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Savory, Spicy & So Satisfying

September 3, 2026

Food

Asian-inspired flavors are making their way into all sorts of dishes for exciting flavor and ingredient combinations.

What’s new in Asian-inspired cuisine?

Asian-inspired cuisine is a wide umbrella that covers so many incredible dishes: sushi, ramen, stir-fries, curries, and much more. “Asian-inspired meals offer an exciting way to explore new flavors at home,” says Abigail Evans, insights manager at Hormel Foods. “We’re seeing growing interests in ingredients and solutions that help consumers recreate the bold, vibrant tastes of their favorite Asian dishes while fitting seamlessly into their busy lifestyles.” Think crave-worthy umami, fiery heat, heady aromatics — to name a few. Ingredients that deliver these flavors, like peanut sauce, chili crisp and sesame oil, have been on-trend for some time.

Asian-inspired meals offer an exciting way to explore new flavors at home. We’re seeing growing interests in ingredients and solutions that help consumers recreate the bold, vibrant tastes of their favorite Asian dishes while fitting seamlessly into their busy lifestyles.

Abigail Evans, insights manager at Hormel Foods

What’s new are the creations that cooks are reinventing by approaching these flavors in fresh ways. Scroll through social media and you’ll find dishes that blur boundaries, remix the familiar and maybe even break the rules. All you need to jump in on this trend are a few pantry staples and a bit of imagination. Ready to give it a try?

Savory Slurp Upgrade

Give instant ramen a serious upgrade! Ditch the seasoning packet and cook the noodles instead in a DIY broth made with chicken stock, soy sauce and sesame oil. Take a page from your favorite noodle joint and top the soup with jammy eggs and crisped-up slices of HORMEL® Pepperoni. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and swirl of chili crisp kicks the dish up a notch with crunch, color and heat. It’s like takeout, only better!

Chili Crisp Pepperoni Ramen

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2 bowls
 
2 large eggs
½ cup HORMEL® Pepperoni
2 (3-ounce) packs ramen noodles
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Green onions, sliced, for garnish
Chili crisp, for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions

  1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and gently lower in eggs. Cook for about 6-7 minutes for a jammy soft-boiled center, then transfer to ice water to stop the cooking process. Peel eggs and set aside.

  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add pepperoni. Cook until crispy and slightly curled, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside on a paper towel.

  3. Bring chicken broth to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, Add ramen, and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soy sauce and sesame oil.

  4. Divide noodles and broth evenly among serving bowls. Top pepperoni, halved soft-boiled eggs, and green onions. Garnish with chili crisp and sesame seeds, and serve.

Cabbage Crunch Kick

If you’re been looking for a veggie-forward side dish to serve with dumplings, noodles or fried rice, make this delightfully crunchy slaw your new go-to. Ribbons of red or green cabbage, shredded carrots and scallions are dressed with an addictive peanut sauce made with SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter. For extra texture, garnish with chopped PLANTERS® Dry Roasted Peanuts and sesame seeds. Not only is the slaw tasty, it’s also versatile: Try it as a topping for tacos, sandwiches, bowls, ramen or grilled meats.

Sesame Peanut Crunch Slaw

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6 servings
 
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon SKIPPY® creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 small clove garlic, minced
6 cups shredded green or red cabbage
1 cup shredded matchstick carrots
3 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped cilantro, for garnish
½ cup PLANTERS® dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, neutral oil, peanut butter, ginger, and garlic in a large bowl until smooth.

  2. Add cabbage, carrots, green onions and cilantro, and toss gently to coat.

  3. Cover and chill for at least 10 minutes, or until ready to serve. Just before serving, fold in chopped peanuts and garnish with sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime juice.

Savory Stir Surprise

Get your protein and veggies in one easy dish with this quick-cooking supper! Choose your favorite vegetables — snap peas, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and beyond — to wok up with JENNIE-O® Ground Turkey, garlic, ginger and green onions. The secret to this stir-fry is in the sauce, an unexpected blend of soy sauce and HERDEZ® Salsa, which brings a balanced chili-tomato profile that plays nice with the Asian-inspired flavors. Serve over rice or noodles, or enjoy as-is.

Soy Chili Stir-Fry Skillet

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4 servings
 
1 pound JENNIE-O® Ground Turkey
1 tablespoon neutral oil
3 cups mixed vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots
3 green onions, sliced, whites and greens separated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup HERDEZ® Salsa
1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add turkey, and cook, breaking it up as it browns, until fully cooked and lightly golden, about 6-8 minutes.

  2. Add vegetables and white parts of green onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4-6 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. Combine soy sauce, salsa, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Add sauce to skillet and toss to coat, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil. Garnish with remaining green onions and sesame seeds, and serve.