunchy, colorful, and drizzled with a creamy, nutty peanut dressing that’s nothing short of addictive.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Peanut Dressing:

• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2–3 tbsp warm water (to thin)

Instructions:

1. Combine cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, peanuts, and cilantro in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients until smooth. Adjust consistency with water as needed.
3. Drizzle dressing over the salad, toss well, and serve.

10. Korean Spinach Salad

Simple yet flavorful, this Korean Spinach Salad (also called Sigeumchi Namul) is a quick side dish bursting with sesame and garlic flavors. I love serving this one as a side when I’m making takeout style food at home. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to ice water. Squeeze out excess water.
2. Toss spinach with garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

11. Easy Edamame Salad

This Easy Edamame Salad is packed with protein and crunch, making it a perfect light lunch or snack. Try making a batch of this and keeping it in the fridge for when you’re feeling peckish. Add a spoonful to salads, or serve alongside cold cuts of meat for a healthy and wholesome lunch. 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shelled edamame, cooked
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

Dressing:

• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Combine edamame, carrots, corn, and bell pepper in a bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and toss with the salad. Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving.

12. Asian Coleslaw

This Asian Coleslaw is a vibrant mix of shredded veggies tossed in a tangy sesame-ginger dressing. It’s a must-have side dish for any barbecue or potluck, especially when you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary! 

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Toss cabbage, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over the slaw. Toss well and serve immediately.

These Asian inspired salads are all super easy to prepare, loaded with nutritious ingredients, and are tied together with beautiful homemade dressings that you can prepare with a handful of simple store-cupboard ingredients. Give them a try – I think you’ll love them!