Behind the Flavors: Exploring Our AAPI Heritage Month Recipes with Daniel K.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, HelloFresh is excited to present a lineup of limited-time recipes inspired by the culinary heritage of the AAPI community. From Cantonese-style steamed fish to Polynesian pineapple chicken, each dish in this collection celebrates the diverse cuisines and incredible flavors found across the AAPI diaspora.

To learn more about how these recipes came together, we sat down with Daniel K., a HelloFresh recipe developer behind many of these dishes, to hear about the creative process, the inspiration behind each meal, and what makes this collection especially meaningful.

How the Recipes Were Created

“Our culinary team came together to reflect on past recipes inspired by AAPI cuisines that have resonated well with HelloFresh customers,” Daniel said. “We also brainstormed fresh ideas that could introduce exciting flavors and new perspectives through the lens of the HelloFresh test kitchen.”

Following this creative session, Daniel and the team received briefs from the Culinary Product Strategy team and began developing recipes that would reflect the rich diversity of dishes across the AAPI cultures and communities. While the recipes aren’t strictly traditional, each one highlights the techniques, ingredients, or spirit of the cuisine that inspired it.

“Our goal was to showcase the inspiration we drew from experiencing these different dishes from the AAPI diaspora—while adding our own creative twist through the HelloFresh lens,” Daniel added.

The Final Recipe Lineup

Thanks to Daniel and his team, here’s what customers were able to cook and experience at home in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.

1. Steamed Cantonese-Style Barramundi: In this spin on Cantonese-style steamed fish, mild-flavored barramundi fillets are gently cooked using a simple homemade steamer. They’re finished with a flavorful sauce made from soy, ponzu, ginger, and scallions, then served with jasmine rice and roasted zucchini for an impressively easy-to-make meal.
2. BBQ Sweet Potato & Mushroom Bowls: This plant-based Buddha bowl pairs Japanese barbecue-and-sesame-glazed sweet potatoes and mushrooms with roasted bell pepper, spicy soy mayo, and sesame seed all atop fluffy, gingery rice. It’s a zen-inspired dish featuring Bachan’s® Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce and proves that, as the team says, “you’re one bite away from inner dinner peace.”
3. Polynesian-Style Pineapple Chicken: This Polynesian-inspired pineapple chicken is sweet, tangy, and comes together in under 30 minutes. A quick and super flavorful sauce featuring pineapple juice, lime, and ginger is just the thing to dress up crisp, juicy dark meat chicken and bell pepper. Simply serve this main over a bed of buttery, zesty rice and top with cashews for crunch.
4. Coconut Shrimp & Hoisin Chicken Platter: This festive platter features veggie spring rolls with hoisin-pineapple glazed chicken, crunchy coconut shrimp, veggie spring rolls, pineapple coleslaw with spicy mayo, and mango chutney, all layered in lettuce leaves to create the perfect bite.
5. Korean-Style Bulgogi Kimbap Casserole: A great dish for sharing, this casserole is inspired by kimbap, a Korean staple dish of protein and vegetables rolled up in seasoned rice and seaweed sheets. The components—bulgogi-style beef, tender carrots and spinach, and sesame rice—are served casserole-style, then topped with pickled radishes and cucumber, spicy mayo, and toasted seaweed.
6. Japanese-Style Spicy Shrimp Miso Ramen: These loaded Japanese-inspired shrimp ramen bowls are as impressive as they are satisfying, packed with tender noodles, sweet corn, a hearty mix of cabbage and bok choy, and—of course—plenty of shrimp. Sprinkle each bowl with scallions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes, then dig in.

The Flavor Takeaway

“I hope customers who are familiar with these flavor profiles and cuisines can recognize and appreciate the dishes that inspired these recipes,” Daniel said. “At the same time, I hope those who may be less familiar are intrigued by these AAPI-inspired meals and feel encouraged to explore and cook more recipes from these vibrant cultures in the future.”

As Daniel noted, celebrating these cuisines through HelloFresh helps share the rich flavors and cultures of the AAPI community, offering a level of exposure that reaches a broad audience.

“It’s also a valuable opportunity to introduce brand partners led by members of the AAPI community,” he added, “helping to highlight their passion and the deep culinary traditions that inspire their work to HelloFresh customers.”

Thank you to Daniel and his team for bringing a deeper sense of appreciation and discovery to our customers’ tables this AAPI Heritage Month!

Want to read more stories like this? Explore the links below.

• Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Through Our AAPI Bundle
• Exploring History and Tradition: The Making of Our Black History Month Recipes
• Celebrating Black-Founded Businesses with the HelloFresh Black History Month Founders Bundle