I Didn’t Expect To Love Cooking Chinese Food—Now I Make 25 Recipes

What began as a “just try one” situation somehow snowballed into mastering 25 Chinese classics. Now it’s hard to remember the last week that didn’t include one of them. The variety keeps things interesting, and the repetition never gets boring. If enthusiasm counted as a secret ingredient, there’d be a lifetime supply stocked up by now.

Chicken Chow Mein

Stir-fried noodles with tender pieces and crunchy veggies always feel like a full meal. Chicken Chow Mein combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful dish that’s just the right mix of savory and filling. It’s great as a quick dinner or a crowd pleaser for larger meals. You’ll want seconds because it’s hard to stop.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chow Mein

Bang Bang Shrimp

Sweet and spicy flavors make dishes memorable every time, especially when paired with crisp textures. Bang Bang Shrimp delivers a mix of light heat and creamy sauce coating every bite. Perfect as both an appetizer and a main dish for seafood lovers. These disappear fast no matter where they’re served.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Sesame Chicken

Making a weeknight chicken dish feel special is easier with the right seasoning. Sesame Chicken combines crispy pieces tossed in a perfect glaze that balances sweet and savory. The touch of sesame seeds on top adds a simple crunch that stands out. It’s always a top pick for anyone who loves bold, balanced flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken

Egg Drop Soup

A warm and comforting bowl of soup can make any day better. Egg Drop Soup combines a silky texture with a light, tasty broth that’s incredibly soothing. It’s quick to put together and perfect as both a starter or light meal. This one is especially popular for its simplicity and warmth.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Shrimp Toast

Combining crispy textures with seafood gives you easy, flavorful bites. Shrimp Toast features a crunchy layer on the outside with soft, delicious filling inside. These small pieces can work as appetizers or snacks for any meal setup. People always grab more once they’ve had one.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Cashew Chicken

Mixing nutty crunch with tender bites creates a dish that feels complete. Cashew Chicken pairs chicken with light aromatics and just enough texture from the cashews. The flavors balance perfectly, making it a go-to for a quick yet hearty meal. It’s easy to see why this dish stays popular with so many people.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Hot and Sour Soup

Tangy, bold soup flavors make every spoonful exciting. Hot and Sour Soup combines tang, spice, and hearty elements for a pleasing bowl. It’s light enough to be an appetizer but has enough substance to stand as a main meal. This dish always leaves you feeling like you’ve had something special.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Sweet glazed dishes with a hint of crunch stand out at every meal. Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp pairs crispy shrimp with a creamy, slightly sweet coating for an unforgettable bite. The added crunch from walnuts takes this dish to another level without being overwhelming. It’s a great mix of textures and flavors in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Sweet and Sour Pork

Combining tangy and sweet flavors always makes a dish more memorable. Sweet and Sour Pork features tender pieces covered in a perfectly balanced sauce. It’s a great option for when you want bold flavors paired with something filling. This dish works especially well with simple side staples.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Balanced meals that pack both greens and protein into a single dish are perfect for any occasion. Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry mixes tender chicken with crisp veggies, all coated in a light, flavorful sauce. It’s simple yet satisfying without feeling too heavy. This one stays a favorite for how easy it is to enjoy repeatedly.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Fried Banana

Sweet, crispy snacks are always a fun addition to the table. Fried Banana pairs soft, warm fruit with a lightly crisp exterior for a unique dessert. This works great as a sweet side or to finish off a meal. Once served, they’re gone in no time.
Get the Recipe: Fried Banana

General Tso’s Chicken

A little bit of spice and sweetness make almost any dish shine. General Tso’s Chicken gives you crispy bites coated in bold sauce that’s hard to resist. It’s often the centerpiece of any meal, making it hard not to keep grabbing more. This classic remains a favorite with its reliable mix of flavors.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Tanghulu

Glazed fruit snacks bring a mix of crisp and sweet to the table. Tanghulu coats fresh, juicy bites in a hard outer shell, making them interesting to look at and eat. They work great as a snack or light dessert for any meal. No plate of these ever lasts long.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Tasty dishes are always a crowd pleaser. Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe brings juicy chicken paired with a glossy, flavorful sauce. It’s just as good on its own as it is stacked over simple side favorites. This meal always feels like the feature dish on the table.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Shrimp Fried Rice

Filling meals that combine seafood and grains make great everything-in-one dishes. Shrimp Fried Rice balances tender bites of shrimp with lightly seasoned rice and added texture throughout. It’s ideal for putting together a meal without needing any extras on the side. This plate empties fast every time it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Slightly tangy dishes always add variety to a spread. Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken pairs bright, fresh flavors with tender, flavorful bites in every portion. The shredded texture absorbs every bit of sauce, making the dish even more enjoyable. It’s a refreshing option that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Easy Chow Mein

Stir-fried noodle dishes are a quick way to feed a group without much hassle. Easy Chow Mein delivers simple, delicious servings full of flavor and texture. It pairs well with other dishes or stands nicely on its own for a complete meal. This recipe is one that stays in rotation because of how reliable it is.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chow Mein

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken combines crispy, flavorful bites coated in a sauce you keep coming back to. It’s great alone, on top of rice, or paired with greens for a more balanced plate. This dish rarely leaves leftovers because it’s just too good to skip.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Light and fresh sides with a little heat complement every main dish. Spicy Cucumber Salad brings crisp textures and bold flavors together in each bite. It’s the kind of dish that refreshes the palate while still holding its own. Keep plenty on hand because it goes fast.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Chicken Fried Rice

Mixing rice dishes with tender chicken creates an easy, reliable option for meals. Chicken Fried Rice balances seasoned grains with protein and light seasoning, making it suitable for kids and adults alike. It adjusts easily to any crowd while still feeling complete. Always a crowd favorite when no one wants anything too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Egg Rolls

Crispy finger foods become the star of the table at almost any event. Egg Rolls offer golden, crunchy wraps filled with flavorful layers inside. They work as appetizers or pair well with other side dishes for a balanced plate. No gathering feels complete until these are served.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls

Vegetable Stir Fry

Quick, veggie-packed meals that fit any table setup stay popular for obvious reasons. Vegetable Stir Fry makes the most of simple ingredients combined in a light, flavorful sauce. It’s flexible as a standalone dish or side, offering pleasing bites that don’t feel heavy. This recipe is great for feeding a group with mixed tastes.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Bold sauces make the simplest dishes stand out more. Sweet and Sour Sauce balances tangy and sweet elements perfectly for dipping, drizzling, or coating over anything. It’s easy to pair with multiple dishes while keeping its own personality. This one’s a must-have addition for both casual and special meals.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce

Tofu Fried Rice

Rice dishes with lighter proteins blend well with most spreads. Tofu Fried Rice mixes all the right textures and flavors into a satisfying, meatless option that feels hearty. It’s a great idea for when you want something a little different without losing the essentials. One bowl is never enough for this one.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Mixing crispy textures with tangy flavors turns simple meals into favorites. Sweet and Sour Chicken pairs juicy pieces with an addictive, sticky sauce. It’s flexible for casual dinners or more planned gatherings, working just as well on its own or with sides. Guests always go back for seconds or thirds when this is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken