appetizer Recipes
388 delicious appetizer recipes from around the world
Gà Chiên Nước Mắm (Vietnamese Fish Sauce Fried Chicken)
Crispy, golden-brown chicken wings coated in a sticky, caramelized fish sauce glaze. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and salty flavors, making it incredibly addictive.
Gobi Manchurian
A popular Indo-Chinese fusion dish featuring crispy fried cauliflower florets tossed in a savory, sweet, and spicy sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a flavorful side dish.
Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls)
Delicate, translucent rice paper wrappers encase a vibrant medley of fresh herbs, tender pork, savory shrimp, and slippery rice vermicelli. These Gỏi Cuốn are a refreshing and healthy appetizer or light meal, perfectly complemented by a rich peanut dipping sauce.
Gỏi Gà Bắp Cải (Vietnamese Chicken and Cabbage Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese salad featuring tender shredded chicken and crisp shredded cabbage, tossed in a zesty nuoc cham dressing and garnished with fresh herbs, crunchy peanuts, and crispy fried shallots. Perfect as a light appetizer or a satisfying main course.
Gyoza (Japanese Pan-Fried Dumplings)
Authentic Japanese pan-fried dumplings (gyoza) featuring a savory and juicy filling of ground pork, finely chopped napa cabbage, and aromatic seasonings, all encased in delicate wrappers. They are expertly pan-fried to achieve a delightful contrast: a crispy, golden-brown bottom and a tender, steamed top. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Ha Gow (Crystal Shrimp Dumplings)
Authentic Ha Gow, featuring delicate, translucent wrappers encasing plump, whole shrimp and a savory filling. A quintessential dim sum delicacy that showcases the art of Cantonese dumpling making.
Haemul Pajeon (Korean Seafood Pancake)
A savory and crispy Korean pancake generously filled with fresh seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels) and vibrant green scallions. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, especially on a rainy day.
Hải Sản Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Seafood with Scallion Oil)
A quintessential Vietnamese beachside dish featuring an assortment of fresh seafood grilled to perfection and generously drizzled with fragrant scallion oil. Served with a classic salt-pepper-lime dipping sauce and crunchy peanuts.
Har Gow (Crystal Shrimp Dumplings)
Authentic Har Gow, featuring delicate, translucent wheat starch wrappers encasing a succulent filling of chopped and whole shrimp, tender bamboo shoots, and a hint of pork fat for richness. A true dim sum classic.
He Tao Xia (Chinese Walnut Shrimp)
A popular Chinese-American banquet dish featuring crispy, golden-fried shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and tangy mayonnaise-based sauce, generously garnished with candied walnuts for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Hor Mok Pla (Thai Steamed Fish Curry Custard)
An elegant and flavorful Thai steamed fish curry custard, also known as a fish mousse, traditionally steamed in individual banana leaf cups. The delicate texture and aromatic spices make it a delightful appetizer or light main course.
Hummus bi Tahini
Authentic Lebanese Hummus bi Tahini, a luxuriously creamy chickpea dip blended with rich tahini, bright lemon juice, and pungent garlic. This recipe aims for the silkiest texture and most vibrant flavor, a true testament to its origin.
Inari Sushi
Sweet and savory fried tofu pockets (aburaage) stuffed with seasoned sushi rice. A beloved staple for festivals, bento boxes, and casual dining.
Isaw (Filipino Grilled Intestines)
A beloved Filipino street food classic, Isaw features tender, marinated chicken or pork intestines grilled to perfection on skewers and brushed with a sweet BBQ glaze. It requires thorough cleaning and careful preparation but rewards with a uniquely delicious and smoky flavor.
Jiao Yan Dou Fu (Salt and Pepper Tofu)
A popular Chinese appetizer, this Jiao Yan Dou Fu features crispy fried tofu cubes tossed with a fragrant blend of salt, white pepper, garlic, chilies, and scallions. It's a delightful vegan dish that's both savory and satisfying.
Jiao Yan You Yu (Salt and Pepper Squid)
A classic Hong Kong seafood restaurant favorite, this Jiao Yan You Yu features tender squid rings coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed with a fragrant mix of salt, pepper, garlic, chilies, and scallions.
Kabak Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Crispy, herb-flecked zucchini fritters, a quintessential summer mezze dish. These savory cakes are light yet satisfying, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Kachori
Kachori is a popular Indian snack, especially from Rajasthan, consisting of a deep-fried, flaky pastry shell filled with a spiced mixture of lentils (dal) or peas. The key to its deliciousness lies in the crispy exterior and the flavorful, aromatic filling.
Kai Look Koey (Thai Son-in-Law Eggs)
Kai Look Koey, literally translating to 'eggs looking at the son-in-law', are a classic Thai dish featuring perfectly fried hard-boiled eggs coated in a sweet, sour, and savory tamarind sauce. The eggs are deep-fried until their whites blister and puff up, creating a delightful texture contrast with the rich sauce. This dish is a perfect appetizer or side, offering a complex flavor profile that is both addictive and intriguing.
Kakiage (Mixed Vegetable Tempura)
A delightful Japanese mixed vegetable and shrimp tempura fritter, characterized by its crispy, disk-like shape. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as a topping for noodles or rice.
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Authentic Japanese Karaage, featuring tender chicken thigh pieces marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, sake, ginger, and garlic, then coated in potato starch and double-fried to achieve an incredibly crispy exterior and juicy interior. A beloved izakaya (Japanese pub) staple.
Kashk e Bademjan
A beloved Persian appetizer, Kashk e Bademjan features smoky, tender eggplant blended with tangy kashk (a fermented whey product) and aromatic spices. This rich and flavorful dip is perfect served with warm flatbread.
Kashk-e Bademjan
A rich and flavorful Persian appetizer featuring smoky, mashed eggplant blended with tangy kashk (fermented whey), caramelized onions, and aromatic mint. This dish offers a complex balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, making it a truly addictive and bold start to any meal.
Kerabu Mangga (Spicy Green Mango Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Malaysian salad featuring shredded unripe mango, tossed with a spicy, tangy, and savory dressing. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, with a delightful crunch.