15 Deliciously Authentic Asian Lentil Recipes

Are you looking for a nutritious and flavorful Asian lentil recipe to spice up your meal?

Look no further!

I’ve rounded up 15 of the best Asian lentil recipes that will be perfect for any occasion.

From savory soups to delicious curries, I’ve got something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

So grab your favorite lentils and get cooking!

Sweet Korean Lentils

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Korean cuisine just talks to me – it’s a mix of intense yet balanced flavors, vibrant colors, and interesting textures.

This Sweet Korean Lentils dish is a perfect example of that.

You get the sweetness from the brown sugar and sesame oil, the spicy kick from the red pepper flakes, and a lovely depth from the soy sauce.

The combination of red lentils, cooked rice, and the aromatics of garlic, ginger, and onions give it a hearty and comforting texture.

Tip: To really bring out the flavors, I recommend adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving. It adds a nice zesty flavor that really brightens up the dish.

Asian Lentil Lettuce Wraps

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Just look at the image above and you can almost taste the amazing flavors in this Asian Lentil Lettuce Wrap!

This delightful dish is packed with texture and flavor, from the nutty crunch of the walnuts to the savory saltiness of the hoisin sauce.

The red lentils provide a hearty base for the wraps, while the carrots, bell peppers, onions, and water chestnuts add a satisfying crunch.

The garlic, ginger, and green onions add a delightfully spicy kick. It’s a delicious vegan meal that everyone will love!

Tip: To make the filling even more flavorful, try adding a few tablespoons of chili garlic sauce or Sriracha.

You can also play around with the proportions of the ingredients to get the perfect balance of flavors.

The BEST Vegan Red Lentil Curry

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Seriously, this is my favorite vegan red lentil curry recipe!

It has all the flavors and textures you could ask for – the creaminess of the coconut milk, the warmth of the spices, the subtle heat of the serrano pepper, and the crunch of the cilantro.

All these flavors come together to make a delicious, comforting vegan dinner that will please everyone.

Tip: If you want to make this vegan red lentil curry extra special, try adding almond butter or a tablespoon of lime juice for a bit of zing. You can also add extra vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or green beans for more texture and flavor.

Korean Lentils – Vegan Bulgogi

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I love Korean-inspired dishes, and this vegan Bulgogi is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors.

The shiitake mushrooms and kimchi add a punch of umami and texture to the dish, while the lentils and basmati rice provide a hearty base.

The toasted sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds give this dish a delicious nutty flavor.

All of these flavors come together to create a flavorful and nutritious meal that’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

Tip: To make this vegan Bulgogi even more flavorful, I like to add fresh ginger and red chili pepper flakes for a bit of extra heat. You can also adjust the amount of brown sugar to make it sweeter or more savory.

Maple Dijon Lentil Salad

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This Maple Dijon Lentil Salad is a great combination of flavors and textures.

The hearty lentils are the perfect base for the sweet and tangy dressing made with maple syrup and dijon mustard.

The crunchy walnuts, grated carrot, and diced red onion add texture and flavor to the dish.

The dried cranberries bring a hint of sweetness to the salad.

Overall, this is a flavorful and comforting dish that is perfect for cold weather days.

Tip: To save time, cook the lentils in a pot of boiling water for about 15 minutes and then drain them. This will ensure that they are cooked evenly and that they absorb all of the flavors in the dressing.

Easy 25-minute Dal Tadka Recipe

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If you don’t mind a bit of spice, this 25-minute vegan Dal Tadka is the perfect recipe for you!

The combination of flavorful spices like coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and garam masala, as well as the creamy lentils and crunchy onion, makes this dish an absolute delight.

The Kasuri methi adds a unique flavor, while the lemon juice adds a zingy finish.

Serve this over basmati rice with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and you will have a delicious Indian feast in no time.

Tip: To save time, prepare the lentils and onion in advance. This will cut down on the time it takes to make the dish.

Coconut Lentil Curry

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This Coconut Lentil Curry is a flavorful and comforting dish that is easy to make and full of deliciousness.

The combination of lentils and coconut milk creates a creamy and velvety texture that is sure to please the palate.

The onions and tomatoes add a nice sweetness to the dish, while the garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds add a wonderful depth of flavor.

The chili powder or paprika adds a nice hint of heat that is balanced out by the turmeric powder.

Tip: Make sure to rinse the lentils before cooking them, as this will help to remove any debris or dirt. Additionally, if you’re looking for an extra boost of flavor, try adding some freshly grated coconut for a delicious twist.

Thai Red Curry Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

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This Thai Red Curry Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup is a vegan and gluten-free dream come true!

Creamy coconut milk and the spiciness of the red curry paste make for a delicious, flavorful combination.

The combination of sweet potatoes, red lentils, and tomatoes provides a wonderful texture that is both hearty and satisfying.

It’s a great meal to make as a quick one-pot supper or to enjoy as leftovers.

Tip: If you don’t have Maesri Red Curry Paste, you can substitute Thai red curry paste or your favorite curry paste. Taste and adjust the amount to your preference.

Kung Pao Lentils

Who can say no to a delicious, spicy kung pao lentils dish?

This vegan, gluten-free recipe is packed full of flavor and texture.

The combination of the kung pao sauce, aromatic vegetables, and cooked lentils make this a truly flavor-packed dish.

The lentils add a hearty texture, while the vegetables offer a crunchy counterpoint.

The sweet and spicy kung pao sauce is the perfect complement to the lentils.

Tip: To take the flavor up a notch, try adding a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.

This will add a nice kick of heat without overpowering the dish. If you find lentils too earthy, double the sauce or use other legumes like chickpeas.

Asian Lentil Balls

These balls have so many uses and are incredibly versatile.

They have a delicious blend of Asian flavors from the coconut aminos, garlic chili paste, and toasted sesame oil.

The lentils give the balls a satisfying crunchy texture while the breadcrumbs and arrowroot starch provide a nice light and fluffy consistency.

The scallions add a subtle onion flavor, and the cilantro adds a refreshing citrusy flavor.

Tip: Make sure to cook the lentils thoroughly before making the balls. This will help ensure that the balls stay together and don’t fall apart.

You can also substitute the lentils with your favorite vegan protein, such as tofu or tempeh.

Asian-Inspired Lentil & Rice Bowl

Your family will love this Asian-inspired lentil and rice bowl.

The combination of lentils, brown rice, carrots, edamame, daikon, shiitake mushrooms, and wakame provides an array of flavors and textures that are sure to please.

The addition of mirin, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds gives this bowl a unique and delicious flavor.

Topping the bowl off with grilled chicken and peanut sauce makes it a truly special dish.

Tip: For a heartier meal, use a combination of red and green lentils for a nuttier flavor. Also, be sure to cook the lentils and rice separately so that they maintain their individual textures.

Instant Pot Lentil Soup (Chinese-Style)

This one is the ultimate vegan comfort food!

The combination of hearty lentils, flavorful garlic and Doubanjiang, and a hint of cumin and white pepper creates a savory, delicious soup.

The texture is a hearty, thick, and creamy soup that is sure to fill you up.

This vegan Chinese-style dish is sure to become a staple in your home.

Tip: Make sure to add the Doubanjiang last so that it does not become too salty.

This ingredient is essential for that extra flavor and umami. Before serving, add salt to taste to make sure the soup has the perfect flavor balance.

Asian Lentil Sesame Fried Rice

I can already taste the savory and zesty flavors in this Asian-inspired fried rice dish.

The combination of green lentils, sesame seeds, and ginger delivers an umami flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.

The rice, carrots, and celery add texture to this dish, while the tomatoes and peas add a nice contrast in color.

This meal is a great way to combine a variety of vegetables and proteins in one dish.

Tip: To make this dish even healthier, I recommend using low-sodium soy sauce and brown rice for added fiber. This dish can easily be customized to your dietary needs, so feel free to add your favorite vegetables or proteins.

Creamy Gochujang Lentils (Plant-Based)

Why not try a plant-based twist on a classic?

This Creamy Gochujang Lentils dish has all the flavors and textures you’d expect from a weeknight meal, plus some Korean spice.

It’s a great way to add a bit of heat and depth to a vegetarian dish.

The garlic, onion, and ginger give it a delicious savory flavor, while the gochujang chili paste and gochugaru flakes add a bit of heat.

The lentils give it a nice earthy flavor, while the coconut milk provides a creamy texture.

All these flavors come together in a deliciously satisfying meal.

Tip: For an extra bit of flavor, try adding some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. This will help to balance out the spiciness of the chili paste and flakes.

Asian Carrot Ginger Lentil Soup

When it comes to Asian Carrot Ginger Lentil Soup, you can expect a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

The vegetables add sweetness and the ginger gives a subtle heat.

The lentils and vegetables create a hearty texture, while the sesame oil and soy sauce give it a lovely umami flavor.

Tip: For a flavorful and delicious soup, I suggest using a vegetable stock that is rich in flavor. This will really help to enhance the flavor of the soup and make it a hit with your family and friends.

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