a culinary genealogy
Below, view all our posts in chronological order, starting with the most recent. To browse recipes by category, course, or collection, visit our Recipe Index. Also be sure to check out our How-To section and Chinese Ingredients Glossary.
Chinese red sugar (hóng táng – 红糖) is definitely not the same as Western brown sugar. It’s not just a cooking ingredient, it’s actually considered by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to be something of a nutritional supplement. Learn more about Chinese red sugar, what makes it different from regular sugar, and how to use it
…
Tom Kha Gai is a delicious Thai coconut chicken soup that’s emblematic of Thai cuisine’s harmonious balance of salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors. This Tom Kha Gai recipe tastes just like what you might find at a particularly good Thai restaurant, and despite its complex taste, you can make it in about 30
…
Got a situation that calls for comfort food—or a one-pot meal that’ll impress—fast? We humbly submit this delicious Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe for your consideration. While traditional pot roast might simmer for 3-4 hours in the oven, this Instant Pot version delivers all that fork-tender goodness in under 90 minutes. In our version, red
…
This Wonton Egg Drop Soup brings back memories of our family’s restaurant days. Why you may have only had it in a Chinese restaurant, it’s so simple to make at home. Just boil your favorite frozen wontons and ladle over this quick, perfectly golden egg drop soup for a delicious and fast meal any time
…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of cooking, it’s that sometimes the simplest approach yields the tastiest results (see also: my mom’s pan-fried chicken wings). That’s absolutely the case with these roasted turkey thighs. If you’re here looking for holiday dinner ideas, this recipe will get you all the wonderful flavor of a
…
Dried jujube fruit, also known as Chinese dates or red dates (hóng zǎo – 红枣), are a key ingredient in many Chinese recipes. They are prized for both their culinary versatility and medicinal properties. Learn everything you need to know about these sweet, nutritious dried jujubes—from their flavor profile and health benefits to cooking applications
…
This Hong Kong Baked Pork Chop Rice, or guk ju pa fan (焗豬扒飯) in Cantonese, is a delicious casserole of layered flavors: a base of egg fried rice, juicy fried pork chops, and a rich tomato gravy topped with melted cheese. This East-Meets-West amalgamation of cultures is Hong Kong comfort food. If you’ve never had
…
This is our full guide to making egg foo young—with whatever protein you like. I cooked many orders of egg foo young in my parents’ Chinese restaurant, so if you’ve been chasing that nostalgic taste, but can’t find a restaurant version or egg foo young recipe that tastes like you remember, you’ve landed in the
…
These Chinese chicken dumplings are simple to make, juicy, and flavorful. While pork is the most common dumpling filling you’ll find in China, chicken dumplings are also delicious—as long as you keep a few important tips in mind. We have everything you need to know—and a video—in this post! Amping Up the Flavor in a
…
This fried dace recipe with stir-fried leafy vegetables makes use of a beloved Cantonese ingredient that used to be known only to Chinese families, but recently went mainstream! (The New York Times/WireCutter included it on its list of The Best Tinned Fish.) If you grew up with cans of Pearl River Bridge or Eagle Coin
…
If you grew up in a Cantonese household, fried dace with salted black beans may have been a pantry staple. For us, it was always ready when we needed a quick, flavorful dish to complete our family dinner. This humble canned fish has traveled from working-class tables in Guangzhou to being featured in the New
…
Make this quick and easy Chinese Noodle Soup recipe with pantry ingredients, water, and a few items from the fridge. Grab an egg, tomato, and some pre-washed spinach. From the pantry, you just need dried noodles and some seasonings, and you’ll have a fast mid-week dinner, a quick lunch while working at home, or a
…
Today we’re going to teach you how to make fried rice just like Chinese restaurants, with an easy fried rice formula! You can make restaurant-style fried rice out of almost anything if you use the right ratios of rice, protein, vegetables, and seasonings. We’ve posted over 30 fried rice recipes across The Woks of Life,
…
This baked kimchi rice with cheese is surprisingly easy to make (with just 10 ingredients), vegetarian (if you use a vegan kimchi), and so tasty and satisfying! If you’ve never tried this combination, you’ll be shocked at how well the tangy spicy kimchi goes with creamy melted cheese. Kimchi & Cheese: A Winning Combination We
…
This taro stir-fry with scallion oil is so simple, with just 8 ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, but despite its simplicity, it’s surprisingly delicious! If you aren’t from Zhejiang Province, this is probably the first time you’re seeing it, but I encourage you to try it and enjoy a taste of
…
This is an easy homemade tea recipe that doesn’t require tea bags, is caffeine-free, and uses ingredients that you may already have in your pantry and spice cabinet! It tastes like a fancy designer tea blend with a subtle sweetness, but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either. While this recipe may not fit
…
I make this winter vegetable soup recipe nearly weekly. Everyone who’s tasted it is amazed that I basically only use water and vegetables to make it. I’m even surprised at how all the ingredients come together so beautifully and easily. It’s amazing! Let this healthy, vegetarian and vegan, nourishing vegetable soup warm you up through
…
This colorful, aromatic Thai Vegetable Curry recipe may be vegetarian, but it doesn’t skimp on flavor. Creamy coconut milk and Thai red curry paste create the perfect base for tender eggplant, crisp vegetables, and fragrant Thai basil. The beauty of this dish is its versatility. You can easily adjust the spice level by using less
…
