Chinese cuisine is loved worldwide because it offers a perfect blend of bold flavors—spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory. Whether you’re a fan of noodles, rice, or saucy stir-fries, Chinese food always finds a way to make dinner exciting. If you’re planning a comforting meal at home, here are five classic Chinese dishes with simple recipes you can try tonight.
1. Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)
A Sichuan favorite, Kung Pao Chicken is known for its spicy kick and nutty crunch.
Ingredients:
300g boneless chicken (diced)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar
6–8 dried red chilies
2 tbsp roasted peanuts
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp oil
Recipe:
Marinate the chicken in soy sauce, cornstarch, and a little salt for 15 minutes.
Heat oil in a wok and fry dried chilies until slightly dark.
Add garlic and chicken, stir-fry until golden.
Mix soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and a little water, then pour into the wok.
Toss in roasted peanuts and cook for 2 more minutes.
Serve hot with steamed rice.
2. Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊)
A crowd-pleasing dish with crispy pork coated in tangy sauce.
Ingredients:
250g pork (cut into bite-sized pieces)
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 egg (beaten)
½ cup diced bell peppers & onions
½ cup pineapple chunks
3 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
Oil for frying
Recipe:
Coat pork pieces with egg and cornstarch, then deep fry until golden and crispy.
In a pan, mix ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and a little water to make sauce.
Add bell peppers, onions, and pineapple; stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Toss fried pork into the sauce until well coated.
Serve with plain rice or fried rice.
3. Beef and Broccoli (牛肉西兰花)
A healthy yet delicious stir-fry that’s quick to make.
Ingredients:
250g beef (thinly sliced)
1 cup broccoli florets
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
1 garlic clove (minced)
2 tbsp oil
Recipe:
Marinate beef with soy sauce and cornstarch for 20 minutes.
Blanch broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain.
Heat oil, stir-fry beef until tender.
Add garlic, broccoli, oyster sauce, and a splash of water.
Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until glossy.
Serve hot with steamed rice.
4. Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
A spicy tofu dish from Sichuan that pairs perfectly with rice.
Ingredients:
300g soft tofu (cubed)
100g minced pork or beef
1 tbsp doubanjiang (chili bean paste)
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp Sichuan pepper powder
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with water)
2 tbsp oil
Recipe:
Heat oil in a pan, fry garlic and minced meat until browned.
Add doubanjiang and soy sauce, stir well.
Gently add tofu cubes, and a little water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce.
Sprinkle Sichuan pepper powder before serving.
Enjoy with steamed jasmine rice.
5. Chow Mein (炒面)
A noodle dish loved worldwide for its versatility.
Ingredients:
200g egg noodles (boiled)
½ cup cabbage (shredded)
½ cup carrot (julienned)
½ cup bean sprouts
100g chicken/shrimp/beef (optional)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp oil
Recipe:
Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry meat until cooked (skip if vegetarian).
Add cabbage, carrot, and bean sprouts, stir for 2 minutes.
Toss in boiled noodles, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
Stir-fry everything on high heat for 2–3 minutes.
Serve hot as a complete one-bowl dinner.
Chinese cuisine has something for every mood—whether you crave something spicy like Mapo Tofu, tangy like Sweet and Sour Pork, or comforting like Chow Mein. These five easy recipes not only bring authentic flavors to your table but also make dinner exciting and satisfying.
