Traditional Korean home cooked meals lean vegetarian and are simple yet bold: easy to find vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, spinach, and squash are transformed into delicious meals using soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang (Korean chili paste), or gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). Take this spinach banchan. Similarly, most Asian cuisines put vegetables at the center of weeknight dinners. Below we gathered our favorite vegetarian recipes inspired and beloved by the vastly diverse cultures of Asia. We have traditional dishes like Chana Masala and Kimchi Fried Rice to inspired versions like Eggplant Green Curry and Kimchi Deviled Eggs. One thing these recipes have in common: They rely on bright, bold, and daring seasonings, which are pantry staples found in each cultures’ home kitchens. To stock your own pantry, read how to stock an Asian pantry by Hetty McKinnon, author of four cookbooks (her latest is called “To Asia with Love”).
