What to Serve with Asian Sticky Ribs (27 ideas)

Discover the perfect Asian side dishes to go with Asian sticky ribs: From noodles and fried rice to refreshing Asian salads, these 27 delicious recipes will transform your meal into something the entire family will love.

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The tanginess of a good cucumber pickle helps to lift the heavier flavors of the sauce.

The crunch of a cucumber salad goes very well with tender chicken, making it one of the best side dishes.

If you want something more refreshing for hot weather, why not add some mangoes to your summer salad?

Dumplings make for an irresistible starter but don't forget the dipping sauces, whether it's Korean mandu sauce, Japanese gyoza sauce, Chinese jiaozi sauce or Filipino toyomansi sauce.

Spring Rolls

Beyond dumplings, there are spring rolls – crispy on the outside, packed with fresh veggies and perhaps some vermicelli noodles on the inside.

Sticky Ribs go really well with rice. Rice isn't just a filler here: instead, it absorbs the sauce wonderfully, mingling with the ribs' marinade to make each bite even more delicious.

Here are some types of rice you can serve with the ribs:

• If you want to serve it Japanese style, remember to use short-grain rice/ sushi rice (and not jasmine rice.) This white rice has a slightly sticky texture that I find marvelous for scooping up that rich, glossy teriyaki sauce. Remember to rinse the rice at least thrice to remove excess starch, ensuring the rice doesn't become gummy.
• For a nuttier flavor and healthier option, brown rice is my go-to. It's heartier and has the benefit of added fiber, making your meal not only delicious but also more wholesome. However, it's usually more expensive and cooking it takes a bit longer.
• For something more modern, try flavored rice. You can infuse the cooking water with a dash of sake, some dried kelp or sprinkle on furikake (after cooking.)

An easy recipe to use up a can of tuna and leftover rice is to turn it into fried rice!

If you're a novice, start with baked sushi casserole.

The sauce of these noodles is on the simpler side- they're not bland though!- so they'll go really well with the sticky ribs! (The flavours won't fight!)

Stir-fried yaki udon, with its chewy texture and vegetables, is another noodle recipe that isn't too strongly flavoured, so a good pairing with sticky ribs!

Vegetables

Steamed vegetables are a healthy side dish for a meal, and also provide a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce.

If your taste buds need more flavor, season the steamed vegetables with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, a light drizzle of sesame oil, and some furikake.

Alternatively, whisk up a quick dressing with soy sauce, a touch of rice vinegar (you can use apple cider vinegar as a substitute), and a hint of honey. Pour it over the vegetables just before serving.

Stir-fried Vegetables

Try Asian greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli, as they suit the pork well.

These are one of my favorite veggies, and so easy to make too, with just simple ingredients.

If using frozen edamame beans, simply boil them in a pot of hot water, drain, and serve. (Some people sprinkle on some salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes, but I prefer mine plain.)

Potato Salad is a creamy and delicious Asian side dish that goes with anything!

Korean barley tea and Japanese barley tea are pretty similar! Both are refreshing beverages when it's sunny!

This is very easy to make when you have ume syrup on hand!

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