Chinese recipes and dishes |
Chinese cuisine is known for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and cultural significance. Whether you're a fan of spicy, sweet, savory, or sour, there's a Chinese dish that will tantalize your taste buds. Here are the ten most popular Chinese dishes, complete with detailed recipes to help you recreate these classics at home.
What are the 10 most popular Chinese dishes?
1. Sweet and Sour Pork
2. Kung Pao Chicken
3. Ma Po Tofu
4. Peking Duck
5. Dumplings
6. Fried Rice
7. Hot and Sour Soup
8. Spring Rolls
9. Szechuan Chicken
10. Chow Mein
1. Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊)
Information
Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish that blends the perfect amount of sweetness with a tangy flavor. It's a favorite in Chinese takeout and has won the hearts of people worldwide.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g pork tenderloin
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 bell pepper (cut into chunks)
- 1 onion (cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for sauce)
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
2. Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)
Information
Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy stir-fry dish made with chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers. It's known for its bold flavors and is a staple in Sichuan cuisine.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken breast (cut into small cubes)
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 3-4 dried red chilies (cut into halves)
- 1 bell pepper (cut into cubes)
- 1 onion (cut into cubes)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-inch ginger (minced)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional)
- Salt and sugar to taste
Instructions:
3. Ma Po Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
Information
Ma Po Tofu is a famous Sichuan dish featuring soft tofu set in a spicy sauce, typically made from fermented black beans and chili paste. The dish is known for its numbing spiciness.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g silken tofu (cut into cubes)
- 200g ground pork or beef
- 2 tablespoons doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-inch ginger (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (ground)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
4. Peking Duck (北京烤鸭)
Information
Peking Duck is a renowned dish from Beijing, known for its crispy skin and tender meat. Traditionally, it is served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and scallions.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 whole duck (about 2kg)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- Pancakes (store-bought or homemade)
- Hoisin sauce
- Sliced scallions and cucumber
Instructions:
5. Dumplings (饺子)
Information
Dumplings are a traditional Chinese food that can be filled with various ingredients, such as meat, seafood, and vegetables. They are enjoyed boiled, steamed, or pan-fried.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- Dumpling wrappers (store-bought or homemade)
- 300g ground pork
- 1 cup chopped cabbage
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water for sealing and cooking
- Dipping sauce (soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil)
Instructions:
6. Fried Rice (炒饭)
Information
Fried Rice is a versatile and delicious dish made with leftover rice, vegetables, eggs, and meat or seafood. It's a quick and satisfying meal.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp, chicken, or pork (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
7. Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣汤)
Information
Hot and Sour Soup is a flavorful soup known for its spicy and tangy taste. It's made with ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and vinegar.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup tofu (cut into strips)
- 1/2 cup bamboo shoots (sliced)
- 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with water)
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
8. Spring Rolls (春卷)
Information
Spring Rolls are crispy appetizers filled with vegetables and sometimes meat. They are popular during festivals and celebrations.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- Spring roll wrappers (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp or pork (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
9. Szechuan Chicken (四川辣子鸡)
Information
Szechuan Chicken is a spicy and flavorful dish from Sichuan province. It's made with chicken, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns, providing a numbing and spicy sensation.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 10-15 dried red chilies (cut into halves)
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-inch ginger (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Salt and sugar to taste
Instructions:
10. Chow Mein (炒面)
Information
Chow Mein is a popular noodle dish stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and soy sauce. It's a favorite in Chinese takeout and can be made with various ingredients.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 400g egg noodles
- 200g chicken, beef, or shrimp (sliced)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell pepper, cabbage, carrots)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with water)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Salt and pepper to taste