Tag: Asian Recipes

Hoi An–Style Fried Wontons (Shrimp & Pineapple)

Hoi An–Style Fried Wontons (Shrimp & Pineapple)

Hoi An–Style Fried Wontons
(Shrimp & Pineapple)
🏮 🏮 🏮
Celebrating the Lunar New Year

When my brother shared photos of the famous Hoi An fried wontons he was enjoying in Vietnam, I was instantly inspired. Crispy, golden, topped with shrimp and pineapple — they looked utterly irresistible. With Lunar New Year in full swing and the Bellagio Conservatory alive with lanterns and blooms, pandas and koi celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, it felt like the perfect moment to recreate a little of that festive magic at home.

Year of the Fire Horse, Bellagio Las Vegas
Year of the Fire Horse, Bellagio Las Vegas

These fried wontons hail from Hoi An, the charming central Vietnamese town known for its vibrant food culture. The local specialty is an open-faced, crispy shell with a well‑balanced, tangy topping.

My version recreates the sweet, savory, mildly spicy glaze. Fish sauce brings a caramelized depth that makes the shrimp taste fuller and more complex, adding an umami component. Dried red chilies fried in oil are served on the side for those wanting more heat.

Lunar New Year, Bellagio Las Vegas
Lunar New Year, Bellagio Las Vegas

Served as an appetizer or shared plate, they’re emblematic of Hoi An’s love for texture, freshness, and dishes meant to be enjoyed together. I served the wontons over a bed of curly green leaf lettuce, garnished with cilantro.

Hoi An–Style Fried Wontons (Shrimp & Pineapple)

Hoi An–Style Fried Wontons Recipe

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Foraged Hedgehog Mushroom Fried Rice

Foraged Hedgehog Mushroom Fried Rice

Foraged Hedgehog Mushroom Fried Rice

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Peas, Carrots, Egg, Garlic, Ginger
Sherry, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Oyster Sauce
Peanuts, Scallions, Cilantro

When a box of freshly foraged hedgehog mushrooms arrives from coastal California, still carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, they deserve more than a quick sauté.

Their meaty velvety texture and nutty woodsy flavor shine in this fried rice recipe, where they are carefully browned and deglazed with sherry before joining tender carrots, sweet peas, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Each bite balances the earthy mushrooms, enhanced by toasted peanuts, fragrant cilantro, and brown rice seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil.

Foraged Hedgehog Mushrooms Video

Hedgehog mushrooms are easy to recognize thanks to the tiny, soft “teeth” beneath their caps instead of gills, a distinctive feature that makes them approachable even for those new to foraging wild mushrooms.

These particular hedgehogs were foraged along a fire road at the south end of Fort Bragg, California, where cool air, fog, and seasonal rains create ideal growing conditions.

Hedgehog mushrooms range from pale cream to soft apricot and light orange, with slightly wavy caps and dense, sturdy flesh. They grow on the forest floor (see video) near oak, pine, and fir trees, usually scattered along trails and clearings rather than in tight clusters. Their main season runs from fall through early winter.

How to cook Hedgehog Mushrooms

Hedgehog Mushroom Fried Rice Recipe

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Salmon Noodle Soup

Salmon Noodle Soup

Salmon Noodle Soup

The combination of chewy noodles, fresh toppings, and savory sockeye salmon makes Salmon Noodle Soup extra satisfying and flavorful. Adding tofu enhances the dish by boosting protein while keeping it light and silky.

The miso-based dashi broth creates a soup that is both dynamic and complex. Butter in the broth gives the soup a rich, luxurious texture while sansho pepper adds a unique citrusy, tingly heat that pairs beautifully with the umami-rich broth, salmon, and tofu.

Salmon Noodle Soup

Salmon Noodle Soup Recipe

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Martin Yan’s Hot and Sour Sauce with Mini Wontons

Martin Yan's Hot and Sour Sauce with Wontons

Martin Yan’s Hot and Sour Sauce
With Mini Chicken Wontons

Martin Yan is a celebrated chef, cookbook author, and television host. He is best known for his popular cooking show “Yan Can Cook,” which debuted in 1982. His energetic personality, impressive knife skills, and iconic catchphrase, “If Yan can cook, so can you!” have made him a beloved figure in culinary television. In fact, he has hosted over 3,500 episodes of cooking shows aired worldwide. His charismatic teaching style has inspired generations to cook Chinese and Asian cuisine at home.

In addition to Quick Mussels over Angel Hair and Quick Wonton Soup, for another time-saving tasty recipe, here I pair the Chef’s Hot and Sour Sauce with frozen Mini Chicken Cilantro Wontons from Costco. The wontons are simply boiled for a few minutes according to package instructions.

Regarding the garnish, it is worth noting that Dendrobium orchids are beautiful, edible, and non-toxic. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is mostly neutral. However, while a single orchid brings a colorful pop to the presentation, it is used more for its visual appeal than for taste and is not meant to be eaten.

Martin Yan’s Hot and Sour Sauce Recipe

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Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

This yellow curry noodle dish carries a sultry allure, with its velvety textures and deeply spiced flavors that envelop the palate in warmth.

It has a fragrant, creamy broth with a balance of spice and richness. The aromatic shallots, ginger, garlic, and jalapeño are sautéed in olive oil. Curry powder and ground turmeric deepen the flavor before coconut milk and chicken stock create a smooth, flavorful base. A touch of cornstarch thickens the broth, while fish sauce adds serious umami notes.

Plump shrimp are simmered until just cooked, absorbing the warm, spiced broth and taking on the gorgeous golden color. Served over chewy-tender noodles, this dish is comforting, super flavorful, and mildly spicy. A garnish of fresh cilantro and basil add bright herbal notes while red jalapeño brings a bit more color and heat.

Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp Recipe

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