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21 Budget-Friendly Asian Dishes Better Than Expensive Takeout

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Ever wonder if you could whip up some tasty Asian dishes right at home, and without spending a ton of cash? Forget those pricey takeouts or high-end restaurants! It turns out, you can actually enjoy scrumptious Asian flavors right in your kitchen, and without leaving a hole in your wallet.

Let’s get real. Who wouldn’t want to discover how to create some seriously yummy food without blowing their budget? We’re here to guide you on a foodie adventure that explores Asia’s authentic tastes. What’s more, there’s no need for fancy ingredients or complicated procedures. Join us as we delve into how to put together some super affordable Asian meals that are every bit as good as your expensive takeout!

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Low angle shot of szechuan shrimp in a wok.
Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Turkey Meatballs

If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly way to satiate your palate, Thai Turkey Meatballs have got you covered. This dish is packed with unique, vibrant flavors that surpass any expensive takeout option. Delicious and affordable, it shows anyone can enjoy a gourmet meal without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Thai Turkey Meatballs

Spicy Miso Ramen

Say goodbye to standard, quick ramen and hello to Spicy Miso Ramen. This dish offers a balance of heat and comfort without stretching your grocery budget. Beyond cost-effective, the rich, savory broth and noodles provide a food experience that rivals any Japanese takeout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Miso Ramen

Thai curry puffs filled with ground chicken, potatoes, peas, onions, garlic and spices are a mouthwatering snack.
Thai Curry Puffs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Curry Puffs

Thai Curry Puffs are an inexpensive way to indulge in Asian cuisine. Trust us, these tantalizing pastries filled with curried potatoes and chicken will leave your wallet and taste buds happy. It’s your own personal Asian bakery, sans high prices.
Get the Recipe: Thai Curry Puffs

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles is your answer to a budget-friendly, hearty meal that doesn’t skimp on taste. This dish boasts soft noodles intermingled with a spicy, savory sauce, proving that vegetarian and budget-friendly can also mean delicious.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Overhead shot of Thai fried rice in a white bowl with a skillet of fried rice on the side.
Thai Fried Rice. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Fried Rice

No more need for overpriced Thai fried rice from your local restaurant. With Thai Fried Rice, you can enjoy an affordable, restaurant-quality dish right at home. Full of vegetables, fried rice, and a hit of lime, it’s an easy and frugal choice for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fried Rice

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Spice up your routine without burning through your budget with Spicy Cucumber Salad. A dish that combines the cool crispness of cucumber with a hot chili dressing, offering a unique and cost-effective dining experience that’ll have you reaching for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

A bowl of pad kee mao with chicken shot from above.
Pad Kee Mao with Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pad Kee Mao with Chicken

Pad Kee Mao with Chicken combines affordability with the satisfaction of takeout. These wide noodles tossed with veggies and chicken in a spicy sauce are a wallet-friendly and scrumptious alternative to any high-end Thai restaurant meal.
Get the Recipe: Pad Kee Mao with Chicken

Veggie Pad Thai

Veggie Pad Thai is not only pocket-friendly but also flavor-packed. Loaded with veggies and noodles blanketed in a tangy sauce, this dish provides a delectable and inexpensive choice for those craving Asian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pad Thai

Szechuan Shrimp

Shell out less for seafood with Szechuan Shrimp. This spicy shrimp stir-fry is a great way to enjoy fine dining without the premium price tag. It’s a mouthwatering, budget-conscious substitute for any overpriced Chinese takeout.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Thai Chicken Curry

Thai Chicken Curry is a cost-efficient dish that’s high on taste. Tender chicken pieces in a creamy Thai sauce will make you forget those high-priced Thai restaurant tabs. This is budget eating at its most delicious.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Hand holding paneer roll.
Paneer Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Paneer Rolls

Paneer Rolls treat you to unique flavors without straining your wallet. They’re a pocket-friendly choice that turns basic, affordable paneer into a delightful Indian snack, proving that cost-friendly can equate to mouth-watering.
Get the Recipe: Paneer Rolls

Tamarind Chutney

Tamarind Chutney offers a dip into fine cuisine without a big dip in your budget. It blends sweet and tangy flavors into a cost-saving condiment, demonstrating that a little bit of sweetness doesn’t require a big budget.
Get the Recipe: Tamarind Chutney

Low angle shot of a bowl of palak paneer on a fancy silver tray with a fancy silver serving spoon.
Palak Paneer. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Palak Paneer

With Palak Paneer, you’re in for a treat without the steep restaurant costs. This dish blends soft paneer cubes with a slightly spicy spinach gravy, redefining the meaning of cost-effective Indian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Palak Paneer

Thai Chicken Satay

Thai Chicken Satay is a cheap eats game-changer. Skewered chicken marinated in a titillating Thai marinade gives you all the flavor you expect from takeout, minus the exorbitant cost. The result? Serious savings with a side of serious deliciousness.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Low angle shot of a bowl of sweet and sour tofu.
Sweet and Sour Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Sweet and Sour Tofu

If you think saving money means sacrificing flavor, one bite of Sweet and Sour Tofu will change your mind. This dish presents tofu in a tangy sauce, demonstrating that affordable ingredients can result in a lavish dish that’s more impressive than pricy takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Tofu

Pancit Bihon

Pancit Bihon proves that Filipino cuisine can be both flavorful and budget-friendly. With rice noodles, chicken, veggies, and a squeeze of citrus, it’s a dish that satisfies the taste buds without denting the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Pancit Bihon

Thai fish cakes on a black plate with prik nam pla.
Thai Fish Cakes. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Fish Cakes

Thai Fish Cakes deliver high-end flavors without the high-end price tag. These simple-to-make cakes are a cost-efficient way to enjoy seafood, and might just make you forget about pricey Thai restaurant fare.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fish Cakes

Tanghulu

Taste a unique Asian street food with Tanghulu, a candied fruit snack. It’s a concoction that proves you can enjoy sweet treats from afar without splurging. Homemade and budget-friendly, it’s a delightful escape from the usual dessert routine.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

Low angle shot of a striped bowl filled with Thai larb salad garnished with shallot slices.
Thai Larb. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Larb

Thai Larb is a frugal foodie’s dream come true. This dish combines ground meat with fresh herbs and spices, giving your taste buds a tour of Thailand without the sky-high takeout prices. It’s proof that budget dishes can still be exciting and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Thai Larb

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken recreates a classic Indian dish in a wallet-friendly way. The spice-laden chicken, roasted to perfection, delivers Indian culinary delight without the big spend. It’s affordability and deliciousness combined.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Chicken

Low angle shot of a pile of paneer pakora.
Paneer Pakora. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Paneer Pakora

Paneer Pakora offers an exciting combo of Indian flavors on a shoestring budget. Golden fried paneer pieces in a savory batter bring restaurant standards home at a fraction of the cost, making them a wallet-friendly alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Paneer Pakora

By on February 17th, 2024
Photo of Robin Donovan

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind All Ways Delicious. She’s an Associated Press syndicated food and travel writer and the bestselling author of more than 40 cookbooks, including Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications including Chicago Sun-Times, Huffington Post, MSN, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times, Food & Wine, Cooking Light, PopSugar, Fitness, Mercury News, and many others. More about Robin

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