Oh, the joy of cooking. Cooking makes you feel happy, productive, and even creative. It is one way we provide for and nourish our families, and it is often something we do solely for enjoyment.
When cooking Chinese food, the utensils you use may differ from those used in other types of cuisine. Here, we examine various Chinese cooking tools and how they are best used. Enjoy!
Bamboo chopsticks
Chopsticks are sticks of equal length used as eating utensils for Asian cuisine. Used for cooking since 1500 B.C., they came to be used as eating utensils around 400 A.D. As a cost-saving technique, food was chopped into smaller pieces that would use less fuel to cook, and chopsticks could pick up the smaller food items. Bamboo chopsticks are an excellent item because, as a renewable resource, they are better for the environment. Also, bamboo does not breed bacteria, so chopsticks can be used for a more extended period than traditional wood chopsticks.
Bamboo cooking utensils
Bamboo is a natural, durable, lightweight material used for cooking utensils. Bamboo is heat resistant, water resistant, and stain resistant. Because it is moisture-free and does not absorb water, it is less likely to harbor bacteria or fungi. Additionally, bamboo does not cause scratches to cooking surfaces. They are ideal for stirring and mixing, and they do not absorb flavors so they can be used repeatedly without altering the taste of any dish.
Bamboo or plastic rice paddle
A rice paddle is a tool used to get rice out of a rice cooker without fear of scratching the bowl's surface. A rice paddle is a great tool because the rice does not stick to it like a traditional kitchen spoon. A bamboo rice paddle is heat resistant, lightweight, and does not scratch cooking surfaces, so it is an indispensable tool for the kitchen.
Bamboo skewers
A bamboo skewer is a thin stick with a sharpened or pointy tip on one end, allowing meat, fruit, or vegetables pierced and easily positioned onto the skewer. Skewers are used for grilling food items and are necessary for holding the items together, such as when grilling kebobs. It also makes serving food easier since the skewer can be picked up easily and provides fruit, vegetables, and protein.
Bamboo steamer
A bamboo steamer is made of baskets that stack on top of each other and have a lid on top. These are placed over a wok or pot of water, and the steam rises and cooks the contents inside the basket.
Bamboo strainer/spider
A bamboo spider strainer enables the cook to scoop up and drain oil or liquids while cooking. It is made of a stainless-steel basket/strainer with a bamboo handle. The wiring pattern of the strainer resembles a spider web, which is how it gets the name spider strainer.
Cast iron cookware
Compared to other materials, cast iron cookware holds heat longer. Whether you're sautéing steak, making Chinese food, or panning pizza, a sturdy, seasoned cast iron skillet is the way to go. A cast iron skillet will help you handle various culinary tasks, so I highly recommend adding it to your list. A cast iron skillet looks nice enough to show off on my stove. They are not Chinese kitchen tools, but besides the wok, cast iron cookware is probably the most used cookware in my kitchen today.
Clay and earthen pots
Clay and earthen pots are used for cooking soups and stews. They can be placed directly on the stove for cooking and then removed from the table for the meal.
Cleaver
Chinese chefs often use a cleaver rather than have numerous knives for every slicing or chopping need. It can slice, dice, chop, and scrape depending on how the chef manipulates it.
Colander
Colanders are used to drain liquids away from noodles or to rinse vegetables. Raw vegetables are placed in the colander and cleaned under running water. Dirt and debris are removed as the water drains out of the colander, and the clean food remains inside.
Cut-resistant gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are a must-have for someone new to cooking or not very skilled at slicing and dicing. As the name suggests, the gloves are cut-resistant and cannot be penetrated with a knife, which means fingers are safe while chopping and dicing. They can also be worn while using the mandoline slicer or kitchen shears or when hands need extra protection.
Cutting board
The cutting board is very useful, yes, and it has a little shelf that allows it to stand on the kitchen counter, so for us, it survives all the time and is SO functional.
Dutch oven and roasting pot
Stewing meat is a top priority in my kitchen, which is why I need a Dutch oven. Dutch ovens are essential if you want to slow-cook meat and be part of the process, unlike an Instant Pot or slow cooker. Any type of cuisine requires heavy pots that can be used on the stove and in the oven, especially stews and soups.
Fine-mesh strainer
A fine-mesh strainer is used for rinsing rice or vegetables, straining
sauces, or sifting flour or powdered sugar. It is also ideal for removing small bits of food that may burn in hot oil and give a dish a bad flavor.
Garlic press
Garlic is heavily used in Chinese food. With a garlic press, you crush cloves to extract the flavorful juice and create a paste that can easily be blended into a variety of dishes. Several garlic presses and grinders can grind other foods such as ginger, herbs, chili peppers, seeds, and soft nuts.
Hong Kong egg tart tins
Tart tins are used for making egg tarts, which are custard pastry. The best molds keep the shape of the egg tart and allow for even heat distribution. Molds made of carbon steel or aluminum are often the most durable and long-lasting, but the molds may also be made of tin and heat-resistant materials.
Hot pot with Grill
A hot pot, or fire pot, is a large metal pot containing a flavorful broth. It is placed in the center of the dinner table, and the broth is left to simmer during the meal. Various raw food items can be placed inside and cooked during the meal.
Kitchen shears
Every kitchen likely has a set of kitchen shears. Shears are used to cut raw or cooked meat, trim shellfish, and even cut flowers and many other items in the kitchen. Shears are much easier to use than a knife because they can be controlled better and are safer to use.
KitchenAid stand mixer
A KitchenAid stand mixer is a wonderful tool for any kitchen where there is serious cooking or baking going on. It allows for hands-free preparation of dough, dips, or sauces. Kitchen Aid is a more expensive brand, but it also has a higher quality than other brands. It usually comes with a wire whip, flat beater, and a dough hook and performs excellently for whipping, mixing, and kneading.
Mandoline slicer
For slicing large quantities of vegetables, or for making finer slices, the mandoline slicer is the tool for the job. Vegetables are slid back and forth along the blade, and the slicer makes it easy to cut a large quantity quickly and precisely.
Meat tenderizer and pork belly piercing
This item has prongs that are used to pierce the meat in order to make it more tender. As it breaks down meat fibers, it tenderizes the meat and allows the spices and marinade to reach the inside portions of the meat and get absorbed faster.
Meat thermometer
A meat thermometer monitors the internal temperature of the meat. This is important for making sure the meat is thoroughly cooked so that harmful bacteria are destroyed. Using a meat thermometer prevents the meat from having to be cut to check for readiness, which can alter the texture and flavor of the meat. It ensures the meat is not overcooked or undercooked.
Metal steam rack
A metal steam rack allows food to be elevated above the heat source while it continues to cook. This rack can be used in a wok or a deep cooking dish. Food is placed on the metal steam rack and cooked without fear of burning.
Metal wok spatula and hoak
A wok spatula is also called a Chinese spatula or wok shovel, and a wok spatula and hoak are used when cooking stir fry. These tools typically have long handles, so the cook works outside the wok. The wok spatula has a shape that enables it to scrape the sides of the wok and not skip any food from being tossed or turned. The hoak is a spoon shape utensil that resembles a ladle. The spatula and hoak used together make it easier to scoop and scrape food around the wok as it is cooked.
Microplane
A Microplane is like a zester. It is used to grate ginger, garlic, or other spices. It is also excellent for zesting. While not a Chinese cooking tool, many professional chefs and experienced home cooks consider it an essential tool to have in the kitchen.
Mortar &pestle
Chinese cuisine requires lots of spices or spice blends, so a mortar and pestle is another must-have tool for your kitchen. A mortar is a bowl made of wood, stone, or ceramic. Spices can be placed inside the mortar, and then the pestle, shaped like a club and made from the same material as the mortar, is used to grind the spices or herbs. They can turn garlic into a paste and whole spices into powder.
Porcelain rice bowls
A rice bowl is a small bowl that is the perfect size for a serving of rice. The bowls may be plain or decorative. Decorative ones are also used around a home for décor. Traditional designs include flowers, leaves, Chinese poems, calligraphy, and cherry blossoms.
Porcelain soup spoon
A staple for any Asian table, the porcelain soup spoon is used when eating soup dishes. It has a flat bottom, which makes it possible to lay the spoon on a flat surface. The spoons are typically used for soup dishes containing noodles or won-ton soups. Porcelain does not absorb the heat from the food, making it less likely for the mouth to get burned by the spoon.
Professional grade sheet pan
A sheet pan, also known as a cookie sheet, is a versatile kitchen tool. It is often used for making cookies or bread but is also helpful as a roasting rack for vegetables or meat. It typically has shallow edges, which keep liquids from draining off the pan. Professional grade means it is durable and will last longer than a regular sheet pan.
Rice cooker
There are many types of rice and grains that can be cooked in a rice cooker. The rice is tenderized by boiling water, which is then absorbed into it. High-end rice cookers are a great way to make healthy cooking easy and safer.
Rolling pin
Most kitchens probably have a rolling pin. This kitchen tool is used to roll dough for bread or cookies. In Chinese cuisine, it is used for rolling dumpling wrappers. The Chinese version differs from an American rolling pin in that it does not have handles and is smaller. The smaller size makes it easier to use during Chinese food prep.
Sharpening steel
Also known as honing steel, sharpening steel is not used to sharpen a knife. Instead, it is a rod that is used to straighten the edge of the knife blade to keep its sharpness. The blade's edge is run along the steel rod at a 15-degree angle. This helps maintain the edge, so the blade does not require sharpening.
Stainless steel cooling rack
A stainless-steel cooling rack is another multi-use kitchen tool. It can be used to cool baked goods, such as cookies, and as a roasting rack over a sheet pan. It sits well in a sheet pan and leaves room for the juices to gather underneath. Stainless steel is not only durable but is also easy to clean.
Stainless steel folding hot dish tongs
Folding dish tongs lift hot plates out of a bamboo steamer. The tongs are placed on two sides of the plate, allowing the hot plate to be removed from the steamer easily and without burning the cook.
Stainless steel skimmer for hot pot
The stainless-steel skimmer is used to skim off or remove any foam that forms on the broth in the hot pot, and it can also be used to drain the food coming out of the hot pot.
Thermometer for deep frying
A thermometer is used when deep frying to monitor the temperature of the cooking oil. Deep frying requires higher temperatures, and a deep-frying thermometer can reach higher temperatures than a regular thermometer, usually around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It often has a metal clip that is used to attach it to the pot. This holds it in place and limits the potential for hot splatter from moving it in and out of the deep fryer during cooking.
Vegetable brush
To ensure food is clean and free of dirt and pesticides, a vegetable brush is necessary to get the job done thoroughly. Using a brush cleans your fruits and vegetables better than running them under water. A brush can scrub away dirt from the skin of the fruit or vegetable without damaging it, and it helps remove pesticides so the food you serve is free of toxins.
Wide mouth canning jars
There are numerous things wide-mouth canning jars can be used for. They are ideal for canning and storing vegetables or fruits for future use. They are also suitable for holding soups or sauces for later use. Glass storage containers are better for storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator as the food items last twice if they are in plastic storage containers.
Wok and wok lid
In Chinese cuisine, the wok is one of the most important cooking tools, they are one of the most used favorite Chinese cooking utensils for many recipes. If you just got your wok, it is imperative you know how to season a carbon steel wok properly. When you cook Chinese food, a wok with a lid is much easier to use. The wok lid is normally made from carbonized wood, and it weighs less than a glass cover.
Wok ring
A wok ring is a metal ring or circular stand used when cooking with a wok on a traditional stovetop or grill. It keeps the round bottom of the wok stable on the flat surface of the cooking space. The ring is placed on top of the existing stove burner, and the wok is placed on the ring, stabilizing it for safe cooking.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there is a myriad of excellent kitchen tools that make cooking easier, safer, and even healthier. While all these tools are not necessary for preparing delicious meals, they certainly make quite the indispensable collection.
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