When it comes to an easy weeknight meal, who doesn’t automatically turn to their tried-and-true Trader Joe’s frozen meals? Come to think of it, TJ’s has somewhat of a chokehold on all of our freezer aisle needs. From the once-viral cauliflower gnocchi to some of the stranger flavor combinations they’ve become known for (Philly cheesesteak bao buns, anyone?), TJ’s is omnipresent in the frozen food convo.
Not all Trader Joe’s frozen meals were created equal, though, and it’s a huge disappointment to dig into a freshly heated bowl of food only to find out that it’s dry or flavorless. The grocery chain’s Asian-inspired dishes, in particular, can be a delicious hit or a huge miss. Thailand, China, India, Japan, Korea… they all have clearly inspired TJ’s chefs, with some mixed results. They’re crafted to feel quick and easy, prepared in the microwave, on the stove, or popped into the oven — and that’s not the best approach to all the dishes that the Asian continent has to offer.
To help you sort through this seemingly endless variety of TJ’s Asian-inspired frozen options, we’ve raided our local store (Manhattan, NYC) to figure out the winners and losers when it comes to taste, texture, and quality. The qualifiers: It’s pretty simple—to be included on this list:
A dish had to be widely available at Trader Joe’s stores.
The dish has to find an obvious inspiration in Asian cuisine, including those from South Asia.
Dishes are ranked from the worst to the absolute best.
