Chinese foods include a diverse and delicious cuisine that spans thousands of years of history. From sweet and savory dumplings to spicy stir-fries, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
Chinese cuisine, a culinary treasure trove from the East, has enamored food lovers globally with its diverse flavors, techniques, and ingredients.
It’s not unusual to find a dish like fried rice or noodles served as a complete meal, given their rich, intricate flavors and satisfying nature.
However, the Chinese culinary landscape is far more vast and varied, and there’s a world of dishes to explore beyond popular favorites.
The beauty of Chinese cuisine lies in its diversity. Every dish tells a story, reflecting the culture and geography of its place of origin, embracing a vast array of flavors, textures, and cooking methods.
So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering what other famous Chinese foods to try, we’ve curated a list of recipes that range from the familiar to the exotic.
- Syrah/Shiraz. Known for its spicy, peppery notes and dark fruit flavors. Pairs well with spicy dishes like Kung Pao Chicken.
- Pinot Noir. Light to medium-bodied with soft tannins and plenty of fruit flavors. Complements dishes with a rich and umami profile, like Peking Duck.
- Grüner Veltliner. An Austrian white wine, typically dry with high acidity and green, peppery notes. Works great with spicy and complex dishes like Mapo Tofu.
- Chardonnay. Can be either lightly oaked or rich and buttery with apple, pear, and citrus flavors. A match for dishes with rich and slightly sweet flavors, like Moo Shu Pork.
- Riesling. This can range from dry to sweet, always high in acidity, often showing floral and citrus notes. Its sweetness and acidity pair well with a variety of Dim Sum.
- Moscato d’Asti. A lightly sweet, gently sparkling wine from Italy. The slight sweetness complements dishes with sweet and sour profiles, like Sweet and Sour Pork.
- Merlot. A medium to full-bodied red wine, fruit-forward with soft tannins. Good with dishes that mix sweet, spicy, and tangy sauces, like General Tso’s Chicken.
- Cabernet Sauvignon. A full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. Goes well with dishes that have a strong, rich flavor, like Beef and Broccoli.
- Gewürztraminer. An aromatic white wine, often off-dry, with lychee and rose petal notes. The aromatic nature of this wine pairs well with Hot and Sour Soup.
- Zinfandel. Known for its fruit-forward, spicy character and medium to high tannin content. This wine’s fruity and spicy character complements dishes like Sesame Chicken.
- Cucumber martini. Refreshing and cool, typically made with vodka, dry vermouth, and fresh cucumber. The refreshing nature of this drink pairs well with savory dishes like Shrimp Fried Rice.
- Gin and tonic. A classic cocktail, bright and citrusy with a hint of bitterness from the tonic. Good with light and savory dishes, like Wonton Soup.
- Whiskey sour. A balanced cocktail with whiskey, lemon juice, and a sweetener. The cocktail’s acidity and sweetness balance dishes with sweet citrus sauce, like Orange Chicken.
- Sake cocktail. Sake can be combined with various mixers for a sweet, umami cocktail. The subtle sweetness and umami sake notes work well with Crispy Fried Tofu.
- Craft beer or lager. A wide category, but generally, beers offer a range of flavors from hoppy to malty. Complements fried and savory appetizers like Egg Rolls.
- Sparkling rosé. Bubbly with light red fruit flavors, can be dry to slightly sweet. The bubbly and light character matches well with various Bao Bun fillings.
- Prosecco. An Italian sparkling wine, generally light, crisp, and slightly fruity. The light and crisp notes contrast with fried appetizers like Spring Rolls.
- Malbec. A full-bodied red wine known for its dark fruit flavors and smoky finish. Its bold, dark fruit flavors work well with rich and savory dishes like Mongolian Beef.
- Viognier. An aromatic white wine, often showing flavors of stone fruits, and sometimes with a creamy texture. Its aromatic nature and stone fruit flavors can complement complex dishes like Lo Mein.
- Sauvignon blanc. A dry white wine, often showing high acidity and citrus flavors, sometimes with grassy notes. Its high acidity and citrus notes can balance the spice in dishes like Szechuan Shrimp.
Ready-To-Eat Food Items For Chinese Dishes
Here are some ready-to-eat pre-packaged side dishes and appetizers that complement Chinese food.
Note: Check the packaging for any additional ingredients or equipment that you may need to prepare these items, such as oil or a steamer basket.
- Spring rolls. Most grocery stores have pre-packaged, frozen spring rolls you can heat in the oven.
- Dim sum selection. Often found in the frozen section, you can find a variety of pre-packaged dim sums, such as Shumai or Har Gow.
- Potstickers or dumplings. Many grocery stores sell pre-packaged potstickers or dumplings that can be easily steamed or fried at home.
- Egg rolls. Like spring rolls, you can find these pre-packaged and frozen at most supermarkets.
- Crab rangoon. This popular American-Chinese appetizer features savory cream cheese and crab filling in a crispy fried wonton. These are typically found in the frozen section.
- Fried rice. This can be an excellent side dish and comes in various flavors. You can find microwavable packages for convenience.
- Asian slaw. Found in the produce section, this is a mixture of shredded veggies that can be served with a tangy Asian-style dressing.
- Frozen stir-fry vegetables. This is a quick and easy side dish you just need to heat up in a pan.
- Sesame noodle salad. Some deli sections carry this cold noodle salad, flavored with sesame and other Asian-inspired flavors.
- Edamame. These soybeans make for a simple appetizer. They can be found in the freezer section and only require heating.
- Seaweed salad. Many grocery stores now carry pre-packaged seaweed salad in the sushi or seafood department.
- Bao buns. These fluffy steamed buns can be found in the frozen aisle and should be microwaved or steamed before eating. Some come pre-filled with sweet or savory fillings.
- Sushi. While this is a Japanese dish, it can be a good appetizer with Chinese food. Many supermarkets carry pre-packaged sushi.
- Miso soup. Again, while miso is traditionally Japanese, the light, savory flavor of miso soup complements many Chinese dishes well. Look for instant miso soup packets in the international aisle.
- Pickled vegetables. Look for pre-packaged options like pickled radish or cucumber in the international aisle or refrigerated section.
Popular Chinese Foods
These Chinese egg rolls are filled with a savory filling and seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. You can make it easier by using a pre-made coleslaw mix.
Ingredients include: Egg roll wrappers, ground pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, and Asian chili sauce.
2. Spring Rolls
This recipe for spring rolls uses a mix of pork, shrimp, veggies, and thin noodles for the filling. The filling isn’t cooked before it goes in the rolls, which keeps it fresh and crunchy.
Ingredients include: Ground pork, shrimp, carrots, bean sprouts, and Chinese chives.
3. Crab Rangoon
This famous Chinese appetizer is made by mixing cream cheese and crab meat, then wrapping this mix in a wonton wrapper and frying it until golden brown. Cook it in an air fryer or bake in an oven.
Ingredients include: Cream cheese, crab meat, powdered sugar, salt, and wonton wrappers.
4. Shrimp Toast
This Shrimp Toast features white bread topped with a savory shrimp mix and fried until crisp. It’s easy to make and can be served with chili garlic sauce or eaten plain.
Ingredients include: Egg white, pimentos, shrimp, green onion, and cornstarch.
These Steamed Dumplings are filled with tofu and Chinese chives, which can be cooked straight from frozen. Their highlight is the versatile dipping sauce laden with a complex flavor.
Ingredients include: Dumplings or wontons, soy sauce, doubanjiang, chili oil, and Chinese black vinegar.
These crispy dumplings include a filling of chicken, cabbage, and spring onions. The key to getting them crispy is to fry them in two stages. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients include: Dumpling, vegetable oil, spring onions, garlic paste, and black pepper.
These baked buns are filled with tangy barbecue pork, delivering a mix of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Pair them with a refreshing cucumber or sunomono salad for a balanced meal.
Ingredients include: Bread flour, milk, sugar, instant yeast, and shallots.
These wraps offer a quick alternative to takeout, using a sweet-tangy marinade to enhance the taste of ground chicken. The recipe is versatile, allowing for the use of ground turkey or pork and other veggies as additional fillings.
Ingredients include: Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and red chili flakes.
The key to this recipe is to marinate the duck for a day, which will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Once the duck is marinated, simply roast it until cooked through.
Ingredients include: Duck, five-spice powder, cinnamon powder, ginger, and balsamic vinegar.
This Chinese dish is made from a simple dough infused with chopped scallions and then pan-fried to golden perfection. Each bite is a tasty contrast of crispy, golden exterior giving way to a soft and chewy interior.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and garlic clove.
11. Sesame Noodles
This classic Chinese dish combines chewy noodles with a flavorful sesame sauce. The noodles are tossed in a rich sauce and other aromatic ingredients and garnished with toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients include: Dried wheat noodles, Chinese sesame paste, soy sauce, Chinkiang vinegar, and maple syrup.
This dish is a nostalgic yet exciting take on classic peanut noodles. Coated in a spicy sauce, the noodles thicken after refrigeration, giving the recipe a unique flavor and texture.
Ingredients include: Dried spaghetti noodles, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and dark brown sugar.
13. Potstickers
These Potstickers are often served with a soy and rice vinegar dipping sauce. They are steamed and then pan-fried, creating a crispy exterior and a juicy interior.
Ingredients include: Dumpling wrappers, chicken broth, Napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and ginger.
14. Szechuan Wontons
These wontons are unique due to their unique combo of flavors and the distinctive Szechuan spice profile. They’re filled with ground pork and seasonings, but what truly makes them stand out is the Szechuan peppercorn-infused chili oil.
Ingredients include: Wonton wrappers, ground pork, chicken broth, egg, and Szechuan sauce.
These Chinese pancakes are made with wheat flour and water and cooked in a steamer or a pan. Though traditionally served with Peking duck, they can also be eaten with other fillings, such as moo shu pork or shredded chicken.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, hot water, and sesame oil.
16. Jellyfish Salad
This refreshing salad highlights the use of marinated jellyfish strips, crunchy vegetables, and an Asian-inspired dressing. It’s visually stunning and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients include: Shredded jellyfish, chicken breast, cucumber, ginger, chili, and spring onion.
Enjoy these Sichuan Fermented Vegetables on their own or as a side dish. The veggies are fermented in a salted brine and have a numbing spicy and sour taste with a hint of rice liquor’s fragrance.
Ingredients include: Chili peppers, carrots, red radish, star anise, and rock sugar.
This iconic Chinese-American dish includes crispy fried chicken, a special sauce, and heat from chili peppers. The saucy coating offers the right blend of salty, tangy, and spicy notes.
Ingredients include: Chicken thighs, cornstarch, ginger, green onion, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar.
This straightforward yet restaurant-quality dish uses chicken pieces coated in a crispy batter and then drenched in a tangy-sweet sauce. The inclusion of pineapple and bell peppers adds a refreshing element.
Ingredients include: Chicken breast, cornstarch, black pepper, eggs, and ketchup
20. Kung Pao Chicken
This Kung Pao Chicken dish is famous for its bold flavors, which come from the mix of Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and soy sauce. It’s a great option when you’re craving Chinese takeout.
Ingredients include: Chicken breast, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, and cashews.
21. Moo Goo Gai Pan
This authentic Chinese stir-fry dish features tender slices of chicken, button mushrooms, and crisp vegetables in a savory sauce. Feel free to change up the ingredients to your liking.
Ingredients include: Peanut, chicken breast, garlic cloves, button mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.
22. Orange Chicken
This Orange Chicken taste like it came straight from a Chinese restaurant. The homemade orange sauce is the star of this dish, which is sweet and tangy with a hint of spice from the red chili flakes.
Ingredients include: Chicken breasts, cornstarch, eggs, flour, and orange juice.
23. Cashew Chicken
This Sticky Cashew Chicken is straightforward to put together. The chicken is simply coated in the cornstarch mixture and fried until crispy. The sauce is made in a single pot, so there’s minimal cleanup required.
Ingredients include: Chicken thighs, egg, cornflour, paprika, sugar, and garlic cloves.
24. Mongolian Beef
Mongolian Beef is another stir-fry dish you should try. The key is to slice the beef thinly and cook it over high heat so that it stays tender and juicy.
Ingredients include: Flank steak, canola oil, ginger, soy sauce, scallion stalks, and dark brown sugar.
25. Beef & Broccoli
This dish uses simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry. The beef is cooked to perfection, and the broccoli is tender-crisp, all coated in an umami-packed sauce.
Ingredients include: Flank steak, olive oil, broccoli florets, soy sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
26. Hunan Beef
Hunan Beef is a spicy beef and veggie dish, cooked in one pan. It highlights a spicy sauce crafted from notable Asian ingredients. Adjust the chili paste to your preferred heat level.
Ingredients include: Beef flank steak, broccoli florets, red bell pepper, green onions, and garlic.
27. Lemon Chicken
This scrumptious Chinese dish uses chicken breast, marinated and then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The sauce for this recipe has noticeable lemon and sweet notes.
Ingredients include: Chicken breast, lettuce, egg white, sugar, Shaoxing wine, and flour.
28. Szechuan Chicken
Szechuan Chicken is a spicy dish from China, known for its special flavor from Sichuan peppers and red chillies. You can change how spicy it is based on what you like and enjoy it with rice or noodles.
Ingredients include: Chicken thigh, bell pepper, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and baking soda.
29. BBQ Spare Ribs
This recipe for Chinese BBQ Ribs doesn’t need marinating. The ribs are first cooked slowly at a low heat, then at a higher heat to make a shiny coating.
Ingredients include: Pork ribs, gochugaru, white pepper, five spice powder, and oyster sauce.
The Sweet & Sour Pork recipe stands out with its tasty batter and a homemade sauce that uses tomato paste instead of ketchup for a richer taste. It also allows for adjustments according to personal taste.
Ingredients include: Pineapple, pepper, white onion, pork shoulder, soy sauce, and ginger.
31. Moo Shu Pork
The dish includes a fast veggie stir fry, thinly cut pork, a thin omelet, and a thick, sweet, and salty sauce. It can be enjoyed wrapped up in a pancake-like burrito, served with rice, or on its own.
Ingredients include: Pork, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, soy sauce, and white pepper.
32. Peking Duck
Peking duck is a beloved Chinese recipe made with specially-bred duck that is roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender, It’s often served with pancakes, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce.
Ingredients include: Duck, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and water.
33. Mapo Tofu
This classic features soft tofu in a spicy sauce. The key ingredients are Sichuan peppercorns, which give the dish its signature numbing heat, and doubanjiang, a fermented bean paste that provides the umami punch.
Ingredients include: Beef, tofu, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic cloves, red chili flakes, and soy sauce.
34. Egg Foo Young
Egg Foo Young is a Chinese-American dish with a light and fluffy texture. The flavors are bright and complex, with a sweet note from the vegetables. Serve with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and green onions.
Ingredients include: Beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, eggs, and mung bean sprouts.
Twice Cooked Pork, also known as Hui Guo Rou, uses fatty pork belly that’s first boiled and then stir-fried with a umami-laden sauce. The twice-cooking process results in tender, juicy pork with a rich, complex flavor.
Ingredients include: Pork belly, Sichuan peppercorn, ginger, water, green onions, and Shaoxing wine.
36. Ginger Beef
Ginger Beef is a sumptuous dish ideal for a quick weeknight meal. The thinly sliced beef is fried until crispy and coated in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce.
Ingredients include: Skirt steak, cornstarch, white onion, carrots, and dried red chili flakes.
37. Szechuan Beef
Szechuan Beef is a stir-fry of tender beef and vibrant vegetables, cooked in a savory sauce and tingling with the heat of Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. It’s a customizable dish, adaptable with different proteins, vegetables, and nuts.
Ingredients include: Vegetable oil, flank steak, cornstarch, yellow onion, and red bell pepper.
This classic Chinese dish, popular at many restaurants, features marinated thin slices of beef and a rich, bold sauce. With its rich flavors and short cooking time, it’s great for weeknight dinner.
Ingredients include: Flank steak, bell peppers, onion, vegetable oil, and oyster sauce.
Here’s a chicken dish that you prepare in less than 20 minutes, making it a good alternative to takeout. The recipe stands out for its versatility, as it can be made with either fresh or dried mushrooms.
Ingredients include: Chinese mushrooms, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, ginger, and chicken breasts.
40. Hot Pot
Hot Pot is a fun and warm meal where people cook raw food like meat, seafood, and vegetables in a hot soup right at the table. It’s a great way to share a meal with family, especially during colder months.
Ingredients include: Baby bok choy, napa cabbage, lotus root, potato, beef, and pork belly.
This delectable Chinese recipe features shrimp, fried in a light batter and flavored with wine-based seasoning. The dish is best enjoyed with a side of rice and leafy greens.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, garlic, red chili pepper, green onion, and cornstarch.
42. Buddha’s Delight
Buddha’s Delight, also called “jai,” includes vegetables and noodles soaked in water, cut into pieces, and then cooked with a tasty sauce. This dish is filling, so you can eat it as a main meal.
Ingredients include: Bean thread noodles, black moss, Chinese mushrooms, lily buds, and Chinese cooking wine.
43. Chop Suey
This Chop Suey dish encourages using fresh ingredients and meat on hand, allowing for variations based on personal taste. The recipe is also made to avoid the mushy texture in some other versions.
Ingredients include: Pork tenderloin, celery, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, and baby Bella mushrooms.
44. Lo Mein
This well-known noodle dish can be made in 15 minutes. The recipe lets you use different kinds of vegetables, so you can choose your favorites or try new ones. Add more chili flakes to the soy sauce mixture for a spicy kick.
Ingredients include: Lo Mein noodles, mushrooms, carrot, bell peppers, spring onions, and garlic cloves.
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe is all about tasty chicken, yummy vegetables, and noodles mixed in a special sauce. You get to control how much salt, sugar, and spice goes into it.
Ingredients include: Chicken soup, oyster sauce, cornstarch, chicken breast, and chow mein noodles.
46. Kung Pao Shrimp
This Chinese dish features stir-fried shrimp seasoned with a homemade Kung Pao sauce. The recipe can be at your table in 30 minutes and is quicker to prepare than its chicken counterpart.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, zucchini, red bell peppers, water chestnuts, peanuts, and soy sauce.
This recipe allows you to enjoy the luxury of shrimp at home without breaking the bank. The sweet and sour sauce boasts the fragrant addition of bell peppers and onions, with fried ketchup enhancing the flavor.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and turmeric powder.
48. Wonton Soup
This soup highlights store-bought wontons and baby bok choy cooked until slightly burnt for added flavor. The soup’s unique appeal lies in the chili oil, which has a bit of balsamic vinegar to balance out the spice.
Ingredients include: Sesame oil, baby bok choy, shallots, shiitake mushrooms, and rice vinegar.
49. Hot & Sour Soup
This Hot & Sour Soup recipe is a traditional Sichuanese recipe that has been passed down for generations. It’s seasoned with a balanced blend of spices, giving it a delicious, spicy, and sour flavor.
Ingredients include: Dried shiitake mushrooms, pork shreds, bamboo shoots, ginger, and tofu.
50. Egg Drop Soup
In just 15 minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy a restaurant-quality Chinese egg drop soup at home. You can add different ingredients based on your taste and experiment until you find your favorite version.
Ingredients include: Chicken broth, cornstarch, eggs, green onions, and garlic powder.
This fried rice recipe uses BBQ pork, vegetables, and spices. For those seeking authenticity, the Chinese BBQ Pork can be made from scratch or readily purchased at a local grocery store’s deli area.
Ingredients include: Soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, garlic cloves, carrots, and eggs.
This recipe uses day-old rice, which gives the fried rice a light and fluffy texture. The shrimp are cooked until they are pink and opaque, and the vegetables are stir-fried until crisp-tender.
Ingredients include: Jasmin rice, jumbo shrimp, shallot, carrot, peas, and soy sauce.
This Chinese dish highlights rice, cooked until light and fluffy and then stir-fried with vegetables and sauces. It’s best served hot and can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish.
Ingredients include: Gren chilies, onion, celery stalk, carrots, dark soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil.
This Chinese restaurant staple features a Chinese sausage called lap cheong, giving the overall dish its distinctly sweet note. Don’t be afraid to use oil to help make the rice a bit crispy.
Ingredients include: Leftover cooked rice, lap cheong, shrimp, eggs, onion, and fish sauce.
55. Chow Fun
This beloved Cantonese dish is made with beef, which is stir-fried with the noodles until cooked. The noodles are tossed with bean sprouts and scallions and seasoned with umami-packed marinade sauce.
Ingredients include: Beef, rice noodle, Chinese chive, bean sprouts, and Chinese cooking wine.
The highlight of Three Cup Chicken is the soy-based sauce, which forms the heart of the dish and sets it apart from others. The recipe allows customization, inviting home cooks to adjust the ingredients to suit personal preferences.
Ingredients include: Black sesame oil, garlic cloves, ginger root, and chicken drumsticks.
This recipe for Crispy Shredded Beef blends sweet, sour, and savory flavors into tender beef steak strips, stir-fried with a light soy, honey, and lemon juice sauce. Serve with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients include: Sirloin steak, egg, potato startch, onion, ginger garlic paste, and dark soy sauce.
This savory hamburger, also known as roujiamo, is a tasty street food in China. It’s made with a steamed bun filled with shredded pork, pickled vegetables, and chili sauce, then served with a dipping sauce.
Ingredients include: Pork belly, cinnamon stick, instant yeast, star anise, and bay leaves.
This dish specifically uses Chinese eggplant, a type of eggplant famous for its mild flavor and firm texture. It’s stir-fried in a sauce, garnished with cilantro, and served hot.
Ingredients include: Eggplant, red chili sauce, white vinegar, coriander leaves, and water.
These beans are cooked until tender but still have a bit of bite and include garlic, adding a savory flavor. Feel free to add in other vegetables or seasonings that you enjoy.
Ingredients include: Soy sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, garlic cloves, and green beans.
This sweet and tangy stir-fry dish comes together in just over half an hour. It uses chicken coated in a special, thick sauce and served with red bell peppers and pineapple chunks.
Ingredients include: Chicken breasts, garlic powder, cornstarch, olive oil, and pineapple juice.
This dish is a healthier alternative to traditional barbecue or roasting, using the air frying method. The kitchen helper also gives the char siu a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Ingredients include: Pork butt, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and red food coloring.
This Shrimp In Lobster Sauce dish uses simple ingredients that you can find at most grocery stores and takes about 25 minutes to prepare. It features tender shrimp stir-fried in a rich garlic sauce with carrots and peas
Ingredients include: Cornstarch, cooking sherry, shrimp, garlic cloves, peas, and carrots.
64. Dan Dan Noodles
This recipe is a quick, weeknight-friendly spin on the traditional Chinese dish. It features crispy caramelized ground chicken in a mushroom sauce and is served over egg noodles in a spicy broth.
Ingredients include: Sesame oil, garlic cloves, honey, rice vinegar, and peanut butter.
These soft, yeasted buns are filled with a sweet and savory BBQ pork filling. They’re baked until golden brown, and the pork filling has been marinated in a soy-based mix.
Ingredients include: White onion, garlic, five-spice powder, Chinese rose wine, and ketchup.
This childhood favorite offers a slightly sweet, sometimes spicy twist to the traditional omelette. The preparation involves thinly slicing the Chinese sausage, combining eggs with seasonings, and gently cooking the mixture.
Ingredients include: Eggs, Chinese sauce, onion, sugar, ground pepper, and salt.
67. Fried Wontons
The fried wontons are filled with a satisfying mix of pork, ginger, garlic, and mushrooms. Tweak the recipe to make different kinds of wontons like shrimp, veggie, or even sweet dessert wontons.
Ingredients include: Ground pork, wonton wrappers, ginger, garlic clove, mushrooms, and green onions.
68. Rice Cakes
These Chinese rice cakes are made with glutinous rice. They can be eaten plain but are often stir-fried with cabbage and fish cakes. They have a dense and chewy texture and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients in the stir-fry.
Ingredients include: Soy sauce, Xiaoxing wine, ground black pepper, rice wine vinegar, rice cakes, and portobello mushrooms.
69. Sesame Balls
These Sesame Balls are made with a sticky rice flour dough, filled with a sweet paste, and rolled in sesame seeds. They’re crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
Ingredients include: Glutinous rice flour, white sugar, warm water, and white sesame seeds.
These Egg Tarts are a popular snack or dessert in Hong Kong, Macau, and other parts of Southeast Asia. They feature a flaky pastry crust and a sweet, custard-like filling.
Ingredients include: Butter, powder sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and eggs.
Rice porridge, or congee, is a savory or sweet dish made by boiling rice in water or broth until thick and creamy. It can be topped with meat, seafood, veggies, or spices.
Ingredients include: Jasmin rice, salt, and water.
72. Red Bean Buns
These Red Bean Paste Buns are a traditional snack or dessert that highlights a soft, fluffy dough and a sweet, smooth red bean filling. They’re easy to make and can be steamed or baked.
Ingredients include: Red bean, sugar, flour, yeast, and dough.
73. Sweet Zongzi
Sweet Zongzi, or alkaline rice dumplings, is a Cantonese delicacy that mixes sweet ingredients. The glutinous rice is cooked in kansui, giving a slightly chewy texture. The sappan wood gives the zongzi a reddish-brown color.
Ingredients include: Glutinous rice, Su Mi, Kansui, vegetable oil, and bamboo leaves.
This Chinese Rice Pudding is often served warm or cold and can be garnished with toppings such as fruits, nuts, or seeds. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
Ingredients include: Asian white rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, and water.
The recipe involves creating a pancake crust, which is then filled with red bean paste, sealed, and fried until brown and crispy. The pancakes are often served with a drizzle of condensed milk.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, glutinous rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and eggs.
76. Spicy Peanuts
This recipe involves soaking and peeling raw peanuts, freezing them for a chunky texture, and frying them with spices. They’re crunchy and spicy and are a great accompaniment to drinks or as a snack.
Ingredients include: Peanuts, dried chili pepper, Sichuan peppercorn, Chinese five-spice powder, and sugar.
77. ortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are believed to be originated in China, but are now more commonly associated with American Chinese cuisine. They can be filled with inspirational quotes, motivational words, or personal messages.
Ingredients include: Flour, caster sugar, egg whites, vegetable oil, and almond extract.
78. Almond Cookies
These cookies taste like almonds and are a bit crunchy, similar to shortbread cookies. They’re shaped into small rounds and decorated with sliced almonds.
Ingredients include: Almond flour, butter, eggs, almond extract, all-purpose flour, and baking soda.
79. Deep Fried Milk
This Chinese dessert requires 3 basic ingredients to put together. The milk is thickened and then deep-fried until crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Ingredients include: Milk, cornstarch, sugar, panko, and egg.
These small, round dumplings are made from colored glutinous rice dough and cooked in a sweet ginger syrup, and can sometimes contain fillings like peanuts. They’re often served in a sweet soup or broth.
Ingredients include: Glutinous rice flour, water, food coloring, ginger, and sugar.
81. Mooncakes
Mooncakes are a Chinese pastry with a lotus seed or red bean filling and a pastry crust. They’re a festive treat that people of all ages enjoy.
Ingredients include: Cake flour, alkaline water, golden syrup, lotus seed paste, and white sesame seeds.
This fluffy and lightly sweet cake is excellent with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The recipe is the same soft and fluffy texture you find modern Chinese bakeries.
Ingredients include: Egg yolks, cream of tartar, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and cake flour.
83. Red Bean Soup
This tasty Chinese Sweet Red Bean Soup is often served as a dessert or snack. The recipe offers room for customization, such as adding tapioca pearls for additional texture.
Ingredients include: Adzuki beans, water, oil, water, sugar, and tapioca pearls.
84. Mango Pudding
Here’s a creamy, smooth, and delicious dessert that’s brimming with sweet mango flavor. It’s straightforward, and the result is a light and creamy pudding with a hint of tropical flavor.
Ingredients include: Mango, water, saugar, gelatin, mango puree, lime juice, and heavy cream.
This Chinese Sticky Rice is well-known for its sweet taste and unique texture. The preparation process involves soaking and steaming the rice, embedding it with fillings, and presenting it in an enticing manner.
Ingredients include: Quinoa, millet, glutinous rice, sugar, red bean paste, and egg yolks.
These buns include two cherished Chinese bakery items: the char siu roast pork bun and the crispy-topped “pineapple” bun. They have a sweet, crumbly topping that looks like a pineapple, but it doesn’t actually have pineapple in it.
Ingredients include: Heavy cream, milk, egg, cake flour, shallots, and soy sauce.
87. Steamed Pear
This recipe features pears steamed with herbs until soft, and the resulting dish is sweet and tasty. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Ingredients include: Chinese snow pear, Sichuan fritillaria bulbs, and rock sugar.
88. Fried Banana
Made with ripe bananas, a simple batter, and a hot oil bath, these fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They can be served plain or with powdered sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
Ingredients include: Ripe bananas, oil, powder sugar, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and milk.
This Chinese candy is named for its long, thin strands that resemble a dragon’s beard. It’s made by repeatedly stretching and folding a hot sugar mixture until it becomes paper-thin.
Ingredients include: Sugar, water, corn syrup, white vinegar, cornstarch, and roasted peanuts.
These buns are filled with creamy, sweet, and savory custard. The buns are steamed until soft and pillowy and often served with a side of sweet soy sauce.
Ingredients include: Eggs, powder sugar, milk, heavy cream, yeast, and coconut milk.
This refreshing dessert combines the sweet flavor of strawberries with the slightly spicy and citrusy notes of Szechuan pepper. Serve it alone or topped with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or nuts.
Ingredients include: Szechuan pepper, strawberries, sugar, simple sugar syrup, and lemon juice.
This soup is made from black sesame seeds and rice, often served warm or hot. It’s rich, nutty, aromatic, and not overly sweet, with its consistency varying from thick like pudding to thin and watery.
Ingredients include: Black sesame seeds, water, rice flour, glutinous rice flour, and honey.
93. Tofu Pudding
This Chinese delicacy highlights soft tofu, offering a sweet, smooth, and silky treat often served with ginger-infused sugar syrup. It’s versatile, as some people enjoy it with added brown sugar or sweet red beans.
Ingredients include: Soy milk, sugar, gelatin, brown sugar, water, and ginger.
94. Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is a type of green tea that is scented with jasmine flowers. The flowers are added to the tea leaves after they have been picked and dried, and the tea is then allowed to steep for several hours.
Ingredients include: Filtered water, Jasmine tea, and sweetener.
This refreshing, flavorful beverage can be made in under 15 minutes using five simple ingredients. The oolong tea gives the drink a rich flavor, while the boba adds a chewy texture.
Ingredients include: Oolong tea leaves, water, tapioca pearls, and brown sugar.
96. Red Date Tea
This Red Date Tea has a sweet, slightly earthy flavor. The tea itself is usually smooth, warm, and soothing, without any noticeable texture as the ingredients are typically strained out before drinking.
Ingredients include: Red dates, water, ginger, and dried goji berry.
This Chrysanthemum Flower Tea offers a slightly sweet taste with a hint of honey and a subtle floral flavor. Its refreshing quality makes it an excellent cooling drink for the summer, but it can also be savored as a warm or iced tea all year round.
Ingredients include: Chrysanthemum flowers, water, and sugar.
98. Lychee Tea
This easy-to-make drink can be prepared with either fresh or canned lychees, green tea, and a sweetener of your choice. It’s recommended to use green tea as the base for its delicate and mellow flavor that complements the lychee.
Ingredients include: Green tea bags, water, lychees, sweetener, and ice cubes.
99. Bubble Tea
This Bubble Tea recipe has a robust flavor from the strong black tea, balanced with a hint of sweet and creamy taste from the half and half. The chewy tapioca pearls create a unique texture, providing a fun contrast to the smooth tea.
Ingredients include: Boiled water, black tea leaves, sugar, tapioca pearls, and half and half.
100. Chinese Herbal Tea
This Chinese Herbal Tea recipe has a subtly bitter, slightly sweet, and mildly minty taste. The carrots and sweetened winter melon enhance the tea with a sweet note that can be easily adjusted according to preference.
Ingredients include: Dried prunella vulgaris, water, wintermelon, and carrot.
101. Sweetened Soy Milk
This Sweetened Soy Milk version uses an Instant Pot to make the process even faster and easier. The soy milk is sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla extract, giving it a rich, creamy flavor.
Ingredients include: Dried soybeans, water, sugar, and vanilla extract.
102. Hawthorn Berry Juice
This rich, sweet, fruity beverage features hawthorn berries. The juice is thick and resembles cranberry juice in flavor and color. The berries, originally sour, become less so when cooked in sugar water.
Ingredients include: Hawthorn berries, salt, and rock sugar.
103. Sour Plum Drink
Sour Plum Drink, also known as Suanmeitang, highlights sour plums. This cool beverage is balanced with rock sugar to provide a slightly sweet taste.
Ingredients include: Smoked plum, rock sugar, osmanthus, rose petals, and water.
This Mala Xiang Guo recipe showcases the Hai Di Lao mala sauce, a popular brand made with chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and spices. It gives the dish its signature spicy and numbing flavor while allowing customization.
Ingredients include: Noodles, potatoes, lotus root, cabbage, onion, and shrimp.
105. Cumin Lamb
This recipe highlights the use of toasted cumin seeds, chili peppers, and cilantro. The toasted cumin seeds enrich the lamb, the chili peppers add spice and color, and the cilantro provides a fresh contrast.
Ingredients include: Lamb, cumin, cornstarch, soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and red chili peppers.
Chongqing chicken is a popular Sichuan dish known for its spicy and numbing sauce, coating boneless chicken thighs stir-fried with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. It offers the right balance of heat and tingling sensation.
Ingredients include: Chicken thighs, cooking wine, sesame oil, sweet potato starch, garlic, and vinegar.
Ground pork and shiitake mushrooms are the stars of this recipe. Braised in a savory broth with Napa cabbage, these jumbo meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with umami flavor.
Ingredients include: Ground chicken, ground pork, ginger, scallion, shallot, and coconut aminos.
108. Beggar’s Chicken
In this traditional Chinese Beggar’s Chicken recipe, the spiced chicken is encased in lotus leaves and mud before roasting it over an open fire. This method creates a crispy exterior, juicy interior, and a subtle sweet taste from the lotus leaves.
Ingredients include: Chicken, five-spice powder, soy sauce, onions, garlic, and ginger.
Xiao Long Bao are Chinese dumplings filled with pork and a tasty soup. When you steam and bite into them, you get a delicious burst of hot soup.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, water, pork rinds, ginger, ground pork, and oyster sauce.
110. Savory Pancakes
These Savory Pancakes are full of Chinese chives, carrots, and cooked shrimp. These unique, pan-fried pancakes feature a garlicky flavor, crispy exterior, and soft interior.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, egg, Chinese chives, carrot, red chili, and shrimp.
111. Tea Eggs
Chinese Tea Eggs gain their unique taste from a marinade of light and dark soy sauce. This special blend seeps into the boiled, slightly cracked eggs, imparting rich flavors and creating a stunning marble pattern.
Ingredients include: Eggs, soy sauce, black tea leaves, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
This dish tells a story of love, with a clever wife keeping noodles warm for her husband with an oily broth. It’s made by simmering chicken and spices for hours, paired with a homemade, aromatic chili-garlic dipping sauce.
Ingredients include: Chicken carcasses, chicken wings, ginger, garlic cloves, and licorice roots.
Crab Sticky Rice is a simple, unique dish that pairs sweet and fragrant crab with sticky rice. The time spent infusing the rice with crab flavor is well worth the delicious result.
Ingredients include: Dungeness crab, stick rice, ginger, water, salt, and scallion stalks.
114. Chongqing Noodles
Chongqing Noodles mix thin noodles, hot broth, and various toppings. The key to its flavor lies in its condiments, combining onions, chili, spices, and other ingredients like ginger, and different oils.
Ingredients include: Peanut, rapeseed oil, garlic, chili oil, pepper powder, and lard.
115. Fried Sauce Noodles
Zha Jiang Mian is a classic Chinese noodle dish with a thick and flavorful sauce. The al dente noodles have a chewy texture that pairs well with the sauce, and the recipe can be customized to suit individual preferences.
Ingredients include: Garlic, ginger, green onions, dry noodles, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce.
116. Chinese Pumpkin Cake
Chinese Pumpkin Cake is a sweet and chewy dessert made with glutinous rice, pumpkin, and sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunchy texture.
Ingredients include: Glutinous rice flour, pumpkin, cooked white sesame oil, sugar, and oil.
117. White Cut Chicken
White Cut Chicken, a classic Cantonese dish also known as bai qie ji, is a poached chicken prized for its elegant flavor. The poaching broth enhances the chicken with the pungent and slightly spicy taste of ginger, along with the fresh and vegetal essence of scallions.
Ingredients include: Chicken, scallions, ginger, vegetable oil, and cooking wine.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Soup is a luxurious Chinese soup made with premium ingredients. The slow-cooking process imparts the soup with a super fragrant aroma and tender meat, while abalone adds a juicy yet springy texture
Ingredients include: Chicken stock, lean pork, chicken, chicken feet, scallops, Chinese herbs.
Di San Xian is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish where eggplant is soaked in salted water, coated in cornstarch, and stir-fried until crispy. Shaoxing wine is added to tenderize the eggplant.
Ingredients include: Chinese eggplants, cornstarch, potato, garlic cloves, and scallions.
120. Sweet & Sour Fish
The Sweet & Sour Fish recipe simplifies the cooking method by using pan-frying instead of braising, making it quick and easy. Unique twists of ginger and green onions to the pan-frying step are added for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients include: Fish, arrowroot flour, avocado oil, sake, Zhenjian vinegar, soy sauce, and green onions.
121. Braised Pork Belly
Hong Shao Rou (Red Braised Pork Belly) is a Chinese dish that uses aromatic spices to create a complex and flavorful sauce. The slow cooking process results in a tender, flavorful pork belly.
Ingredients include: Pork belly, garlic cloves, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick and Shaoxing wine.
Guo Kui, a yummy Chinese street snack called ‘Chinese Pizza,’ is a crispy stuffed flatbread made with simple ingredients and a touch of oil in the flour. It has a delectable filling of chickpeas and spices.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, water, salt, chickpeas, and soy sauce.
123. Pork Rib Rice
In this Pork Rib Rice recipe, you immerse the ribs in a seasoning sauce and then cook them with rice, all in one pot. This efficient one-pot method enhances the dish’s flavors and textures.
Ingredients include: Jasmin rice, baby back ribs, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, and cooking wine.
This Sichuan appetizer uses budget-friendly cuts of beef and offal to create a satisfying mix of tender and crunchy textures. It simplifies the traditional long cooking process and is usually served at room temperature to let the flavors blend.
Ingredients include: Beef brisket, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, green onions, and cinnamon stick.
This Hainanese Chicken Rice recipe makes delicious rice with chicken fat and stock, and juicy chicken cooled to keep it moist. It includes a tasty ginger-garlic sauce and three more special sauces for dipping.
Ingredients include: Ginger, chicken leg, cucumber, butter, and red chilies.
The bottom line
Chinese foods are diverse with a rich history.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Mongolian Beef, and Wonton Soup are just a few of the many popular Chinese dishes to try.
And for those with a sweet tooth, there’s always Sweet Zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling filled with sweet fillings.
Whether you are a seasoned foodie or just starting to explore Chinese cuisine, there’s something to enjoy on this list!
More About Chinese Cuisine
- Chinese Eggplant Recipes
- Chinese Appetizers
- Chinese New Year Desserts
- Chinese Soups
- Chinese Dessert
- How To Reheat Chinese Food
125 Popular Chinese Foods
From the simple and savory wonton soup to the complex and spicy mapo tofu, this list of popular Chinese foods has something for everyone.
Ingredients
- Pork Egg Rolls
- Spring Rolls
- Crab Rangoon
- Shrimp Toast
- Steamed Dumplings
- Fried Dumplings
- BBQ Pork Buns
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Cantonese-Style Roasted Duck
- Scallion Pancakes
- Sesame Noodles
- Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles
- Potstickers
- Szechuan Wontons
- Peking Duck Pancakes
- Jellyfish Salad
- Sichuan Fermented Vegetables
- General Tso's Chicken
- Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Moo Goo Gai Pan
- Orange Chicken
- Cashew Chicken
- Mongolian Beef
- Beef & Broccoli
- Hunan Beef
- Lemon Chicken
- Szechuan Chicken
- BBQ Spare Ribs
- Sweet & Sour Pork
- Moo Shu Pork
- Peking Duck
- Mapo Tofu
- Egg Foo Young
- Twice Cooked Pork
- Ginger Beef
- Szechuan Beef
- Black Pepper Beef
- Chicken With Chinese Mushrooms
- Hot Pot
- Salt & Pepper Shrimp
- Buddha's Delight
- Chop Suey
- Lo Mein
- Chicken Chow Mein
- Kung Pao Shrimp
- Sweet & Sour Shrimp
- Wonton Soup
- Hot & Sour Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- BBQ Pork Fried Rice
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Yang Chow Fried Rice
- Chow Fun
- Three Cup Chicken
- Crispy Shredded Beef
- Chinese Hamburger
- Szechuan Eggplant
- Dry Fried Green Beans
- Pineapple Chicken
- Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
- Shrimp In Lobster Sauce
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Chinese BBQ Pork Buns
- Chinese Sausage Omelette
- Fried Wontons
- Rice Cakes
- Sesame Balls
- Chinese Egg Tarts
- Rice Porridge (Congee)
- Red Bean Buns
- Sweet Zongzi
- Chinese Rice Pudding
- Shanghai Sweet Pancakes
- Spicy Peanuts
- Fortune Cookies
- Almond Cookies
- Deep Fried Milk
- Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)
- Mooncakes
- Chinese Sponge Cake
- Red Bean Soup
- Mango Pudding
- Chinese Sticky Rice
- Chinese Pineapple Buns
- Steamed Pear
- Fried Banana
- Dragon Beard Candy
- Chinese Steamed Buns With Sweet Filling
- Strawberry Szechuan Sorbet
- Black Sesame Soup
- Tofu Pudding
- Jasmine Tea
- Oolong Milk Tea With Boba
- Red Date Tea
- Chrysanthemum Tea
- Lychee Tea
- Bubble Tea
- Chinese Herbal Tea
- Sweetened Soy Milk
- Hawthorn Berry Juice
- Sour Plum Drink
- Spicy Numbing Stir-Fry
- Cumin Lamb
- Chongqing Spicy Chicken
- Lion's Head Meatballs
- Beggar's Chicken
- Steamed Soup Dumplings
- Savory Pancakes
- Tea Eggs
- Crossing The Bridge Noodles
- Crab With Sticky Rice
- Chongqing Noodles
- Fried Sauce Noodles
- Chinese Pumpkin Cake
- White Cut Chicken
- Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
- Stir-Fried Eggplant, Potato & Pepper (Di San Xian)
- Sweet & Sour Fish
- Braised Pork Belly
- Guo Kui (Stuffed Flatbread)
- Pork Rib Rice
- Fu Qi Fei Pian (Spicy Beef Slices)
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Chinese Foods list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- If you love it, don't forget to share where you got it!