After days of festive feasting, rich desserts and too many slices of cake (no regrets!), I always find myself craving lighter, refreshing food that feels clean, comforting and easy on the body. The kind of meals that leave you feeling refreshed rather than full.
These are some of my go-to light and refreshing dishes, perfect for easing back into everyday cooking while still enjoying beautiful flavours.
Fish and Prawns
Pork
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Pomelo Salad Recipe (Gỏi Bưởi)
Vietnamese Pomelo Salad (Gỏi Bưởi) is a refreshing, citrusy dish featuring juicy pomelo, fresh herbs and your choice of protein like prawns or p…
Fish and Prawns
Quick Meals
Refreshing and Vibrant Mango and Prawn Salad Recipe
A vibrant mango and prawn salad that’s refreshing, sweet, savoury and slightly spicy. Packed with crunch, colour and flavour, it’s the perfect show-s…
Chicken
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Shredded Chicken and Cabbage Salad
A vibrant Vietnamese shredded chicken and cabbage salad with crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy-sweet dressing. Quick, healthy, and burstin…
Quick Meals
Mozzarella Tomato Salad: A Simple, Delicious Dish in 5 minutes
This Mozzarella Tomato Salad is a quick and fresh dish ready in just five minutes. Juicy vine tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil come to…
Fish and Prawns
Pork
Quick Meals
Rolls
Vietnamese Salad Rolls – Lovely Sunshine in the Winter
Vietnamese Salad Rolls (Summer Rolls or Goi Cuon) are fresh, healthy wraps filled with crisp vegetables, herbs, prawns and pork, served with tangy or…
Fish and Prawns
Pork
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad (Gỏi Đu Đủ Tôm Thịt)
A vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese salad made with crunchy green papaya, juicy prawns, tender pork and fresh herbs, all tossed in a tangy fish sauce…
Quick Meals
Rice
salad
Vietnamese Aubergine Salad – A Light, Healthy and Moreish Dish
This Vietnamese Aubergine Salad is light, healthy, and bursting with flavour. Soft steamed aubergine is shredded and soaked in a tangy, savoury dress…
Quick Meals
salad
Simple Apple Salad with Yoghurt Dressing
This Simple Apple Salad with Yoghurt Dressing is a refreshing, fruity, and light dish that comes together in just ten minutes. The combinat…
Fish and Prawns
Noodles
Pork
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Prawn and Pork Mince Noodle Salad (Phở Trộn Tôm Thịt)
This Vietnamese Prawn and Pork Mince Noodle Salad (Phở Trộn Tôm Thịt) is a light yet satisfying Vietnamese noodle dish that comes to…
Fish and Prawns
Noodles
Quick Meals
Grilled Salmon Noodle Salad Bowl (Bún Cá Hồi Nướng)
This Grilled Salmon Noodle Salad is a light yet satisfying Vietnamese-inspired dish featuring crispy-skinned salmon, soft rice noodles, fresh herbs a…
Fish and Prawns
Noodles
Lemongrass Prawn Noodle Salad (Bún Tôm Nướng Sả)
This Lemongrass Prawn Noodle Salad (Bún Tôm Nướng Sả) is a light and flavour-packed Vietnamese dish, perfect for warm days. Juicy prawns are m…
Chicken
Noodles
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Chicken Pho Salad (Phở Gà Trộn)
Vietnamese Chicken Pho Salad (Phở Gà Trộn) is a fresh and flavourful twist on traditional Phở, featuring rice noodles tossed with shredded boi…
Fish and Prawns
Noodles
Rolls
Grilled Salmon Salad Roll – Cá Hồi Cuốn Bánh Tráng
A light, healthy and customisable meal featuring grilled salmon marinated in soy sauce and honey, paired with crunchy vegetables, rice noodles, and f…
Chicken
Noodles
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Salad – Bún gà nướng sả
A vibrant and quick Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Salad that combines juicy, lemongrass-marinated chicken with soft rice noodles, fresh crunch…
Vietnamese Morning Glory Salad – A Refreshing Summer Starter
This Vietnamese Morning Glory Salad is light, crunchy and packed with fresh herbs, roasted peanuts and a tangy-sweet dressing. Quick to prepare and f…
Dessert
Kids
Fruit Summer Rolls – A Beautifully Refreshing Summer Treat
These Fruit Summer Rolls are the ultimate no-cook summer treat—light, refreshing, and packed with colourful fresh fruits like mango, apple, strawbe…
Quick Meals
Rolls
Colourful and Refreshing Avocado Mango Rolls
Light, fruity, and bursting with fresh flavours, these colourful avocado mango rolls are the perfect no-cook starter. Filled with creamy avocado, swe…
Quick Meals
salad
starter
Vietnamese Beef Salad (Gỏi Bò Bóp Thấu)
This Vietnamese Beef Salad (Gỏi Bò Bóp Thấu) is light and bursting with flavour. With tender stir-fried beef, crunchy vegetables, fragrant herb…
Fish and Prawns
Noodles
Pork
Vietnamese Prawn and Pork Mince Noodle Soup (Bún Tôm Thịt Băm)
This Vietnamese Prawn and Pork Mince Noodle Soup (Bún Tôm Thịt Bằm) is light yet full of flavour. With a naturally sweet broth made f…
Beef
Noodles
Quick Meals
Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad (Bún Bò Nam Bộ)
A vibrant Vietnamese noodle salad featuring tender lemongrass beef, crisp vegetables and silky noodles, all brought together with a sweet, tangy dipp…
No rules, no pressure – just light, refreshing food that feels good to eat. I hope these dishes bring a little calm and comfort to your table too.
I’d love to know which one becomes your favourite – do let me know in the comments.
