15 Low-Carb Asian Recipes You Can Try At Home

About Low-Carb Diet

People have known about low-carb diets for a long time. They typically have few carbs and a lot of protein and vegetables. This means that they don't have a lot of white rice, white noodles, white pasta, or sugar. Low-carb diets have been  known to help people lose weight and achieve better HDL cholesterol levels.

Why you should try a low-carb diet?

Low-carb diets have been popular for a long time, even though diet trends come and go. 

Low-carb diets have been shown to help people to lose weight, but they can also make people feel tired if they don't replace simple carbs with complex ones. After all, carbs are what give you energy.

If you want to try out a low-carb diet first, here are our 15 low-carb dishes that you can try at home.

15 Low-carb recipes you can try at home

1. One pan roast duck with plums

The roasted duck is a stunning dish that is perfect for Christmas. By pairing the rich duck meat with Chinese five-spice and plums, this recipe incorporates Asian flavours.

Prepare:

1 whole duck

500-gram halved and deseeded plums 

For this recipe, plums should be on the firmer side, so they maintain their shape in the oven.

1 bulb onion (peeled and cut into wedges)

1  tablespoon of five-spice powder

2  tsp salt

1 teaspoon of soy sauce

Honey can be substituted with maple syrup for a more robust flavour.

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.
2. Spread the five-spice powder and salt evenly over the duck, then place it breast-side down in a deep roasting pan.
3. Bake for one hour in the oven. Leave out the Chinese five-spice for a less spicy flavour, or substitute ground ginger for an even more Christmassy taste.

Then proceed to add the seasonings.

1. Remove the duck from the oven and remove any accumulated fat from the roasting pan.
2. Flip the duck so that its breast is facing up and place the plums and onion wedges around the duck, and drizzle soy sauce and honey over them.
3. Return the duck to the oven for another hour of baking.

2. Pickled Radish Omelette

A must-try dish! The preserved radish omelette.  Originating in China and made with few ingredients, it is simple to prepare and strikes the ideal balance between sweet and salty. It can be eaten with rice, porridge, or various side dishes.

Prepare

2 tablespoons of pickled radish (washed and drained)

3 eggs

1 tsp of chopped garlic

Pepper

2 tbsp oil

1 stalk of cilantro

Procedure:

1. To saute the radish, heat the oil in a pan. Fry radishes for roughly one minute.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes or until aromatic then, add the eggs. 
3. Crack three eggs and lightly beat them with a pinch of pepper. Evenly distribute the radishes in the pan before adding the eggs.
4. Spread the egg throughout the pan and stir gently until the egg is no longer liquid and appears slightly curdled.
5. Allow it to be brown on one side, then flip it over then, and carefully avoid overcooking the omelette. 

3. Tomato egg drop soup

Tomato egg drop soup, both sweet and sour, is a dish that will whet one's appetite. This Chinese dish is effortless, requiring no special herbs or techniques other than swirling in the egg whites to create the egg strands. 

It's a dish that can be served as a starter, a side dish, or even a light meal.

Prepare

2 tablespoons of oil

3 tomatoes (cut into small chunks)

1 cup of chicken broth

2 cups of water

2 tablespoons of light soy sauce.

12 teaspoons sesame oil

14 teaspoons white pepper

Salt (to taste) 

1 egg (beaten)

12 teaspoon cornstarch (mix with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry)

1 scallion (chopped)

Two tablespoons cilantro (chopped)

Procedure:

1. To fry the tomato, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, or until they start to soften and fall apart.
2. Pour the soup stock into it. Mix in water, chicken stock, soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and salt to taste.
3. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and keep the lid on while the soup simmers.
4. After that, make egg ribbons. In a small bowl, beat the egg quickly, and in a separate bowl, make the cornstarch slurry.
5. Use a spoon to make a whirlpool pattern in the soup. Keep swirling the pan as you pour in the cornstarch slurry until it's all mixed in.
6. Pour a thin stream of egg into the middle of the whirlpool while slowly stirring the soup. When egg ribbons appear, take them off the heat.

4. Steamed chicken and pumpkin

The steamed chicken and pumpkin recipe is nutritious and simple to prepare! Marinate the chicken in the various seasonings to your liking. Before steaming the entire dish for 20 minutes, add the pumpkin cubes. 

How fast can you finish it all in 45 minutes? It's easy to make a healthy yet filling steamed chicken and pumpkin dish at home!

Prepare

250 g boneless leg of chicken (remove skin and cut into bite-size cubes)

1 pumpkin cup (cut into cubes)

1 tablespoon of oyster sauce

12 tablespoon soy sauce

12 teaspoon potato starch

12 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

2 spring onion stalks

Procedure:

1. For about 10 minutes, marinate the chicken in a mixture of oyster sauce, soy sauce, potato starch, salt, and sugar.
2. Steam the chicken and pumpkin.
3. Place the marinated meat in a heat-resistant dish to steam. Then, add pumpkin cubes around the Chicken.
4. Steam for twenty minutes.

5. Japanese spinach salad

The Japanese spinach salad is a light dish that goes well with any meal. In short, it is s versatile.

This healthy and quick Japanese spinach meal is basic. Japanese side dishes are simple and compliment the main dish.

Prepare

4-5 cups of spinach leaf

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup bonito flakes (can sub with 1/8 tsp of hondashi)

1 tbsp Japanese sake

2 tsp sweetener (monk fruit erythritol blend, sugar or sweetener of choice)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp bonito flakes (sprinkle)

Procedure:

1. Low heat in a skillet. Put the sesame seeds into the pan to toast them. When you hear a few of the sesame seeds popping, take them off the heat.
2. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the sesame seeds. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can use a food processor to grind them.
3. Mix the sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin in a small bowl. Blend well.
4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
5. When the water is boiling, add the spinach and cook for one minute. Drain the food and soak it in cold water until it is cool.
6. Make sure to get as much water out of the spinach as you can. Cut the spinach into four pieces.
7. Mix the spinach and sesame dressing together.

6. Cheese Risotto

This cauliflower rice cheese risotto is perfect for any dinner. The dish's rich flavour makes it easy to forget it's healthy.

This low-carb cheesy risotto is perfect for keto dieters who crave cheese.

Prepare

2 tbsp butter

1 garlic clove

3 cups cauliflower rice (or rice of choice)

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp nutmeg

sprinkle with shredded parmesan (optional)

Procedure:

1. Get together everything you'll need.
2. Grate the garlic with a grater or a miner, then set it aside.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. When the butter has melted, add the cauliflower and cook for another three minutes, or until the cauliflower is soft.
5. Stir in the heavy cream, grated garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until everything is well-mixed. Cook for three to five minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
6. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and serve while it's still hot!

7. Orange beef

Our dish offers a low-carb alternative to Chinese takeout. This recipe can be customised for low-carb, keto, Atkins, diabetic, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and banting diets.

Prepare

1 pound beef top sirloin cut into thin strips across the grain

1/4 cup low-sodium gluten-free soy sauce or tamari sauce

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon granulated stevia/erythritol blend

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons butter

2 medium green onions thinly sliced, with white and green parts separated

1 tablespoon fresh ginger root minced

1 tablespoon fresh orange zest cut into thin strips

2 cloves garlic crushed

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Procedure:

1. Arrange beef strips on a paper towel so that they form a single layer. The area should then be covered with another paper towel and properly patted dry. 

Combine the soy sauce, water, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl or measuring cup and whisk to combine.

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Include one tablespoon of butter in the mix (reserving the second tablespoon of butter for later). 
2. As soon as the butter has melted and the foaming has subsided, add a portion of the steak in a single layer. Do not let pieces contact. 

Begin by browning one side, then flip and continue cooking until done. Transfer to a dish, then proceed with the remaining steak in the same manner.

1. In the same skillet that was used for the steak, continue cooking over medium-high heat and melt the butter that was reserved. 
2. Stir in the white part of the green onions, the ginger root, and the orange zest once the butter has melted. Cook for a few minutes, or until the aroma is released. Mix in the garlic, then add the xanthan gum. Continue cooking for roughly another 30 seconds.
3. Pour some rice vinegar into the skillet. While stirring, scrape up any parts that have been browned. After the liquid has nearly completely evaporated, turn the heat down to low and toss in the soy sauce, sugar, water, and crushed red pepper.
4. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring it regularly, until it reaches the desired consistency. Mix in the steak, then cook it all the way through.
5. Just before serving, combine the green onions with the rest of the green onions.

8. Asian coleslaw

Your weekly meal plan will benefit greatly from the inclusion of this low-carb Asian coleslaw that is both crunchy and subtly sweet. 

This keto coleslaw that is both crunchy and flavorful will quickly become a household favourite. It is simple to prepare and can be stored for up to five days in the refrigerator.

Prepare

1 head of cabbage shredded

1 red bell pepper sliced thin

¼ cup shaved almonds

3 tbsp sesame seeds

for the dressing

⅔ cup rice wine vinegar

2 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp MCT oil

2 tbsp bocha sweet (or other sugar substitutes)

1 tsp salt

2 tsp sriracha

Procedure:

1. Combine the components of the dressing.
2. Toss on salad.
3. Allow salad to set out at room temperature for 5–10 minutes, or place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
4. To finish, sprinkle on some sesame seeds, sliced almonds, and your preferred vegetables.
5. Refrigerate for up to five days after purchase in a container that has been well sealed.

9. Ginseng chicken soup

Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) is ideal for summer. The chicken is packed with glutinous rice and cooked with garlic, ginger, and ginseng, scallions, salt, and pepper.

Prepare

1 chicken (approximately 0.7 to 1 kilogram), cleaned with giblets and fats 

removed and patted dry.

1/4 cup glutinous rice (wash and soak for 1 hr)

1 ginseng root washed.

2 large dried jujubes (red dates)

8 garlic bulbs (washed and peeled)

2-3 spring onions (chopped)

Pinch of salt

Black pepper

1.5 L water

For the sesame dipping sauce:

1-2 tsp salt

1 tsp sesame seeds

Pinch of black ground pepper

2 tbsp sesame oil

Procedure:

1. For the dipping sauce, thoroughly combine salt, sesame seeds, ground black pepper, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. To prepare the main dish, strain the sticky rice.
3. Stuff the chicken with rice, ginseng, two jujubes, and eight garlic cloves.
4.  In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil.
5. When the water is boiling, lower the chicken into it—cover and cook for 30 minutes over medium-high heat.
6.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 40 minutes until the chicken, ginseng, and rice are tender. Add some hot water if necessary.

10. Asian beef and cabbage noodles

Dinner doesn't get much simpler than this low-carb Asian beef and cabbage noodle stir fry that you can make every night of the week. These cabbage noodles with soft meat and a spicy sauce are a must-try for anyone who likes eating asian food types dishes. Only 4.1 grams of net carbohydrates are in each serving. 

Prepare

1 lb beef, thinly sliced 

1 tablespoon oil

5 cups cabbage, thinly sliced into noodles

4 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons curry paste (can use Thai red curry paste to substitute)

2 tablespoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar (can sub with white wine vinegar)

4 tablespoons Swerve Brown sugar

fresh cilantro or basil for garnish (optional)

Procedure: 

1. Bring a big saute pan to a high temperature and add the oil to the pan. When the pan is heated, cook the steak in it until it just begins to brown.
2. While you wait, combine the curry paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar made with swerve, and rice wine vinegar in a mixing bowl.
3. When the meat has reached the desired level of doneness, stir in the cabbage and then pour the sauce on top. Cook for another 5 minutes with the cover on.
4. Remove the noodles made from the cabbage and continue cooking them for an additional 5 minutes if you prefer a softer texture.
5. Top with chopped fresh cilantro or basil for a garnish.

11. Eggplant pizza melts

This recipe for fast eggplant pizza is not only quick and easy to create, but it also provides a more nutritious approach to eating one of your favourite foods. This low-carb food recipe is packed with all the good stuff! It has all the flavour you want while reducing carbs and calories. 

These adorable bite-sized pizzas made with eggplant are a delectable way to satisfy your craving for this vegetable. In addition to having a low-carb and gluten-free content, they are a dish that will make your mouth water and will provide your body with a substantial amount of vegetables.

Prepare 

1 medium eggplant (~1 lb; cut into uniform 1/2 thick slices)

2 tbsp olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

1/2 cup marinara sauce

1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 oz mini pepperoni slices

Procedure:

1. While you are cooking, start a kitchen timer by tapping on the times that are listed in the instructions below.
2. Set the temperature of the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. A baking sheet should be prepared with parchment paper.
3. Place the eggplant slices on the baking sheet that has been prepared with parchment paper in a single layer. Olive oil should be applied using a brush or sprayed on both sides. Add some coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Place the eggplant in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until it is brown and tender.
5. Coat each slice of eggplant with approximately 2 teaspoons of marinara sauce. Sprinkle approximately 2 teaspoons of grated cheese over each one. Pepperoni slices and Italian seasoning should be sprinkled on top.
6. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or broil. Place back into the oven. Continue baking for about 5 minutes more, until the cheese has melted and turned a golden brown colour. 

12. Salmon and coconut rolls

Salmon is incredibly adaptable as a protein source since it is full of heart-healthy fats and that it combines well with a wide range of flavour profiles. These snacks would be enhanced by the addition of a robust and flavorful sauce that combines sweet and savoury flavours and is crafted with ginger, garlic, ketchup, and soy sauce.

Prepare 

2 salmon loins

1 lime juice (and zest)

Sea salt

ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. peanut oil

2 Tbsp. onions (chopped)

1 garlic clove

1 tsp. ginger (grated)

2 Tbsp. light soy sauce 

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. rice vinegar

2 Tbsp. ketchup

50 grams grated coconut

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

4 sheets filo pastry

Peanut oil (for brushing pastry)

Procedure:

1. Each salmon loin should be cut into four equal slices.
2. Place them in a bowl, then season them with salt, pepper, and lime juice, and finish by sprinkling them with lime zest.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for a period of half an hour.
4. Preheat oven to 210 degrees Celsius.
5. In a skillet, bring two teaspoons' worth of peanut oil up to temperature.
6. Include the chopped onion and continue to cook it over low heat for about 6-7 minutes, or until it has become tender.
7. Add the garlic that has been chopped, and continue to heat for another minute.
8. Stir in the ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar after adding the ginger. Continue cooking for a few more moments, and then use a hand mixer to purée the sauce.
9. If you do not want onion chunks in the sauce, you can pass it through a sieve.
10. Cut the sheets of filo pastry in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into strips that are the same width as the salmon slices.
11. Combine the coconut and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
12. Take one of the pieces of filo pastry and lay it out on a clean surface. Brush it with oil.
13. Overlap one strip with another, and then brush on some oil. Act once more.
14. Coat the salmon loin with the mixture that consists of coconut and cornstarch, and arrange it on one end of the filo pastry.
15. Roll up the salmon in the pastry, and arrange it in a roll on a baking sheet that has been prepared with parchment paper.
16. Bake the rolls for about 12 minutes, or until they have a golden colour.
17. Drizzle the Asian sauce over the rolls before serving. 

13. Steamed fish with lime and chilli dressing

This is a common Thai dish that tastes fresh and spicy and is easy to find. It's a great way to eat healthy food without giving up flavour. 

People usually use whole white fish for this recipe, but you can use salmon fillet because it goes well with the flavours. If you don't use the whole fish, the whole recipe is easier to make, and you can also fit it in a small steamer. When you use a fish fillet, it takes less time to steam, and you don't have to deal with many bones.

Prepare 

200g salmon

 1 chopped spring onion

 3 red chillies (finely chopped)

 3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

 2 tbsp fish sauce

 3 tbsp lime juice

 1 teaspoon sugar

 Coriander for garnishing

 Fresh lime for garnishing

 Red chilli for garnishing

Procedure:

1. Put the salmon (or other fish) in a dish and steam it for 10 minutes (or until cooked)
2. Carefully take the salmon out of the dish and put it on a plate for serving. Pour the salmon juices from the dish we used to steam it into a small bowl.
3. Add 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 3 finely chopped red chillies, 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic, and 1 chopped spring onion to the bowl with the fish juice and mix well.
4. Pour the sauce we just made over the fish that we steamed. Add coriander, fresh lime slices, and fresh red chilli slices to the top. Serve, and have fun!

14. ABC soup

The soup's base consists of pork/chicken ribs, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes. It is as simple as A, B, and C and contains vitamins. All you need is a large soup pot, a lot of water, and an hour to simmer the ingredients.

Prepare

400 g pork ribs

2 entire carrots (peeled and chopped into pieces)

2 complete potatoes (peeled and chopped into pieces)

2 complete tomatoes (wedges)

1 large onion (peeled and divided into wedges)

1 corn kernel (cut into pieces)

40g Ikan bilis (dehydrated anchovy)

60 grams of Shaoxing (optional - or apple cider)

Boiling water

Salt to taste

Procedure: 

1. Add pork to a pot of boiling water and boil for five min.
2. Remove the pork from the pot and set it aside after removing the scum from the boiling water. Then, discard the water.
3. To make the soup, add pork and the rest of the ingredients in a 2nd large     

pot filled with clean, boiling water.

1. Cover and reduce the heat to low after achieving a boil.
2. For 45 minutes, simmer over medium-low heat.
3. After 45 minutes, add salt to taste and remove the dish from the heat.

15. Asian sesame-roasted broccoli

This Asian roasted broccoli recipe takes traditional roasted broccoli and takes it to the next level by adding coconut oil, soy sauce, spices, and just a touch of sriracha to the mix. This can be made without gluten. The tastiest way to prepare fresh broccoli for dinner is to sauté it in butter and garlic. This recipe works wonderfully as a quick and nutritious addition to any meal as a side dish.

Prepare

1 pound broccoli florets (fresh, washed and dried)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

½ teaspoon chilli paste

½ teaspoon ginger (grated)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon sesame oil

Procedure: 

1. Place a baking sheet with a rim in the oven and line it with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chilli paste, and ginger. Whisk until well combined. Add the broccoli and stir to coat it evenly. Distribute evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet.
3. Bake in an oven that has been warmed for about ten minutes, stirring once halfway through the cooking time. 
4. After removing from the oven, add the garlic, the sesame seeds, and the sesame oil. Mix well by tossing. Continue to boil the broccoli for another 5-10 minutes, until the pieces become soft and the edges begin to brown.
5. Enjoy while it's still hot!

Once we fully commit to making the low-carb or keto diet a huge part of our daily meal plan, it is not surprising that we experience significant positive changes in our health. Keep in mind that you should go above and beyond these recipes by prioritizing ensuring that every meal you eat provides you with the full range of nutrients you need. Always remember that low-carb diets are only efficient and beneficial once done appropriately. 

FAQs

• What are the health benefits of a low-carb diet? 

Research into low-carb eating as it pertains to treating or preventing disease is far from conclusive, a low-carb diet results in weight loss and is especially important in regard to metabolic and insulin-related diseases.

• How will my body function if I eliminate carbohydrates from my diet? Aren't carbs what fuel us?

Carbohydrates are a source of fuel for the body, but they are not the only ones. Indeed, evidence suggests that our bodies are excellent adapters and that they perform better when they burn fat rather than carbs, a process known as ketosis. Your body also has an almost limitless supply of fat to burn as fuel, but only a limited supply of carb-produced glycogen.

If you want to start your low-carb diet, visit Tuk Tuk Mart and buy all the ingredients you need to start your low-carb diet!