52 recipes

Simple Hiroshima-Style Yakisoba
This delightful Hiroshima-style yakisoba features fresh, stir-fried wheat noodles layered with tender pork belly, crisp cabbage, and a medley of savory and slightly sweet sauces. Each bite delivers a satisfying texture and rich flavor, topped with optional garnishes for a truly authentic experience.

Souvlaki
These quick pork skewers are juicy, oregano-scented, and lightly charred, with bright lemon and garlic in every bite. Served with warm pita, cool tzatziki, sweet tomato, and sharp onion, they make a classic, satisfying meal with bold but simple flavors.

Loukoumades
Loukoumades are small Greek honey doughnuts with a delicate crisp shell and a light, fluffy center. Finished with warm honey, cinnamon, and crushed walnuts, they are fragrant, sticky, and irresistibly moreish straight from the fryer.

Lahmacun
Lahmacun is a thin, crisp flatbread spread with a finely minced mixture of lamb, tomato, onion, pepper, and herbs, then baked until lightly charred at the edges. The result is savory, bright, and spicy, especially when finished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Simit
Simit is a crisp, deeply golden ring bread coated generously in toasted sesame seeds, with a thin crackly crust and a pleasantly chewy interior. The molasses wash gives it its characteristic color and subtle sweetness, making it irresistible fresh from the oven.

Samosa
These samosas have a crisp, flaky shell and a warmly spiced filling of potatoes and peas brightened with ginger, chilli, coriander, and lemon. The contrast between the shattering pastry and the soft, savoury centre makes them irresistibly snackable.

Kottu Roti
Kottu Roti is a fast, fiery stir-fry of shredded flatbread, egg, and vegetables bound together with fragrant curry spices. The finished dish is savory, slightly smoky, and wonderfully textured, with tender roti, soft egg, and crisp-edged vegetables in every bite.

Cong You Bing
Cong You Bing is a crisp, pan-fried scallion pancake with shatteringly flaky layers and a pleasantly chewy center. Sesame oil and spring onions perfume every bite, making it rich, savory, and deeply satisfying despite its simple ingredients.

Tanghulu
Tanghulu is a bright, glossy skewer of tart hawthorn berries wrapped in a thin, crackly sugar shell. The finished snack is crisp, juicy, sweet, and sharply fruity, with a satisfying glass-like snap in every bite.

Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a fast, vibrant noodle stir-fry with chewy rice noodles, juicy prawns, soft egg, crisp bean sprouts, and the signature tang of tamarind. Finished with peanuts, lime, and chili, it is balanced, comforting, and bright in every bite.

Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a smoky, savory stir-fried noodle dish with silky wide rice noodles, tender pork, crisp-tender Chinese broccoli, and soft egg. The sweet soy sauce gives the noodles their glossy dark color and a gently caramelized flavor that makes this dish deeply comforting.

Bánh mì
This bánh mì is a perfect balance of crisp bread, rich pâté, savoury pork belly, cool cucumber, and sharp quick pickles. Fresh coriander and chilli bring brightness and heat, making each bite crunchy, juicy, and deeply satisfying.

Bánh xèo
Bánh xèo is a shatteringly crisp turmeric rice crêpe folded around savory pork belly, sweet shrimp, onions, and juicy bean sprouts. Served with fresh lettuce, herbs, and bright nuoc cham, it is rich, fragrant, crunchy, and refreshing all at once.

Cơm Tấm
This classic plate of Cơm Tấm combines tender broken rice with sweet-savory grilled pork chops, chewy shredded pork skin, crisp pickled daikon and carrot, and a rich fried egg. The fish sauce dressing ties everything together with the bright, salty-sweet punch that makes the dish irresistible.

Bakso
Bakso is a comforting bowl of springy beef meatballs in a clear, savory broth with noodles, tofu, and greens. This version is light yet deeply satisfying, with classic toppings of fried shallots, scallions, lime, sambal, and a touch of sweet soy sauce for balance.

Pempek
Pempek is a beloved Palembang fish cake with a springy, chewy bite from fresh fish and tapioca. Served with sharp, dark cuko sauce and cool diced cucumber, it delivers a striking balance of savory, sweet, sour, and heat in every bite.

Roti Canai
Roti canai is a flaky, layered griddled flatbread with a crisp exterior and tender, chewy interior. This version is served with a quick, creamy dal kari that is warmly spiced, lightly coconutty, and perfect for tearing and dipping.

Tacos al Pastor
These tacos al pastor are smoky, tangy, and lightly sweet, with thin slices of pork seared until caramelised at the edges and finished with juicy pineapple. Wrapped in warm corn tortillas and topped simply with onion, cilantro, and lime, they deliver the classic taquería balance of savoury, bright, and fresh.

Anticuchos de Corazón
These anticuchos are deeply savory, lightly smoky, and lacquered with a brick-red ají panca marinade that brings mild heat and fruity depth. The beef heart stays tender and juicy when grilled hot and fast, and the charred potatoes and corn make the dish hearty and satisfying.

Picarones
Picarones are airy, golden ring fritters made from a lightly fermented sweet potato and squash dough. Their crisp exterior and tender, fragrant centre are finished with a warm spiced syrup that tastes of caramel, citrus, cinnamon, and clove.

Roti with Curried Goat
This roti pairs flaky, tender flatbread with a deeply spiced goat curry enriched by soft potato and fresh thyme. The filling is rich, peppery, and fragrant, while the layered roti soaks up the sauce without losing its chew.

Doubles
Doubles are soft, turmeric-tinted bara flatbreads sandwiching warmly spiced curried chickpeas with sweet tamarind chutney and sharp, fiery pepper sauce. The contrast of fluffy fried bread, creamy channa, herbal shadow beni, and bright heat makes them messy, vivid, and deeply satisfying.

Cha Yen
Cha Yen is a bold, sweet, and creamy Thai iced tea with a striking amber-orange color and a refreshing chill. Strong brewed tea is balanced by luscious condensed milk and silky evaporated milk, creating a smooth drink that is both energizing and dessert-like.

Gözleme
This gözleme is crisp and blistered outside, with a tender, chewy flatbread wrapped around a savory filling of spinach, feta, onion, dill, and egg. It is quick enough for a weeknight yet satisfying and bakery-style when served hot from the pan.

Yen Ta Fo
Yen Ta Fo is a vibrant pink noodle soup with a savory, lightly tangy broth layered with the distinctive depth of fermented tofu. This version balances tender squid, springy fish balls, soft tofu, and crisp morning glory over slippery rice noodles for a bowl that feels light yet deeply satisfying.

Midye Dolma
Midye dolma pairs briny mussels with fragrant rice scented by cinnamon, allspice, herbs, currants, and pine nuts. The result is savory, gently sweet, and deeply aromatic, with bright lemon bringing everything into balance.

Hoy Tod
Hoy Tod is a crispy, savory mussel omelet with lacy golden edges, tender shellfish, and soft curds of egg. Fresh bean sprouts, lime, and sriracha cut through the richness, making it a fast, satisfying street-food style meal at home.

Otak-Otak
Otak-Otak is a fragrant grilled fish custard, rich with coconut milk and bright with lemongrass, galangal, chilli, and kaffir lime leaf. Wrapped in banana leaf and lightly charred, it emerges tender, aromatic, and deeply savory with a gentle heat.

Amritsari Fish
Amritsari Fish is crisp on the outside, juicy within, and packed with warm spices, ginger, garlic, and a bright lemony tang. The besan coating fries up craggy and light, while a final dusting of chaat masala gives the fish its unmistakable punchy street-food finish.

Quesadillas de Flor de Calabaza
These quesadillas are soft inside, lightly toasted outside, and filled with delicate squash blossoms, sweet onion, fragrant epazote, and stretchy Oaxacan cheese. They are quick, comforting, and deeply traditional, with a fresh vegetal flavor balanced by rich melted cheese.

Xôi Xéo
Xôi Xéo is a warmly fragrant bowl of golden sticky rice topped with fluffy mung bean and crisp fried shallots. The rice is chewy and glossy, the beans are soft and savory, and the shallots add irresistible sweetness and crunch.

Arancini
These arancini have a crisp, deeply golden crust that gives way to fragrant saffron rice, rich meaty ragù, sweet peas, and molten mozzarella. The contrast between the crunchy shell and creamy, savoury centre is what makes them irresistible.

Khao Man Gai
Khao Man Gai is a comforting plate of tender poached chicken served with glossy, aromatic rice cooked in chicken broth. The mild richness of the chicken is balanced by a punchy fermented soybean, ginger, garlic, and chili sauce, with cool cucumber for freshness.

Sfenj
Sfenj are light, chewy Moroccan doughnut rings with a delicately crisp golden crust and an airy, open crumb. Served warm with a coating of sugar, they are simple, comforting, and especially good alongside hot mint tea.

Puri Cholay
Puri Cholay combines airy, golden fried puris with a richly spiced chickpea curry that is thick, tangy, and deeply satisfying. This quick home version delivers the classic flavors in a beginner-friendly format, with soft chickpeas and a bright finish of coriander and lemon.

Taiyaki
Taiyaki are fish-shaped griddled cakes with a lightly crisp golden shell and a soft, tender interior. This classic version is filled with sweet red bean paste, giving a warm, earthy sweetness that balances the delicate batter.

Taho
Taho is soft, steaming silken tofu topped with a fragrant brown sugar syrup and chewy tapioca pearls. The contrast of delicate tofu, caramel-like arnibal, and bouncy sago makes it simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying.

Dadar Gulung
Dadar Gulung are soft, fragrant pandan crêpes wrapped around a rich filling of sweet coconut and palm sugar. They are tender, lightly chewy, and pleasantly aromatic, with a beautiful green color and a classic balance of sweetness and texture.

Apam Balik
Apam Balik is a thin, crisp-edged griddled pancake folded around a sweet, buttery filling of chopped peanuts and corn. This beginner-friendly version delivers the classic contrast of lacy shell, crunchy nuts, and lightly caramelised sweetness in under 30 minutes.

Pholourie
These quick pholourie are light, golden fritter balls with a gentle earthy flavor from split peas and turmeric. Crisp outside and soft within, they are especially good dipped in tangy chutney or spicy sauce.

Sanguche de Corazon
This paleo Sanguche de Corazon delivers smoky, juicy strips of quickly grilled beef heart with a bright, spicy herb sauce and sharp lime-dressed red onion. Wrapped in cool lettuce with creamy avocado, it is bold, fresh, and deeply savory without needing bread.

Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is a beloved Korean street-food dish of chewy rice cakes simmered in a glossy, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce. This version includes fish cakes for savory depth, spring onions for freshness, and a touch of sesame for a warm, nutty finish.

Jianbing
Jianbing is a savory Chinese breakfast crêpe with a tender, eggy surface, sweet-salty sauce, fresh herbs, and a crackling crisp layer inside. This streamlined home version captures the classic contrast of soft, chewy, saucy, and crunchy in just minutes.

Khanom Krok
Khanom krok are bite-size coconut-rice cakes with delicate crisp edges and a soft, almost custardy middle. This quick vegan version delivers the classic sweet-salty balance and gentle aroma of coconut, finished with fresh spring onion for a savoury lift.

Khanom Pang Ping Sangkhaya
This Thai-style toast is crisp, buttery, and deeply golden, served with a silky pandan custard that is sweet, creamy, and fragrant. A final drizzle of condensed milk gives it the nostalgic flavor of Thai street stalls and cafes.

Banh Mi Thit
Banh Mi Thit is a crisp, light baguette layered with rich pork pate, creamy mayonnaise, crunchy cucumber, sharp pickled daikon and carrot, fresh coriander, and a little chili heat. The result is a sandwich that is savory, bright, crunchy, and deeply satisfying despite its simple ingredients.

Boerewors Roll
A boerewors roll is smoky, juicy, and deeply savoury, tucked into a toasted bread roll and topped with a warm, spicy chakalaka relish. The rich sausage, sweet tomatoey beans, chilli heat, and fresh coriander make it hearty, messy, and completely satisfying.

Gatsby
This Gatsby is a messy, satisfying Cape Town classic: a crusty French loaf stuffed with masala-spiced steak, golden fries, crisp lettuce, pickles, and plenty of tomato sauce. It is bold, hearty, and ideal for sharing straight from the paper, just like a proper takeaway version.