I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved the pictures and stories behind the food and the different Asian cultures explored in this cookbook. The food looks and sounds yummy and it all sounds like things I could make with a little stop at the Asian grocery store and following the easy recipes.

Love this cookbook and the option that it give for different Asian cuisine plus love that it had some of my favorite Filipino food as I am learning to cook more recipe and master them like how my mom can make them. Will be my go to when I am ready to try something new

This cookbook serves as an incredible intro to so many different Asian cuisines. If you’re looking to branch out into the cuisines of many different regions/cultures, then I can’t recommend this book enough. I made several of the recipes from each chapter and was far from disappointed, and the family loved them as well. I also really enjoyed Maricel’s stories relating to the foods of the various regions, it gave such a personal touch and really served to show her connection to the recipes. 10/10

3.5-4 stars
I liked this cookbook to an extent. Like a lot of cookbooks now, there is a section in the beginning that is like a biography of the author- personally I find this way too distracting to include in cookbooks and will skip over these parts generally or automatically stop looking at it. After this section, there was some details about oils, noodles, rice, etc, each culture will use in their recipes. Then it finally moves into the recipes where they are sectioned off and includes a good variety of recipes from main dishes, sides,etc. The instructions seem easy to follow and I like how there are photos to see what the recipe will somewhat look like when finished- I am more likely to use a recipe if I see a photo and it looks good versus just what I am making. Many of these recipes I plan on trying since I have been looking for good recipes or other ways to make it.

The one thing that I really liked was at the end there was a section the included some of the ingredients and what you could use as substitutes if you do not have or can't find it. This was a huge plus in my opinion especially for Asian dishes.
This would rate higher for me if the first part wasn't so long and in depth. Although some like to read about the author, I think they should not be so focused on in a cookbook.

A cook book which is what it says - simple (straightforward, tasty) recipes from a gamut of Asian cuisines - Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Thai and so on. Easy to follow, mostly easily found ingredients, delicious looking photographs and excellent descriptions of the sometimes subtle differences between the cuisines. A very good start to broad 'Asian cookery'.

The format of this cookbook is absolutely gorgeous! Looking at the photos of Maricel's recipes made me so hungry. They look absolutely delicious and are presented so beautifully.

Cooking Asian food has always intimidated me, because looking at some of the dishes they seem like they would be too complex. This cookbook really breaks it down and makes it seem manageable and now I can't wait to try it out for myself.


I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This cookbook was super informative and clearly well-researched, especially when it comes to Asian ingredients, but it did feel a bit overwhelming at times. I liked the variety of recipes and the extra touches like substitution tips and market guides, but I found myself flipping back a lot to make sense of everything. The recipes themselves seem absolutely delicious, just not exactly simple or easy to follow unless you already have access to a good Asian market.
So I think this one is definitely for the more ambitious home cook!

The book was well laid out, and the recipes seem way to follow. I only wish many of the ingredients were easier to find. I have high hopes that the spicy cucumber recipe matches what my Asian neighbor used to make.

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into Asian cooking but felt overwhelmed by unfamiliar ingredients or techniques, Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook is your new kitchen bestie. Chef Maricel Gentile—known from Hulu, PBS, and the Food Network—brings over 75 recipes to life from her most popular classes, spanning Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Cantonese dishes. With her clear step-by-step instructions and helpful ingredient tips, she makes bold, authentic flavors feel totally accessible—even for beginners. This book isn’t just informative; it’s warm, welcoming, and full of heart.

One of my favorite parts? The photography. Not only are the food shots absolutely mouthwatering, but they also give you a real sense of each recipe’s cultural roots. Even more helpful are the comparison photos of common ingredients—like the different types of soy sauce or noodles—so you can confidently pick the right one at the store. It’s such a thoughtful touch that makes a big difference. Add in Maricel’s personal stories and approachable voice, and this cookbook becomes more than just a collection of recipes—it’s a flavorful, visual journey that makes cooking Asian food at home feel joyful and totally doable.

Pepper Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic simple directions with lots of variety
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
I enjoy preparing and eating Oriental food more than any cuisine. Cookbooks can reflect different areas in physical locations and present differences and shifts in taste and spiciness. That is the thrill of diving into cookbooks for me.
Maricel explores Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean food in this expansive cookbook. I love when hints and directions are written with clarity because the cooking and eating become more fun and the fact that I made it myself is the icing on the cake.
It begins with a chapter on rice in the Philippines. Brown rice, short grain , sweet, long grain, jasmine, sushi, glutinous and black rice are popular.
Each Asian country features some kind of rice with meals. Filipinos and Thai are masters of jasmine rice. Korea mainly features short grain rice. Japan uses short grain white,and sushi rice, which is short and sticky. Medium grain is popular too. Vietnam favors jasmine rice.
I am starting to think about what to cook. Soy sauce also has many variations. I never realized that I could adjust the flavors in my cooking so quickly and easily. Noodles and wrappers make my spirit soar and make my eyes really focus. I am hungry now.
Maricel helps us select the proper cooking methods (grill, cast iron, barbeque) and prepares us for making our own treasures.
I will make Pork Spring Rolls. The directions are clear, and everything is waiting in cups and bowls. Oriental foods cook quickly. She provides an accurate estimate of how long it takes to serve the dish. There wasn't a lot to chop, so the preparation went quickly, It looked great in the wok. I went with her suggestion of using chicken. I served it with Lo Mein Noodles. No need for take-out, especially with Maricel's help. Another dday, I will make lechon with pork belly. Oh my goodness. My family is loving everything too!
I like Chicken Adobo and will make it soon. I like that the ingredients are easy to find in regular markets. Banana Spring Rolls! Be still my heart!
Tonight, my inspiration is China. We will have fried rice, dumplings, some shrimp and beef in a stir-fry. The clean-up is so easy. I used a soft cloth. This was fabulous and once it hit the pot, it didn't take long to get it to the table, about 15 minutes.
The author is a wonderful teacher.I want to make the complete hot pot soon.
Our friend comes from Thailand, so the next meal is important to me. More chilis and vinegar shift the flavors. Tonight, the menu is Shrimp Pad Thai, Basil Pork Stir-Fry, spicy and sour Shrimp soup, and sticky rice with ripe mango. Surely this dish originated in Heaven and smells so good.
Not only are the dishes diverse. The instructions are clear, the finished dishes looked gorgeous, and our stomachs were delighted.
Don't be afraid to cook the dishes in this cookbook. They are crystal clear, and you will have the experience of Maricel right there with you. You can do this and the clean-up was easy.
Our Korean meal will be soon. I feel like I took a cooking class . This book will not live in the bookcase, but in my special favorite cookbooks shelf so I can access it quickly and often. This wonderful volume taught me so much. I can't get enough of this deliciousness.
Thank you so much, Chef Maricel. You are amazing. I thank you and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

I’m pleased to share below a link to the video review for this book. It will appear on my Amazon influencer page for the USA, Canada and the UK. Once approved by Amazon it should also appear on the product page if there is space in the video carousel, and one has been authorised for this product.
Thank you for this opportunity, I hope we can work together again soon.

A huge amount of research into the various ingredients used in these Asian cuisines has gone into this book which is presented at the front of the cookbook. Unfortunately, this means that when you are looking at the actual recipes, you'll need to keep flipping back to the beginning to understand what you should be using.

The quantities are in US measurements and there are some ingredients which are not adequately explained - eg white fish is not any white fish but something particular

I just wish that the author had focussed on food from one country. There are many that are pretty similar in each cuisine.

Lots of effort, but it just doesn't quite work

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the beginning, the introductions and all the pictures of Maricel, the author and her family through time.

Part 1 is intro and fundamentals, part 2 is the recipes, divided by country, part 3 is shopping ingredients.

Clarifications on types of rice and their differences, which country uses which rices, things I’ve always wondered about, but never looked up. The types of cooking oils, the types of noodles, the different soy sauces.

Additionally, the pictures are really nice and appetising, recipes clear and not too complicated, nice variety of staple recipes from all over asia.

All in all really great book.

I received an ARC of this cookbook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this cookbook a lot. I don't know a lot about Asian cooking and it was filled with very helpful information as well as delicious recipes!

This is a beautiful book - the writing, photography and recipes, of course. Maricel Gentile takes the reader along as she introduces the reader to the beauty of several Asian countries she has visited, their culture and how their food contributes a dramatic part of daily life. Then she ends each chapter with photographs and recipes from the specific country that the reader will find irresistable and compelled to try.
These recipes are not complicated and feature easily obtainable ingredients. Furthermore, Ms. Gentile includes QR codes on each recipe page so she can be directly contacted with questions or comments if needed.

Clearly Ms. Gentile put much thought and effort in making this a reader as well as user friendly text.
Everyone who loves travel, culture and local cuisine should have this book on their shelf for ready access.

I absolutely loved this book. The recipes are easy and doable. The photography is gorgeous. Ms. Gentile's stories make the recipes more special because of the memories she has about them. I definitely recommend you buy this book and start creating your own memories.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Delightful, fresh and flavorful...

This is a gorgeous cookbook filled with so many Asian favorite dishes. I especially liked the QR codes. The layout was easy to read and use in our digital age of cooking. So many fresh and flavorful foods, made easy and healthy.
Highly recommend.

Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook by Maricela Gentile is a must have cookbook for all well rounded kitchens to have. Gentile is not only thorough in the step by step instructions for each delicious dish presented to the cook, but also in each ingredient that will be used throughout the cookbook. She gives a list of staple items an Asian cook needs to have on hand to make an impromptu meal, while other items are listed as nice to have but not necessary. Excellent layout of recipes that are easily approachable by the average cook.

I received an ARC of #maricelssimplyasiancookbook from #netgalley in lieu of my honest review of the book.

A good basic Asian cookbook though focuses more on the Filipino cooking than any other countries cuisine.
The recipes weren’t hard to follow and turned out well.

This book reminds me of the way that people hate using cooking blogs to find recipes because they have to scroll through so much story in order to get to the food. I think the stories in here are interesting, and the food looks wonderful. The recipes are so diverse and mouth-watering, but there's so much book before you get to the recipes. I think this book will be great for people who collect cookbooks and enjoy reading them. The pictures are fine, but not exciting, so I wouldn't recommend this book for the enthusiast looking for a coffee table display book.