12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Wei Guo · 11 Comments

A collection of popular recipes featuring some of the best Chinese dishes that are not only delicious but also easy to make at home. Give them a try!

12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (1)

Eager to try Chinese recipes but haven’t decided where to start? Have a look at this curation of dishes that are most-loved by readers of Red House Spice.

From street food to regional classics, these recipes truly reflect what authentic Chinese food is like. They provide easy, approachable instructions and are home kitchen friendly. Hope you’ll find them inspiring!

12. Chinese Crepe (Jian Bing, 煎饼)

One of the most popular breakfasts sold at street stalls, Chinese Crepewins its nation-wide popularity for its freshness,complex flavour and multi-layer texture.

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Other Popular Breakfast Recipes

  • Chinese Doughnut Stick (You Tiao, 油条)
  • 15-min Chicken Congee (鸡肉粥)

11. Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (鱼香茄子)

One of my favourites from Sichuan cuisine, Eggplant with Garlic Sauceis simply irresistible! My recipe doesn’t involve deep-frying and substitute ideas are included.

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Other Popular Sichuan Recipes

  • Mapo Tofu, the Authentic Way (麻婆豆腐)
  • Sichuan Spicy Wonton in Chilli Oil (红油抄手)
  • Dry Fried Green Beans(干煸四季豆)

10. Beef Chow Fun (干炒牛河)

If you’re a fan of Chinesetakeout (takeaway) dishes, you must try making Beef Chow Fun (Beef Ho Fun) at home. Succulent beef stir-fried with springy rice noodles then seasoned with soy sauce, it’s delicious yet very easy to cook.

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Other Popular Takeout Recipes:

  • Singapore Rice Noodles (Mei Fun, 星洲米粉)
  • Chinese Sausage Fried Rice (腊肠炒饭)
  • Chicken Chop Suey

9. Pumpkin Mochi with Red Bean Paste (红豆南瓜饼)

Soft, gooey, sweet & nutty, PumpkinMochi with Red Bean Paste offers pleasure for both the eyes and the palate. My recipe includes make-from-scratch instructions and short-cut options.

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Other Popular Sweet Treat Recipes

  • Hong Kong Style Mango Pancake (芒果班戟)
  • Steamed Red Bean Buns (豆沙包)
  • Snow Skin Mooncakes (冰皮月饼)

8.

Fried to a crispy texture and served with an aromatic seasoning, Salt and Pepper Shrimpis delectable and very easy to cook. The homemade salt and pepper seasoning can be used to cook chicken, squid, pork ribs, tofu, etc.

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Other Popular

  • Cantonese Steamed Fish (清蒸鱼)
  • Sichuan Boiled Fish (水煮鱼)
  • Steamed Garlic Prawn with Vermicelli (蒜蓉蒸虾)

7.

Pungent, flavourful and crunchy, Hot & Sour Napa Cabbageis one of the best ways to cook this versatile vegetable. Although it’s a simple stir-fry, my recipe offers many tips and tricks to help you cook it to a restaurant standard.

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Other Popular Vegetarian Recipes:

  • Cucumber Salad, Three Ways (凉拌黄瓜)
  • King Oyster Mushroom with Garlic Sauce (鱼香杏鲍菇)
  • Spicy Lotus Root Stir-fry (辣炒莲藕)

6. Sichuan Boiled Beef (水煮牛肉)

The nameSichuan Boiled Beef may sound boring, but this classic Sichuan dish has nothing but bold flavours. Succulent beef slices are cooked in a well-seasoned broth along with crispy vegetables, then topped with generous amounts of spices. It’s irresistible!

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Other Popular Beef Recipes

  • Black Pepper Beef (黑椒牛柳)
  • Braised Beef in Master Stock (酱牛肉)

5. Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns, 叉烧包)

One of the most popular dim sum dishes, Char Siu Bao is famous for its fluffy, cotton-like wrapper and saucy Char Siu pork filling. Mytried-and-tested recipe includes many cooking tips and a tutorial video.

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Other Popular

  • Steamed Bao Buns, a Complete Guide (Baozi, 蒸包子)
  • Baked Lamb Bao Buns (羊肉烤包子)
  • Gua Bao (Pork Belly Buns, 刈包)

4. Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油鸡)

Flavourful, appetizing & comforting, Soy Sauce Chicken (See Yao Gai) is a classic delicacy that can be enjoyed in many delicious ways. My recipe introduces an approachable, less labour-intensive method to cook it at home.

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Other Popular

  • Easy Peking duck (北京烤鸭)
  • How to Make Smoked Chicken in a Wok (熏鸡)
  • Black Pepper Chicken (黑椒鸡丁)
  • Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)

3. Easy Hand-Pulled Noodles (拉面)

All-purpose flour, water and a pinch of salt, that’s all that you need for Hand-Pulled Noodles. Following my foolproof recipe, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make them! I also have other noodle recipes showing you classic ways to serve them, such as Biang Biang Noodles, Zha Jiang Noodles, Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup, etc.

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Other Popular Noodles Recipes

  • Dan Dan Noodles (担担面)
  • Spicy Beef Noodles Soup (香辣牛肉面)

2. Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork, 叉烧)

Aromatic, smoky, savoury & a little sweet, Cantonese cuisine classic dish Char Siu (Chinese BBQ pork) is one of the tastiest ways to cook pork. Myeasy version of this delicacy tastes just as good as what you get from a restaurant!

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Other Popular Pork Dishes

  • Braised Pork Belly (红烧肉)
  • Lion’s Head Meatballs (狮子头)
  • Twice-cooked Pork Belly (回锅肉)

1. Homemade Dumplings (饺子)

Dumpling making is a fun culinary art that every home cook should try. Agree? Ultimate Dumpling Guide is the all-time favourite on the blog. The following posts guide you to master the process of making dumplings from scratch.

Other

  • Soup Dumpling (Xiao Long Bao)
  • Steamed Dumplings, Two Ways
  • Har Gow Crystal Dumplings
  • Chicken Potstickers with a Crispy Skirt
  • Sichun Red Oil Wontons
  • Pan Fried Vegetarian Dumplings
  • Vegan Dumplings
  • Six Dumpling Sauces

More Chinese Cooking 101

  • 2024 Must-Try Recipes
  • Chinese Recipes for 2023 Holiday Season
  • Dried Shrimp, A How-To Guide
  • 15 Chinese Recipes for Chilly Days

Reader Interactions

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  1. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (18)Leslie Sharp says

    Great recipes
    Thank You
    ❤️

    Reply

  2. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (19)Lisa says

    I have been trying to find a website with authentic Chinese cooking! Finally! I cannot wait to start cooking your recipes!!! Thank you so much for sharing them!

    Reply

    • 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (20)Wei Guo says

      Welcome to Red House Spice community! Wish you a fun time cooking Chinese food!

      Reply

  3. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (21)Sylvie says

    Oulala!!!!! This is one of the most exciting food blogs I’ve ever seen!!! Thanks!!!

    Reply

    • 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (22)Wei Guo says

      My pleasure to share Sylvie. Happy cooking!

      Reply

  4. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (23)Denny says

    I am writing to tell you I am doing a cook book on the top ten cuisines of the world and I
    Came across your site and love everything you have done!

    What inspiration can you give that would float me through my adventure more productively?

    SINCERELY
    Denny Hoff

    Reply

    • 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (24)Wei Guo says

      A cookbook of top ten cuisines? What a wonderful idea! You should be able to find many classic Chinese recipes on mine and similar blogs. Also, there are many excellent cookbooks focusing on Chinese cooking, e.g. cookbooks by Fuchsia Dunlop. Good luck!

      Reply

  5. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (25)Lisan says

    I just came across your website as I’m British Chinese and can’t cook asian food very well and wanted authentic recipes. I’m so happy to have found this. Great, tasty recipes and lots of thought and tips given in regards to if it could be frozen, made quicker, good for kids on busy days. I’m inspired and looking forward to trying out some recipes! Thanks for sharing :))

    Reply

    • 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (26)Wei @ Red House Spice says

      Great to have you here Lisan! Enjoy your time in the kitchen!

      Reply

  6. 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (27)Rockie says

    Please keep the traditional recipes coming. I’m LOVING, WATCHING, ADMIRING, and trying as many as possible. Thanks so much for sharing, may GOD continue to Bless You to share with others your great gifts in authentic cultural cooking. You Rock😍

    Reply

    • 12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (28)Wei @ Red House Spice says

      My great pleasure to share Rockie! I will continue posting for sure.

      Reply

12 Must-try Chinese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the big three Chinese cooking? ›

When it comes to cooking Chinese food, there are three aromatics—garlic, scallions and ginger—that form the basis of most stir-fries.

What is the best Chinese meal to order? ›

The List: Best Chinese Food, According to Food Experts
  • Peking Duck. “Peking duck is one of the world's great dishes and as much an emblem of Bejing as the Forbidden City or the old hutong lanes,” writes National Geographic. ...
  • Dim Sum. ...
  • Hot Pot. ...
  • Kung Pao Chicken. ...
  • Beef and Broccoli.
Mar 7, 2023

What are the top 4 Chinese cuisines? ›

A number of different styles contribute to Chinese cuisine but perhaps the best known and most influential are Cantonese cuisine, Shandong cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine (specifically Huaiyang cuisine) and Sichuan cuisine.

What is China's number one dish? ›

Hotpot was the number one Chinese dish most people were likely to consume in 2020, according to a survey in China. China's Szechuan Cuisine is most famous for its spicy and pungent flavors. It is most loved in the West and makes up more than 5% of the Chinese restaurants in the US.

What is America's favorite Chinese food? ›

General Tso's Chicken

This dish, made with crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, is a favorite at Chinese-American restaurants across the country. Its popularity even inspired a documentary film.

Do Chinese eat three meals a day? ›

Chinese families often eat three meals per day with some snacks in between. Traditional Chinese breakfasts can include either congee, a bāozi (a steamed bun with stuffing: either meat, eggs or rice-noodle), sticky rice, Chinese pancakes with eggs or soybean milk with deep-fried dough sticks.

What are the 7 types of Chinese food? ›

These eight culinary cuisines are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan and Zhejiang.

What are the 4 styles of Chinese cooking? ›

Of these eight, there are four major schools. These are most influential and prominent cooking styles. They are: chuan ? (Sichuan), su è?? (Jiangsu), lu ? (Shandong), and yue ? (Guangdong).

What is healthiest Chinese food to order? ›

13 Healthiest Chinese Food Takeout Options
  • Chicken and broccoli. ...
  • Baked salmon. ...
  • Happy family. ...
  • Buddha's delight. ...
  • Moo shu vegetables. ...
  • Eggplant with garlic sauce. ...
  • Kung pao chicken. ...
  • Shrimp with lobster sauce. Despite its name, shrimp with lobster sauce does not actually contain lobster.

What is the healthiest Chinese to order? ›

14 Healthiest Chinese Food Dishes, According to Registered...
  • Steamed buns or dumplings. ...
  • Rainbow stir fry. ...
  • Beef and broccoli with garlic sauce. ...
  • Cucumber and mushroom salad. ...
  • Cucumber daikon salad. ...
  • Herbal soup with vegetables. ...
  • Egg drop soup. ...
  • Chinese steamed scallops and glass noodles.
Aug 31, 2022

What is a soft Chinese food for the elderly? ›

For seniors who have difficulty chewing, soft Chinese food options can be a great choice. Congee, a type of rice porridge, is a popular and easy-to-chew dish that can be flavoured with vegetables, meat, or seafood. Steamed dumplings with a soft filling, such as pork or shrimp, are also a good option.

What does Cantonese mean? ›

plural Cantonese. 1. : a native or inhabitant of Guangzhou, China. 2. : the dialect of Chinese spoken in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

What are the 9 flavors of Chinese food? ›

The palette of flavors and textures represent the senses of taste – salt, sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, sharp, nutty, numbing, and smoky, awakening the palate to the next nine courses ahead that will incorporate each of these flavors more in depth.

What are 8 Chinese foods? ›

These eight culinary cuisines are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan and Zhejiang.
  • Anhui (Hui) ...
  • Cantonese (Yu) ...
  • Fujian (Min) ...
  • Hunan (Xiang) ...
  • Jiangsu (Su) ...
  • Shandong (Lu) ...
  • Szechuan (Chuan) ...
  • Zhejiang (Zhe)

What are the 5 major Chinese cuisines? ›

While there is an incredible culinary variety across the country, there are five major cuisines that dominate the Chinese landscape: Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, Huaiyang, and Northeastern. Each one has its own unique flavours, preparation methods and ingredients. Each is also connected to particular regions of China.

What is China's national dish? ›

Peking Duck (The National Dish of China) 北京烤鸭

What's the difference between chow mein and lo mein? ›

Lo mein typically uses fresh noodles, while chow mein can be made with fresh or dried. Lo mein noodles are typically thick and chewy. Stir-fried noodles in chow mein are thinner and cooked to a golden crisp.

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