Looking for Asian Thanksgiving side dishes to go with your turkey this year? These are 21 of my favorite Asian inspired Thanksgiving recipes, from crab shack garlic noodles and Korean japchae to crispy egg rolls and a creamy mango sago for dessert. If you want unique Thanksgiving side dishes that are easy, feed a crowd and can be made ahead, you're in the right place!
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Whether you're hosting, bringing a dish to a Friendsgiving potluck, or just want something different next to the mashed potatoes, there's something here for everyone. Skipping the turkey? My crispy Chinese roast pork belly makes a great holiday centerpiece too, and every one of these sides goes with it. Pair the rich, savory dishes with something fresh like my Taiwanese cucumber salad, and don't forget a spoonful of ginger scallion sauce for the turkey!
Jump to:
- 😍 Why you'll love these Asian sides
- 🦃 How to plan an Asian inspired Thanksgiving table
- 🍜 Noodle and rice sides
- 🍝 Crab Shack Garlic Noodles
- 🥢 Korean Beef Japchae
- 🍳 Golden Fried Rice
- 🍚 Hibachi Fried Rice
- 🥜 Spicy Peanut Noodles
- 🥒 Veggie sides and salads
- 🥒 Taiwanese Cucumber Salad
- 🌽 Air Fryer Street Corn Ribs
- 🧈 Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- 🍆 Thai Tofu Eggplant Stir Fry
- 🌺 Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- 🥕 Vietnamese Pickled Carrots and Daikon (Đồ Chua)
- 🥟 Starters and appetizers
- 🥣 Corn Egg Drop Soup
- 🌶️ Hot and Sour Soup
- 🦐 Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
- 🌯 Crispy Vietnamese Egg Rolls (Chả Giò)
- 🥟 Lucky Beef Dumplings
- 🍱 Potluck bakes
- 🍣 Salmon Sushi Bake
- 🍙 Spam Musubi Bake
- 🥄 Sauce for your turkey
- 🫚 Ginger Scallion Sauce
- 🥭 Something sweet
- 🥭 Mango Sago
- 🍓 Strawberry Sago
- 🍗 Bonus: Asian mains if you're skipping the turkey
- 🥓 Crispy Chinese Roast Pork Belly
- 🍖 Cha Siu Pork (Chinese BBQ Pork)
- 🍯 Asian Honey Glazed Ribs
- 🍗 Vietnamese Rotisserie Chicken (Gà Rô Ti)
- 🐔 Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
- 🫛 String Bean Chicken
- 💭 Asian Thanksgiving sides FAQ
- 💬 Comments
😍 Why you'll love these Asian sides
- Something different: familiar flavors with an Asian twist, so your Thanksgiving menu isn't another round of casseroles.
- Quick: lots of these are ready in 10 to 20 minutes.
- Feed a crowd: noodles, fried rice and baking dish sides are easy to double for a big family dinner or potluck.
- Vegetarian options: cucumber salad, corn ribs, tofu eggplant, pickled carrots and daikon and both sago desserts are meat free.
🦃 How to plan an Asian inspired Thanksgiving table
- Mix and match: pick one noodle or rice dish, one or two veggie sides, and a starter so the table has a little bit of everything.
- Balance rich and fresh: serve buttery noodles or fried rice with something crunchy and bright, like cucumber salad or pickled carrots and daikon.
- Make ahead: pickles and sauces can be made days before. Egg rolls and dumplings can be rolled and folded ahead, then cooked when guests arrive.
- Free up the oven: corn ribs and crispy tofu both cook in the air fryer while the turkey roasts.
- Bringing a dish? Sushi bake and Spam musubi bake are made in one baking dish and travel well to a potluck.
🍜 Noodle and rice sides
Move over stuffing! These noodle and rice dishes are easy crowd pleasers.
🍝 Crab Shack Garlic Noodles
Buttery, garlicky noodles just like the ones served with a seafood boil, ready in about 20 minutes. Make a double batch, they go fast!
🥢 Korean Beef Japchae
Chewy sweet potato glass noodles with bulgogi beef and colorful veggies in a sweet and savory sesame soy sauce. It's tasty warm or at room temperature, so it's perfect for a holiday buffet.
🍳 Golden Fried Rice
A simple 10 minute fried rice where the egg yolks coat every grain and turn it golden. It's an easy side that goes with everything on the table.
🍚 Hibachi Fried Rice
Japanese steakhouse style fried rice with egg, peas and carrots and that smoky, buttery flavor. A fun swap for stuffing!
🥜 Spicy Peanut Noodles
Saucy, nutty noodles with a little kick that come together in 10 minutes. Great when you need one more side and you're short on time.
🥒 Veggie sides and salads
Something fresh, crunchy and bright to balance out all the rich holiday food.
🥒 Taiwanese Cucumber Salad
Crunchy, garlicky Din Tai Fung style cucumbers ready in 10 minutes. Vegan friendly! The perfect fresh bite next to turkey and gravy.
🌽 Air Fryer Street Corn Ribs
Corn cut into ribs, air fried and topped street corn style. Vegetarian! They're fun to eat and they cook in the air fryer, so your oven stays free for the turkey.
🧈 Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Golden, crispy tofu made in the air fryer or oven with no deep frying. Toss it in your favorite sauce for an easy vegetarian side.
🍆 Thai Tofu Eggplant Stir Fry
A savory Thai style tofu and eggplant stir fry with fresh basil that's vegan friendly. Your vegetarian guests will love this one!
🌺 Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Creamy Hawaiian mac salad that's even better made a day ahead. It goes so well with turkey, ham and all the fixings.
🥕 Vietnamese Pickled Carrots and Daikon (Đồ Chua)
Sweet and tangy pickled carrots and daikon that keep well in the fridge. Make a jar ahead and you'll have a bright, crunchy side ready to go.
🥟 Starters and appetizers
Keep everyone happy while the turkey finishes cooking.
🥣 Corn Egg Drop Soup
Restaurant style corn egg drop soup in just 10 minutes. A cozy, light starter before the big meal.
🌶️ Hot and Sour Soup
Better than takeout hot and sour soup in 20 minutes, and you can make it as spicy and sour as you like.
🦐 Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Fresh spring rolls with shrimp, pork and herbs, served with my easy peanut sauce. Set out the fillings and let everyone roll their own!
🌯 Crispy Vietnamese Egg Rolls (Chả Giò)
Golden, crispy egg rolls that are better than takeout. Roll them ahead and fry them right before guests arrive.
🥟 Lucky Beef Dumplings
Juicy beef dumplings pan fried until golden on the bottom. Fold a big batch ahead for an easy appetizer everyone can grab.
🍱 Potluck bakes
Made in one baking dish and easy to carry to a Friendsgiving.
🍣 Salmon Sushi Bake
All the flavors of a lion king roll in one baking dish, with no rolling and no cream cheese. Scoop it onto roasted seaweed for a potluck favorite.
🍙 Spam Musubi Bake
Layers of rice, furikake and crispy glazed Spam topped with creamy mayo. Serve it warm with roasted nori, it's a crowd pleaser at any potluck.
🥄 Sauce for your turkey
🫚 Ginger Scallion Sauce
Restaurant style ginger scallion sauce that's amazing spooned over turkey, chicken or rice. It's a great way to wake up leftover turkey too!
🥭 Something sweet
🥭 Mango Sago
Creamy mango sago with chewy sago pearls and nata de coco coconut jelly that's not too sweet. A light, refreshing dessert after a big holiday meal.
🍓 Strawberry Sago
Mango sago's pretty pink cousin, with fresh strawberries, chewy sago pearls and nata de coco coconut jelly. Make both for a fun dessert table!
🍗 Bonus: Asian mains if you're skipping the turkey
Not a turkey family, or want a second main for a big crowd? These Asian inspired holiday mains go with every side on this list.
🥓 Crispy Chinese Roast Pork Belly
Light, crackly skin and juicy meat, made in the air fryer or oven. A showstopping centerpiece for your holiday table!
🍖 Cha Siu Pork (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Sweet, sticky Chinese BBQ pork that's better than takeout. Slice it up for a platter everyone can share.
🍯 Asian Honey Glazed Ribs
Tender braised ribs coated in a sticky honey glaze, made in one pot with about 5 minutes of prep.
🍗 Vietnamese Rotisserie Chicken (Gà Rô Ti)
Five spice chicken with golden, savory skin. A great swap if you want something smaller than a whole turkey.
🐔 Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
Crispy, savory skin and juicy meat from a simple soy sauce marinade, all made in the air fryer.
🫛 String Bean Chicken
Panda Express style string bean chicken with crisp green beans in a savory sauce. Your green beans and protein in one easy dish!
💭 Asian Thanksgiving sides FAQ
Garlic noodles, japchae, fried rice, cucumber salad, egg rolls and spring rolls are all great Asian side dishes for Thanksgiving. Pick a noodle or rice dish, a fresh veggie side and an appetizer for a balanced table.
Pickled carrots and daikon, ginger scallion sauce and Hawaiian mac salad can all be made ahead and kept in the fridge. Egg rolls and dumplings can be rolled and folded ahead, then cooked right before serving.
Rich turkey and gravy pair well with something fresh and tangy like Taiwanese cucumber salad or pickled carrots and daikon. Ginger scallion sauce is also delicious spooned right over sliced turkey.
Yes! Taiwanese cucumber salad, air fryer street corn ribs, Thai tofu eggplant stir fry, Vietnamese pickled carrots and daikon, and mango or strawberry sago are all meat free options for your Thanksgiving table.
Which one are you making?
I'd love to hear which sides made it to your Thanksgiving table! Leave a comment below and tag @thesavorychopstick on Instagram.
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