Who says you can only have ham and log cakes for Christmas? Whip up an Asian spread for the festivities to surprise your guests – click through the gallery below for inspiration!
TIP 1: Always find out the dietary restrictions of your guests when planning your menu. Also, find out if everyone is fine with spicy food, as many Asian dishes use lots of spices and chillies; either adjust spice levels to suit guests or prepare some non-spicy dishes for them.
TIP 2: Try to go for variety, so plan dishes from different parts of Asia – Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea — to give your spread a “wow” factor.
TIP 3: Get everyone in the mood for the dinner party by telling them you are having an Asian-inspired party, so your guests can come in Asian costumes like cheongsam, baju kurung, etc.
This nice palate pleaser is both savoury and refreshing, and a good starter always sets the tone for the rest of the dishes to come.
Satay is still one of the most popular party foods locally. It’s harder to find them now in hawker centres and coffee shops, so surprise your guests by cooking your own!
A favourite which is popular with both adults and kids, these delectable bites have the right mix of crunch and zing.
Serve up this crowd-pleasing Indonesian fried rice to impress everyone!
A Thai staple that is not so common in home-cooked dinners, so your guests will be pampered with this dish.
Add “oishii” to your menu with this delightful Japanese-inspired dish. You can serve them in pretty little bowls for a nice presentation.
This Chinese favourite makes a great snack for guests and can also go well as a side dish to both rice and noodles.
Swap out your festive pudding for these quaint sweets with Asian-inspired rice pudding.
Salted egg yolk anything is still really popular, so these cookies will be a hit at your party. Tip: You can pack them in little jars for your guests to bring home as gifts too.
A refreshing cake which is an alternative to your usual log cake, this zesty dessert everyone’s meals on a sweet note.