10+ Chinese Cooking Recipes You’ll Love to Try at Home

Chinese cooking recipes open up a world of flavors right in your kitchen. They’re a fun way to try new ingredients and dishes from a tradition that’s honestly pretty huge and varied.

You don’t need fancy stuff—just a few basics and a little curiosity. These recipes are approachable, whether you’re a total beginner or just in the mood for something different.

You’ll find everything from speedy stir-fries to those slow-cooked meals that make the whole house smell amazing. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up something that tastes pretty close to what you’d get at your favorite spot.

Cooking these dishes might even give you a bit more confidence in the kitchen. And hey, it’s a great excuse to add a little Chinese flair to your dinner table.

1) Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a classic you can totally pull off at home. It’s got juicy chicken, crunchy peanuts, and veggies tossed in a spicy, sweet-sour sauce.

The key? Marinate the chicken so it stays tender. When you stir-fry, crank up the heat—this keeps the veggies crisp and the sauce nice and thick.

This dish works with rice or noodles, whatever you’ve got.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1-2 dried red chilies
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (around 375°F / 190°C).
3. Toss in garlic, ginger, and dried chilies; stir-fry for 30 seconds.
4. Add chicken and cook until browned and nearly cooked through.
5. Mix vinegar, hoisin, sugar, and a splash of water, then pour in.
6. Throw in peanuts and green onions. Stir until the sauce thickens and the chicken finishes cooking.
7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Want more detail? Check this Kung Pao Chicken Recipe.

2) Szechwan Shrimp

Szechwan Shrimp brings that signature spicy kick. Garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns give it a tingly heat that’s kind of addictive.

The sauce uses chili oil and soy sauce for a punchy, tangy flavor. Shrimp cooks fast—just a quick stir-fry until they’re pink and a little crispy.

Serve it with rice or noodles to soak up all that sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns, crushed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
2. Toss in garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns; stir for a minute.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink and a bit crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour in chili oil, soy sauce, and sugar; cook another 1-2 minutes.
5. Sprinkle in green onions and a pinch of salt before serving.

Find more details at this Szechuan Shrimp recipe.

3) Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a crowd-pleaser that’s honestly better homemade. You get crispy pork bites tossed in a tangy, sticky sauce.

Toss in pineapple, bell peppers, and onions for color and flavor. The trick is double-frying the pork—it keeps it super crunchy, even after saucing.

The sauce is a simple mix of ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and a bit of cornstarch. You’ll have dinner ready before you know it.

For more tips, check out this Sweet and Sour Pork.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork shoulder or tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Dip pork in egg, then coat with cornstarch.
2. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry pork until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and drain.
3. Fry pork again for 1-2 minutes for extra crunch.
4. Mix ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and a splash of water in a pan. Heat and stir until thickened.
5. Add pineapple, pepper, and onion. Cook 2-3 minutes.
6. Toss fried pork in sauce until coated. Serve hot.

4) Spicy Crispy Beef

Spicy crispy beef hits that perfect spot between crunchy and saucy. Start by slicing beef thin and frying it until it’s super crisp.

Then, cook it with peppers and onions in a sticky, spicy sauce. It’s bold, quick, and honestly doesn’t need much fuss.

Pair it with plain steamed rice or some veggies. You’ll have it on the table in about half an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup cornflour
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss beef in cornflour to coat.
2. Heat oil and deep fry beef until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
3. In a pan, sauté garlic, ginger, onion, and red pepper.
4. Add soy sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. Stir until thick.
5. Add crispy beef and toss to coat.
6. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Want more? Here’s a spicy crispy beef recipe link.

5) Three Cup Chicken

Three Cup Chicken is a Taiwanese favorite. The name comes from the three main ingredients—soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine—usually in equal parts.

You cook the chicken slowly so it soaks up all that flavor. The dish is rich but not heavy, and adding fresh basil at the end makes it pop.

It’s simple enough for beginners and goes well with a bowl of steamed rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup sesame oil
• 1 cup rice cooking wine
• 1 lb chicken (cut into pieces)
• 5 cloves garlic (smashed)
• 1 piece ginger (sliced)
• Fresh basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add garlic and ginger; sauté until fragrant.
3. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
4. Pour in soy sauce and rice wine.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through.
6. Add basil, stir, and cook for another minute.
7. Serve hot with rice.

6) Char Siu Pork

Char Siu Pork is that shiny, red-glazed BBQ pork you see hanging in Chinatown windows. The marinade brings together soy sauce, honey, five-spice, and hoisin for that sweet-savory magic.

Pork shoulder or neck works best. Let it marinate for a few hours or overnight to really soak in the flavors.

Roast at 375°F (190°C), brushing with marinade so it stays moist and glossy. When it’s done, slice thin and pair with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder or neck
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, hoisin, honey, five-spice, garlic, and rice wine.
2. Marinate pork for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Place pork on a rack over a tray.
5. Roast for 30 minutes, brushing with marinade every 10 minutes.
6. Roast another 15 minutes until caramelized.
7. Let rest, then slice thin and serve.

Check out this char siu pork recipe for more.

7) Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is the ultimate quick comfort food. The broth is light, and those silky egg ribbons come together in minutes.

You only need chicken broth, eggs, and some seasoning. Toss in corn or green onions if you want a little extra.

Ready in 10-15 minutes, this soup is perfect for busy days or when you just want something warm and easy. A splash of soy sauce or sesame oil adds a nice touch.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
• Salt and white pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the chicken broth in a pot until it’s almost simmering.
2. If you’re using cornstarch, mix it with cold water and stir into the broth.
3. Beat eggs in a bowl.
4. Slowly pour eggs into the hot broth while stirring gently.
5. Let the egg ribbons set for about a minute.
6. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
7. Add green onions if you like.
8. Serve hot.

Here’s a quick Egg Drop Soup recipe if you want to see it in action.

8) Lo Mein Noodles

Lo Mein is one of those go-to Chinese noodle dishes you can whip up at home in no time. Soft wheat noodles get tossed with a savory sauce and a pile of veggies.

Throw in whatever protein you like—chicken, beef, tofu, you name it. The magic’s in the sauce, which usually comes together with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a dash of sugar.

Just cook the noodles, stir-fry your veggies and protein, then mix it all up. You can use fresh or dried noodles; if you go with dried, cook them just until tender and drain.

This recipe’s flexible and comes together fast. Perfect for those nights when you’re tired but still want something tasty.

Ingredients

• 8 oz Lo Mein noodles or spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms)
• 1 cup protein (chicken, tofu, or beef)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Stir-fry protein until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. Add vegetables and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
5. Mix in noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
6. Stir well and cook for 2 more minutes before serving.

For more tips, check this Lo Mein Noodles recipe.

9) Hakka Style Rolled Omelette

Hakka Style Rolled Omelette keeps things simple—just eggs and seasoned ground pork. Instead of flour, you use a thin layer of egg to wrap the filling.

It’s soft, savory, and honestly works for breakfast or a light meal. Start by cooking the pork with soy sauce and other seasonings for a good punch of flavor.

Pour a thin egg layer in a pan and add the pork on top. Carefully roll the egg over to form a meat-filled omelette roll.

You can switch things up with your favorite sauces or throw in some veggies if you’re feeling creative.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 lb (450 grams) ground pork
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• ¾ tsp salt
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the pork with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, and salt.
2. Cook the pork in a pan until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Beat eggs in a bowl.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
5. Pour a thin layer of egg into the pan.
6. Add cooked pork on top of the egg.
7. Roll the egg gently from one side to form a roll.
8. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove and slice to serve.

For more details, check the Hakka Style Rolled Omelette Recipe.

10) Stir Fry Vegetables

Stir fry vegetables are quick, healthy, and honestly a bit underrated. Use whatever mix of veggies you’ve got—broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, it’s all fair game.

The trick is to cook them fast over high heat so they stay crisp. I like to whip up a simple sauce with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

That sauce brings out the flavor but doesn’t drown the veggies. Stir fry usually takes about 15-20 minutes, so it’s a solid choice when you’re short on time.

Got leftover veggies in the fridge? Toss ‘em in. Add tofu or chicken if you want more protein.

Ingredients

• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some oil in a wok or a big pan. Medium-high heat works best.

2. Toss in the garlic and ginger. Stir them around for about 30 seconds—don’t let them burn.

3. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and mushrooms next. Stir fry everything for 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Splash some soy sauce over the veggies. Let it all cook for another couple minutes.

5. Serve hot. Rice or noodles on the side? Totally up to you.

You can find more stir fry veggie ideas at Vegetable Stir Fry – RecipeTin Eats.