We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Cook Real Hawai'i — this scrumptious cookbook is by celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon. Simeon shares 100 different Hawaiian dishes with an eclectic mix of ingredients. Inside you'll find wok-fried poke, pork dumplings made with biscuit dough, crispy cauliflower katsu, and more. Um, YUM.
Promising review: "I have a lot of cookbooks. I have a lot of celebrity chef cookbooks. This is by far one of the most artistic and authentic cookbooks I’ve seen. The stories inside, the photos, and of course the recipes are all simply stellar. We made the Spam Musubi first because it was quick and easy – it turned out perfect. The only thing I couldn’t taste was the ocean air! Sheldon, thanks for the book – it makes us love you even more!" —Brian
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
2. Xi'an Famous Foods: The Cuisine of Western China, from New York's Favorite Noodle Shop — as a frequent customer at Xi'an's, I can personally say that we are ALL lucky this cookbook exists! Jason Wang's iconic recipes were first served to guests in Flushing, Queens. Since then he has become a culinary icon, and this book is gonna give you a chance to try out some of his most famous recipes yourself! You're gonna drool over the flatbread with caramelized pork, cumin lamb and hand-pulled Biang Biang noodles.
Promising review: "This is a must-buy! I cracked the book open as soon as it arrived. The pictures are amazing, as is the story about his family's immigration to the States and the opening of Xian Famous Foods. The recipes are clearly written. I've now made three of the recipes from the book, including the biang biang noodles. They all turned out really well. The instructions are easy to follow; just make sure you've made any sauces you need beforehand. I'm so glad I can eat Xi'an famous foods in my own kitchen in California now!" —Caturday
Get it from Amazon for $11.44.
3. Korean Home Cooking: Classic and Modern Recipes — this *delicious* cookbook has over 100 classic recipes. Browse through the book and get ready to drool over the kimchee, mung bean pancakes, seaweed soup, japchae noodles, soondae (blood sausage)...the list goes on and on! I own this cookbook and can personally confirm that Sohui Kim's recipes are a MUST try.
Promising review: "I believe this book is one of the best Korean cookbooks on the market. The recipes I've tried taste authentic and delicious! It has pictures of the necessary Korean ingredients you will need and some pictures of 'how to,' but the most important thing for me was the easy reading and clear instructions that led to 100% success!" —DH
Get it from Amazon for $27.49.
4. The Honeysuckle Cookbook: 100 Healthy, Feel-Good Recipes to Live Deliciously — written by the host of "Honeysuckle" on YouTube, this fun option is perfect for anyone who wants easy meals that offer a balanced diet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Author and chef Dzung Lewis takes simple recipes and turns them on their head by adding something totally surprising. Lewis' overnight oats are an online sensation for a reason!
Promising review: "I've been a fan of the 'Honeysuckle' YouTube channel for a long time and have always enjoyed watching Dzung come up with new culinary twists for a variety of recipes such as her genius drink concoctions, amazing overnight oats, awesome chia puddings, epic-ally creative toasts, etc. She and her hubby put so much work into making an extremely professional channel, that is so aesthetically appealing, I knew her cookbook was going to be just as spectacular! I've already ear marked the matcha-almond breakfast loaf, garlic noodles with crab, pan-fried rice cakes, etc. Thank you so much for sharing your culinary talent with the world, Dzung! You deserve all the best and this cookbook is just the tip of the iceberg of greatness that is coming your way!" —Doodah Dame
Get it from Amazon for $19.88.
5. The Boba Book: Bubble Tea and Beyond — authors Andrew Chau and Bin Chen wrote this collection of imaginative boba recipes so readers can skip the instant mixes and create one-of-a-kind drinks with the attention to detail (and better ingredients) that give justice to this internationally beloved style of beverage.
Promising review: "I was taken aback by how well done this book is. It's visually stunning. If you want a great gift for the boba lover – this is it. It's a great coffee table book. The content is like Julia Child's Mastering The Art of French Cooking but in this case it's boba. It is that well done. Soup to nuts or milk to booze. The authors tell you about the history of boba, layout the needed tools, the recipes have stunning pictures, and they explain the ingredients. The book is complimented by their personal antidotes throughout (speech bubbles were a nice add). You feel like they are talking to you about their passion." —D Lee
Get it from Amazon for $15.79.
6. Japanese Home Cooking: Simple Meals, Authentic Flavors — flip through the pages of this cookbook and soon you'll realize your kitchen wasn't complete without it! With this in hand you'll serve up meals like vegetable soup with buckwheat dumplings, onigiri, mochi waffles, and mouthwatering fried chicken (that is, if you aren't too ~chicken~ to test out these tried-and-true techniques yourself!).
Promising review: "Sonoko Sakai's book is the ultimate anthology for Japanese home cooking. Ms. Sakai is a wonderful storyteller. She writes about the traditions and principles behind Japanese ingredients and recipes and adds historical contexts where applicable. If you're like me and a bit anxious about food safety, you'll also appreciate that she gives you tips on how to store leftovers and how long the ingredients will keep! There are so many delicious recipes in here.
I made soba noodles from scratch and it was actually really easy! The soba in homemade bonito and kombu dashi was so good! The noodles were sooooo much tastier than store-bought! Ms. Sakai shows you how to make your own shichimi togarashi, la-yu, Japanese curry bricks, and natto (for those feeling adventurous). I finally learned the proper way to cut kabocha...I'd been doing that all wrong. I can't wait to try the mapo tofu with handmade tofu! My family is also excited to try Ms. Sakai's ozoni recipe for New Year! Mmm and okonomiyaki and crab cream croquettes! It's going to be a delicious new year. There's something for everyone in here. Enjoy!" —M Carr
Get it from Amazon for $31.49.
7. Mooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries — if steam buns are your kryptonite and the thought of kneading dough without a stand mixer feels like an impossible ask, this book by cooking instructor and Bay-area native, Kristina Cho is the "textbook" you need in life. I promise the results of your hard work are gonna be extra sweet!
Promising review: "I love everything about this book. The recipes are thorough and well written. I too love visiting Chinatowns wherever I go and have tasted many buns and mooncakes…the mooncake recipe in this book tasted better than the mooncakes I purchased during this years Mid Autumn Festival. I look forward to baking my way through the whole book!" —Georgia
Get it from Amazon for $17.65.
8. Filipinx: Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora — New York Times contributing writer Angela Dimayuga gets personal with the memory-filled recipes collected in her book. If you believe photography is key when looking for cookbooks, you're sure to savor every gorgeous image in this 100-recipe option!
Promising review: "Filipinx is as beautiful as it is brilliant. It has the food my titas and titos made for every Filipino party/birthday/karaoke session of my childhood, except with recipes that have measurements and useful instructions – not just 'Use enough vinegar until it tastes right!' It’s the cookbook you need if you have even a passing interest in Asian cuisine. I highly recommend it." —Anna Martin
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
9. The Pepper Thai Cookbook: Family Recipes from Everyone's Favorite Thai Mom — learn why Chrissy Teigen is so bubbly and delightful *and* where she got her incred cooking skills through this book written by her mama! Spoiler alert: it's because she was raised by the best! These recipes are full of flavor and *lots* of love. Gimme.
Promising review: "Wow just wow! All I've ever wanted in a Thai cookbook and more. I especially like the section of the cookbook that includes an ingredient guide/common substitutions. Simple ingredients, with recipes that aren't too complicated for an everyday home cook. This cookbook will be in my weekly rotation for sure." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.92.
10. Milk & Cardamom: Spectacular Cakes, Custards and More, Inspired by the Flavors of India — Master Chef competitor Hetal Vasavada makes life a little sweeter with this scrumptious compilation of desserts. Your sweet tooth is gonna love life when you bite into the brown butter ghee shortbread cookies, pomegranate curd brownies, and mango lassi macaroons Vasavada cooks up!
Promising review: "The recipes in this cookbook are easy, approachable, and full of delicious flavors! The melding of classic recipes and Indian flavors is just astounding!! The first thing I made was almond chikki and everyone who tasted it was floored by how delicious it is! The delightful flavor of freshly ground cardamom and the earthy sweetness of jaggery are such wonderful surprises in what looks like an ordinary almond brittle! The recipes in this book make my day sweeter and brighter!" —Greeneyeddi
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
11. The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen — vegans, Joanne Lee Molinaro is the cook you can count on! Through heartwarming memories of her mother's kitchen, Molinaro helps veg-based readers connect with Korean dishes that are naturally vegan-friendly. Why limit yourself to BBQ when Jjajangmyun, Gamja Guk, and sweet bean cake are all waiting for you?
Promising review: "This book is beautiful and the first thing I noticed is how heavy it is, thorough and thoughtful; you could use it for weight lifting too! It is a vegan love letter to Korean food and the author's family and heritage! The pages are filled with beautiful photographs of vegan Korean foods that get my mouth is watering. It's very touching embracing the many different culture's cuisines that make up the USA's melting pot! This book honors Korean cooking while allowing vegans to stay true to the beliefs that motivate us to be vegans! This book is beautiful – just turning the pages feels like a series of journeys...culinary, family and more!" —Susan B.
Get it from Amazon for $19.25.
12. Solo: A Modern Cookbook for a Party of One — this cookbook is a *need* if you'd like to start cooking at home more but hate figuring out how to cut online recipes as a party of one. Learn how fun it is to treat yourself, literally, with Michellin-starred chef Anita Lo at your side!
Promising review: "Cook like a 5-star chef! I love this book! It helped me jazz up my dinners at home easily and affordably. Anita's flavor-forward cooking style and clear explanations made it easy to bring her gorgeous style of cuisine to my kitchen table. Thanks, Anita!!" —Patty Gentry
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
13. Vietnamese Home Cooking — when The Slanted Door opened in 1995, Charles Phan gave many Americans their first taste of the rich, decadent flavors of Vietnamese food. With his cookbook, Phan teaches the basic techniques that'll make Vietnamese meals just as accessible at home.
Promising review: "I'm a professional cook and I found this book very amusing. I love the pictures and his techniques for prepping food. The way he approaches Vietnamese cooking is different from any other Viet-Chef cookbook. It's not only the traditional way, which is maybe why I love it. He combines Western and Eastern techniques and explains them clearly. I tried almost half of the recipes and everything has turned out really tasty and delicious." —Kat Ng
Get it from Amazon for $24.55.
14. The Poke Cookbook: The Freshest Way to Eat Fish — these 45 fun, fresh recipes are put together to help home chefs create and customize their own perfect poke bowls. Author Martha Cheng put together recipes using uni, lychee, mango, jicama and other tastes of summer.
Promising review: "I love poke and this book shows me that there is a lot more to poke than my local store has to offer. It also enables me to make my own creations at home. Well written and easy to follow! I also love the vibrant photos. This is a great poke cookbook." —Coastal Guy
Get it from Amazon for $14.49.
15. To Asia, With Love: Everyday Asian Recipes and Stories From the Heart — author Hetty McKinnon is a chef who writes about meals with zeal (she also lives in my home, Brooklyn, NY!). Mckinnon has several cookbooks and this fun option shows you how to make many traditional meals in nontraditional ways. I personally love this book — I'm a sucker for tips and tricks!
Promising review: "This cookbook is fantastic. It has simple recipes that use ingredients I have on hand in new ways, and the recipes are so easily adaptable. I have over 200 cookbooks and from the perspective of which one has recipes that I use every week, this may be at the top. This is the kind of cookbook that changes your go-to recipes. We make the Dan Dan sauce every week, and the tofu, cauliflower and cumin spiced recipe is another household favorite!" —Carrie Gordon
Get it from Amazon for $19.29.
16. Flavors of the Southeast Asian Grill: Classic Recipes for Seafood and Meats Cooked over Charcoal — Leela Punyaratabandhu is a literal expert when it comes to Asian cuisine. Travel through the 60 recipes in this book and you're gonna discover new must-try meals from Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia.
17. Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home — author Eric Kim makes colorful meals (literally) in this *stunning* Korean American cookbook. Not only will you want to make every recipe in this book, you'll want the photos of the food framed on your wall! BTW, these recipes were all created out of Kim's NYC apartment, so don't get intimidated by the limits of your kitchen!
Promising review: "I am a Korean American and this book hit home 100 times over. Korean food is tied to family and Eric was so open and real about his own personal experiences. It wasn't a snooty, fancy book that makes you feel like you have no business being in the kitchen. It was warm and inviting and simple to follow. I could relate on so many recipes and experiences with a Korean mother. I feel like I know Eric because he was me in the book. I've cooked a few of his genius recipes and they blew me away. Even if you're not Korean, you'll be able to relate and take from this cookbook!!" —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.10.
18. I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook — recipes for oxtail soup, fish in vinegar, and fan-favorite street snacks are in this blast of a book to help you make your own kamayan meals. Nicole Ponseca wrote this in 2019 and it was named a best cookbook of the year by The New Yorker, Houston Chronicle, New York Times book review, and more.
Promising review: "I am Filipino. My family is Filipino. I know our food by my family’s recipes. I know the recipes from my family’s stories. This cookbook combines the best of both! There are family favorite recipes as well as new ones from other areas of the Philippines I wasn’t aware of before.
It is also a self-described manifesto of what it is to be Filipino. It is a history book. It is a cookbook. It is a collection of recipes and stories. It was an absolute joy to read this with my family and have their stories supplement the recipes and photos. This gets 5 stars – I will absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to explore Filipino food culture!" —Corrine
Get it from Amazon for $23.49.
19. Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India — you may know Maneet Chauhan as a judge on Chopped and if not...it's time to get this book and get to know her! Chauhan has such an imaginative take on flavor, which is reflected in the creative combinations you're gonna find inside this FAB book! Roasted sweet potatoes with star fruit, lemon, and spices...HERE. I. COME.
20. The Adventures of Fat Rice — a comic book cookbook for folks who don't mind playing with their food. Hugh Amano writes in this engaging cookbook about his restaurant and the history of Macau and its cuisine. The graphics alongside these fan-favorite dishes make learning how to take on these recipes all the more fun!
If you're into this fun illustrated style, don't miss out on the author's other books; Let's Make Ramen! and Let's Make Dumplings! – your stomach wants both (it told me).
Promising review: "This is probably the most beautiful cookbook I own. I love it. It has so many classics that my parents remember. It is beautiful, the photos are amazing, and the layout is great!" —Jacqueline C.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
21. Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors — this book was an IACP finalist, and with good reason! Nguyen's mother fled from Vietnam to America and had to come up with some clever cooking hacks to bring the flavors of home to the States. In turn, Nguyen's own recipes guide you through making Vietnamese food from the ingredients at your local grocery store.
Promising review: "I've been cooking my way through this book and everything has so much flavor. The recipes are pretty easy to follow and I really enjoy using new ingredients or finding new ways to use the ones that I have. So far the grilled meat recipes are my favorite, such as the Char Sui. I can't wait to try something else!" —Leah Pettis
Get it from Amazon for $18.08.
22. My Shanghai: Recipes and Stories from a City on the Water — this new cookbook by Betty Liu was named one of the best cookbooks of the year by New York Times, Business Insider, Glamour, and more! Liu grew up eating homestyle Shanghainese food with her family. That lifetime of tradition and taste gives this cookbook a modern look at one of the oldest cuisines on earth.
Promising review: "Yes, this book is beautiful, the recipes are well-written, the diversity of recipes is amazing, but most importantly, this book reminds me of all the foods that my parents and grandparents made for me. Most Chinese cookbooks simply do not reflect what I ate growing up. My husband asks me why don't I cook Chinese more often...it's because most cookbooks don't have recipes of what I grew up eating. Now I have real recipes with real instructions and proportions for the most basic red cooked pork belly, steamed egg, wontons, stir-fried veggies, even pickling my own snow vegetables!
Because of the way that Betty has included Chinese characters, pinyin and English, I know exactly which dish she is talking about. As a Chinese-American, this cookbook speaks deeply to me. If I were to write a cookbook, this is what I would have written, but thankfully the amazingly talented Betty Liu has done it first so I am forever grateful that she took the time to do this. Seriously, just buy it!" —AmiTashie
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
23. Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a Farm — Molly Yeh was the winner of the IACP cookbook awards *and* she's the star of Food Network's Girl Meets Farm. For anyone not in the know (and you should be!) Yeh is a classical musician who lived in NYC and moved, rather surprisingly, to a sugar beet farm with her partner. Yeh's Jewish/Chinese background influences her creative recipes like Asian Scotch eggs and scallion pancake challah bread.
Promising review: "Over the years, I've stopped buying cookbooks because I've never really found one that seems to have a recipe on almost every page that I want to make. However, once I found Molly's blog I found myself making recipes from it two or three times a week. I finally bought the cookbook and everything about it is perfect. I want to make every single thing inside it and the joyful and fun personality of Molly is on every page. I was delighted to see how thick it was (it's almost 300 pages long) and how much of her writing appears. The book itself is very high quality and the pages are top notch matte paper that feel silky smooth and have high-quality images." —treehugger85
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
24. Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen — chef and author Laura Lee fills this cookbook with stories from Indonesia in between mouthwatering recipes. Take a stab at nasi goreng, beef rendang, chili prawn satay and pandan cake with Lee by your side!
Promising review: "Yes, you might need to buy a scale if you're in the U.S. – it's worth it. There are also a few specialist ingredients that might not be available at all grocery stores. Again, it's worth it. This food is so, so good. I truly didn't know I was capable of making food this delicious until I started cooking from Coconut & Sambal." —Sophie Mongoven
Get it from Amazon for $30.49.
25. Rangoon Sisters — Amy and Emily Chung have brought the taste of Burma to so many homes through this delightful cookbook. Browse through over 80 recipes from Myanmar like fish chowder, pumpkin curry, pickled tea leaf salad, aaaand so much more!
Promising review: "I have a disproportionately large collection of Burmese cookbooks, but this one has absolutely become my favorite. All of the recipes I've tried so far (samosa soup, shan noodles, both versions of shan tofu salad) are accessible and really delicious. As a vegetarian, I most appreciated that the authors provide vegan and vegetarian substitution options for many recipes. Thank you! Would love to visit one of their pop-up dinners one day!" —Sakurajima
Get it from Amazon for $38.15.
26. Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai'i — NPR named this fun read a cookbook of the year! Maui native, Alana Kysar celebrates Hawaii’s multiethnic culture through modern local know-how, regional history, and imaginative recipes. Learn how to make staples like saimin, loco moco, and shoyu chicken. There's even a recipe for shaved ice inside!
Promising review: "What a lovely cookbook of Hawaiian recipes! It has everything from shoyu chicken to macaroni salad to guava cake. One of my fondest memories is being invited as a young child to join a local family for a lunch of beef teriyaki and white rice on the beach on Maui. This cookbook brings back those memories and more." —Emily
Get it from Amazon for $22.10.
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