Refreshing Asian Side Dishes to Pair with Your Barbecue

Summer is great for barbecue parties, and the best way to keep the feast going is to enjoy palate-cleansing dishes between meaty bites. In fact, it’s a common tradition in Asian cuisines, adhering to the concept of balancing heaty, smoky and hearty dishes with cooling, refreshing sides. Korean barbecue is a prime example, as well as Chinese banquets and Southeast Asian grills that often come with a side of cucumber or other fruits and veggies.

So, let’s pair your barbecues with some Asian delights that are easy to make and refreshing to taste!

Pickled Daikon Radish

Pickles are a must-have in traditional Japanese meals, served as appetizers and palate cleansers. This pickled daikon radish is among the favourites, with a mildly sweet, savoury and tangy flavour, as well as a crunchy bite. Perfect to ease away gamey barbecue aftertastes. Make yours fresh with our recipe!

Cold Tofu Salad

After a chewy barbecue munch, this Chinese cold tofu salad becomes a soothing treat. The tofu’s softness and mild nutty taste get a savoury, tangy and piquant flavour with a blend of light soy sauce, black vinegar, garlic, cilantro stems, spring onion, roasted sesame seeds and sesame oil. Garnished with bird eye chilli and fragrant cilantro leaves. Try it with our recipe!

Korean Spinach Side Dish

Banchan (side dishes) are essential in Korean barbecue, served in an array of small portions for a combo of refreshing flavours to pair with the bold, savoury grilled meats. Here’s an easy spinach Banchan, flavoured with soy sauce, garlic, spicy gochujang balanced with sugar, fragrant spring onion and sesame seeds, salt and pepper to taste, as well as richly aromatic sesame oil. Grab the recipe here!

Want the full Korean barbecue experience? Check out our handy DIY guide, as well as the selection of Banchan dishes you can make!

Vietnamese Slaw with Grilled Pineapple

Grilled pineapple turns tender and lightly caramelised, enriching this Vietnamese coleslaw with its fruity sweet tang. Made vibrant with shredded white and red cabbages, as well as julienned carrot, mung bean threads and mint leaves. Drizzled with the savoury, spicy and tangy Vietnamese Nuoc Cham sauce and a squeeze of lime juice. Delightful to pair with your barbecue!

Spicy Mango Salad with Crispy Fish Baits

Nutty, crunchy, fruity and savoury with a zesty aftertaste, this Thai-style salad is a mix of raw mango, cashew nuts, dried shrimps and crispy fish bites. Flavoured with lime juice, tamarind sauce, fish sauce, shallots, palm sugar, chilli powder and bird’s eye chilli. A multi-textured salad that instantly invigorates your tastebuds, and a wondrous complement to your smoky grilled meats! Get the easy recipe here.

Balinese Coconut Vegetable Salad

Give your barbecue a tropical zest with this Balinese coconut veggie salad! Packed with string beans, bean sprouts, spinach and cucumber. Made fragrant and spicy with lemongrass, garlic, kaffir lime leaves, and a spicy, savoury sambal chilli paste. Tossed with toasted desiccated coconut for a fruity, nutty and invigorating taste! Whip it up with our recipe.

More Asian Barbecue Specials

There’s an abundance of gastronomic Asian barbecue flavours for you to explore and indulge! Come check out all the smoky, juicy delights you can add to your grill in our recipes collection!