Chinese Cooking Methods/Techniques

Chinese Cooking Methods/Techniques

When I studied abroad in Portsmouth, England, I missed authentic Chinese food so much. No matter where I went to try Chinese food, it didn’t taste like the real thing. I felt that the only way to enjoy real Chinese food was by making it myself. Through this experience I learned many traditional Chinese cooking methods/techniques. 

Many believe that Chinese cooking is complicated, but it is quite easy once you get the hang of it. In this post I will cover some of the most popular Chinese cooking methods/techniques. Whether you plan on making Chinese dishes, or want to learn more cooking styles, this post is a great place to start.

Stir Frying (炒）

Stir frying is likely one of the most well-known Chinese cooking methods. It generally involves cooking ingredients in a piping hot wok to make delicious and smoky dishes. When you are stir frying, Edible oil which plays the role of heat conductor will be added, the oil in the wok has to be extremely hot. If it’s not, you will not get that classic smoky flavor from this Chinese cooking technique. 

As you are cooking on high heat, there are a few rules you should follow when stir frying. If you are making a meat dish, brown the meat first and then remove it from the wok. Add in any hard vegetables like onions and carrots, then softer veggies last. Toss the browned meat in when the vegetables are almost cooked. 

This method of cooking uses incredibly high heat, so make sure to work fast.

Deep Frying（油炸）

Like many other cuisines, Chinese cuisine has many recipes that are deep fried. Frying foods in hot oil gives them a lovely crunchy texture that is absolutely addictive. Two common tools used in Chinese deep frying are a scoop strainer and long chopsticks. The strainer removes the foods from the hot oil easier, and the long chopsticks are to move the ingredients around in the hot oil.

Steaming （蒸）

Deep frying is delicious, but it’s not very healthy. If you’re looking for a Chinese cooking technique that is healthy, steaming is a great option. The best way to steam foods is via bamboo steamers. You can stack the steamers on top of each other to cook many foods at once. Place the foods that cook the longest on the bottom, and the foods that take the least time on top. 

Steaming foods creates a refreshing taste, and is known to keep the foods’ nutrients in better. Some popular steamed dishes are dumplings and buns. 

Red braising/Stewing （红烧/卤）

You have probably seen dishes that have been “red braising.” Usually tough cuts of meat are browned then cooked on low heat for a very long time. These meats are cooked in a mix of water, broth, soy sauce, sugar, five-spice, and other seasonings. After cooking in the stew for many hours, the meat becomes tender and has a dark color. Its rich and deep color has given the technique the name of “red stewing.” 

To cook meat this way, you should invest in a large stock pot or slow cooker. Both will work, but make sure to use one that can withstand being on the stove for long periods of time.

Gradual Simmering (炖）

Gradual simmering is normally used in Chinese soup with low heat. 

There are many more Chinese cooking techniques, but these are a few of the most used ones. Give these cooking methods a try, and see just how easy it is to make delicious Chinese food at home!