These Asian salad recipes are so good, I get COMPLIMENTS on them when I bring them to summer potlucks. Have you ever had people rave about a salad? When thereโ€™s grilled meat right next to it? Thatโ€™s how impressive these Asian/Asian-inspired salads are. If youโ€™d like to step up your cookout game, try one of these crowd pleasing sides.

1. Ramen Noodle Salad

Is it Asian or is it a Midwest church potluck salad? Maybe we will never know, but this version shows up at many of my family parties. Itโ€™s really a coleslaw with crunchy Top Ramen noodles.

ramen cabbage salad overhead view in wooden bowl

Japanese American Ramen Noodle Salad

This ramen saladย recipeย has also been called Japanese coleslaw orย cabbageย ramen salad. It's a cabbage based salad topped with crunchy chicken ramen and flavored with an easy, tangy Asian salad dressing.
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2. Chinese Chicken Salad

This is another salad that you will find mutated into many different versions at very non-Asian establishments. But if you want to know how the Asian Americans eat it, be sure to follow my recipe. Plus, itโ€™s another way to use up that Costco rotisserie chicken that you just couldnโ€™t pass up (itโ€™s too good of a deal!).

Chinese chicken salad angled shot

Hawaiโ€™i Style Chinese Chicken Salad

This is NOT your chain restaurant Chinese chicken salad. Use my recipe for a local Hawai'i style salad that goes great with Hawaiian BBQ. This recipe can serve 4-5 people as a main dish but really is intended to be shared with 10+ people as a side at a potluck.
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3. Japanese Vermicelli Salad

This vermicelli noodle salad has origins in China but became adapted to Japanese cuisine over the years. Itโ€™s simple, refreshing, and one of my favorites!

harusame salad

Harusame Salad (ใƒใƒณใ‚ตใƒณใ‚นใƒผ)

Harusame salad or ban san su is a Japanese vermicelli noodle salad popular for school lunches.
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4. Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing

This sesame noodle salad is one of those โ€œuse up whatโ€™s left in the fridgeโ€ recipes. Throw in pretty much any leftover salad veggie and any noodle you like. Somen or soba both work great. Finally, just top with store-bought Japanese sesame dressing.

cold asian noodle salad with kewpie sesame dressing

Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing

This cold Asian noodle salad can be made with somen, soba, or any noodle of choice! You can use store bought Kewpie sesame salad dressing and whatever vegetables you have on hand to make this a super easy meal (or side).
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5. Somen Salad

This classic local Hawaii style noodle salad is similar to the Japanese hiyashi chuka but uses somen noodles instead. Toppings can vary from char siu to imitation crab to all kinds of veggies.

Somen Salad

Somen salad is a refreshing local dish from Hawai'i made with thin Japanese noodles called somen. Switch up the toppings to whatever you like, but don't forget my amazing Asian salad dressing.
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6. Japanese Macaroni Salad

There are salads and then there are โ€œsalads,โ€ and this is definitely fitting into the latter category. While many Hawaii style macaroni salads use just mayo and carrots, I like to bump up the umami with this Japanese version using dashi and rice vinegar!

hawaiian macaroni salad

Japanese Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad has some Japanese Hawaiian fusion flavors. Soaked in sushi seasoning and tossed in mayo with assorted cut veggies, this macaroni salad is a total umami bomb! Start cooking the night before for the best flavor.
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7. Cold Tofu Salad

This quick and easy cold tofu salad will satisfy the protein lovers. Itโ€™s super easy and thereโ€™s no cooking involved โ€“ you can even eat this as a main dish!

Asian tofu salad

Quick Tofu Salad (Viral Asian Tofu Recipe)

Need a quick, high-protein salad? Give this Japanese American tofu salad a try. It's light and refreshing, and it doesn't use any chili oil, for those of you who don't like spicy foods.
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