22 tasty Chinese recipes to try at home

Chinese favourites

Looking for something a little different for dinner? These fabulously tasty Chinese recipes have got you covered!

Whether you're celebrating Chinese New Year with a full-on family meal or you're in the mood for a satisfying Asian-inspired dinner for one, read on for some of our favourite traditional and 'with a twist' dishes to try, from delicious dumplings to slurpy noodles.

Steamed fish, Cantonese style

Chef Ken Hom’s Cantonese-style steamed fish is perfect for a light and easy main course, packed with flavour. You can use whatever kind of white fish you like, and for the garnish you'll only need a few store-cupboard ingredients.

Get the recipe for Ken Hom's steamed fish, Cantonese style here

Poached pork jiaozi dumplings

Who can resist a tasty, garlicky pork dumpling starter, served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce? If you're up for the challenge, you can make the dough yourself, though shop-bought wrappers will do.

Get the recipe for poached pork jiaozi dumplings here

Pork and prawn dumplings

Dumplings come in many shapes and forms. Siu mai, or steamed dumplings, are a typical dim sum dish, shaped like an open cup revealing a glimpse of the filling – in this case, juicy pork and prawn. They are perfect if you're hosting a party, as they can be made ahead of time and can even be cooked from frozen.

Get the recipe for pork and prawn dumplings here

Crispy wontons

These crispy little bites are a true delicacy, packing in everything we love about dim sum. With a silky, savoury prawn filling and a crispy wrapper, they're perfectly balanced, mouth-watering morsels that will work wonderfully as a side dish or pre-dinner snack.

Get the recipe for crispy wontons here

Steamed prawn and bamboo shoot ‘rabbit’ dumplings

These adorable rabbit-shaped dumplings are filled with prawns and bamboo shoots, with the outer skins shaped into fluffy-looking balls with ears. Sesame seeds stand in for eyes, adding the final (very cute) touch.

Get the recipe for steamed prawn and bamboo shoot 'rabbit' dumplings here

Hainanese chicken rice

This really is a case of winner, winner, chicken dinner. Cookbook author Suzie Lee’s version of Hainanese chicken is a simple yet luscious dish that's perfect for a family gathering.

Get the recipe for Hainanese chicken rice here

Cantonese-style roast duck

There’s no better, or more traditional, Chinese show-stopper than a whole roast duck. This recipe will serve between five and ten people depending on how big your bird is, and whether you're serving it as a starter or main.

Get the recipe for Cantonese-style roast duck here

Lobster with ginger and spring onion

This lobster feast, served on braised noodles, is an opulent main that's perfect for a dinner party. The buttery richness of the dish is balanced out with tangy ginger and some fresh, crunchy spring onions.

Get the recipe for lobster with ginger and spring onion here

Chinese sweet sticky ribs

If there's one meat that Chinese cuisine does exceptionally well, it's pork, one of the most consumed proteins in the country. Sticky ribs will be an excellent addition to your fakeaway feast, combining the smoky flavour of barbecue with the aromatic spices of Asian cuisine.

Get the recipe for Chinese sweet sticky ribs here

Shredded duck spring rolls

These shredded duck spring rolls are sublime dipped in sweet and sour sauce. For a fuss-free approach, they can also be cooked in an air-fryer.

Get the recipe for shredded duck spring rolls here

Pork tang yuan dumplings and meatballs noodle soup

Tang yuan are traditional doughy balls made from glutinous rice flour, filled with sweet or savoury fillings such as black sesame or red bean paste and typically served in a sweet syrup or soup. This recipe, from chef Ching-he Huang, brings together a tasty trio of tang yuan, noodles and meatballs in one fragrant bowl.

Get the recipe for pork tang yuan dumplings and meatballs noodle soup here

Cheat’s dan dan noodles

These dan dan noodles are an excellent quick and easy recipe for a Chinese-inspired meal without the effort. Frying the sausage and five-spice until crisp is a cheat’s way of emulating the traditional Sichuan peppercorn-spiced pork.

Get the recipe for cheat's dan dan noodles here

Chicken chow mein

When we think of noodles, this classic takeaway dish might come to mind. Who doesn’t love a good chow mein? You can cook it at home for a simple dinner using this classic recipe by legendary Chinese chef Ken Hom. Just remember to slurp the noodles whole, as is the tradition!

Get the recipe for Ken Hom's chicken chow mein here

Sichuan prawns in chilli sauce

In Chinese, the word for prawns is 'ha'. Because of the word's similarity to laughter, they're associated with happiness. On the table in under half an hour, this recipe is sure to bring you joy.

Get the recipe for Ken Hom's Sichuan prawns in chilli sauce here

Sweet and sour prawns

For a tasty take on sweet and sour, how about trying this Chinese-inspired prawn recipe by Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain? The dish packs a punch but is wonderfully quick and easy, and made with ingredients that are easily available.

Get the recipe for Nadiya Hussain’s sweet and sour prawns here

Ginger bok choy and sweet peas with miso-glazed tofu

A healthy Chinese favourite. This fresh vegetarian dish is rich in vitamins A and K, as well as calcium and dietary fibre, and it tastes great served with cooked quinoa. Searing your bok choy adds a delicious charred note.

Get the recipe for ginger bok choy and sweet peas with miso-glazed tofu here

Kung Pao roasted broccoli

This easy vegetable dish packs a real flavour punch. The roasted broccoli florets absorb the Sichuan sauce perfectly in this modern Chinese-American recipe.

Get the recipe for Kung Pao roasted broccoli here

Stir-fried duck in lettuce cups

A Chinese fakeaway dish without the carbs! Gordon Ramsay brings us this recipe for pan-fried duck breasts with cucumber, all nestled in a crisp iceberg lettuce cup.

Get the recipe for Gordon Ramsay’s stir-fried duck in lettuce cups here

Hoisin chicken lettuce cups

If duck isn't your thing, then lucky chicken is a perfect alternative. Lettuce cups are a popular appetiser at many Chinese restaurants for a reason. The crunchy lettuce provides a refreshing bite next to the saltiness of the chicken.

Get the recipe for Hoisin chicken lettuce cups here

Grilled aubergine with Chinese salsa verde

For a vegetarian alternative that's filling and hearty, try these delicious grilled aubergines. The dish is packed with fresh ingredients and works perfectly as a side dish or as a main.

Get the recipe for grilled aubergine with Chinese salsa verde here

Sweet 'n' sour cauliflower recipe

This fantastic Chinese-inspired veggie alternative will leave people wanting more. It's worth making extra of the bright red, deliciously tangy sauce, which will keep for weeks in the fridge.

Get the recipe for sweet 'n' sour cauliflower here

Egg fried rice

This egg fried rice is a quick, easy and filling side dish for a feast, or a main for a more understated night in. This recipe is an excellent starting point, but you can make it your own with your favourite vegetables and proteins to create your own house special.

Get the recipe for egg fried rice here