This Spicy Stir-Fried Cucumber is a quick Sichuan-inspired side dish where crisp cucumber is flash-fried with ginger, garlic, spring onions and dried chillies before being coated in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce. The brief cooking time keeps the cucumber juicy while allowing it to absorb the bold aromatic flavours.
Ginataang Manok is a comforting Filipino coconut chicken stew made with bone-in chicken, ginger, garlic and onions simmered in rich coconut milk. Finished with tender green papaya and a touch of smoked paprika, it's a simple, homely dish that's perfect served with steamed rice.
This Northern Thai Laab is a peppery, smoky and aromatic pork salad that celebrates traditional nose-to-tail cooking. Unlike the more familiar lime-based laab, this northern version uses a fragrant spice paste of toasted chillies, galangal, shallots and peppers, combined with minced pork, liver and intestine for a rich and deeply savoury dish.
The Iconic Mauritian Upside-Down Rice Bowl Bol Renversé, literally "upside-down bowl”, is one of Mauritius' most beloved comfort dishes. Inspired by Chinese cooking but uniquely Mauritian, it layers fragrant chicken, prawns and vegetables in a glossy stir-fry beneath steamed rice and a perfectly fried egg. Turned out onto a plate, it reveals its signature presentation with the egg sitting proudly on top.
Steamed Chayote Dumplings with Dried Shrimp & Mushroo.
A beloved Mauritian Chinese snack, Boulettes Sousou (also known as Yen Sousou) reflects the island's rich blend of Chinese, African, Indian and French influences. Grated chayote is combined with dried shrimp, mushrooms and tapioca starch before being steamed into springy, translucent dumplings. Traditionally served with chilli sauce, these light yet deeply savoury bites are perfect as a starter or dim sum-style snack.
This classic Cantonese Steamed Eggs with Clams combines silky steamed egg custard with fresh clams and their natural cooking juices. Finished with light soy sauce and aromatic oils, it's a comforting dish that's perfect served with steamed jasmine rice
Ayam Asam Pedas is a vibrant Malaysian stew where chicken is simmered in a fragrant chilli and shrimp paste broth enriched with tamarind, lemongrass and aromatic spices. Finished with okra, tomatoes and toasted coconut, it's light, spicy, gently sour and wonderfully aromatic, making it perfect served with steamed rice.
Inspired by a visit to the UK's only wasabi farm, this simple Japanese-style rice bowl celebrates the delicate flavour of fresh wasabi. Warm Japanese rice is topped with sashimi-grade salmon, lightly cured yuzu prawns, toasted sesame seeds and shredded nori, then finished with freshly grated wasabi just before serving. With so few ingredients, the quality of each one really shines.
Devil Curry (Curry Debal) is a fiery Eurasian curry originating from the Portuguese communities of Malaysia and Singapore. Traditionally made with Christmas leftovers, it combines chicken, sausages and bacon in a rich tomato-based rempah infused with dried chillies, mustard, vinegar and soy sauce. The result is a bold, tangy, smoky curry with intense heat that's balanced by sweet palm sugar and sharp vinegar.
Inspired by a School of Wok Mystery Bag Cook-Off, this dish combines crispy prawns, soba noodles, crunchy kale and a fragrant Southeast Asian rempah made from lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, chilli and shallots. Finished with crispy shallots and a deep-fried soft-boiled egg, it's packed with texture and bold flavours.
These Chinese Sweet & Sour Meatballs feature juicy pork meatballs flavoured with ginger, garlic and Chinese five-spice, double-fried until crisp before being tossed with peppers, onion and pineapple in a glossy sweet and sour sauce. Strawberry jam gives the sauce its vibrant colour and fruity sweetness, creating a homemade version of a classic Chinese takeaway favourite.
This comforting Chana Dal is a simple Indian lentil curry made with split chickpeas, warming spices and aromatic onion, garlic and ginger. Slow-cooked until creamy and finished with fresh coriander, it's a hearty dish that's perfect served with rice or warm flatbreads.
Inspired by the vibrant street food of Ho Chi Minh City, this healthier version of Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice) pairs nutritious mixed-grain rice with a steamed pork and egg meatloaf, crispy pan-fried pomfret and garlic stir-fried pea shoots. By replacing traditional broken white rice with a 10-grain blend and pan-frying rather than deep-frying the fish, the dish retains all the balance and freshness that make Vietnamese cuisine so beloved.
Yee Sang (Yúshēng) is a colourful Chinese-style sashimi salad that has become a beloved Lunar New Year tradition in Malaysia and Singapore. This healthier version swaps the traditional sugary plum sauce for naturally sweet apple purée while retaining the symbolic ingredients that represent prosperity, abundance and long life. Crisp vegetables, sashimi-grade salmon, pomelo, homemade pickled ginger and baked wonton crisps are tossed together at the table for a joyful family feast.
This Hong Kong Leftover Stir-Fry (Mei Chum Siu Chow) is a classic dai pai dong dish that transforms leftover ingredients into a flavour-packed meal. The secret lies in preserved mustard greens and dried shrimp, which infuse the wok with deep umami before your choice of protein and vegetables are quickly stir-fried in a rich savoury sauce. It's a versatile recipe that works with almost any leftovers you have to hand.
