10+ Authentic Chinese Recipes for Home Cooks

Exploring authentic Chinese recipes can open up a world of flavors and techniques that are both delicious and rewarding. These recipes often highlight fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods that make Chinese cuisine so beloved around the globe.

With each dish, you can learn about the culture and history behind the food, adding a richer experience to your cooking.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, making these recipes at home can be an enjoyable journey. You’ll find that many dishes are easier to prepare than you might think, bringing the taste of China right to your kitchen.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!

1) Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts

Kung Pao Chicken is a savory and spicy dish from Chinese cuisine. It features diced chicken, peanuts, and a mix of vegetables. This recipe brings together a tasty sauce that ties all the ingredients together.

You will love the crunch of peanuts and the kick from the chiles. It’s a popular dish often found in restaurants. Making it at home allows you to customize the spice level to your liking.

To prepare, you’ll need fresh ingredients like chicken thighs, scallions, and soy sauce. With a little practice, you can create this delicious meal in no time.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) chicken thighs, diced
• ½ cup (75g) roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 dried red chilies

Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken with soy sauce for 15 minutes.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and chilies; sauté for 1 minute.
4. Stir in chicken and cook until browned.
5. Add bell pepper and peanuts; stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.

2) Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles

Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles are a delicious and spicy dish from China. They feature thin noodles tossed in a rich, flavorful sauce made with sesame paste and chili oil.

This dish often includes minced pork and pickled vegetables for added texture and taste. The combination creates a unique, satisfying experience.

To start, you will want to gather all your ingredients. You can easily make this dish at home for a taste of authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) fresh or dried noodles
• 4 oz (115 g) ground pork
• 2 tbsp sesame paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1-2 tbsp chili oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped scallions
• 1 tbsp preserved vegetables
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles in boiling water for 3-5 minutes until tender.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
4. Add ground pork and cook until browned.
5. Stir in sesame paste, soy sauce, and chili oil.
6. Mix in preserved vegetables and season with salt.
7. Toss the noodles with the sauce, then serve hot, garnished with scallions.

3) Peking Duck with Hoisin Sauce

Peking Duck is a famous Chinese dish known for its crispy skin and flavorful meat. It’s often served with hoisin sauce, which adds a sweet and savory taste.

To prepare this dish, you will need a roasted duck. The skin should be crispy, creating a nice contrast with the tender meat. The hoisin sauce is essential for wrapping the duck in pancakes along with fresh vegetables.

You can enjoy this dish by layering thin slices of duck, a spread of hoisin sauce, and crunchy cucumber or scallions in a rice pancake.

Ingredients

• 1 Peking roast duck
• Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 spring onion (julienned)
• 1 cucumber (julienned)

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast the duck until the skin is crispy.
2. Mix flour and water to make the pancakes.
3. Roll out the pancakes and cook them in a skillet for a few seconds on each side.
4. Slice the cooked duck.
5. Spread hoisin sauce on a pancake, add duck, cucumber, and spring onion. Roll it up, and enjoy!

4) Shu Mai Dumplings with Pork and Shrimp

Shu Mai dumplings are a delicious treat you can easily make at home. They are filled with a tasty mixture of pork and shrimp, making them a favorite in many dim sum restaurants.

To start, you’ll need to prepare the filling. Combine chopped shrimp, ground pork, and seasonings like soy sauce and green onions.

Next, place the filling into wonton wrappers. Gently fold the edges to create a small cup shape, leaving the top open. This gives dumplings their classic appearance.

Steam the dumplings for about 10-12 minutes. Make sure the steam is strong, so they cook evenly.

These dumplings can be served with a dipping sauce for extra flavor. Enjoy your homemade Shu Mai with your family or friends!

Ingredients

• 1 cup ground pork
• 1 cup chopped shrimp
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Wonton wrappers

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the ground pork, shrimp, soy sauce, and green onion.
2. Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of each wonton wrapper.
3. Fold the edges to create a cup shape.
4. Steam the dumplings for 10-12 minutes.
5. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

5) Black Bean Tofu Stir Fry

Black bean tofu stir fry is a delicious and flavorful dish. It combines crispy tofu with a savory black bean sauce. This dish is simple to make and comes together quickly.

For this recipe, you will need firm tofu. Start by pressing it to remove extra moisture. Cut the tofu into cubes and pan-fry until golden brown.

Next, prepare your sauce using fermented black beans. Sauté some garlic and ginger for added flavor. Mix in vegetables like bell peppers and onions for color and nutrition.

Serve your black bean tofu stir fry over jasmine rice for a complete meal. It’s perfect for a weekday dinner or when you want something tasty and healthy.

Ingredients

• 14 oz (400g) firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons fermented black beans
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu to remove moisture, then cut it into cubes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C) and fry the tofu until golden.
3. Remove the tofu and add garlic, ginger, and vegetables to the pan.
4. Stir-fry for a few minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Add the fried tofu and black beans back to the pan.
6. Pour in soy sauce and stir well to coat.
7. Serve hot over jasmine rice.

6) Red Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)

Red Braised Pork Belly, known as Hong Shao Rou, is a classic Chinese dish. This recipe features tender chunks of pork belly cooked in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce. The combination of soy sauce, rice wine, and spices gives it a lovely depth of flavor.

You can enjoy this dish with steamed rice, which balances the rich taste of the pork. It’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Cooking this dish may take some time, but the results are worth it.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds (680 g) pork belly, skin on
• 3 cups (720 ml) water
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) ginger, sliced thin
• 1/4 cup (50 g) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (50 g) rice wine
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut pork belly into cubes.
2. In a pot, add pork, garlic, and ginger.
3. Pour in water, soy sauce, and rice wine.
4. Add sugar and stir.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
6. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, until tender.
7. Serve hot with rice.

7) Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu

Hot and sour soup with tofu is a favorite in Chinese cuisine. It strikes a perfect balance between spicy and tangy flavors. This soup is easy to make and provides warmth on a chilly day.

You can use ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, and colorful vegetables. Each bite is not only delicious but also nutritious.

To make it even tastier, add a drizzle of sesame oil right before serving. Don’t forget the egg, which adds a lovely texture as it cooks in the hot broth.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of firm tofu, cubed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like bell peppers and carrots)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• 1 egg, beaten (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable broth in a pot over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the mushrooms and mixed vegetables; cook for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the tofu, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
4. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to thicken the soup.
5. Pour in the beaten egg, stirring gently to create ribbons.
6. Finish with sesame oil and serve hot. Enjoy!

8) Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Char Siu is a popular Chinese dish known for its sweet and savory flavors. This BBQ pork is often marinated and roasted, giving it a beautiful glaze.

To make Char Siu, start by cutting pork into long strips. Common choices are pork shoulder or tenderloin.

For the marinade, combine sugar, soy sauce, five-spice powder, sesame oil, and rice wine. Let the pork soak in this mixture for a few hours or overnight for the best flavor.

When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roast the pork for about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally. You can also grill it for a smoky flavor.

Ingredients

• Pork shoulder or tenderloin
• Sugar
• Soy sauce
• Five-spice powder
• Sesame oil
• Rice wine

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut pork into long strips.
2. Mix the marinade ingredients.
3. Soak pork in marinade for several hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Roast pork for 25-30 minutes, turning often.

9) Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)

Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumplings, are a beloved dish in Chinese cuisine. These delicate dumplings are filled with juicy meat and a rich, flavorful broth. When you bite into them, the soup bursts in your mouth, making them a real treat.

To make these dumplings, you’ll use a special technique. The secret is adding aspic, a gelatin made from flavorful broth, into the filling. This creates that delicious soup inside.

You can find recipes that guide you through the process. For a nice homemade version, try using pork skin to make your aspic. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful dumplings!

Ingredients

• 3 pounds (1.4 kg) chicken backs or wings
• 1/2 pound (8 ounces; 225 g) Chinese ham or slab bacon
• 6 scallions (4 ounces; 115 g), whites separated
• Aspic made from pork skin
• Dumpling wrappers

Cooking Instructions

1. Make the aspic by simmering the pork skin and bones for several hours.
2. Mix the aspic with the ground meat and scallion whites.
3. Fill the dumpling wrappers with the mixture.
4. Steam the dumplings at 212°F (100°C) for 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve hot with dipping sauce.

10) Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce

Bok choy with garlic sauce is a simple and delicious dish that brings out the flavors of this leafy vegetable. You can whip it up in just a few minutes, making it a great addition to any meal. The garlic adds a nice kick while the sauce enhances the taste.

To make this dish, you’ll need fresh bok choy. It’s best to wash it thoroughly and trim the ends before cooking.

Sauté garlic in a pan until it’s golden, then add the bok choy. Pour in soy sauce and a splash of sesame oil for flavor. Cook until the bok choy is tender but still crisp. Serve hot and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bok choy
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• A pinch of sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and trim the bok choy.
2. Mince the garlic.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
4. Sauté garlic until it turns golden.
5. Add bok choy and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Pour soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir well.
7. Cook until the bok choy is tender. Serve hot.