12 Best-Selling Asian Cooking Books Millions Love

What happens when a close-knit Chinese American family turns their kitchen stories into a cookbook? Bill, Judy, Sarah, and Kaitlin Leung share 100 recipes that weave authentic Cantonese techniques with approachable home cooking, including detailed chapters on pantry essentials and the art of velveting meat. You’ll gain practical skills like mastering Cantonese Roast Duck or making scallion pancakes, with plenty of context about the cultural roots behind each dish. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of Chinese cooking or simply want reliable, flavorful recipes, this book offers a warm, accessible entry point without overwhelming you.

Maangchi builds on her deep roots and internet fame to offer a rich, tactile exploration of Korean cuisine that goes beyond the usual dishes. You’ll find yourself mastering everything from street food snacks to ceremonial party dishes, with clear photos guiding ingredient choices and techniques. The book covers diverse topics like vegan temple fare and traditional lunch boxes, offering a well-rounded view of Korean home cooking rarely seen outside Korea. If you're eager to cook authentic Korean food with confidence and understand the culture behind it, this book delivers substance without fuss.

This tailored book explores the rich diversity of Asian cooking, focusing on mastering proven techniques from various regional styles. It covers essential ingredients, cooking methods, and flavor combinations that bring authenticity to your kitchen. By integrating knowledge that millions of readers have found valuable, this book offers a personalized learning experience that matches your interests, skill level, and culinary goals. The tailored approach reveals how to combine popular, expert-approved methods with your unique preferences, guiding you through authentic Asian recipes and techniques. It emphasizes practical insights into taste balancing, ingredient selection, and cooking traditions, ensuring you build confidence and skill in your culinary journey.

While working as a trial lawyer in Chicago, Joanne Lee Molinaro transformed her passion for Korean cuisine and plant-based eating into this unique cookbook. You’ll find authentic Korean recipes veganized with ingredients like doenjang and gochujang, alongside personal essays that reveal immigrant family stories shaping each dish. Chapters such as her take on jjajangmyun and gamja guk offer both cultural insight and practical cooking know-how. This book suits anyone interested in Korean food beyond barbecue, especially those exploring vegan cooking with rich cultural narratives.

When Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan first realized that ramen could be demystified through a comic book format, they crafted a unique blend of storytelling and cooking instruction that appeals to both culinary novices and seasoned cooks. You’ll learn how to prepare authentic ramen broths like Shio and Tonkotsu, master homemade noodles, and create traditional toppings such as Chashu and Onsen Eggs, all illustrated with humor and clarity. The book also offers cultural insights and personal anecdotes from renowned ramen chefs, enriching your appreciation beyond recipes alone. If you want to bring the experience and craft of Japanese ramen into your kitchen without intimidation, this book guides you clearly and engagingly.

Drawing from their combined expertise and family history, Kevin and Jeffrey Pang invite you into the heart of Chinese cooking with this richly detailed cookbook. You’ll learn to master techniques like stir-frying and folding Shanghai soup dumplings, while exploring recipes that range from American Chinese classics like General Tso's Chicken to authentic Sichuan street foods such as Dan Dan Mian. The book also offers practical guidance on sourcing ingredients and understanding culinary traditions, making it ideal if you want to deepen your skills and appreciation for Chinese cuisine beyond surface-level recipes.

This tailored book explores a step-by-step plan designed to elevate your Asian cooking skills within 30 days. It covers essential techniques, vibrant flavors, and authentic recipes, focusing on your unique culinary background and goals. Each chapter matches your interests, ensuring a learning experience that feels both engaging and relevant. The book reveals how to combine classic Asian cooking methods with personal touches to bring excitement and confidence to your kitchen. By tailoring content to your pace and preferences, it helps you master flavor balancing, ingredient selection, and dish preparation efficiently. This personalized approach turns popular Asian culinary knowledge into an accessible journey for flavorful home cooking.

What if everything you knew about Thai cooking was simplified? Pailin Chongchitnant, drawing from her childhood in Thailand and formal training at Le Cordon Bleu, peers beyond exotic ingredients to reveal the foundational techniques and flavors that define authentic Thai cuisine. You’ll explore chapters dedicated to curries, salads, and even vegan dishes, each accompanied by clear instructions and video tutorials that make the process approachable. The book’s detailed breakdown of essential tools and ingredients equips you to confidently replicate dishes that balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes. If you want to truly understand Thai food’s essence rather than just follow recipes, this book offers a grounded, immersive experience.

The breakthrough moment came when Tadashi Ono, a chef with deep roots in both Japanese and French culinary traditions, decided to spotlight Japanese comfort foods often overshadowed by sushi. This cookbook invites you to explore over 100 recipes that bring the heart of Tokyo’s street and home cooking to your kitchen, from ramen and tonkatsu to wafu pasta and savory crab omelets. You’ll learn not just cooking techniques but the fascinating origins and cultural influences behind each dish, enhanced by step-by-step photos and vivid location imagery. If you crave authentic, approachable Japanese flavors beyond the usual fare, this book offers a rich, practical guide to mastering these beloved dishes.

What started as a passion for authentic Indian flavors led Monisha Bharadwaj to craft a detailed exploration of India's vast culinary landscape. You gain hands-on insights into regional ingredients, cooking techniques, and the cultural significance behind each dish, supported by chapters dedicated to everything from rice and breads to chutneys and desserts. For instance, the book guides you through mastering the perfect curry base and understanding rice varieties, blending tradition with health-conscious approaches inspired by Ayurveda. Home cooks eager to deepen their understanding of Indian cuisine’s diversity will find this an informative and approachable resource, though those seeking quick recipes might find its depth more demanding.

When Maori Murota left Tokyo for Paris, she carried with her the flavors and memories of her hometown that shaped her cooking. In Tokyo Cult Recipes, Murota invites you into her culinary world, breaking down over 100 authentic Japanese dishes with clear instructions and vibrant photography. You’ll learn not just recipes but the techniques and ingredients fundamental to Japanese home cooking—from mastering miso and sushi basics to crafting delicate sweets and street food favorites. This book suits anyone eager to bring genuine Tokyo flavors into their kitchen, especially those who have found Japanese cuisine intimidating or elusive until now.

What happens when comic art meets Korean cooking? Robin Ha, a Seoul-born illustrator trained at the Rhode Island School of Design, merges her passion for comics and cuisine in this playful yet instructive cookbook. You’ll find 64 recipes rendered as colorful, easy-to-follow comics that demystify dishes like bulgogi dupbap and gimbap while sharing cultural insights and personal anecdotes. This book teaches not just recipes but an approachable way to understand Korean ingredients and cooking methods, making it ideal if you want a fresh, visually engaging entry into Korean culinary traditions. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook curious about Korean flavors, this book offers something uniquely inviting.

What started as Nancy Singleton Hachisu’s immersion into rural Japanese life became a detailed culinary journey through Japan’s regional flavors and traditions. This book offers you more than 400 authentic recipes, from delicate soups and noodles to pickles and sweets, each accompanied by insightful notes that reveal the cultural context and techniques behind them. You'll learn how to approach Japanese cooking with simplicity and elegance, mastering dishes that honor their origins without complexity. If you want to deepen your skills in Japanese cuisine and appreciate the subtlety of its ingredients, this book guides you through an expansive yet accessible culinary landscape.

Jet Tila combines his Thai and Chinese heritage with formal culinary training to demystify iconic Asian dishes for home cooks. You get more than 100 authentic recipes, from Korean BBQ short ribs to Vietnamese banh mi, each paired with insights on ingredients, technique, and flavor balancing. The book doesn’t just list recipes; it teaches you how to elevate everyday meals beyond takeout, offering practical tips like making your own Sriracha sauce. If you want to bring vibrant, diverse Asian flavors into your kitchen with approachable guidance, this book is a solid companion — especially if you enjoy experimenting with fresh, bold tastes.