Sunday lunch or Sunday dinners have always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, Sundays meant waking up early for church, followed by a trip to the wet market with my mom. We’d pick out the freshest fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, and fruits—nothing pre-packed or frozen.
My mom didn’t need Pinterest or meal prep planners; she had a little notebook where she’d write down all the dishes she planned for the week. But Sunday lunch or Sunday dinner? That was always special. The freshest ingredients, homecooked with love. And more often than not, the house would fill with laughter from my aunts, uncles, and cousins—it would turn into a big potluck feast.
Now that I have a family of my own, I try to keep that tradition alive. Sunday meals are my little treat for my husband, who works so hard all week. And it’s my way of creating sweet, cozy memories for my son—just like the ones I grew up with.
Here are some Asian-inspired dishes that have become our favorites over the years. They’re perfect for Sunday lunch or dinner, and even better when shared with the people you love most.
Filipino Chicken Adobo
This is one of the easiest yet most flavorful dishes you can make. My son loves the tender chicken and sweet-salty sauce. I cook it low and slow in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and a pinch of sugar. Serve with fluffy rice, and you’re all set for a comforting Sunday meal.
Lechon Kawali
Lechon Kawali is a Filipino favorite—crispy pork belly fried to golden perfection. Kawali actually means pan in Filipino, and traditionally, this dish is deep-fried in oil until the skin gets super crunchy. But I’ve found a healthier way to enjoy it at home—either in the air fryer or oven-baked. It still turns out deliciously crispy, just with less oil. I usually pair it with pancit canton, and here’s a little trick I love: using the oil drippings from the pork to toss into the noodles. It gives the pancit an extra savory, meaty flavor that ties everything together so well. For the full recipe read here.
Pansit Canton
Pancit Canton is one of those dishes that’s so easy to make and so easy to love. What I really like about it is how flexible it is—you can go all out or keep it simple, depending on the celebration (or your budget!). For special occasions, you can top it with shrimp, squid balls, kikiam, lechon kawali, liver, carrots, cabbage, snow peas, even mushrooms. But for our usual Sunday dinners, I like to keep it fuss-free with just carrots and cabbage. Sometimes I use shrimp heads to boost the flavor, but my favorite way is to use the drippings from Lechon Kawali—it gives the noodles that rich, savory taste without needing much else. It’s comfort food, Filipino style.
Kaldereta (Beef Stew in Tomato Sauce)
Kaldereta is a clear winner—one of my all-time favorite Filipino dishes. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for celebrations or when you’re feeding a crowd. The beef is simmered until tender in a tomato-based sauce, made extra creamy and bold with liver spread (yes, that’s the secret!). If you can’t find liver spread in your local Asian grocery, try checking a Filipino store. Or here’s a little shortcut I use—Mama Sita’s Kaldereta mix works great too! Just don’t forget to add lots of cheddar cheese. It makes the sauce so creamy and irresistible. This dish always disappears fast at our family table!
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Thin slices of beef soaked in a rich marinade of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and a touch of sweetness—it’s no wonder this is a favorite at Korean restaurants. Honestly, I used to order it all the time too. I don’t blame you if you do! But once I learned how simple it was to make at home, it became a regular on our dinner table. It’s just that good—and so easy. Check out Aaron and Claire’s Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe.
Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls
These rice paper rolls are filled with shrimp, herbs, vermicelli noodles, and crunchy veggies. They’re light, fresh, and fun for little hands to help make. I usually serve them with a peanut-hoisin dipping sauce that everyone loves.
Japanese Chicken Katsu
This one’s my son’s absolute favorite—he’s loved it since he was three! I always say, he really is our child through and through, because his dad and I were obsessed with chicken katsu back when we were dating. It was our go-to comfort food. That crispy, golden breaded chicken paired with a mound of shredded cabbage drizzled with sesame dressing? Perfection. We’d always have it with a bowl of warm miso soup on the side, and to this day, that combo brings back so many cozy memories. Now, it’s a little Sunday tradition we’ve passed on to him—and seeing him enjoy it just makes my heart full.
Pad Thai
I love Pad Thai—like really love it. Whenever we eat out at Thai restaurants, it’s one of those dishes we never skip. It just hits all the right notes: sweet, tangy, savory, with those chewy noodles and crunchy peanuts on top. I haven’t tried making it completely from scratch yet, but here in Australia, I always reach for Marion’s Kitchen Pad Thai kit. It’s so easy to use and tastes just as delicious as what we get at restaurants. I usually add a mix of shrimp, chicken, and tofu—whatever we have on hand—and it always turns out amazing.
Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Soy Sauce
This dish brings back so many memories of family gatherings, especially during New Year’s. In Filipino tradition, serving a whole fish symbolizes abundance and good fortune for the coming year. My mom would always choose a special fish like lapu-lapu, carefully steamed until tender, then drizzled with hot oil, soy sauce, and a generous topping of ginger and green onions. It always looked so elegant on the table—but it’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Every time I cook this, it feels like a little piece of our family tradition lives on.
Indonesian Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)
Please don’t judge us, but when we had our honeymoon in Bali, we ordered Nasi Goreng every. single. day. We just couldn’t get enough of it! It’s Indonesia’s beloved fried rice—sweet, savory, a little smoky, and full of comfort. What makes it extra special is the kecap manis, a thick, sweet soy sauce that gives the dish its deep color and caramelized flavor. It’s usually served with a fried egg on top, some crispy shallots, and a side of cucumber and tomato. Sometimes it comes with skewers of satay or a crunchy prawn cracker on the side. Even now, when I make it at home, it takes us right back to those warm, happy days in Bali.
Filipino Kare-Kare
This one takes a bit of time, but it’s so worth it. Kare-Kare is a rich Filipino stew made with oxtail or beef, simmered until tender in a creamy peanut sauce, then served with hearty vegetables like eggplant, string beans, and banana blossom. And of course, you can’t forget the bagoong (shrimp paste) on the side—it ties everything together. My mom used to make this the traditional way whenever we had lots of guests over, and the whole house would smell amazing. Truth be told, I don’t make the sauce from scratch anymore. These days, when I’m craving it, I grab a pack of Mama Sita’s Kare-Kare mix from the Asian store and stir in a spoonful of peanut butter to make it extra creamy. It still brings back all the memories and tastes just as comforting.
Japanese Sukiyaki
This Japanese Sukiyaki is perfect for winter—it’s comforting, hearty, and so easy to make at home. When you have it at restaurants, it can be a little pricey, but making it yourself is a game changer. I was pleasantly surprised when my son really loved it! It’s full of tender beef, tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables simmered in a sweet-savory broth. I served it over steaming rice, and it was the ultimate cozy dinner. Every bite feels like a warm hug, and now it’s become a favorite of ours for those chilly nights.
Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork
Crispy pork pieces tossed in that glossy sweet and sour sauce, with juicy pineapple and colorful bell peppers, who can say no to this? It’s one of those dishes we always order when eating out at Chinese restaurants. And honestly, when I’m cooking this at home, I can’t help myself. I always end up sneaking a few bites before I’m even done frying all the pork! But the sauce is so yummy, I still end up eating even more once everything’s mixed together. It’s just that good, sweet, tangy, and so satisfying.
Final Thoughts on asian sunday dinner ideas
These homemade Asian dishes remind me of the warmth of family, of stories shared at the table, and of traditions passed down with every bite. Whether it’s just the three of us or we have friends and family over, Sunday lunch or Sunday dinner is always something I look forward to.
If you try any of these recipes, I hope they bring the same joy to your table that they bring to ours.
Looking for more family-friendly meals? Check out this post with my son’s favorite dishes—they’re kid-approved and grown-up loved too.
