Chinese Picnic Side Dishes

Written by
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Rhonda Parkinson
Updated 09/17/20

From salad rolls to a Chinese version of potato salad, these side dishes will help liven up your next picnic, barbecue, or other outdoor gatherings. Several of the recipes call for rice vinegar —this can be found at Chinese or Asian groceries or in the international aisle of many supermarkets.

  • 01 of 09

    Chinese Chicken Salad

    Chinese chicken salad
    Jupiterimages / Getty Images

    This Chinese chicken salad recipe is easy to make – the only thing that takes any time is baking and shredding the chicken breast, which you can do earlier in the day. Leftovers taste great served in a wrap for lunch the next day.

  • 02 of 09

    Spring Rolls

    A salad roll with dipping sauce
    Juanmonino / Getty Images

    This vegan spring roll recipe is both healthy and easy to make —rice paper wrappers are softened in water and filled with an assortment of vegetables and rice noodles. The rolls are served with a spicy hoisin and peanut dipping sauce. Feel free to swap the vegan ingredients for leftover cooked beef, chicken, or small shrimp.

  • 03 of 09

    Chinese Potato Salad

    Close-up of Chinese potato salad in bowl on table
    Harald Walker / EyeEm / Getty Images

    This Asian take on this Chinese potato salad features a colorful assortment of vegetables such as bok choy, red bell pepper and green onion, and has a flavorful rice vinegar dressing. A reader comments that the rice vinegar dressing also goes nicely with lightly sauteed mixed greens.

  • 04 of 09

    Chinese Coleslaw

    A plate of Chinese coleslaw
    IMAGEMORE Co., Ltd. / Getty Images

    Velvety red cabbage and emerald green bok choy of this Chinese coleslaw are topped with a tart rice vinegar dressing.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Egg Rolls

    Egg rolls with dipping sauce

    John E. Kelly/Getty Images

    Crispy egg rolls filled with bean sprouts, mushrooms, celery and pork. The recipe includes a number of egg roll cooking tips.

  • 06 of 09

    Chicken Egg Rolls

    Plate of spring rolls, sauce and salad

    John Lund/Tom Penpark/Getty Images

    These flavorful chicken egg rolls could make a meal in themselves. Marinated chicken breast is stir-fried and combined with sweet red bell pepper and other vegetables in an oyster-flavored sauce.

  • 07 of 09

    Szechuan Noodles

    Szechuan noodles
    jeffreyw / Fickr

    Egg noodles are tossed with a spicy dressing in this easy to make Szechuan noodles dish.

  • 08 of 09

    Tea Eggs

    Chinese tea eggs

    Ivan/Getty Images 

    These tea eggs are an unusual, popular snack that consists of hard boiled eggs simmered in tea and a combination of spices.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Chinese Noodles in Peanut Sauce

    Chinese noodles in peanut sauce
    Ivan / Getty Images

    Chinese noodles in peanut sauce feature hakka noodles that are topped with a flavorful dressing and served with a vegetable garnish.