21 quick and easy Chinese recipes to make you forget about takeout

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Step aside, takeout — tonight, we’re wok-ing out ! These 21 quick and easy Chinese recipes are so delicious, you’ll forget all about your fave takeout spot. Stir up some magic in your wok tonight and everyone will be begging for more.

Sliced char siu with chopsticks.
Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Dan Dan Noodles

Dan dan noodles with bok choy in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This famously mouth-numbing Chinese dish is utterly irresistible for spicy food lovers. We love ordering these spicy noodles from our favorite Chinese restaurant, but this recipe is easy to make at home, too!
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

Char Siu Bao

2 char siu bao on a plate with dipping sauce.
Char Siu Bao. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

When I see char siu bao on a menu, I can’t resist ordering them. But it turns out, they are easier to make than I expected and the foldover buns are fluffy and perfect for filling with whatever you like!
Get the Recipe: Char Siu Bao

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt and pepper fried chicken in a bowl lined with parchment paper.
Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

I made these Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings with Szechuan peppercorns and stir-fried hot chile peppers and garlic and I swear they were just as good as the ones from my neighborhood Sichuan restaurant! They are so crunchy, spicy, and addictive.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Crispy Beef

Low angle shot of crispy beef on a plate.
Crispy Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crispy Chilli Beef is one of my favorite Chinese takeout dishes—strips of tender beef are fried until crispy and then tossed in a sticky, sweet, spicy sauce. It’s easy to make at home, and no deep fryer is needed!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef

Char Siu

Sliced char siu with chopsticks.
Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

I’ve always brought home char siu from the Chinese BBQ counter in the Asian supermarket. But ever since I tried making it in the pressure cooker, I’ve been really loving the homemade version. I finish it either on the grill or in the air fryer. I’ll serve some straight away and use the leftovers for Char Siu Bao.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung pao chicken in a striped bowl with rice.
Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This kung pao chicken is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese takeout restaurant. Tender bits of chicken, crunchy peanuts, a salty-sweet sauce, and a hit of spice all come together to make one delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Wonton Soup

Wonton soup in a white bowl.

Pork and Shrimp Wonton Soup is one of my favorite Chinese soups. This version of the savory broth is studded with juicy, flavorful homemade wontons. It’s a massively comforting, crazy delicious meal and it can be on the table in less time than it takes to order takeout.
Get the Recipe: Wonton Soup

Chicken Potstickers

Overhead shot of chicken potstickers with chile paste.
Chicken Potstickers. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Potstickers make a great appetizer, snack, or even a meal. Takeout potstickers are usually filled with pork, but this homemade version substitutes chicken.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Potstickers

Dry Fried Green Beans

Low angle shot of a plate of dry fried green beans.
Dry Fried Green Beans. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chinese dry fried green beans are a classic Szechuan dish. It’s an easy dish to replicate at home in a hot wok or skillet.
Get the Recipe: Dry Fried Green Beans

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

two bowls of hot and sour soup with Chinese soup spoons and a black and white napkin.
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup starts with a rich, tangy, spicy broth. Then it’s filled with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tender chicken, tofu, and ribbons of egg. It’s seriously nutritious and seriously delicious. This version rivals is every bit as good as takeout.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Fried Wontons

Fried wontons on a black plate.
Fried Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These fried pork and shrimp wontons are so crunchy, flavorful, and addictive, you won’t believe they didn’t come from a restaurant kitchen. A savory filling combines pork and shrimp with classic Chinese seasonings. Filled, shaped, and quickly deep fried, they’re irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Fried Wontons

Har Gow

4 shrimp har gow in a steamer basket.
Har Gow. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Har Gow is my favorite dish to order in dim sum restaurants. These plump Chinese shrimp dumplings have a delicate flavor and equally delicate translucent wrapper. They’re surprisingly easy to make at home, with an easy-to-work-with dough and a simple seasoned shrimp filling.
Get the Recipe: Har Gow

Mongolian Chicken

Overhead shot of a bowl of mongolian chicken.
Mongolian Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mongolian Chicken, like its sibling Mongolian Beef, is a restaurant favorite, and for good reason. Tender chicken pieces are fried to a golden-brown crisp and then tossed in a sweet-savory, gingery hoisin-based sauce studded with fresh green onions.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Chicken

Pork Fried Rice

Pork fried rice in a blue and white striped bowl.
Pork Fried Rice. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

My son always insists that we order pork fried rice from our favorite Chinese restaurant, but I love to make it at home, too, because we can add all sorts of extra bits to it. I love using leftover Char Siu (or any delicious pork) along with whatever vegetables I have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

Sesame Chicken

low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Sesame chicken is another takeout fave. This Air fryer version is a bit lighter than the deep-fried restuarant one, but it’s easy to make. Tender chunks of chicken are quickly air fried to a crispy crunch, then tossed in a sweet-savory sesame sauce.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken

Sesame Noodles

Sesame noodles on a black plate.
Sesame Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Sesame noodles used to be part of our standing takeout order, but they are so easy to make at home. Tender wheat noodles are tossed with ground pork and a rich sesame-based sauce that combines sesame paste, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. It’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Noodles

Singapore Noodles

Singapore noodles with pork and shrimp.
Singapore Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Singapore Rice Noodles are delicious—seasoned with curry powder. and studded with sliced Char Siu or Chinese Roast Pork, prawns, julienned carrots, thinly sliced onions, and scrambled eggs. You can make it at home in about the same amount of time it would take you to go pick up your takeout order.
Get the Recipe: Singapore Noodles

Sweet and Sour Tofu

low angle shot of a bowl of sweet and sour tofu.
Sweet and Sour Tofu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Sweet and Sour Tofu perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors with crispy tofu. It’s a delicious vegetarian takeout classic that is easy to make at home. In just 30 minutes, you can have your favorite vegan Chinese takeout meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Tofu

Szechuan Shrimp

Szechuan Shrimp in a pan with a serving spoon.
Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy Szechuan Shrimp is one of my favorite Chinese dishes to make at home. It’s easy to make and delicious. Hot bean paste, chili oil, and Szechuan peppercorns give it a kick!
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Dan dan noodles on a plate with broccoli and chopsticks.
Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles defy tradition since the traditional topping for the fiery noodles normally starts with ground pork. But I promise you, this easy meatless version is every bit as addictive.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Tanghulu

Tanghulu on a white plate.
Tanghulu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This candied fruit is a popular street food in China. Our tangy homemade Tanghulu recipe is a perfect combination of sweet and sour flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

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