Asian Appetizers: Easy Recipes for Parties, Snacks, and Sharing
This post may contain affiliate links.Looking for easy Asian appetizers to serve at a party, family gathering, or just for snacking? This collection has everything from crispy fried bites and dumplings to satay, savory rice snacks, and more.
Asian appetizers are always fun to serve because there is so much variety. You can go for something crispy and fried, something savory and filling, or a few small bites that everyone can grab and enjoy.
In this collection, you’ll find some of my favorite Asian appetizer recipes, from dumplings and satay to croquettes, fried snacks, and savory rice cakes. Some are great for parties and gatherings, while others are just as good for an afternoon snack or a small plate to share at home.
I’ve included recipes from different parts of Asia, including Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean favorites, so there is a little bit of everything here. I hope you’ll find a few recipes you want to try.
Crispy & Fried Asian Appetizers
Korean Fried Shrimp Toast (Menbosha)
These crispy shrimp toasts are filled with a juicy shrimp mixture and fried until golden. They’re crunchy on the outside, tender inside, and perfect for sharing.
Chicken Karaage
Japanese chicken karaage is crispy, juicy, and packed with savory flavor. It makes a great appetizer, party snack, or something tasty to serve with rice.
Japanese Beef Croquette
These Japanese beef croquettes have a crispy coating with a soft, savory potato and beef filling inside. They’re comforting, filling, and very hard to stop at just one.
Kroket Kentang
Indonesian kroket kentang are crispy potato croquettes filled with a savory mixture inside. They’re a popular snack and a great addition to an appetizer spread.
Fried Mashed Potato Patties
These fried mashed potato patties are crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy in the middle. They’re an easy way to turn simple potatoes into a tasty savory snack.
Fried Shrimp Balls
These fried shrimp balls are crisp, juicy, and full of shrimp flavor. They’re bite-sized, easy to serve, and perfect for parties or casual snacking.
Fried Meatballs
These fried meatballs are savory, juicy, and nicely browned on the outside. Serve them as a simple appetizer or snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
Satay & Skewers
Sate Taichan
Sate Taichan is a simple Indonesian chicken skewer served with a spicy sambal on the side. It’s savory, juicy, and a little different from the usual satay with peanut sauce.
Beef Satay
These beef satay skewers are tender, flavorful, and nicely charred from the grill. They’re great for parties, family gatherings, or anytime you want something easy to share.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Juicy chicken skewers are grilled until lightly charred and served with a rich, creamy peanut sauce. This is always a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Dumplings & Dim Sum
Chicken Wontons with Shrimp
These wontons are filled with a savory mixture of chicken and shrimp, then wrapped in tender wonton skins. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an easy appetizer.
Chicken and Shrimp Gyoza
These gyoza are juicy on the inside with a crisp golden bottom. The chicken and shrimp filling makes them light, savory, and perfect for sharing.
Pork Shao Mai
These pork shao mai are soft, juicy, and full of savory flavor. They’re a classic dim sum favorite and a lovely addition to an Asian appetizer spread.
Indonesian Savory Snacks & Small Bites
Lemper
Lemper is a traditional Indonesian sticky rice snack filled with savory shredded chicken. It’s filling, comforting, and easy to serve as a small bite for gatherings.
Ketan Serundeng
These savory sticky rice cakes are topped with fragrant coconut serundeng for a mix of soft, chewy, and slightly crisp textures. They make a delicious Indonesian snack or appetizer.
More Asian Snacks & Appetizer Ideas
Pork Jerky
This homemade pork jerky is sweet, savory, and slightly smoky with plenty of flavor in every bite. It’s more of a snack than a traditional appetizer, but it’s great for sharing.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to enjoy Asian appetizers, from crispy fried bites and dumplings to grilled skewers and savory snacks. Some are perfect for parties, while others are simple enough to make when you just want something tasty to snack on at home.
I hope this collection gives you a few new recipes to try. Pick one or make a few different dishes and turn them into a fun little Asian appetizer spread.
Asian Appetizers FAQs
Popular Asian appetizers include dumplings, satay and skewers, fried chicken, croquettes, shrimp toast, meatballs, spring rolls, and other small savory bites. The exact dishes vary a lot from one Asian country to another.
Dumplings, chicken karaage, satay, fried shrimp balls, croquettes, and fried meatballs are all good choices for parties because they are easy to serve and share. You can mix a few different recipes together to give everyone more choices.
Many of them can. Dumplings and wontons can often be assembled ahead of time, while croquettes and meatballs can be prepared before cooking. Crispy fried appetizers are usually best cooked or reheated close to serving so they stay crunchy.
It depends on the appetizer. Soy-based dipping sauces work well with dumplings and wontons, peanut sauce is perfect with satay, while sweet chili sauce or a spicy chili sauce goes nicely with many fried appetizers.
Not at all. While there are plenty of crispy fried appetizers, you’ll also find grilled satay, steamed dumplings, sticky rice snacks, and other small bites that are prepared without frying.
Yes. Dumplings such as gyoza, wontons, and shao mai are commonly served as appetizers, dim sum, or small dishes for sharing.
More Asian Recipe Collections
- Asian Chicken Recipes
- Asian Pork Recipes
- Asian Bread Recipes
- Asian Dessert Recipes
- Easy Chinese Recipes
- Easy Stir Fry Recipes
