As someone from Asia, I always need that one weekly Asian meal to get me through the rest of the week. But, there are so many options to choose from, and suffering from indecisiveness can be a pain, especially when you have other things to worry about.
So, scroll down to your birthday month and check out what Asian food you should eat next to make your life that much easier.
January: Miso Soup
omoon on Flickr
January is the heart of the winter season; it's so cold your body subconsciously freezes even before you go outside. Drink some warm miso soup (and rice) to get through the harsh weather. It's even a perfect go-to dish when you don't feel like cooking every morning.
February: Sushi
adactio on Flickr
February is the month of developing relationships, whether it be making friends or being with your S/O. Next time you go out, splurge on some sushi with your best pals or sweetheart. I mean, what can go wrong with sushi? Also, fun fact: it gets searched up the most during Valentine's Day!
March: Spring Rolls
stu_spivack on Flickr
March is the first sign of spring and the return of shorter sleeves and less layers. Eat the classic favorites, spring rolls, and give yourself an excuse to eat these fried fritters. You can burn off those calories now that the weather isn't too cold to force you stay bundled up at home.
April: Sichuan Boiled Fish
avlxyz on Flickr
This month is the heart of the rainy season, so offset the heavy downpours with something light: fish! This Sichuan-style fish is boiled in a spicy sauce with celery, cabbage, and chili peppers.
May: Nasi Lemak
LWYang on Flickr
The weather gets warmer, which means it's time to go on more food trips! Nasi lemak is a dish originating from Malaysia, and it's a great all-in-one meal. Usually, there is rice, egg, fried chicken, and peanuts, so for those of you who want to try something new but aren't brave enough to step away from your comfort zone, nasi lemak is a safe but delicious bet.
June: Korean BBQ
Ron Dollete on Flickr
June is when summer finally arrives and you have time to relax! With your exciting first summer days in mind, celebrate and eat some Korean BBQ. Eating a ton of good quality beef, pork, and chicken is the best way to celebrate the hard work you've been doing so far.
July: Tom Yum Soup
avlxyz on Flickr
July is the hottest month of the year, and this spicy, sweet, and sour soup exactly reflects that. It's the ultimate package that contains a great amount of flavor and will match with the blast you'll have during the summer.
August: Mee Goreng
avlxyz on Flickr
An Indonesian dish, mee goreng is a type of fried noodle that you can enjoy. August is the end of summer, but hold onto those summer vibes with this spicy dish that will let you reminisce about those carefree days of eating fried food under the hot sun.
September: Carrot Cake
lemonfilmblog on Flickr
When you think of September, you think of fall. Carrot cake is a dessert essential for that season, but have you heard of southeast Asian carrot cake? It consists of rice flour and radish fried with garlic, eggs, and preserved radish. Try this type of carrot cake to change things up.
October: Chicken Curry
Charles Haynes on Flickr
October is about getting ready for the 31st. You don't have to fight your fear of ghosts and haunted houses, but take a challenge and try this uniquely spicy but fragrant chicken curry instead. The unfamiliar soup may look daunting, but you'll end up loving and repeatedly going back to this dish!
November: Pho
DeaShoot on Flickr
It's the season of eating! Instead of eating the turkey and gravy you always get for Thanksgiving, try eating pho. It balances the heaviness and large amounts of the food you'll be eating with its clear soup and light noodles. It's also warm enough to keep you feeling cozy before the temperature drops.
December: Dim Sum
hj_west on Flickr
December is the time for snow, Christmas presents, and festive feels. During this month, you should eat dim sum, which is like a bunch of small presents; there are small portions of different (and delicious) kinds of dim sum. You'll get surprised by each present you get on the table!