1 lb chicken breast
1/2 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
8-10 dried red chili peppers
3 cloves of garlic
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
2 green onions
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
200g tofu
100g shiitake mushrooms
50g bamboo shoots
1.5 liters chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 green onions
1.5 pounds of pork shoulder
1/4 cup of hoisin sauce
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of soy sauce
1/4 cup of oyster sauce
2 tablespoons of Chinese five-spice powder
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of cooking wine
Red food coloring (optional)
350g soft tofu
150g minced pork
2 tbsp Sichuan bean paste
1 tbsp fermented black beans
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 spring onions, chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 cups of cooked rice
2 large eggs
1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 green onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to tasteRaj Kapoor is a culinary instructor and food blogger from India. He has a passion for Asian cuisine and has mastered the art of wok cooking. Raj loves to experiment with spices and believes in the power of food to bring people together. He shares his knowledge and passion on Hip Wok.
The top Chinese recipes of 2020 brought a delightful mix of traditional and modern flavors to our kitchens. From the classic Kung Pao Chicken to the comforting Hot and Sour Soup, here are some of the most popular dishes that made their mark.
🔥1. Spice Up Your Life with Kung Pao Chicken!
This fiery Sichuan classic was a definite crowd-pleaser in 2020. The combination of chicken, peanuts, and chili peppers creates a harmony of flavors that is simply irresistible. Mastering this dish at home can be a fun challenge. For a step-by-step guide, check out our simple recipes for wok cooking.
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
You will need:
1 lb chicken breast
1/2 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
8-10 dried red chili peppers
3 cloves of garlic
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
2 green onions
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinating it with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat.
- Add the Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chili peppers to the wok and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until it's no longer pink.
- Add the garlic and green onions to the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
- In a small bowl, mix together the remaining soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch to make the sauce.
- Pour the sauce into the wok and stir well to coat the chicken.
- Add the peanuts and stir until everything is well combined.
- Serve the Kung Pao Chicken hot with steamed rice.
Notes
Make sure to adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your heat preference. You can also substitute the chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version.
🥣2. Dive into the Flavors of Hot and Sour Soup!
Comfort food at its best, Hot and Sour Soup was another top choice. This soup is a perfect blend of spicy and sour flavors, with ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. You can find an easy recipe for this heartwarming soup in our easy and healthy recipes for wok cooking.
Hot and Sour Soup
You will need:
200g tofu
100g shiitake mushrooms
50g bamboo shoots
1.5 liters chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 green onions
Instructions
- Start by cutting the tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots into thin slices.
- In a large pot, bring the broth to a boil.
- Add the tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots to the pot.
- Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, and white pepper.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Slowly pour the beaten eggs into the soup, stirring constantly.
- Mix the cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry and add it to the soup to thicken it.
- Chop the green onions and sprinkle them on top of the soup before serving.
Notes
You can adjust the amount of vinegar and white pepper to make the soup more or less hot and sour according to your preference.
Learn more about 🥣 Hot and Sour Soup Recipe or discover other Hip Wok recipes.
🍖3. Experience the Sweet and Savory Magic of Char Siu!
Char Siu, or Chinese BBQ Pork, was a hit among the meat lovers. This Cantonese specialty involves marinating pork in a sweet and savory sauce before roasting to perfection. You can learn more about this dish and how to prepare it at home in our popular Asian dishes to cook in a wok.
Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
You will need:
1.5 pounds of pork shoulder
1/4 cup of hoisin sauce
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of soy sauce
1/4 cup of oyster sauce
2 tablespoons of Chinese five-spice powder
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of cooking wine
Red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Start by cutting the pork shoulder into long strips about 2 inches wide.
- In a bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, brown sugar, minced garlic, and cooking wine to make the marinade.
- Add the pork strips to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring to give the pork a traditional red hue.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pork for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the marinated pork strips on the wire rack.
- Roast the pork in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and caramelized on the outside. Baste the pork with the leftover marinade halfway through cooking for extra flavor.
- Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve the Char Siu with rice or noodles.
Notes
For a more authentic flavor, consider using Chinese cooking wine instead of regular cooking wine. The red food coloring is optional and is traditionally used to give Char Siu its signature red color.
Learn more about 🍖 Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) Recipe or discover other Hip Wok recipes.
🌶️4. Mapo Tofu: A Sichuan Delight That Will Tingle Your Taste Buds!
Mapo Tofu, a classic Sichuan dish known for its spicy and numbing sensation, was among the top Chinese recipes of 2020. This dish combines tofu and minced meat in a spicy bean sauce. For a detailed recipe, explore our Chinese dishes that can be cooked in under 40 minutes.
Mapo Tofu
You will need:
350g soft tofu
150g minced pork
2 tbsp Sichuan bean paste
1 tbsp fermented black beans
2 cloves of garlic, minced- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
2 spring onions, chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Start by cutting the tofu into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat.
- Add the Sichuan peppercorns and cook until fragrant.
- Add the minced pork to the wok and cook until browned.
- Stir in the Sichuan bean paste, fermented black beans, and minced garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the flavors meld together.
- Add the tofu cubes to the wok and gently stir to coat the tofu with the sauce.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry. Pour this into the wok and gently stir.
- Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with the chopped spring onions before serving.
Notes
Be careful not to stir the tofu too vigorously as it can break apart easily. You can substitute the minced pork with beef or chicken if you prefer.
Learn more about 🥢 Mapo Tofu Recipe: Authentic Sichuan Dish or discover other Hip Wok recipes.
🍚5. Master the Art of Making Perfect Egg Fried Rice at Home!
No Chinese meal is complete without a serving of Egg Fried Rice. This simple yet delicious dish was a favorite in 2020. With just a few ingredients like rice, eggs, and veggies, you can whip up this dish in no time. Find an easy recipe in our easy and affordable Asian-inspired recipes.
Egg Fried Rice Recipe
You will need:
2 cups of cooked rice
2 large eggs
1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 green onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by heating 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Crack the eggs into the skillet and scramble them until they are fully cooked. Remove the eggs and set them aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the frozen peas and carrots, and cook until they are warmed through.
- Increase the heat to high, and add the cooked rice to the skillet. Stir-fry the rice for a few minutes until it is heated through.
- Add the scrambled eggs back into the skillet. Pour the soy sauce over the rice and stir to combine.
- Add the chopped green onion, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and cook for another minute.
- Serve the egg fried rice hot.
Notes
For the best results, use day-old rice that has been refrigerated. Freshly cooked rice can become mushy when stir-fried.
Learn more about 🍳 Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe or discover other Hip Wok recipes.
While these were the top Chinese recipes of 2020, Chinese cuisine is vast and diverse. There's always something new to explore and savor. So, grab your wok and let's continue this culinary journey together!
Test Your Knowledge on Chinese Cuisine
How well do you know the top Chinese recipes of 2020? Let's find out!
Learn more about Test Your Knowledge on Chinese Cuisine 🥢 or discover other Hip Wok quizzes.
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