Cheap Global Recipes: How to Cook Korean, Japanese, and Indian Food on a Budget at Home

Bringing Global Flavors To Your Kitchen Can Be Fun and Inexpensive!

I have always loved the flavors of the world. Give me a bowl of spicy Korean kimchi stew, the balance of Japanese miso soup, or the vibrant spices of an Indian curry, and I am in heaven. The challenge? I live in a rural area where global restaurants are few and far between. If I want to explore the world through food, it’s up to me to roll up my sleeves, get creative, and do it in a way that doesn’t break the bank.

Why Cook Global at Home? (And Cook Cheap Global)

Cooking global food at home isn’t just about saving money. It’s also about discovery. Every recipe feels like a passport stamp, each spice an invitation to learn something new. With some clever planning, I can recreate authentic-tasting dishes using ingredients from my local grocery store or even online, without overspending.

🥢 Korean on a Budget

Korean cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors and vibrant dishes. While I can’t head out to a restaurant for bibimbap, I can make it at home for a fraction of the price.

• Frugal Swap: Instead of Korean short-grain rice, I use regular white rice. For the toppings, I lean on inexpensive veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and sautéed spinach.

• Flavor Boost: A jar of gochujang (Korean chili paste) is worth the small splurge. It adds authentic heat and depth to countless dishes.

💡 One $6 tub of gochujang can last months and flavor dozens of meals.

🍜 Japanese Comfort for Less

Japanese food celebrates simplicity, which works perfectly for my budget. Miso soup is one of my favorites.

• Frugal Swap: Instead of expensive seafood stock, I use vegetable broth and add a spoonful of miso paste.

• Stretch Trick: Frozen edamame or a boiled egg turns plain noodles into a hearty Japanese-inspired meal.

💡 Buy miso paste once and refrigerate. It lasts for months and instantly enhances flavor.

🍛 Indian Flavors from Pantry Staples

Indian food is a celebration of spices. While some blends can seem overwhelming, many are already in my pantry.

• Frugal Swap: Instead of buying every spice, I focus on cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. These three create the base of many curries.

• Smart Buy: Lentils are cheap, protein-packed, and endlessly versatile. Dal (spiced lentil stew) costs just pennies per serving and tastes incredible with rice or flatbread.

💡 Skip store-bought naan. A simple homemade flatbread with flour, water, and yogurt gives you the same comfort at a fraction of the cost.

Here is my no fuss recipe on how to make Naan:

Easy Homemade Naan Recipe

Ingredients (makes 6–8 pieces):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any cooking oil)

• ½ cup warm water (add more as needed)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

2. Add yogurt and oil, then slowly stir in warm water until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth.

4. Place in a bowl, cover with a towel, and let rest for 30 minutes.

5. Divide the dough into 6–8 small balls.

6. Roll each ball into an oval or round shape, about ¼ inch thick.

7. Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.

8. Cook each naan for 1–2 minutes per side until bubbles form and golden spots appear.

9. Brush with melted butter or garlic butter if desired, and serve warm.

✨ Cost breakdown: Less than $2 for the whole batch!

🍳 Makes Cent$ Recipe of the Day: Bibimbap

Bibimbop is a Korean staple that is delicious and healthy.

Bibimbap is one of my favorite dishes because it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and health. There’s something so satisfying about mixing warm rice with fresh vegetables, a perfectly fried egg, and a little kick of gochujang. It’s colorful, nourishing, and endlessly customizable with whatever I have on hand. On days when I want a meal that feels hearty but still light, bibimbap is my go-to. It’s simple, wholesome, and always leaves me feeling full and happy without the guilt.

This Korean classic is my go-to when I want something healthy, filling, and budget-friendly.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 2 cups cooked white rice

• 1 carrot, julienned

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 2 handfuls spinach, sautéed with garlic

• 2 eggs, fried sunny-side up

• 2 tablespoons gochujang (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but delicious)

Instructions

1. Place a serving of warm rice in two bowls.

2. Arrange carrot, cucumber, and spinach in sections on top of the rice.

3. Add a fried egg to each bowl.

4. Drizzle with sesame oil and a spoonful of gochujang.

5. Mix everything together before eating.

✨ Cost breakdown: About $6 total, or $3 per serving.

Serve it warm in a bowl with a hot mug of tea or your favorite hot cider or soju.

My Frugal Foodie Mindset

Cooking global on a budget is about creativity over convenience. I may not live near restaurants serving these dishes, but that doesn’t limit me. It pushes me to learn, experiment, and savor every bite.

Every time I recreate a dish at home, I’m reminded that food is a bridge to culture and that luxury isn’t about how much you spend but how much joy you create.

From spicy Korean stews to comforting Japanese soups and fragrant Indian curries, my kitchen has become a hub of global exploration, one frugal recipe at a time. If I can make these flavors work here on a budget, anyone can.

Now it is your turn! Keep cooking and do things that MAKE CENT$-

Chef Teri, Your Frugal Foodie