Easy Asian-Inspired Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing

Imagine wandering through the streets of Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Bangkok (Thailand), and Hanoi (Vietnam). In each place, you’ll find salads with flavors like sesame, ginger, soy, and vinegar. These ingredients bring a taste of Asia to their salads and dressings, making each one unique yet connected by these familiar flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Asian‑Inspired Salad

This salad is everything you want in a quick, refreshing meal — crisp vegetables, bright flavours, and a homemade sesame ginger dressing that tastes like it came straight from your favourite Asian restaurant. It’s light yet satisfying, perfect for busy weekdays, and endlessly adaptable depending on what you have in the fridge. Whether you enjoy it as a side dish or a full meal topped with protein, it brings a burst of colour and flavour to the table with almost no effort.

The Magic of Sesame Oil and Ginger in Traditional Asian Cooking

Sesame oil and ginger hold pivotal roles in Asian cuisine due to their distinct flavors and versatile culinary applications.

Sesame Oil

Distinct Flavor: It adds a rich, nutty flavor to dishes, enhancing taste profiles.
Versatility: Used in stir-fries, dressings, marinades, and even as a finishing oil due to its robust flavor.
Cultural Significance: It’s deeply ingrained in Asian cooking, especially in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Ginger

Flavor Enhancement: Ginger offers a zesty, slightly spicy taste, contributing depth to dishes.
Digestive Properties: Valued for its potential health benefits, including aiding digestion and providing antioxidants.
Widespread Use: Commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes, from stir-fries to soups and teas.

In Asian culinary traditions, sesame oil and ginger aren’t just flavorings; they’re foundational elements that lend depth, aroma, and cultural significance to the cuisine. Their unique tastes and versatile nature make them indispensable ingredients across a wide array of Asian dishes.

Make our Travel-inspired asian salad!

Our easy Asian-inspired salad with sesame ginger dressing recipe typically yields about 4 servings and takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients for the salad

4 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup sliced cucumber
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
¼ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup sliced green onions
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds

For the sesame ginger dressing

3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, sliced bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions.
In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and olive oil to make the dressing.
Pour the sesame ginger dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is well coated.
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top just before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Asian-inspired salad with the flavorful sesame ginger dressing!

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crispy tofu if you want to turn it into a complete meal. It also works wonderfully alongside Asian‑inspired mains like stir‑fries, dumplings, or noodle bowls. For a lighter option, serve it on its own for lunch — the crunchy vegetables and bold dressing make it surprisingly filling. If you’re entertaining, this salad is a vibrant addition to any buffet table and holds up well even after the dressing is added.

Make‑Ahead And Storage Tips

You can easily prepare the vegetables a day in advance and keep them chilled in an airtight container. The sesame ginger dressing also stores well — simply shake it before using to bring the flavours back together. Once assembled, the salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep for a few hours without losing too much crunch. If you prefer maximum crispness, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving.

Asian kitchen inspirations

🕮 Suggested Read: If you enjoyed our Asian-inspired salad with the flavorful sesame-ginger dressing, you may like to try our travel-inspired Chicken satay recipe. It’s easy!

🛒 Top up your pantry with these Asian spices!

🛒 After traveling through Asia, I invested in this bamboo steamer. You get cheaper ones, but this one comes with all kinds of handy accessories.

🛒 I’ve seen plenty of beautiful Asian spoon sets, but my luggage did not allow for further shopping. So I got this set instead, and still, it reminds me of my Asian travels.

This fresh and vibrant Asian‑inspired salad is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again — crisp vegetables, bold flavours, and that irresistible sesame ginger dressing that ties everything together so beautifully. It’s quick, healthy, and full of the bright, zesty notes people love in modern Asian‑style salads. Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch, a colourful side dish, or a base for your favourite protein, it brings effortless flavour to any day of the week.

Chat ╰┈➤ We’d love to hear how your version turned out. Did you add your own twist to the sesame ginger dressing, swap in different veggies, or serve it with something delicious? Share your thoughts in the comments — your ideas inspire other readers and help our community discover new flavour combinations.

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