
Popular Southeast
Asian Recipes
Asian Recipes
The Ultimate Guide to Popular Southeast Asian Recipes
Here at Banana Tree we celebrate Southeast Asian cuisine as a vibrant tapestry of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours, renowned for its fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs. The food of this region is big, it's bold, it's exciting - it's an unforgettable experience.
To put the best southeast asian recipes together, our team has travelled the length and breadth of the region, from the spice markets of Malaysia to the vibrant street food vendors of Vietnam, to master the techniques that make this popular cuisine so special. We use fresh, quality ingredients and a passion for tradition to craft every dish on our Southeast Asian restaurant menu, ensuring that with every bite, you're experiencing a true taste of our journey.
Dive into the popular Southeast Asian recipes we have to offer below and find your new favourite at one of our restaurants.

PAD THAI: THAI
CUISINE'S FINEST
Thai food is arguably the most famous Southeast Asian cuisine, celebrated for its abundance of flavour. Our Pad Thai encapsulates this, featuring wok-fried rice noodles in tamarind and palm sugar, with eggs, bean sprouts, spring onion, peanuts, crispy shallots and crackers.

KATSU: ULTIMATE
COMFORT FOOD
Perfectly balancing the rich, savoury flavour of a delicious curry sauce with the crispy texture of katsu - a breaded chicken fillet. Served with fluffy Japanese rice and fresh edamame beans, as well as a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds to add that final nutty crunch.

LAKSA: THE
MELTING POT
At its heart is a rich, spiced coconut broth, expertly simmered to achieve a deep, aromatic creaminess. This fragrant base perfectly complements the tender aubergine, soft tofu, and a handful of crunchy bean sprouts, all nestled in rice noodles.
FAQs
What are the basic ingredients used in most Southeast Asian cooking?
While each country has its own unique ingredients, you'll often find a combination of rice, noodles, coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, chillies, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and coriander.
Is Southeast Asian food always spicy?
Not always. While many dishes use chillies for heat, the cuisine is focused on a balance of flavours (sweet, sour, salty, and spicy). You can easily adjust the level of spice in most recipes to suit your preference.
Where can I find authentic ingredients for these recipes?
Most large supermarkets now stock a good selection of international ingredients. For more authentic and specific items, it's best to visit a local Asian supermarket or a specialist online food store.
What are the key spices I need to start cooking Southeast Asian food at home?
The core spices needed for cooking authentic Southeast Asian food include a blend of aromatic herbs and roots like lemongrass, galangal, ginger, and turmeric. These are complemented by key sauces like fish sauce and soy sauce, as well as a rich paste such as shrimp paste.